<p>Please correct me if I am wrong… but I am going to go on and say what I “think” I know…</p>
<p>-You need a recommendation from your state governor? right?
How do I get those…</p>
<p>-Tuition is free</p>
<p>-You need to do a physical test(?) like running etc…</p>
<p>Seriously, I do not want to go to West Point. I have no interest in becoming a US soldier in the army. My parents are literally forcing me to apply when time comes. Perhaps its because of our amazingly low income that we can’t afford those over-priced tuitions at other schools. Do you HAVE to be a soldier after graduation? I mean… your going to a military school… So I am guessing you should. Also (forgive me if I sound rude) is the academy full of hardcore-overly muscular-I bench 5000-people…?</p>
<p>Go to the admissions section of the <a href=“http://www.USMA.edu%5B/url%5D”>www.USMA.edu</a> website and you will find answers to most of your questions. From the tone of you message, maybe you need to refer your parents to the website.</p>
<p>Don’t get disparaged by you family’s “amazingly low income”. At most schools your chances for financial aid are predominately based on need rather than merit.</p>
<p>Intotherain: If you don’t want to go to West Point, please do all you can to convince your parents that only those who are highly motivated to attend will succeed. You might want to visit or do more online research. My son wishes he could “bench 5000” and he is athletic but he also enjoys academics and is extremely interested in all aspects of biology. Read “Absolutely American” - written by a Rolling Stone writer - it might change your view and it’s a good read. And yes, you do have to be a soldier after you graduate - for five years.</p>
<p>Hey intotherain, if you absolutely don’t want to go then don’t go. Who cares how much your parents make, go get a job apply for scholarships and student loans.</p>
<p>At the air force academy summer seminar the director of admissions said an interesting and very smart thing during one of our briefings. It went to the tune of “if your accepted and being forced to come here because of parents…give us a call and we’ll make sure something keeps you from getting here.” I wouldn’t be surprised if you could do this at any academy.</p>
<p>One of the things that i know is stressed at USAFA and im sure is stressed at west point as much, only apply if YOU want to. Applying (and if you make it) is a life changing commitment. Not only is it a 4 year college where you are stripped of most civilian amendities, you will be giving 5-10 more years of your life AFTER, in addition to the first four (i dont know what the West Point commitment is; AFA is 8 - 5 active, 3 reserve).</p>
<p>If you are not 100% pumped to go to a service academy, DONT. If you feel really forced, tell your liason officer in private and s/he can flag your account to not have an appointment.</p>
<p>Again, do not do what others are wanting you to do, do what YOU want to do; its your life - not theirs.</p>
<p>If you apply because of parents, and you happen to have a pretty good record. You could get in and hate it, while someone with not quite as good a record as yours is heartbroken after a lifetime of being dead set on attending West Point. There are thousands upon thousands that would love to attend the service academies, particularly USMA and USNA, dont compete with those who are driven if you aren’t as well. Bottom line is that America is a land of freedom and opportunity, if your parents respect the military(as it seems they do with a passion) then they respect that there is no draft, and that young men and women put their lives into harm’s way on their own accord.</p>