Need some essay prompt help

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pooled18

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Dec 16, 2017
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One of my MOC essay prompts is "What are some other (non-academic or physical) challenges you will encounter at a military service academy and how are you preparing yourself to meet these challenges?
Anyone have any suggestions about what to write about? I'm stumped.
 
diversity, heat, leadership challenges, roommates could be a few subjects. Or no social media and phone access for a period of time.
 
@pooled18: I don’t know you, but I offer this advice with kindness and respect. Look inside yourself, not to this forum, to figure it out. You are applying to an SA, to eventually secure an officer’s commission. It is serious business and it demands serious thought. You need to step up, give this prompt some deep and meaningful consideration, and then write what’s genuine to you.

Someone in your position should not be stumped by this. Go into your target SA’s website and read every link, tab and pulldown. That should raise issues and questions for you to ponder. Again, step up. Best wishes to you.
 
It is another opportunity to distinguish who you are to the nomination panel. Who are you, where do you live, what are your experiences, and how will Academy life be different for you, as opposed to anyone else. If you come from a small rural farm town, being around so many people with different backgrounds and culture may be an adjustment, or maybe it won't be. So you may want to raise the potential, discuss it, and explain why you expect to thrive regardless of the "adjustments". Some adjustments will apply to almost everyone. The discipline and structure of academy life is a significant change for just about everyone. Some kids are more cut out for it than others, but you may want to discuss how that change will be handled, or why you expect to benefit from that structure.

If I was on the nomination panel, those are the types of common sense issues I would expect to be addressed in a question like that. I think one of the problems with candidates is overthinking these things. Or, trying to predict what the reader wants or expects to read. Don't try filling your essays with political correctness. Think, and then answer honestly and thoughtfully. Distinguish yourself in that respect.
 
@pooled18

Judge @brovol and @MidCakePa have given you excellent advice.

Do all the detailed reading at the primary sources and look inside yourself and around you for answers. The services are looking for junior officer potential - self-starters who put in the work, pay attention to detail and are capable of critical thinking, and expressing themselves clearly and authentically.

And - there are quite a few ma’ams here on SAF, so don’t assume, though your courtesy is most welcome and appreciated.
 
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