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Service Academy Application Mistakes. What NOT to do...
There are all kinds of advice and even books written on "What to do to get into a Service Academy". Most are well intended, many are outdated, and many are just plain unhelpful.
So in the interest of not duplicating what is already out there, I'd like to tell you, not the same "Study HARD" and 'Be Organized!", but some things to avoid. Sure, these may see obvious, and they are not exactly part of the Application, but every year students with appointments show up and are rejected, or are un-invited before the first day.
LEARN THE REQUIREMENTS. These are some of the events that sorry Candidates say they didn't KNOW about! What not to do...
OK, the following actions may SEEM harmless or unintended, but they'll get you booted fast. You say, "What is the big deal?" . I say, "What would you do for a $400,000 scholarship?".
Don't get married. Yup, seems like an easy bullet to dodge. Happens, if not every year, then enough to get mentioned. You think you're clever. You won't tell a soul. the real deal is if you can't follow this simple rule, there probably aren't many rules that you think apply to you. Don't even pack your bags.
Don't get pregnant (and guys, don't CAUSE a pregnancy). OK, a little easier than avoiding marriage. Still happens. Maybe you're stupid. Maybe you think that you can get a waiver. The truth? Maybe you don't need to go to a Service Academy
Don't get a tattoo. Yup, for some reason people HAVE to show off and scar themselves (again?). Sure you are specifically told not to get a tattoo. Sure you fill out some paperwork. But, C'MON! It is tiny. You can (hardley) see it! Can you say, "Mom, SURPRISE, I'm HOOoome!".
Don't get arrested. OK, this one will get some push back, so bring on the denial! What GREAT excuses are you going to give??? It wasn't your party! Not your car? Not your drugs? And yet, the cops grabbed you! You know what? I would go as far as believing you and STILL you get the rejection letter. Life is SO UNFAIR! Instead of blaming the world, think of it this way. You've got $400,000 in your pocket. I'm not telling you how to live your life, where to go, who you can hang out with. What I am saying is when you wake up, hung over, in the hammock in someone else's back yard, are you ACTUALLY going to act surprised that your money is gone? EVERYONE is going to say the same thing... "WHAT were you THINKING? Why were you THERE with THAT KIND OF MONEY?". And you know what? Tell your answer to anybody you like. Except the Academy is not listening...
Don't "forget" to report a brush with the law. By now you're getting paranoid about the Academy and you are actually considering modifying your ways. You are avoiding questionable friends. Taking a pass on the loudest parties. The smell of marijuana makes you remember you left your cell phone somewher and you have to go... Then it happens. Speeding ticket. Actually, a pretty good one. This WILL NOT hurt you, unless you MAKE IT hurt you. Don't give the Cop a hard time. Do go to Court. Do report it to your Liaison for your Academy. You'll have to explain it. Do take responsibility. Try to weasle out of your share of responsibilty and you can just as easily weasle out of your Appointment.
This is by no means a complete list, but they all have one thing in common. They show a complete disconnect between the mission of a Service Academy and your desire to be a part of that mission.
Every year too many students make themselves ineligible for millions and maybe billions of dollars in scholarships/grants and loans because of problems with the law. Some of these students never recover. They never go on to advanced education. They never get a degree. And what do they say? What do they hink? What do they tell their friends? I have both friends and family in Law Enforcement and they tell me it is always the same...
"I didn't KNOW!"
Well, now you some common problems.
There are more. $400,000 says you should find out... |
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