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| Air Force Academy Enrollment Up Sharply |
| 2003-12-03 |
| The number of applicants to the Air Force Academy has grown sharply from last fall, despite the school’s sexual assault scan. As of Nov. 12, the number of applicants was 10,555 - 1,616 more than the 8,939 from a year ago at the same time, the academy said Tuesday. Wonder why? Couldn’t possibly be patriotism, could it? ``People look at this school and see we have challenges, but they have a lot of faith that we will take on those challenges and correct them,’’ said Col. William Carpenter, admissions director. The number of female applicants has also risen from a year ago: 2,704 have applied as of Nov. 12, well ahead of last year’s 1,883. Academy officials said prospective students don’t seem familiar with details of the scandal. Leftie spin: women wouldn’t be patriots if they knew. ``From the comments we hear from visiting students, they feel strongly about what the academy stands for,’’ said Rollie Stoneman, admissions associate director. ``They want to be part of the solution.’’ But these women are. A tuition-free education and a guaranteed job after graduation may also be helping the numbers. The cost of an academy education is currently estimated at $33,468 a year. [sound of Guardian writer drowning in bile] Yep, has to be about the benefits, couldn’t be about defending the country one loves. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #7 Chuck, my class at USNA started out with 1500 and finished with 1000. There are no legacy cases. For example, my Da'd roomate from High School went to Navy. He kind of inspired my older brother and I to apply. His own son had trouble getting into Navy because he was teaching at Navy when his son was applying. Maryland nominations to the academy are hard to come by. I was living in Ohio and had no trouble getting a nomination to Navy. Not many folks in Ohio want to join the Navy. Many people that can't get in immediately will attend a the Naval Acedemy Prep School (NAPS) in Rhode Island for a year. If they complete NAPS, I beleive they automatically are nominated by the Vice President. I may be wrong. There are also programs like BOOST that are geared towards helping enlisted (particularly minorities) get in to Navy and graduate. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-12-3 9:57:48 PM |
| #6 When I started at the Air Force Academy in 1964, we had a class roster of 1004 cadets. That number has grown, I believe, to 1441. In addition to those nominated to the Academy by congressmen and senators, there are a number who are accepted from the ranks, additional numbers allowed as surviving children of medal of honor winners (still competetive, but only among applicants), and several other categories. Most classes don't graduate anywhere near the number nominated: our class was down to just below 800 by the end of Cadet Basic, and graduated just under 600. I was one of those that attritted - left after the first academic semester due to a closed-head injury. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-12-3 11:35:55 AM |
| #5 Chuck, don't know if it answers your question, but here's some raw data (from the Academy website): Each member of Congress and the Vice President may have five nominated cadets at the Air Force Academy at any one time. They may nominate up to ten candidates for each vacancy. Vacancies occur when cadets graduate or leave prior to graduation. The Academy also reserves a select number of spots for international applicants and applicants from U.S. territories and military-affiliated categories. |
| Posted by: snellenr 2003-12-3 10:52:30 AM |
| #4 They must have read all those stories about the Air Force Acadmeny and thought, "Wow, Hot Sex! Who knew?" |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-12-3 8:45:38 AM |
| #3 I don't understand the numbers. Each Congress critter gets to nominate 2 to each Academy, that's still less than 3,000 over the 4 years. Some legacies, but still, over 8,000? |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2003-12-3 8:42:39 AM |
| #2 Enrollment at West Point will be up this coming Fall too - a much higher percentage than normal of those offered admission accepted this year. Probably they all want to enjoy those warm, cozy winters we're known for here in NY .... |
| Posted by: rkb 2003-12-3 5:46:19 AM |
| #1 I went to an academy for the free room and board. You also get excellent deals on cruise packages throughout the world. I even got to see the the Omani coast from an anchorage while taking on fuel and water, |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-12-3 4:54:53 AM |