Service Academies

[Sebastian (a lady)]

The application season for service academies is just around the corner. The Naval Academy Summer Seminar (http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/nass.htm)is still accepting applications for rising seniors for a couple more weeks. Army is accepting applications for their summer program (http://admissions.usma.edu/MoreInfo/summer.cfm)until 1 April.

Preliminary applications for Navy will open 1 April. The other academies (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine) follow a similar timeline.

These schools are very competitive, but they can be a great option for homeschoolers. They consider applications based on the entire experience of the candidate, not just grades or test scores. Graduates are commissioned in the military with a service obligation.

If this is something that might be of interest, now is the time to look into the programs. The application process is a bit lengthier than the average college and it really helps to get things going in the spring rather than waiting until the fall.

You might also look into ROTC programs, which can provide scholarships to use at civilian colleges and universities that have ROTC programs. Again, they result in a degree and a commission in the military.

These programs aren't for everyone. But if it is a path your kid might consider, they can be very valuable scholarships.

[K-FL]

I just wanted to add re: ROTC that the small, Christian college my dd applied to even has ROTC which is a FULL SCHOLARSHIP.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I just wanted to add re: ROTC that the small, Christian college my dd applied to even has ROTC which is a FULL SCHOLARSHIP.

It is also worth looking at the ROTC websites for the various services. Sometimes a school won't have its own unit but will have a cross town agreement with a neighboring school. For example, Harvard students can participate with the ROTC program at MIT. Or Washington State University and University of Idaho.

In these cases, the ROTC option might not show up prominently in the school that doesn't host the unit.

[Margaret in CO]

I want to encourage anyone's child who is looking at the academies. My dd is a 2nd class (junior) at USNA, currently on exchange to AFA. It's been an amazing adventure for her. Don't forget about USMMA too--easier to get into, they spend a full year at sea, can commission to any service and come out with a third mate's license--worth its weight in gold. Our hired man just found out that he was picked for naval aviator coming out of King's Point. USMMA is often overlooked.