Star Trek: 10 Things You Should Know Before Applying To Starfleet Academy

Despite what some pushy parents would have you believe, there's more to life than Starfleet! The Federation alone is a vast and diverse union of planets, brimming with career opportunities and experiences to be had. Sure, you'll get to see a lot of the galaxy if you don the uniform, but then again, you'll also spend quite a while with a pretty lousy view from the lower decks.

Before applying to the Academy, it is important that you consider all your options. Why not go study in London and get a British accent? Perhaps try your hand at writing a holonovel? If you've not heard of The Adventures of Flotter, Captain Proton, or even Photons Be Free then you've been living under a rock. Speaking of rocks, archaeology can be far more exciting than it sounds, especially with a generous benefactor, and you might just make a discovery with cosmic conclusions.

If none of that is tempting, you can try xenobotany, teaching on a space station, temporal investigations, the Federation Diplomatic Corps, Fenris ranging, and the list goes on. It's the 25th century, ignore your folks and become a writer/journalist if you want!

Even if you do enter the Academy, you can leave anytime if you reach your journey's end. Wesley Crusher made headline news when he quit to go travelling, only to return to Starfleet in time for 2379's most talked-about wedding, though our sources tell us he is now back to the ways of Tau Alpha C.

Are you sure you still want to apply?