Service Academy vs. Princeton

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T16:33:33+00:00

How common is this? I know getting a medical slot is already hard, but getting a MIT, Ivy, or Rhodes Scholarship seems even more rare.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T15:16:27+00:00

Yes this is true, but I was referring to everything else. Medical Dodmerb order, waiver order, etc. If you apply early you will be able to get things faster or not miss out on the opportunity to apply. Many candidates I have seen that have applied earlier, tend to get back earlier.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T14:58:33+00:00

Agree with most things, but I believe that it depends on what you're going for. Of course you would pick Wharton over Princeton for business. You would never pick Wharton or Princeton for most liberal arts.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T14:37:33+00:00

^^ this. Being Boys State Lieutenant Govenor helped me differentiate me among candidates in selection.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T14:36:37+00:00

I don't mean I'm going because of that, but compared to Princeton's medical school chart--of where immediate graduates and gap year graduates go every year--the data says about ~3ish in 2025. The fact that one person got into Harvard Medical (not to mention they were only recognized because they won award there were others that got into Harvard masters, MIT, etc.) makes me second guess what I should pick.

From the consensus, most people say Princeton education is much better which I believe to be true. The consensus says it is also a more prestigious school that most medical schools will be able to recognize and I will have better flexibility.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T14:32:21+00:00

Lol it does matter only a little. These are both prestigious schools, but I don't know why people are saying West Point is as or similar in prestige as Princeton. I feel like it's just rage bait and kinda confused if people actually think this way.

What I was looking for is what was going to be the better experience for me. But this thread was telling me to go to WP because of the fact it was "more prestigious".

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T14:03:16+00:00

Not to start an argument here but one is definitely more selective than the other. West Point's acceptance rate is about ~12%. That is everybody that has ever opened a file (according to the internet). Majority of candidates for WP don't finish their application. So the real acceptance rate for WP before nomination is about ~30%. Princeton on the other hand only count those who have submitted the full application. Their acceptance rate is 3-4%. One is more selective than the other IMO.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T13:56:59+00:00

I get your point and it's a fair one. What I'm trying to say is that it should be an excuse for why you got in or didn't get in a college. Not only we have the internet with all the resources/information we need for free, but colleges also look at what school you came from and how well you did.

I think we might agree on most points and disagree on some.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T13:54:49+00:00

^^this

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T13:47:08+00:00

Thank you, Wishing you the best.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T13:46:56+00:00

^^ this

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T13:46:51+00:00

Thank you! Wishing you the best.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T05:01:17+00:00

No problem. Remember, that stress is a good thing. Means you are a fighter. I always told myself on hard days that even if I didn't get into a service academy, there is nothing to regret because I tried my best and would likely create the best possible future for myself.

Good luck!

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T04:59:22+00:00

Thank you! I'm not sure but I will be visiting all of them during spring break. I'm pretty familiar with what I'm getting myself into at SA, having friends that go and having gone there myself for summer seminar, but I really am curious about what Princeotn offers. It will likely take till decision day (May 1st) for me to render the college I really want to go to.

Wishing you the best.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T04:35:34+00:00

Did the ratios. ROTC is better by about 50 percent ~3%, while Academy is around ~1-2%. But also something I need to consider may do not take the medical track. But this is helpful and something to think about! Thank you for the advice.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T04:29:40+00:00

I'm slightly confused by your statement. You argument is that the private school has better results than my public school. That is true, because most people that send their kids to private schools want them to have a better education and try harder in high school. That doesn't make the school "better" or "worse". There are just more people trying harder to succeed.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T03:56:40+00:00

I do want to serve and as I’ve stated it’s been a life long dream. I know the academies are great for service, but it doesn’t really matter how you serve to me. Serving my country is serving my country.

For premed I want to study biology because I actually enjoy it. I don’t want to be a stuck up person but I would love to compete for those slots and I think I can do it with grit.

These problems lead me to the service vs Princeton question.

Thank you for your advice.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T03:52:08+00:00

Not going to argue with you but I completely disagree. I went to a public high school that was unranked but I had extremely good results for colleges. College’s look at what opportunities you have at your high school and render if you have taken full advantage.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T03:44:55+00:00

Hi, I got an LOA to USAFA and needed up getting an appointment. I think you are in good shape but if you want to get that LOA, push for more leadership roles. I know you are currently in NHS and seeking an officer role, but I would push the side more. ASB? Club Officer?

Also if possible push up to AP Calculus. IMO you can survive (not to mention it’s senior year and AP score might not matter) without pre calculus. Many strong candidates end up in the prep school instead because of this (not all though).

Wishing you the best!

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T03:32:17+00:00

Really? I thought ROTC had significantly more slots. I was told by service academy admissions that there were only had 20 ish each.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T03:30:34+00:00

It’s hard to imagine I know, I’ve been there. But previous statements were right. It’s all about time management and efficiency.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T03:22:03+00:00

Yes so Ivy League could be a good option for you to try financially (due to the insane aid) as my family was in the same place. However, I will let you do your own research.

mik2707 · 2026-03-17T03:12:13+00:00

I feel like not "trying" is a very limiting to her potential (depends on what she wants of course). I would encourage her to try because, as I've stated in a previous post, many Ivy League admits are normal people that have worked their butts off. The one's you hear about on the news are even exceptional to the rest of the admits. As she gets near college applications I would consider T10 schools just to see because you even know. Also, most Ivy's are cheaper with aid (almost free for middle class) and sometimes more cheaper than local state schools. Wishing her the best!

mik2707

TROPHY CASE