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<p>Right. But how do you know this? Hearsay? From accounts on this forum? How far is deep enough? This candidate did the application himself, he went on a candidate visit. He admits he knew what he was getting into.</p>
<p>Homesickness. A part of growing up? You betcha. As a parent who has sent 3 kids off (100 miles, 600 miles and 1000 miles) - I have dealt with varying degrees and intensities of it. Plenty of kids go home because of it.</p>
<p>One rule I made was - you can’t come home until your first break and you must complete the semester. Not even for a weekend. This rule worked for my kids - others may bolt anyway.</p>
<p>Environment - dealing with cadre, getting yelled at - yes kids know this. It certainly is romanticized in film. I don’t think until you have lived it can you really know how it will affect you. You are correct - you don’t get a trial run.
And no - SLS and NASS are not trial runs!</p>
<p>The academies do everything they can to admit the “best” candidates. They will not admit you if they think you don’t have “what it takes” to succeed at all levels. Nevertheless, the process is not perfect. </p>
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They account for a certain attrition rate - that is why they over admit. That “applicant” is already at West Point.</p>