Late to the Military Academy?

Question

Hi, I'm a freshman at Stony Brook University, and in a way I feel like I've missed out on something great. I had not really begun to consider a military academy until senior year in highschool, which made it too late to apply to. Then near the end of senior year my family had dissauded me from going, making me miss another chance to write for a congressional appointment, and apply. Now I'm in my first year of college and its the beginning of December. I feel that if I apply this spring, by the time I am accepted and join the academy (if I am), I will have already wasted 2 years of college and will have to start over because all the academies require 4 years no matter what. I would be 20 by the time I get in. Is this a wise decision? I know that if I'm called to do it I should follow my instinct, but is there anyway that those 2 "wasted" years of college benefit me in an academy? will I feel out of place as a 20 year old freshman? I wish to apply to USMA. Any advice is great.

also, is there a way to still apply for this term, if i complete all other requirements and just get the appointmen in the spring?

Answer 1

why not go ROTC instead?

Answer 2

You could always go through OCS. With a college degree, you can go through the Officer Candidate School (most branches of the US military have some form), which is somewhere between nine and fourteen weeks on average. After such time you become a fully Commissioned Officer. Once an Officer, you could apply to go to USMA for either an advanced degree, or for another four year degree. You have many options open, if this is something you really want to do, contact a recruiter in the branch of your choice.

Answer 3

Bottom line: If you feel strongly about attending the Academy, apply for admission to USMA. You haven't "wasted" anything. Many USMA graduates did not go straight to West Point out of high school. Some went to college, and others enlisted in the Army before applying for admission to USMA. I did both. If you are admitted to USMA, you will still have to complete four years of undergraduate education, but upon graduation you will have (a) a bachelor degree and (b) a commission as an Army officer. Depending upon your previous collegiate education, you may be able to take advanced undergraduate classes, or be able to get credit for the classes that you have taken before. In any case, don't let your age keep you from applying for admission.

Answer 4

It will not be a problem.

There are plenty of people who go to another college first, then apply and transfer to the academy.

Then there are prior enlisted personal attending the academies.

It's not like they are going to make you repeat English 101.

You will just most likely graduate with a double degree.