DS went to MMI as a Falcon, best preparation for the rigid Academy life. DS had been to boarding school for several years and so transition was not difficult, in fact he spent most time as paid tutor. The surrounding area is, in a perverse way, just the right environment to focus the mind and spirit for the rigors of any Academy's first year. You are not going to have much of a social life as your peers at State U! Guess what, you are not going to have much of a social life at the Academy during your first year especially, and probably not that much more the last 3! Can you survive in this focused, mission driven culture...if not...you will not survive at the Academy. If you immerse yourself in the military culture at MMI, instead of rushing off at every chance to UA, or elsewhere, keep your nose clean with regards to deportment, fulfill your academic obligations to the best of your ability and strive to always improve....then you have prepared yourself for the onslaught that all of the Academies throw at their freshmen and you will have a fighting chance at success!