The Differences Between the SA's

hockeygirl

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As I have begun the application process for USNA, I have heard a lot about applying to other SA's to help increase your chance of being admitted to one of them (I want to serve in some capacity that has a meaningful impact).

Through this process, I have done a lot of soul searching to try and figure out if any other academy (other than USNA) would be a good match for me. The only thing hindering me from learning about the other SA's is the lack of cohesive/ understandable information about them (ie. life @ the academy, post- graduation opportunities, and what the service opportunities are like).

To give you an idea of what I am looking for; I would like to go to school for some sort of engineering or group 1 major, and my family has had a few graduates from USNA so I have had a huge push towards going there.

I want to explore all of my options before deciding and appreciate your input on this matter.
 
You are asking a very open-ended question and entire books have been written about this topic.

I would start by reviewing the official websites for all of the SA's which talk about career opportunities. There are no guarantees you will get your first choice of service selection so you are better off choosing the military branch most in line with your interests. You only attend an SA for 4 yrs, but your military career just gets started, so better to look at the long run.

Also good to visit any college you are seriously planning to attend.
 
Personally, I was dead set on going to USNA from freshman to senior year. I was planning to apply to USAFA as well, but all I really cared about was the Naval Academy. My parents made my apply to West Point as well, and after doing an overnight I fell in love with it. I did a complete 180 and have now received and am about to accept my appointment there. I am SO happy I applied to West Point, because I never realized the amazing opportunities they have there until I applied and received a "letter of encouragement" authorizing me for an overnight. Words of advice - don't become blindsided because you think you want one thing. It's great to know what you want, but make sure not to get singularly focused and to explore all of your options! If your primary goal is to serve, I would suggest applying to more than one academy.
 
Keep the ROTC programs in mind as a plan B, C, D, or whatever.
 
Comparing the branching numbers from USMA and USNA helped me decide which I'd like to attend more.
 
Visit them all. Do the summer sessions if it's not too late ( I think applications may have closed???). Someone correct me on that please. DS KNEW he wanted AF, went to the Summer, Session, loved it then went to Navy and did a 180 as well.
 
Coach62

Congrats on your sons appointment to the usna. Has he made a decision to accept yet? or go to usafa?

Just FYI, my son was also there at MOC meeting in Dec to receive the nomination. He does not have an LOA so we are still waiting and hoping.
 
As I have begun the application process for USNA, I have heard a lot about applying to other SA's to help increase your chance of being admitted to one of them (I want to serve in some capacity that has a meaningful impact).

Through this process, I have done a lot of soul searching to try and figure out if any other academy (other than USNA) would be a good match for me. The only thing hindering me from learning about the other SA's is the lack of cohesive/ understandable information about them (ie. life @ the academy, post- graduation opportunities, and what the service opportunities are like).

To give you an idea of what I am looking for; I would like to go to school for some sort of engineering or group 1 major, and my family has had a few graduates from USNA so I have had a huge push towards going there.

I want to explore all of my options before deciding and appreciate your input on this matter.

First world problems.
Unless a kid has a "calling" for career in a very specific branch (as opposed to a generic "calling" to serve vaguely or the possibility that the kid may see themselves doing the five and getting out) simply apply to all and decide later on when (if) you get four appointments.
 
I may be alone with this thought, but shouldn't you consider which branch of the military you are "called" to serve in? If you really don't have a preference do some homework and research they are each unique in mission and lifestyle. You'll only spend 4 years at an SA, you have the potential to serve far longer after commissioning.
 
I agree that is should be driven by what you want to do in the military. For my son his goal was to fly fighters, but he didn't want to be on a ship. That meant USAFA was his choice and it was the only SA that he applied to.

Stealth_81
 
Depends on your Senators and MOC, and your competitions from your area, you may only get one Nom and it is not your first choice in the order on your application. It may be wise to research and visit the SAs first to pin down THE ONE when apply.
 
I may be alone with this thought, but shouldn't you consider which branch of the military you are "called" to serve in? If you really don't have a preference do some homework and research they are each unique in mission and lifestyle. You'll only spend 4 years at an SA, you have the potential to serve far longer after commissioning.

You are asking a very open-ended question and entire books have been written about this topic.

I would start by reviewing the official websites for all of the SA's which talk about career opportunities. There are no guarantees you will get your first choice of service selection so you are better off choosing the military branch most in line with your interests. You only attend an SA for 4 yrs, but your military career just gets started, so better to look at the long run.

These, IMHO, as noted above are the things you really should be looking at. It's all about where you want to serve. That engineering degree that you've referenced and what you end up actually doing are two differ things altogether.

Time to start narrowing things down. You need to start asking yourself....does it really benefit it you in the long run to get into an academy where ultimatley your career choices don't match your interests and talents just for the sake of getting into an academy? The rubber meets the road where the expectations meets the reality and it's probably best to consider that as you ponder this further. Sadly enough, there are too many that find out after the fact it it just wasn't so.

I wish you the best as you begin the journey.
 
I too, have family members who have attended a certain academy (USAFA), however I still decided to apply to USNA, USMA, and USAFA. I have received congressional nominations to all three and so far have an appointment to West Point in hand (us waiting on the others...fingers crossed). I applied to those three because even I was not sure of what branch was best for me and I wanted to keep my options open.

I wouldn't worry about whether one SA is "better" than another (although they sure dish out a lot of smack talk :) ).Each one of these academies has the same goal of producing competent officers. In my opinion, the combination of rigorous academics, athletics, and leadership culminates with the cultivation of trustworthy officers equipped to lead men and women in the world's greatest military.

If your goal of becoming a leader in our nations military is sincere, then I would strongly encourage you to apply to at least USNA, USMA, and USAFA and once you have one ( or more) in hand, begin deciding which particular academy or branch suits YOU best.

Hope this helps, Good luck!
 
#1 kid is at USNA, flexible on career (many different interests).

#2 kid is most of the way through basic pilot, wants to fly (preferably fixed-wing), so will likely apply to both USNA & USAFA, plus NROTC & AFROTC schools.
 
If you really want to serve aboard ship, make sure you check out and visit the Merchant Marine Academy. My DD thought that USNA was the only SA to consider, then came USMMA with the year at sea, recruited to swim, early eye waiver, early LOA, then early appointment offer. USMMA has made her feel special (coach calls, lots of contact with admissions, visits, overnights, etc.), while USNA - other than the CVW - has pretty much ignored her (turned down for STEM and NASS programs). Still complete pending review for USNA, but being so late in the game it's unlikely she'll be our fourth generation USNA family member. Not to mention that USMMA will allow one to commission into any branch at graduation, or take a naval reserve commission and serve in the maritime industry for five years (minimum) in some capacity. Even though I'm third generation USNA and retired from the reserves, I wish I had known more about Kings Point back in the day. Might have taken a different route.
 
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