"Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource."

Thus said President John F. Kennedy, WWII veteran and author. When he applied to Harvard, his father was the SEC Chairman, and had this to say about his son:

       Jack has a very brilliant mind for the things in which he is interested, but is careless and lacks application in those in which he is not interested. This is, of course, a bad fault.

Between that and a so-so SAT score (though, perhaps unsurprisingly for a gifted orator, he performed well in languages and writing, a topic which clearly held his interest), he was a legacy admit whose college experience is exceptional.

But he didn’t start his service until he was 24, a path that ultimately led him to the Oval Office. Does leadership in the armed forces appeal to your child?

This Veteran’s Day, Mindspire is going to take a look at the five service academies, and shout out our partner on the college counseling side, Academy Endeavors, who can help your student ask not what the country can do for him or her.

West Point

West Point was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1802, making it the oldest service academy.

Fun fact: Edgar Allan Poe, author of “The Raven” and “The Cask of Amontillado,” attended West Point. A recent Netflix film was set there, offering stunning views of the Hudson River:

       The Pale Blue Eye. A retired detective recruits an astute West Point cadet named Edgar Allan Poe to help him solve a grisly murder mystery at the U.S. Military Academy. Christian Bale stars with Harry Melling in Scott Cooper's gothic thriller based on the bestselling novel by Louis Bayard.

The average SAT scores at West Point around 1200-1450, and ACT 25-30, with a strong emphasis on leadership and physical fitness. Prominent West Point graduates include General Douglas MacArthur, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and General George S. Patton.

West Point has produced some of the most influential military leaders in U.S. history, often leading major campaigns or serving as chiefs of staff.

Naval Academy

The U.S. Naval Academy was founded on October 10, 1845, by Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft in Annapolis, Maryland. The academy was established to address the need for formalized and rigorous training for U.S. Navy officers, who had previously been trained at sea with limited standardized education.

Students are called “Midshipmen,” a term rooted in naval history. This tradition dates back to the British Royal Navy, where a "midshipman" was a young officer-in-training stationed amidships, or mid-ship, on a vessel.

Also, every year, the academy hosts an unusual tradition known as the Herndon Monument Climb. In this event, the entire first-year class (or "plebes") works together to scale a 21-foot-tall obelisk covered in lard. The goal is to remove a "Dixie cup" plebe cap from the top and replace it with an upperclassman’s hat.

Average SAT scores are around 1200-1450, and ACT 26-32. Competitive admission requirements in academics, athletics, and leadership experience. Also, you have to of course not fear seasickness. Ahoy!

Air Force Academy

The Air Force Academy is the newest service academy. Established to train officers for the Air Force, which had become an independent branch in 1947. The academy emphasizes aeronautical engineering, aerospace studies, and leadership training specific to the Air Force's needs.

Since it’s relatively recent, no U.S. Presidents have yet graduated from the USAF, but Ronald Reagan did serve in its predecessor. Perhaps there can be a Top Gun prequel set in Colorado Springs? (The Top Gun program primarily trains Navy pilots, but coordinates cross-branch.)

With its high elevation and gorgeous Rocky Mountain vistas, the Air Force Academy has the distinction of being one of the most scenic colleges in the country, period.

Score Requirements: Average SAT scores around 1230-1440, ACT 29-33. Heavy focus on academic and athletic excellence.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)

An example of the caliber of graduates the USCGA produces is illustrated by the story of Douglas Munro:

Munro is the only U.S. Coast Guard member to receive the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the medal for his heroic actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942, where he sacrificed his life to save fellow Marines during a rescue operation. His bravery continues to be a symbol of courage and sacrifice in the Coast Guard.

These last two service academies are slightly easier to get into, but by no means “easy” — the first three have sub-15% admissions, whereas the Coast Guard and Merchant Marine academy each admits about 20% of applicants. This is as competitive as the most elite non-military schools in the country.

Score Requirements: SAT scores in the range of 1150-1350, ACT 24-30. Focus on STEM and leadership skills.

Academy Endeavors can help your student

Here at Mindspire, our focus is helping your student get their best possible standardized test scores. We have recently launched in-house college counseling, but we are excited to highlight one of our external partners: Travis Wittick of Academy Endeavors.

He graduated from USAF in 2007, served 17 years in the military, and got his MBA from Duke. He will be excited to refer your son or daughter to the right program to tailor the application for such a competitive, but rewarding, path.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who also served as a general, highlights the honor of military service:

"In the final choice, a soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as a prisoner's chains."

Get in touch if your student wants to be one of the lucky 1 in 5 or 1 in 10 to be admitted to these academies. And remember, this is a vital season for SAT prep.

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