In this article, we will be talking about military schools in New York. People have different reasons for attending an institution of higher learning but one reason that is mostly the same for people is that they want to improve themselves. Military schools are among the schools that can best meet this goal.
Just like institutions of higher learning have different types, there are also types of military schools in New York such as federal military academies, junior military colleges, and maritime colleges, to mention a few. These schools prepare students for active-duty service while providing the best college experience. We will talk about them next.
In military schools, students are called “Cadets,” and they perform activities that prepare them for military life; they wear uniforms and complete assigned duties. These military schools in New York also provide students with access to some of the best teachers in the world. Through them, they get to receive a liberal arts education that helps them both in their military and civilian careers.
Types Of Military Schools
Military schools in New York can provide students with both an education to face the world and military training. They offer traditional degree options, infused with military-influenced leadership training.
There are several types of military schools. While federal military academies offer full-ride funding for students who commit to postgraduate service, most private and public military academies do not require military commitments from students.
Federal Military Academies:
They provide students with a complete postsecondary education and leadership training. They offer a four-year degree that is financially covered by the government and in exchange, the students commit to serving in the military after they graduate. The typical postgraduate obligation is five years of service.
The students can decide to choose from five federal military academies, each one representing a branch of the armed forces. These academies have very challenging admission requirements, this is to make sure they enroll only the top candidates. You should also know that if you do not complete your education or service obligations, you would need to repay your tuition to the government.
Senior Military Colleges:
Students can pursue college degrees while receiving leadership training in senior military colleges. Unlike federal military academies, they offer traditional higher education programs. The students can pay their tuition while they attend the colleges and they do not have to commit to postgraduate military service.
However, they can choose to serve with the Navy, Army, or Air Force after graduation if they want to. Students attend these colleges for four years and they can apply for and receive financial aid through the standard channels.
The admission requirements and programs for each of the senior military colleges vary. To apply here, you need strong grades and leadership potential to be considered.
Junior Military Colleges:
These military colleges provide students with access to associate degrees alongside military and leadership training. Students attend these junior military colleges for two years without having to commit to postgraduate service. The students here often pursue traditional financial aid pathways.
Graduates who wish to serve in the military can consider branch-specific ROTC training in the Air Force, the Army, and the Navy. This training is offered by these junior military colleges.
Also, the programs and admission requirements vary by school, but the good news is that most junior colleges have flexible admission standards. Although generally, students would need a high school diploma or GED certificate. Note that some schools might require you to present SAT or ACT scores.
Maritime Colleges:
These colleges function like senior military colleges but they emphasize maritime education and careers. Students can pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in shipping and transportation or can take ROTC programs in several military branches. The programs they offer focus on maritime-related studies while introducing leadership training and sea-term internships in the curricula.
These colleges do not offer government-covered tuition but students can access traditional financial aid options or pursue commissioned pathways that may offer financial support. Few maritime college programs have postgraduate service obligations; some may require service commitments, while others might request that students participate in volunteer service after they graduate.
The admission requirements of maritime colleges typically align with other military colleges – students need a high school diploma or GED certificate, SAT or ACT scores, and professional letters of recommendation.
College-Prep Military Schools:
College-prep military schools help students transition into college. They tend to offer rigorous academic and leadership training that emphasizes character-building and strict codes of conduct. Students spend 4-5 years in these military schools.
After graduating, students may decide to go on to serve in the military. These schools have demanding academic and character requirements for admission. But once you do get in, you can be sure to be equipped with the skills and qualifications that are required to enter some of the best traditional colleges and top military schools in New York.
The List of Top Military Schools In New York
We will look at eight top military schools in New York you can pick from. They are:
New York Military Academy:
New York Military Academy was founded in 1889, it began as a boy’s school but then became co-ed in 1975. This military school is a residential school with tuition fees. Although there is financial assistance available for those in need.
The mission of this school is to guide cadets into becoming competent members of society. This is accomplished by focusing on the students, not just the academics. This does not mean that academics are not critical because they are. There is also a focus on athletics, leadership, and character development.
Before applying, an in-person visit, although not necessary, is recommended. The school has no minimum GPA necessary for admission, all you have to do is be a student with leadership qualities and your academic success is considered.
Also, the graduation rate of the school is 100%, and all students attend either college or go on to the military. Even though a greater number of students go on to colleges instead of joining the service despite the school being a military one.
You can get a view of the cost of attending the school here.
La Salle Institute:
La Salle Institute is a Catholic school that was founded in 1850. The Institute works with students from grades six to their final year of high school. It is also a day school. At La Salle Institute, there is an understanding that academics are only one part of the growth of a student.
Academically, the institute believes in individualized instruction, this could be the reason behind the small class sizes that helps students have a more straightforward academic success path.
In this institution, they make sure their students are college-ready, this makes 100% of their graduates receive acceptance to colleges. Many students also earn scholarships based on academic merits.
More than academics, the institution also believes learning goes beyond the classroom walls, this makes them encourage their students to engage in extracurricular activities.
If you are interested in sending in an application to the school, you would have to visit the school first. You should note that the school does not make use of an entrance exam for consideration, instead, it looks at how you are fairing academically, your leadership qualities, potential, and behavior.
You can get information on the tuition and financial aid here.
Christian Brothers Academy:
Christian Brothers Academy was founded in 1859, it is a college preparatory school that provides a Catholic education for boys. The academy is a Lasallian institute with four principles:
- The school is committed to a faith that is expressed through service to the community.
- The education is committed to being rigorous with academics.
