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The United States Military Academy at West Point, the nation鈥檚 first military academy, prepares students to serve as officers in the U.S. Army. Cadets who successfully complete the rigorous academic, military, and physical programs earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree and are commissioned as second lieutenants. Students attend USMA to 鈥渞eceive the best leadership training鈥� possible and laud the institution for 鈥淸striving] to develop cadets鈥� leadership and character, which sets it apart from most鈥�universities.鈥� Enrollees are given 鈥渙pportunities to challenge yourself 鈥� through opportunities like training at the Airborne School and AirAssault, where cadets learn how to parachute out of planes and rappel from helicopters. Additionally, they benefit from 鈥渃ountless academic enrichment activities,鈥� including study abroad programs, internships, and the Service Academy Exchange Program (SAEP), where participants spend a semester at one of USMA鈥檚 sister federal service agencies: the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. While 鈥渇reshman and sophomore classes are already picked for you,鈥� upper-level students can choose courses based on their major. 鈥淭his is nice because鈥�you don鈥檛 have to worry about a class filling up.鈥� Professors receive almost unanimous praise for their accessibility and devotion to students: 鈥淚鈥檝e had teachers give me their cellphone numbers on the first day and actually help at all hours of the night. I鈥檝e had teachers reply to emails at 4 a.m. about a problem.鈥� The 鈥渁cademics at USMA are very challenging,鈥� but professors 鈥渂end over backwards to accommodate鈥� cadets鈥� busy schedules and 鈥渁lways will go the extra mile to help you succeed if you鈥檙e willing to ask.鈥� In addition to receiving a prestigious education, students resoundingly agree that one of the best things about attending USMA is the 鈥済uaranteed job after graduation (commissioning as a 2LT in the US Army).鈥�

The student body at USMA is 鈥済eographically unique.鈥� In order to gain admission, applicants 鈥渕ust be nominated by a congressman or senator, resulting in cadets from all across America as well as a small number of international cadets.鈥� Cadets express great admiration for their peers, with one praising their 鈥渋ntegrity, smarts, athleticism, and drive to succeed.鈥� Another says, 鈥淚 am surrounded by a large number of motivated, caring, capable, and skilled friends. People here care about the academics鈥�but more importantly, care about each other and the real reason we are here at West Point.鈥� One cadet claims that USMA attracts 鈥渟ome of the best, most intelligent, and uniquely remarkable students America has to offer.鈥� Additionally, cadets 鈥渇orm special bonds with their peers as they go through rigorous military training with their units鈥�the camaraderie is unparalleled at other institutions.鈥�

鈥淟ife is extremely busy鈥� at West Point. 鈥淪chool and athletics take up most of the time.鈥� On weekdays, 鈥渃lasses start at 7:30 a.m. and continue until the last class concludes at 4 p.m.鈥� After classes, 鈥渆veryone participates in some kind of physical training or event. Athletics go 鈥渦ntil around 6:00 p.m.鈥� Then, 鈥渢he evenings are taken up by dinner or studying鈥� or commitments like club meetings and religious gatherings. Everyone agrees: 鈥淲e are very busy here, all day, every day.鈥� When cadets need a break, they often lift weights, run, or rock climb; working out 鈥渋s a huge part of West Point culture.鈥� On weekends, there are many options for fun, 鈥渆verything from trips for clubs and sports to inspections, parades, and football games.鈥� Cadets of legal age 鈥渆njoy frequenting the on-campus bar in the evening and taking [a] pass on the weekends to study outside of the school or visit with friends in the city.鈥� While cadets acknowledge that maintaining such a hectic schedule 鈥渋s challenging,鈥� it 鈥渢eaches you the valuable life skills of time management and work ethic.鈥�

West Point鈥檚 specialized courses and its wide range of majors are 鈥済ood preparation for a both a military and civilian career in the future. 鈥淧eople just trust you more because they understand that the type of people West Point produces are top-notch,鈥� says one. Almost all West Point graduates become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army, starting off as a 2nd Lieutenant and possibly working their way up to a Colonel, though a small number can 鈥渃ross-commission鈥� and go to another branch of the military. During their second summer, all undergo cadet field training at a nearby camp, where they may serve as instructors the following summer. Of the United States Military Academy alumni visiting PayScale.com, 65 percent report that they derive a high level of meaning from their jobs.