Most seniors at this time of year are either sorting through college acceptances, still applying to colleges or trying to decide what to do next with their lives.

This is not the case for seniors Nick Andrie and Rhett Myers. Myers will be attending the Air Force Academy and will be playing football, and Andrie will be attending the Naval Academy. Andrie and Myers started applying to school in July of 2015.

As opposed to a normal admissions process which includes submitting a resume, transcript, test scores and teacher recommendations, the admission to a military academy includes several additional requirements.

“I’ve wanted to go [to the Naval Academy] since eighth grade. There was grades, test scores, an essay, math and english teacher evaluations, activities report (extracurricular and leadership, etc.), an interview, a fitness test, medical exams, an evaluation from a camp I went to at the Naval Academy last summer, and I needed a nomination,” said Andrie of his admissions process.

When a student is accepted, they are not necessarily guaranteed a spot. Their admission can be revoked.

“After you turn in everything, they take about a month to look through all the applications they get. If they want you, they’ll send you an appointment. When you get your official appointment is when you know you are in, but they don’t get all of those sent out until April,” said Myers.

Students who attend a military academy to pursue their education have the opportunity to attend college for no price, as long as they serve in their specific area of expertise.

The statement: “an Academy education is valued at more than $416,000, yet we offer it at no cost to our cadets. All that is required in return is your commitment to serve as an officer in the Air Force,” can be found on the Air Force Academy’s admissions website.
With acceptance rates of 16% (Air Force Academy), and 7% (Naval Academy), it is evident that Myers and Andrie are among the top students in the country. While they will be moving on to become Gryfalcons and Goats, they will always be considered Olympians.