- The needs of students come first. With the community and culture being helpful and kind when meeting those needs.
- The school is inclusive. This allows students with a wide range of personal and religious backgrounds to be welcome.
The academy has a 100% graduation and enrollment rate either into a college or university. Also, over 70% of college-bound students who recently graduated receive a scholarship based on their academic success. Also, the average SAT score for students at the Christian Brothers Academy is 1275.
The steps for admission to this school include an entrance exam, an online application, a letter of recommendation from a middle school teacher, and any transcripts and standardized test scores from middle school.
This option of the military school in New York is a tuition-based school with a scholarship program. You can view the tuition fee here.
Emma Willard School:
Emma Willard School was opened by Emma Willard in 1821 to offer girls the same level of education that is offered to boys. The school focused on a rigorous academic program for girls and fostering them into lifelong learners. The school works to build the character, morals, and leadership qualities of all students.
The academic focus of the school is multidisciplinary, they engage their students in critical thinking that tackles problems that require the rigor of learning in more than one subject.
The school believes in putting a sense of community and personal connection between the students and their communities. The school also instills an appreciation of diversity and inclusion in students. The school is both a day and boarding school with a graduation rate of 100%.
The school offers 119 different courses, 13 interscholastic sports, and 33 various art courses. The application process here is competitive and students must apply and participate in an interview.
Lastly, the school has an application fee and an entrance exam. The tuition fee can be accessed here.
West Point Military Academy:
West Point Military Academy is a four-year Federal service academy that was founded in 1802. The school is committed to educating cadets for their commission into the Army. Students must have a congressional nomination for consideration and have to apply directly to West Point.
Students in West Point Military Academy are called Cadets, and they offer free tuition in exchange for an obligation to serve in the Army after graduation. West Point is the oldest military school in New York and the rest of the country.
The four pillars that West Point believes in, help to attain leadership are military, physical ability, character, and academics. The academy does well academically, they are known to produce Rhodes and Marshall scholars, presidents, and even Medal of Honor recipients.
This military school is one of the most exclusive military schools in the United States. It is famous for its rigorous standards, which is why they have an average of only 1,000 out of the 1,300 cadets that graduate each year. Successful students would need a nomination from a sitting member of Congress or the president or vice president.
The school has an acceptance rate of 9%. You can get information about the cost over here.
US Merchant Marine Academy:
US Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy. It sets its lenses on creating leaders that will serve in national security, economics, and marine transportation. The academics at the school are rigorous, and the degrees require a lot more commitment to credit hours than some colleges.
Additionally, students spend a year at sea as part of the degree, they learn to work on military or commercial vessels. In the end, they graduate and have a coast guard license.
There is no tuition at the academy but there is however a cost of attendance, you can view it here. Students have a service obligation that comes with options.
One is that students who graduate might work for five years in the maritime industry along with eight years of service in any reserve unit. The other is five years of active duty in one of the military branches. The school is selective and they look at a student’s GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and other aspects of a student’s life.
SUNY Maritime College:
SUNY Maritime College is a federally approved maritime school that was founded in 1874 that prepares students for nautical careers. The college has core values that include strong academics, leadership, and student-centered learning. The school is committed to creating educated leaders for the maritime industry.
The curriculum at SUNY continually adapts to the changes in the marine industry. The school has a graduation rate of 75% and students can graduate within four years.
The school becomes more competitive yearly but the acceptance rate is 73%. Students would need a strong application to be considered. They would also need a letter of recommendation.
The college breaks its classes into groups. Each group includes a band, an honor guard, and a security company. They also participate in special events which in turn prepares them for the formal aspects of Coast Guard duty.
Here is an estimate of their tuition and fees.
Western New York Maritime Charter School:
Western New York Maritime Charter School is the last school on our list of top military schools in New York. The school was founded in 2004. It is a public high school with a charter, and students are cadets in the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC).
This school shapes the school experience in a way that supports academic rigor, leadership, physical development, and character development. This makes a lot of sense, seeing that the mission at the school is to become the school of choice for students who wish to have a military career.
Students who graduate from this school often join the military while many graduates leave high school with a commission into the military.
Also, the NJROTC has a mission to put into the cadets a sense of citizenship and personal responsibility.
Although the NJROTC is not a recruiting program, the students who would want to continue with a military career have some opportunities that are not available at other schools.
Before students can enroll, they must fill out the application first. The school has a graduation rate of above 90%. You can view the average per pupil expenditures here.
You can check out an article on the top 3 marine biology colleges in New York. Here is the link.
FAQs
How Do You Get Into a Military School?
To get admitted into a military school would require a similar application process as that of traditional colleges and universities.
Most schools require you to submit your high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and letters of recommendation.
Why Do People Go to Military Schools?
People have different reasons for attending military schools. Some people attend these schools for the sole aim of preparing for military service.
Others are more interested in the free tuition that is offered by some federal academies.
Some students attend these schools with no military aspirations at all, they just go there to enjoy their facilities, programs, and leadership training.
Can You Go to College and Be in the Military?
Most students attend college while they are in the military. Whether they attend military colleges or traditional schools, people in the military can receive an education whenever they like.
They can pursue college before entering the military, or while in active-duty service. Even individuals deployed in the armed forces can take online courses and retired service members can pursue degrees.
Should I Finish College Before Joining the Military?
Students can finish college before entering the military, this can allow them to pursue their intended professions while in the military.
Although, the military offers plenty of options for education during and after service. People in the military can finish college before, during, or after they join the military. This usually comes with financial support for each pathway.