How to Get Into a Military Service Academy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Qualified, Nominated, and Appointed

by Michael S. Dobson

The five United States military service academies are some of the most elite schools in the nation, taking the finest high school students and turning them into commissioned officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. Over 60,000 students a year begin the arduous process of applying, and about 4,000 get in. At West Point alone, over 15,000 candidates start the applications process. Less than a third of them finish it. Some figure out that they aren’t going to be competitive, some get derailed with specific problems, and some get lost and drop out even though they might have gotten in.

From applications to Congressional nominations, from athletics to medical qualifications, the process is unlike any other for getting into college. This book leads students and their families through the process step by step, offering the tools needed for the very best chance of success.

Covering special issues and concerns like LGBTQ, women and minorities, criminal records, and more, the author also discusses whether attending a service academy is RIGHT for the prospective student, and what he or she can expect upon acceptance, admission, and attendance. Using his personal experience in helping his son through the applications process, Michael Singer Dobson provides all candidates with the ins and outs of the competition for a spot at one of these prestigious schools.

Genres: Nonfiction

214 pages, Hardcover

First published November 16, 2015

About the author

Michael Singer Dobson is an American author who writes on Business (particularly office politics and project management). He also has written Alternate History novels (relating to WWII) and Role-playing game adventures (D&D, Indiana Jones, and Buck Rogers XXVC).

Reviews

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won't provide much new information that you can't find on the internet, but might be a good seriously first introduction to the topic.

[Catherine Mohs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and concise on what you need to get into the academies. The only thing is that I wish was an updated version of this book.

[Leeann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best and most informative guidebook we have found on the topic. My son and I both found it valuable and worth the price, which was a bit more than I would ordinarily pay for the book. I recommend it.

[Jason von Ehrenkrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lifelong quasi-pacifist this was a strange book for me to read. But as a dad who wants his kids to find their own way in this world, this was a very helpful guide as I begin a journey to help my currently 9th grade daughter pursue her goal of West Point.