College admissions

[#1]

Two of my three sons went to the US Military Academy (West Point). When they were in high school we lived in the Houston area. Houston usually sends 40-50 kids each year to WP so the parents club there is strong and very helpful. Since then we moved to Southern California, where the parents clubs are not as strong and information about the WP experience is harder to get. USMA is a great school for the right young men and women. If your son or daughter is interested, and if you are anxious about this, I encourage you to do some research on your own. Check out the school's official web site www.USMA.edu and search out other parents like me who have been through the experience. Most large cities have active WP parent's clubs. There is also a very active internet community of parents who support each other as their sons and daughters go through the experience.

From a parent's perspective, military academies are frightening; howver, the tuition is free, the housing is free, meals are free, the books are free, and the cadets are paid a small monthly allowance while they attend school. The students get an "Ivy League" education - small classes, excellent instruction, disciplined environment. Their commitment after graduation is 5 years of active duty service, where the training and leadership education continues non-stop. Many will make a career out of the Army, and many will not.

One caveat, the choice to attend a military academy must be the student's. They must have a passion for it or they won't make it.
West Point celebrated 200 years of service a few years ago. It is steeped in history and tradition. One cannot visit there without coming away impressed and proud to be an American. To be part of the "long grey line" of graduates is an incredible accomplishment.

[#2]

I am a graduate of the fine institution on the banks of the Severn river(U.S. Naval Academy)am a member of a congresswoman's review board that interviews applicants for nominations to a service academy. We have seen the outstanding young people that have the desire to serve but there have been a very few that were clearly trying to please a parent. The interview and application process will bring the motives for attendance.

Get involved in your local parents club and move into leadership positions. Then you will be able to build a more robust club. I'm sure that the local Associations of Graduates would like all the support that they can receive in tricking impressionable young children to attend a dismal school high on the cliffs overlooking the Hudson river.

Go Navy!

[#3]

Thanks for that insightful input. However, I didn't intend for this to be a forum for Army/Navy rivalry. As a parent of 2 students who attended USMA, I wanted to provide some advice, that's all. Our boys are out and in active duty service now, one is a helo pilot and one is in special forces, so we're beyond the need for the Parent's Club...but I thought many parents on this forum might be at least curious about the experience and may not have an active parent's club in their home town to rely upon for advice. I think we've learned some valuable lessons along the way and I am willing to help others who may be headed down the same path.