For students who would like to experience a military environment while getting a first-class education, a Senior Military College (SMC) offers the best of both worlds. These include Norwich University, the Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Virginia Tech, North Georgia College & State University, Texas A&M, and the Mary Baldwin Women's Institute for Leadership. SMCs are among the most prestigious and famous education institutions in the world. They are private colleges, but offer financial aid packages for eligible students.
Similarly, the four Service Academies at West Point, New York; Annapolis, Maryland; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and New London, Connecticut, offer an outstanding education and full four-year scholarships. Tuition, books, board, and medical and dental care are all fully paid for all four years—and those who attend get paid a monthly stipend as well. The competition to get in is fierce. Admissions criteria include:
- High school academic performance
- Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
- Athletics and extracurricular activities
- Leadership experience and community involvement
- A congressional letter of recommendation
Most graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree and a leadership job as an officer in the Military. There is a minimum service obligation of five years, but most academy graduates make the Military their career. Graduates achieve a level of academic and personal excellence few others can hope to approach.
