<p>I was just wondering some of your guys viewpoints on attending the Academy vs. partaking in NROTC in prestigious institutions such as Duke and USC and what not, or any institution for that matter...what are some of the pros and cons of both I know some of them are obvious but I was just wondering if there is anyone out there that has any insight on either side from a personal experience or knows someone that has.</p>
<p>I think the Academy is an exceptional place like no other, but NROTC is also an exceptional program in itself, since the ultimate goal in both is becoming an officer in the Navy.</p>
<p>You will never get me to say that USNA isn't the best choice between the two. Sorry, but I am hopelessly biased.</p>
<p>HOWEVER...</p>
<p>If you want to study something that isn't offered at USNA, or want to go into a field post-Navy where USNA offers it but another place is known for that field, then you have some serious thinking to do.</p>
<p>For example, if you want to study Artificial Intelligence, you might want to study at MIT rather than USNA. Can't say I'd blame you for making that choice.</p>
<p>Perhaps it will be easier to help you if you provide some background. What are your interests in terms of major? If the identical major with identical prestige was available at USNA and ROTC, which would you lean toward and why? Etc...</p>
<p>Perfect. I recommend you follow an NROTC track. While USNA does have a Chemistry major, the chances of going into pre-med or pharmacy upon graduation are very slim. Not impossible, but very difficult.</p>
<p>If that's what you REALLY want to do, then go to a place where you can study exactly what you want and have a better shot at moving forward in that field.</p>
<p>My S is in NROTC. He has always wanted to be a Naval Officer but decided he wanted to experience civilian college life too. The major he ended up choosing is not one compatible with the Academy either. He is happy with his choice.</p>
<p>Packmom,
If I recall correctly, your S is a sophomore. What is his major? Im in nuclear engineering and there are quite a few NROTC Mids in my nukeE and physics classes. There's always the off chance that we may have met. If USNA doesnt work out, I'm sure I'll end up meeting him next year when I join the battalion. :-)
-Jason</p>
<p>I agree with Zahpod. The Navy and Air Force are not the direction you want to go if you are pre-med. The Army is so-so for doctors. There's an overall 8% retention rate for doctors (except dentistry) currently in the military. ROTC is a great program if you want to be a line officer. I haven't decided yet, since biology is awesome at the school I'm planning to attend. My dreams to become a naval flight aviator have gone down the drain because I have horrible eyesight. So I may pursue a career in medical research. I might do ROTC for two years just for fun (It'll be time consuming-commuting to MIT, haha) without scholarship or contract. Because you can always be directly commissioned once you're a professional in your field (doctors are at least captains, with experience-such as if you were director of ophthalmology at Beth Israel-uh-major or LTC.)</p>
<p>CNET permits 25 NROTC mids to go onto med school (this quota is NEVER filled). The Naval Academy (I believe, correct me) only lets about 1% head onto med school.</p>
<p>moralityjustice is right about the med. school thing. The officer who spoke to us when our S went to NROTC O-week told us the same thing...that med school spots for NROTC often went unfilled. </p>
<p>mj, I don't think NROTC will let you join for 2 years "just for fun". </p>
<p>mightyrooster, S is not in college of enginnering so I doubt you would know him. Have you talked to the commanding officer of the battalion about joining? S says practically impossible to join as a jr. with no scholarship. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Foghorn, my boy, you sound like one who relishes and conquers seemingly impossible challenges. Don't allow what has been to distract from what can be. We'd be proud knowing you're serving on our behalf. Go get it.</p>
<p>I agree with going NROTC if you want something that the academy can't offer. My son's BGO was very clear on that, in fact it was the first thing he said if my son wanted a degree in medicine, dentistry, or law. USNA was not the way to go.</p>
<p>Sorry, I misstated my situation somewhat. If I do not get into USNA, I will hopefully be joining the battalion next year. I have met with the recruiting officer multiple times and have submitted my scholarship application for my final two years at NCSU. If USNA is not to be, hopefully the NROTC scholarship will be. If I do join, it wont be 'just for fun,' but to earn my commission (although, I hope I’ll be able to have a little bit of fun while I'm at it.) :-)<br>
-Jason</p>
<p>Have fun while you're doing something you like/love. The only way. </p>
<p>Pre-med is difficult as well as pharmacy. You must be very bright in order to want to tackle these areas. I do know that the med. students who went through on military scholarships were much better fed, dressed than the other poor kids.</p>
<p>
[quote]
CNET permits 25 NROTC mids to go onto med school (this quota is NEVER filled). The Naval Academy (I believe, correct me) only lets about 1% head onto med school.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The Naval Academy has 15 billets for medical/dental school each year. Those billets are also never filled. Naval Academy graduates have the choice of going to med school at either the Uniformed Services University for Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, MD or Georgetown University. The Navy pays for all costs associated with attending USUHS but does not cover the full cost at Georgetown University.</p>
<p>USUHS is a good medical school. Have received care from one of the best graduates from there, who also happened to be the personal White House physician to two US presidents. </p>
<p>"D" is currently attending USC and is in the AROTC. She is a neuroscience major with intentions of going to medical school. It is very possible to do this, especially coming from USC. As long has her gpa/mcat scores are on par with the national average. For her, the army was the way to go since you can major in any major that USC offers. On a side note, one of the differences in attending an academy vs partaking in an rotc program is that it can be very difficult to persevere through the rotc program when all of your friends are not involved in it. You have many social challenges that occur. Not being able to stay out late at night since you have to get up at 5:30 4X per week for PT, etc. If you are very adament about your goals and you aren't easily side tracked, then the rotc may be a good way to go. Good luck in whatever you choose. :)</p>
<p>I agree with momoney. In NROTC scheduling can be tough. Because your courseload every semester must include a 3 or 4 hour military class and labs in addition to the regular classes for your major, the load is often heavy. S is taking 19 hours this semester including 4 labs a couple of which are for no credit, just required. This load in addition to all the PT and the little extra stuff like meetings, flag detail, drills, etc. are a challenge when friends/roommates are taking 15 hours and have plenty of time for hanging out, movies, video games, etc. While not even close to being as arduous as the Academy, it takes a different kind of dedication. To be in ROTC, you have to be focused enough on the ultimate goal to not worry about being different from all the other students or care about what they think.</p>