<p>After being accepted to a number of top schools and pre-med programs, I have narrowed my choices down to Harvard and USNA. Very torn between both schools. Would like to become a surgeon and think that eventually I would like to join Med Corp via the Navy. Intrigued by the challenges of both schools and the specifics that set them apart from every other school. Also, weighing the Harvard ROTC scholarship. (Would be a varsity athlete at either, if that's important at all.) If I don't do USNA or ROTC, looking towards the HPSP. Opinions? Please don't spend time bashing, etc. I am looking for credible information, advice, suggestions. Thank you!</p>
<p>Wow, lucky. Congratulations! Did you do the Naval Academy summer week last year?</p>
<p>Thanks so much! And yes: Week 2, Delta Dogs. Any advice?</p>
<p>It’s an agonizing decision and yet you can’t go wrong. Harvard gives you more flexibility in case you change your mind, but Naval Academy is simply outstanding as well. Ultimately, my son determined that he couldn’t leave his fate in the hands of the military bureaucracy so he went with H.</p>
<p>My daughter has the same decision. Not easy but navy is better financially except for the years of service aspect. Agree with your observation that harvard allows more room to change your mind. I like the comment I heard that more USNA admits could get into harvard than vice versa! Good luck maybe you’ll meet in ROTC. it’s supposed to be on campus next year as opposed to MIT</p>
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<p>Are you sure about this?</p>
<p>If you are going to go into the Navy eventually anyway, USNA. They can send you to Harvard Med. School.</p>
<p>^ I second that comment. Navy will make you a better officer-as it will make you tough and make you acquire leadership skills.</p>
<p>My son, who was interested in naval policy and strategy, got advice from a career officer that his chances of actually getting to do that were better studying at Harvard, MIT, or Cal Tech and then working outside the Navy as a consultant, than going through the ranks. YMMV.</p>
<p>I had a friend who picked the Air Force Academy over MIT, and he’s quite content with his decision.</p>
<p>I think the U.S. Naval Academy would be the better option. Harvard may look better on paper (or in this case, your computer screen), but the Naval Academy will develop you in more ways than academically. The Academy will provide you with strong academics, strong athletic development, strong personal development (they will show you what it is like to know failure and what it is like to be at the bottom, but, most importantly, they will show you how to be a leader and how to work efficiently with others), and friendships and connections that will last your entire life – in and out of the Navy. In the end, the decision is up to you, and either way, you can’t go wrong.</p>