<p>Hi there. I'm currently a 4/c midshipman at the Naval Academy and I'm facing a little bit of a dilemma.</p>
<p>I want to pursue becoming a medical doctor, but receiving a Medical Corps selection upon graduating from USNA is extremely difficult. Only about 10 graduates are selected to have the opportunity to go to a medical school following commission, and I'm not too confident that I'll be one of those lucky individuals. And also, I'm not really enjoying the lifestyle of the Academy and I want to attend a different school. It's not like I don't want to be a naval officer; I just want to pursue my goal, and if I stay, there would be little to no chance of me achieving what I've always wanted.</p>
<p>But there are several things holding me back from just simply leaving the Academy:
-I've made some great friends here and it'll be hard for me to tell them that I want to leave.
-I don't know how to tell my friends and my parents back home this because they're so proud of me being a midshipman and the last thing I'd ever want to do is to disappoint them.
-I'm not really sure if I'd be accepted into a college that I want to attend. One of my top choices is Rice, but I don't know what my chances are coming out of the Academy.
-If I were to leave after the end of first semester, I would have to wait a whole year before going to school because the application deadline for most colleges is early January (unless I start working on the applications now).
-I NEED to get a good amount of financial aid because I don't have much $.</p>
<p>So if everything were to happen the way I want it to, my parents, my friends, and my roommates would understand me, I would be accepted to Rice U and start going to school next fall, and I would get into a medical school with a Navy HPSP scholarship.</p>
<p>I need answers. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.</p>
<p>After your service commitment is over, you can then go to medical school.</p>
<p>I know that sounds like a lifetime away when you are 20 years old, but take it from someone age 55, you still have plenty of time to fulfill all your dreams.</p>
<p>In the famous Bakke court case, which involved affirmative action, the white applicant to medical school was 35 years old.</p>
<p>Graduating from the Naval Academy will be a big plus for you in the future for many prospective employers and graduate schools.</p>
<p>Don’t presume you won’t be one of the 10 people.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t it have been foolish to quit, and then always wonder if you would have been one of the ten. </p>
<p>You have come this far. Stick it out. After you graduate, you will be glad you stuck it out.</p>
<p>I wish my kid had the guts to go to the Naval Academy.</p>
<p>I understand where you’re coming from as a parent advising me to stay at the Academy, but this place really isn’t for me. I came here almost by an accident, as I had blindly started working on the application after my junior year in HS just because my older brother goes to the Academy and my parents had suggested that I should give it a try. The next thing I know, I received an offer of appointment and I accepted without even thinking it through.</p>
<p>I can’t deny that this place is great…everyone’s so motivated and people really care about you. Also, the education is undoubtedly one of the best in the country. But, still, I don’t feel like I really belong here. I have different plans for myself than being a naval officer and I know I’ll be a lot happier at a different school.</p>
<p>Now you’re on a different “page” than your OP. Essentially you just want out, and it has virtually little or nothing to do with Rice, med school, etc. It has everything to do with wanting out, sounds like. That being the case, a wise, mature person might stay the year, recognizing that just like you are at this moment, time and experience might well change your mind … again. No idea about your familial financials, but aid at highly selective places like Rice, especially being that it is among the “cheaper” elites, is no walk in the park. </p>
<p>It’s very unclear what you’re looking for here? Approval, endorsement, encouragement, indication of Rice’s transfer admit potential? In any case, none comes from me in light of what you’ve sent. </p>
<p>You made a weak, frivolous decision, and seems you could well be on the verge of making that same type of decision.</p>
<p>The only thing that I believe is guaranteed to be yours in the event you depart USNA? Regret and guilt, no matter what or where you go. No matter how much or how little you achieve. You’ll always be the “what if” in your mind. Stick.</p>
<p>I apologize if I’ve somehow offended you in any way for wanting to leave an institution that I’ve initially made the decision to attend in a free country. I don’t know if I was unclear about explaining my situation but it seems to me that you’ve set quite a stubborn response when it comes to asking a question about uncertainty of staying at a service academy. I’d appreciate it if you not post with such an offensive tone. I’m not trying to argue with anyone here. Thanks.</p>
<p>No apology needed. It is what it is, just as you’ve explained if little bit clearly. You asked a rather vague question fairly, and sorry you’re offended. None is intended, and I’m confident you’d prefer an honest, candid response that your question, whatever that may be, merits. If you wanted patronization and a shoulder, you should have said so. There is no glee in realizing you’ve made a mistake nor in pointing out the obvious. While you’ve not made clear what counsel you seek, the initial offering stands. Beyond immediate relief, nothing good will come from bailing, especially now. Now’s not the time to quit as it may be that one poor decision might follow another. The painful reality of that could be doubly convicting</p>
<p>btw, do you really see your situation as a “little bit” of a dilemma?</p>
<p>“I apologize if I’ve somehow offended you in any way for wanting to leave an institution that I’ve initially made the decision to attend in a free country.”</p>
<p>It is only a free country because so many courageous men and woman have sacrificed to make it, and keep it, so.</p>
<p>you are very fortunate to have the opportunity to serve this country with a commission from the Academy. Don’t blow it.</p>
<p>Suck it up. Finish what you started. Serve with pride (it is okay to be happy, but not required. you will not be the first American who wore the uniform, but was not happy). I promise you this. If you stay, get that top-tier education courtesy of your fellow citizens, serve your country and then go to medical school - you will be damned happy you didn’t quit. You are very young and have a long life to live. Time will fly bye and you will reenter the First Civ Div as a stud.</p>
<p>You wrote “I have different plans for myself than being a naval officer and I know I’ll be a lot happier at a different school.” If you don’t want a military career at all, why are you considering attending med school with a Navy scholarship that would commit you to a certain number of years of service?</p>
<p>You wrote that only a certain number of Academy graduates are able to attend med school directly after graduation. Have you found out about options two or three years (or more) later? My cousin who did ROTC at his home state public U served for several years in the US Army before applying to med school. His studies were paid for by the Army, and he has chosen to remain in the service now that he has completed the years required by that later commitment.</p>
<p>It is OK to leave the academy. People do that every year. If you do determine that leaving is the best decision for yourself, then leave. Just be very clear as to your reasons, and leave for a place that will better serve your long term goals. Things will not suddenly be better or easier on the outside. Choose your next college or university with care.</p>