<p>I’d like some opinions here, and please don’t say anything negative towards the fact that I want to be in the military. I’ve wanted to be in the Navy ever since grade school. Here’s my situation: I received an Immediate Scholarship Decision (NROTC scholarship) back in October, so I have a full-ride, based on my acceptance to Harvard. I also received an LOA to the Naval Academy around the same time. I participated in the Summer Seminar there this past summer and have been invited for another visit in January. I have also visited Harvard (loved it) and had my alumni interview which went well, I THINK. My uncle is an Academy grad and has told me mostly about the benefits of an Academy education. Both my mom and my dad are Ivy league grads (neither from Harvard), so I’m hearing all kinds of things. One of my good friend’s dad is a Harvard grad and he has spoken with me a lot about life at Harvard and all of the opportunities available at a prestigious school.</p>
<p>I guess one way to look at this is that if I’m not accepted to Harvard, I won’t have to worry about making this huge decision. I’d just appreciate all of your opinions. I’ve already heard from those on the Naval Academy threads, but I want to get the Harvard opinions also.</p>
<p>The Harvard degree might serve you better if you ever later decide to do something else other than the military, whereas a Naval Academy degree probably wouldn't have the same value in the civilian world. My guess is that Harvard would be pretty highly respected in both circles, however.</p>
<p>Well if you want to make the Navy a career -- go Navy -- nothing like being a ring knocker; if you might want a civilian life in your future, go to Harvard. If you go Navy and are looking for a grad degree chances are good Navy will send you to Harvard for grad school and then you'll end up experiencing both.</p>
<p>I think the decision should come down to the undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>At Navy, you'll go through hell your first year, and then live a Spartan life the rest of your three years.</p>
<p>At Harvard, you'll have the normal undergrad experience, with all the hedonism it entails (well, you will have the NROTC requirements).</p>
<p>I know I'd rather be at Harvard, but there are people I know who love the structure of Navy. Degrees from either of the schools are incredibly well respected.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! 1down,1togo, I would love a grad degree, but I think I'd have to graduate at the very top of my class. At least, that's what I've heard. I'm sure the competition to go to grad school from the Academy is fierce. Definitely something to think about, though.</p>
<p>I've lived in a military environment ALL my life, around Air Force, Army and a few Navy guys. </p>
<p>All of the officers that I spoke to (I'm talking upwards of twenty) concerning the military academies said that they would have rather gone ROTC to a "regular" college and then be commisioned, instead of going to the academies.</p>
<p>Take that for what you will. I had 3 friends that went to the Air Force Academy last year, and 4 more applying this year. If academy life is what you want, go for it.</p>
<p>I'm hearing a lot of the same thing, Schwaby. I do like the Academy, but I think I'm leaning towards civilian life. I'll have plenty of the military life after I graduate and I might as well at least enjoy myself for the 4 years of college ;) I will know for certain after my visit in January.</p>
<p>You can have both. My father was accepted at Princeton, Stanford, and the Naval Academy. He chose the Navy b/c it was what he was familiar with [military brat]. After completing his degree and spending years in the service, he went to graduate school and recieved a PhD and a law degree. I think either way you'll end up fine. The service academies are some of the best schools in the country and graduate schools are definatly aware of this. Anyway I guess my point is you can have your cake and eat it too. Either school you choose will serve you excellently in the long run.</p>
<p>Ok, now I have my appointment in hand and still trying to decide which way to go. This is SOOOO frustrating. I am such a fan of BOTH schools! If anyone else has any input, I'm all ears and thanks to those of you who have offered your opinions. I have given the graduate school after graduating from USNA a lot of thought lately. I'll be at the Academy on 1/21, so any indecisiveness I have now SHOULD be gone after my visit.</p>
<p>navgirl, just make sure you focus on the reality of your 4 years at navy. ive been through a very similar experience (w/army), so if you want some advice feel free to IM me. id prefer not to discuss it on the thread though.</p>
<p>Just go to harvard, if you have to think hard about going to the naval academy then don't go. I'm just saying that because I'm sick of people here b.s.ing that they should have gone to so and so university instead. You'll love your harvard experience much more better.</p>
<p>usna_reject, it's tough for me to explain my frustration in making this decision, but I'll try. I have dreamed of going to Harvard for many years. One of my best friend's father is a Harvard grad and he has spoken with me many times regarding life there and the doors that open for one after graduating. BUT, my love for the Navy has been with me forever. My entire bedroom is filled with Navy memorabilia. I remember my uncle giving me all kinds of Navy items (even ship models) while growing up and taking me on a ship. We spent, and still do, a lot of time together discussing all sorts of things regarding the Navy. I even started reading Navy novels in the 6th grade and soon realized that I must serve my country. My uncle has inspired me to get my education at the Naval Academy. He is so proud of his education and his life with the Navy. I have seen this pride for many years and I want to feel the same way. If I go to Harvard, I will still be in the Navy and serve just as I would if I go to the Naval Academy. I just want that same proud feeling my uncle has. Maybe part of me feels like I should carry on the tradition (also have a cousin who graduated 2 yrs. ago) with attending the Academy, I don't know. Harvard offers me opportunities that the Naval Academy doesn't, but the Academy offers the best leadership experience for a career in the Navy. I hope I've explained this a little better. Sometimes, my mixed emotions are difficult to put into words.</p>
<p>You have to understand that the Naval Academy does NOT produce the best officers. In Newport we have OIS, OCS, BOOST just to name a few officer commissioning programs. In my opinion, the officers who have fleet and enlisted experience make the best leaders because they know how they would like to be treated. It is very lucky you can have a Harvard education and at the same time train to be a leader for the US Navy. Honestly it has nothing to do with where you get your training from, as long as you have a good personality, are confident and responsible you can lead. Sometimes the image of "honor and integrity" is all an illusion on the outside when it comes to USNA. It is the hardest 4 years compared to any other training but that's because it's all tradition based. Also some enlisted and other officers kinda look down on academy grads because they act like they're better than everyone else (not in all cases). Again, your sailors don't care where you graduate from or what degree you have, as long as they can depend on you with their lives. I don't mean to push you, I'd love for you to come do track *with me<a href="hehe">/i</a> at USNA, but like I said over and over enjoy your college experience. Go to parties, stay out all night long, listen to your iPod whenever you want, oversleep and skip class(or not:/). Not going to academy is not a big loss. Sorry I made your decision even more complicated. </p>
<p>(don't do track with me, I suck at running!)</p>
<p>Thanks usna_reject, but I don't think you could make my decision any more complicated than it already is. I appreciate your thoughts, though. Funny, my BGO called me again last night. I told him when he called before that I was waiting until after CVW to make a decision. Everyone keeps asking me what I've decided and it's driving me nuts!</p>
<p>Don't say you suck at running! Just keep pushing yourself and you'll do fine. Don't you have to run every day at NAPS? If you never really ran before you got there, then it's tough for your body to adjust. As long as you're running every day, your speed and endurance will increase.</p>