Admission into the United States service academiesare highly sought after. The United States Military, Naval, Air Force, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard academies have acceptance rates ranging from 9% to 18%.In addition to their highly rigorous admissions processes,they enjoy an esteemed reputation for educating and preparing top-ranking members of the US military and intelligence communities for service.But to gain acceptance, you have to jump through a few more hurdles than you would attraditional colleges.For instance applicants cannot be married, pregnant, or have any children for whomthey have legal responsibility.The admissions process also startsmuch sooner than at traditional schools. Beginning in candidates' junior year of high school, they start to fill out questionnaires and begin applying for official nominations. These nominations come from members of Congress, US senators, and the vice president, as well as othermilitary personnel.Applicants also undergo a medical assessment that examines both their physical and mental health,and are required to take fitness tests. Most schools require the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), a six-event exam aimed at judging the applicants' physical fitness level.Read onto learn more about the five US service academies.SEE ALSO:The 3 most popular majors at every Ivy League schoolUS Military Academy ' West Point, New YorkCadets at the US Military Academy, also referred to as West Point or Army, can major in a broad array of programs including the engineering, business,literature, and the social sciences. Tuition fully paid in returnfor an active-duty service obligation; receivemonthly pay as a predetermined percentageof that of a commissioned officer 4,348 students 10% acceptance rate Notable alums: Former US presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower, andretired generalsDavid PetraeusandStanley A. McChrystalUS Naval Academy ' Annapolis, MarylandThe most popular majors for midshipmenat Navy include economics, systems engineering,and political science and government. Tuition fully paid in returnfor an active-duty service obligation; receivemonthly pay as a predetermined percentageof that of a commissioned officer 4,525 students 9% acceptance rate Notable alums: Former President Jimmy Carter, Arizona Senator John McCain, and businessman and former politician Ross PerotUS Air Force Academy 'Colorado Springs, ColoradoCadets at Air Force take an array of courses with astrong focus on engineering, sciences, and military studies. Tuition fully paid in returnfor an active-duty service obligation; receivemonthly pay as a predetermined percentageof that of a commissioned officer 4,111 students 17% acceptance rate Notable alums: NBA head coachGregg Popovich, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who famously, and safely, landed a US Airways plane in the Hudson RiverSee the rest of the story at Business Insider
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