Max; I'm not digging into anything. Matter of fact, I can totally bow out of this thread. Matter of fact, being there weren't any more comments, I sort of thought the thread was dying. But I do owe you a response to your question. You deserve that.
To be honest, I see too many people trying really hard to differentiate the academies from civilian schools; and basically saying that none of these polls, surveys, rankings, etc... mean anything and that academies really can't be compared. I am frankly bewildered by this train of thought. We are all quite knowledgeable with the uniqueness that the academies possess compared to civilian schools. But that's not to say that the academies can't be compared and ranked along side of their civilian counter parts. They are all educational institutions with the same basic goals. To educate an individual for future endeavors.
As for the money cadets get; let's drop it. I'm willing. It doesn't really matter. The bottom line is that cadets get roughly $900 a month. Of which; depending on the particular academy; a certain amount is used to pay back loans. After which, they get the remaining. Whether a person wants to see it as pay or a stipend, it doesn't matter. The only thing that mattered was that they are receiving money. SIMILAR to civilian students who also receive money; usually from part time jobs. And this money; whether it's military or civilian originated, is basically used for the same things. Computers, clothes, entertainment, travel expenses, etc... Don't harp on defining the money. Concentrate on the purpose of the money.
Finally; as for your concern/comment where you said: "Americas Finest (as I'm sure you know) is an active Cadet at West Point and from what my correspondence information is with him, he's not receiving money from "Mommy and Daddy". I can only ask this question 1 way: "What the Hell are you talking about"??????? I have absolutely no idea why you brought this up. The only place I can even remember the words MOMMY and DADDY being mentioned, was indeed in the quote you posted of mine. And here is that section:
But again; my comparison was that the "PURPOSE" of that money is very close or identical to the "PURPOSE" of the money earned, worked for, given to, etc... a civilian college student. (Minus the extremely small percentage who have a mommy and daddy giving them 100% of their requirements). And therefor, the financial and academic sides of the academy can be compared in such surveys/studies as Forbes, Princeton Review, USNWR, etc...
I was simply comparing that the money earned, given, worked for, or whatever we want to call it; that cadets and civilian students receive, are being used for the same things. Then I excluded the MINORITY of civilian students who had their parents footing the entire bill. Including all their ancillary accessories. Now; how the heck you made that into a slam on America's Finest; I have absolutely no idea. Anyway, best to let that one just go and call it a misinterpretation.
Anyway, hope that sort of clarifies things. I don't think harping on defining a cadet's money is of any use. I see a similarity between the money they receive and a stipend. But that isn't important. My point all along was that it's totally feasible and appropriate for forbes, Princeton, USNWR, etc... to rank the military academies among all the other universities. Potential students and their parents view them all as schools. Yes, the academies have so unique requirements, rules, and commitments. But many of the civilian schools have their own little quirks too. Our academies are competing with Harvard, USC, UCLA, Michigan State, and the University of EveryStateInTheUnion for students. Having our academies ranked so high in these reviews and polls is a very good thing.