BossIsland0 - Congrats on earning a USMA appointment and ROTC scholarship to a top 10 school. You are obviously a high caliber student who's proven himself/herself in school. Some of the posts above give very good perspectives. Please don't mind the criticism you have received above as a result of asking such a question. The violent example of the USMA grad that didn't do well in the job interview, imho, would be the rare exception and not the norm. I've been a lurker on the forums for some time and recently signed up. I think what you've asked is a fair question. And since you've asked to get some graduates' perspectives, here goes:
High moral character is the expectation of service academy graduates. I remember as a mid that every leader that ever came to talk to us always spoke about the importance of integrity. Some of the various leaders who spoke to us included: Gen. Colin Powell, Margaret Thatcher, Ross Perot, Roger Staubach and many other admirals, generals and leaders. The President gave our commencement address. Integrity is one of the most, if not the most, important traits a leader must possess. The service academy experience involves being immersed in a leadership environment with like-minded cadets or midshipmen to become the best leaders and future officers in their respective service. With the exception of VMI, the Citadel, and some other great military colleges, most civilian universities - even the top 10 ones - don't necessarily train on a daily basis for the type of character development you will receive at a service academy. Cadets and midshipmen are responsible for their ethical decisions in everything they do. The leadership values you learn at a service academy will set you up to make the right decisions in the Army and later in life - whether it's five, 10 or 20+ years later. Your future resume and job application will usually have your education listed at the top. Civilian companies recognize the high level of character development that is imbued in every cadet and midshipman. I can tell you for certain that the company I currently work for definitely valued the fact that I attended a service academy. It's a job of special trust and confidence and having the background of a service academy education definitely helped. Also, you'll find after your service that the world is a lot smaller than you think. Your ethical decision making and work ethic will follow you wherever you go.
If you eventually want to become a doctor, I think your opportunities are just as good going to either USMA or the top 10 school. Medical schools will look at your grades and your score on the MCAT from either school. I believe the number was 2% of graduates that could go to medical school. The number has likely changed but it's close. Though the percent of cadets who can select medical corps may be a smaller percent at USMA than perhaps ROTC, you'll likely find that most cadets at USMA don't want to go medical corps. And those who do need to have the grades and the MCAT score. So you'd really be competing against that subset of cadets at USMA. Two of my close classmates from USNA became doctors. One went to medical school right after graduation. He was our family doctor in the Navy, and he delivered our second son, who also just earned an appt to USMA and may be your classmate (we're preparing for a family rivalry with our older USNA mid). The second classmate went to medical school after five years in the Marine Corps. Both are outstanding physicians and wouldn't have changed their experiences. Hope that helps give some perspective. Feel free to PM if you'd like. Good luck with your decision.
