<p>From a Harvard thread:</p>
<p>NAVGIRL
I FINALLY made up my mind to go to Harvard. Feels GREAT!!!</p>
<p>What a shame! But best if that's what she decided she wanted. And the upside is that it frees up a spot for someone who wants to: get an education where they are taught by professors and not teaching assistants; be an atmosphere where the United States is respected and admired and not reviled, and; serve their country.</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with Harvard if that's the best place for you. Same goes for any school or academy. I have a nephew who goes there....he still seems to be a pretty patriotic sort of fellow! Good luck to Navgirl--she is a loss to any institution she didn't choose.</p>
<p>I'm sure there are some patriots at Harvard. Hopefully Navgirl will remain one during her four years.</p>
<p>You'll find people who are critical of the government and the military at just about any civilian college, espescially ones in more liberal areas (blue states, perhaps). I heard a LOT more criticism of the military before I started telling people here that I was transferring to USNA. People who earlier had said things like, "How can soldiers murder people just because GW says so," congratulated me on getting into USNA and were like, "Wow, that's really cool. I wish I could do something like that." I don't know. I guess I think college students to try to be ultra-liberal because it's cool, but as soon as they know someone's going to present a viable argument against them, they back down. Most of them know they can't defend their views effectively because all they do is reiterate arguments their parents and professors have told them, and they haven't ever really been challenged to think for themselves. Anyway, just my rant.</p>
<p>Megs-</p>
<p>I think your rant was well said haha, definitely agree with you.</p>
<p>megs02004-
I think you are going to be more open minded. For you to say something like 'most college students can't defend their views because they just reiterates agruments their parents and professors have told them' is really immature. You are going to have to come to terms that no matter where you go there are going to be people who have views that are different from yours. Just because someone has views on issues that are not the same as yours does not mean that they are unable to think for themselves.<br>
Saying things like that at the academy will get about half of the people there to not want to associate with you.</p>
<p>tyleroar,
Are you in college or high school? I am drawing on personal experience as a student at a liberal college. Most students here really can't defend their views, and it's not because they're stupid, and by all means, I am not saying that people can't disagree with me. Students at liberal colleges tend to come from liberal areas. A lot of them have never heard conservative arguments, and they only know basic conservative viewpoints. They "reiterate arguments their parents and professors have told them" because those arguments are the only ones they know. I was by no means trying to bash liberal people, only commenting on the relative inexperience of college students. I hold my share of liberal and conservative views. I'm sorry you seem to have misinterpreted me.</p>
<p>Im in highschool, and most of the kids here really dont know much about politics, except for what their parents say in front of them. I dont disagree with them for taking a stand on one issue or another, I just find it kinda odd that when they are asked to back up the statement they have no reason as to why they said it in the first place. Im not an expert in politics, I agree with Megs when she says that some kids just restate what they hear from parents or other adults.</p>
<p>APan5-
I would agree with megs if she had said that some kids just restate what they hear from parents or other adults. What she says tries to make it sound like that is the only the case if the kid is liberal.</p>
<p>Keep in mind there can be a VERY distinct and meaningful difference between supporting our troops and not being particularly pleased with those who have the authority to send them into harms way. It is a fundamentally more complex issue than those who would label and separate America into two groups (conservatives and liberals) would want us to believe.</p>
<p>I appologize that it sounded that way. I took the case of liberal beliefs only because that is what's most common around here. I've known conservative people that are the same way in high school, but I was referring specifically to college students. I haven't met any conservative students here who haven't had to think a lot about their views because of the fact that this campus is extremely liberal. Anyway, by no means am I intolerant of people who disagree with me. My best friend is the most liberal person I've ever met, and my dad is the most conservative. Both of them have thought about their beliefs quite a bit, and I have an enormous ammount of respect for them even though I disagree with about half of what each says... but whatever. I'm sorry, and I'm done talking about this.</p>
<p>Good for you! I know it was a hard decision and I have no doubt you will not regret it. Success will follow you no matter what your environment. You've already proven that!</p>
<p>Back to the original thread:</p>
<p>Sorry to hear that Navgirl chose Harvard over USNA since she impressed me as an exceptional young woman who would likely have excelled at USNA. </p>
<p>Told my son about Navgirl's decision and he responded: "Guess someone has to go to Harvard."</p>
<p>Just received word that someone started this thread about me. I'm flattered!!! </p>
<p>Yes, I will be attending Harvard AND serving my country. I'm going on a NROTC scholarship and looking forward to it. Thanks to everyone here who supported me throughout the difficult process! May all of you be happy with your decisions and reach all of your goals in life. And, I want to thank the parents for all your help and wisdom. You are truly an amazing group of individuals that volunteer your time to help those of us in need of extra support. </p>
<p>Congratulations to everyone going to USNA and good luck to those applying for next year!</p>
<p>Fair Winds</p>
<p>Navgirl,</p>
<p>Congratulations on your decision. I think it's great to see how many people cared about you. I'm glad you returned to tell us "officially" and wish you all the best.</p>
<p>Way to go, Navgirl! Harvard will be a great experience and the Navy gets a top performer. Everybody wins! Good luck!</p>
<p>"I'm going an an NROTC scholarship" ??? Not to Harvard. I assume Navgirl will be commuting to MIT to do her NROTC training. Or has Harvard decided in 2005 that the US is worth defending?</p>
<p>I was thinking the same after reading an article that said Harvard won't allow ROTC units to drill on campus.</p>
<p>Tufts, Harvard, and MIT all do their NROTC together at MIT. After receiving that scholarship, I was under the impression I could attend any of these schools without a problem. I opted for the Academy however. 29 days until Herndon. Heck yes.</p>