<p>I've been posting and reading CC for quite a while. I had hoped the whole process would be over by now but it's not. My son sent his deposit to UCLA last week, sent his housing deposit in, got a UCLA email address, etc. etc. etc. He even started wearing his UCLA t-shirt and baseball cap. He has a 4-year Army ROTC scholarship at UCLA. In other words, he's psychologically invested in attending UCLA. UCLA is a top 25 University with great weather and the girls there don't wear fatigues. My son had been placed on the waiting list at WP and was told by the regional admissions officer LAST WEEK that it was HIGHLY UNLIKELY that he'd receive an appointment. So I finally thought things were set.</p>
<p>Lo and behold - my son received a call today from our Senator's office - he's being offered an appointment to West Point. It should arrive by express mail tomorrow.</p>
<p>My wife and I don't want to get too involved in this - it's his decision. He was disappointed in being put on the waiting list (I know, he should be happy he's in and happy he made the waiting list). At one point West Point was definitely his first choice. And actually, it was also the first choice for my wife and me. But the waiting and bad experiences with the WP admissions office left a bad taste for us. But we're torn. By the way, my wife's dad is a West Pointer and retired as a three-star. Two of my brothers-in-law are West Pointers. So my son has had plenty of exposure to West Point and to the Army. Other issue is that my son is very interested in biology - seems to be limited opportunity to pursue biology at West Point.</p>
<p>Any suggestions as to how to deal with or analyze this situation - our ambiguity, the decision, what's best for our son, etc. Somehow we want to make sure he steps back and makes a good decision. It's funny writing this now given that the 2010's have already taken over the board.</p>
<p>In my very biased opinion the choice between ROTC at UCLA or West Point isn't even close. If your son wants to be an officer in the US Army, West Point is the best path. Not many USMA grads say they wished they had done ROTC instead?</p>
<p>If you have a problem convincing your son, show him this list of the Top Eight Reasons to Choose West Point over UCLA:</p>
<ol>
<li>Majority of UCLA students think Hilliary should be our next president.</li>
<li>No smog at West Point (no sun in January and February either).</li>
<li>UCLA campus may fall into the Pacific any day now.</li>
<li> Rate of skin cancer among UCLA grads is 10 times higher than at USMA.</li>
<li> PacificTime zone means you must watch many shows on a time delayed basis.</li>
<li>UCLA football team has nowhere to go but down. WP, in contrast, has great upside potential.</li>
<li>Your son's attendence at UCLA would double its Young Republican Group membership.
No.1 Reason: Hard to believe, but 9 out of 10 UCLA coeds prefer free spirited blonde surfer-type dudes to clean-shaven Jersey ROTC guys.</li>
</ol>
<p>Seriously, your son has two excellent choices. Either path will lead to a great future.
Good luck with your son.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you're in Jersey, get him up to WP this week or next for an overnight. It will give him a clear picture of what it would be like to attend (except that the sun will be shining). Either the chill will go down his spine or it won't. If not - he should go to UCLA.</p></li>
<li><p>The West Point admissions office is not the same as West Point. I know, at times, it's tough to differentiate...</p></li>
<li><p>If you suspect that your son's interest in the Army is 5-and-out, then UCLA makes more sense. If it's career, then it's West Point.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Sorry, I have to represent ROTC here. ROTC is an awesome program and any 2LT will tell you that the value of ROTC vs. USMA is equal, as there are some thing that lack going either path. As for the value of a 2LT commisioning from ROTC or USMA, it is an undoubtedly blind process. There is no wearing of Athena's helmet or the Sword of Gallantry nor is there preference for either after you pin your butter bar. GO ARMY!</p>
<p>Good point. In an earlier posting BigGreen said his son had started the Conservative Club at his high school. I assumed that meant he would favor the Republican Party. Not necessarily so.</p>
<p>In fairness, he could be Democrat, Independent, Libertarian or not affiliated with any party (However, I would be willing to bet a couple of dollars he's voting Republican).</p>
<p>Thanks all for your thoughts. Boy, has this board quieted down. I guess everyone's spending time preparing the future cadets for West Point. Please keep any ideas coming.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it's too late for an overnight (or even daily) visit. Because of final exams, the visits have ended. I am going to try to get my son to go up and meet the program director for Life Sciences.</p>
<p>Tylerroar: My son just registered to vote. Don't know which way he'll go. Most of my wife's family - all military or ex-military - are Democrats. We have some interesting family discussions.</p>
<p>There have been some recent posts and newspaper articles regarding the changes and differences in benefits for the WP grads over the ROTC grads. This is certainly an objective point.</p>
<p>Also, there are a number of new cadets who will report on 6/27 for R-day who likely had ROTC scholarship offers. As they were counseled to pursue ROTC if they are serious about a military career/experience, most probably did so. Also, they were probably expected to prove their commitment because this was a question on both congressional and ALO interviews.</p>
<p>Yes, UCLA is a great school. So are the universities that offered ROTC scholarships to the kids showing up on R-Day. The programs that my daughter interviewed with were marvelous. The officers and students she met were impressive. She decided that she wanted to be immersed in a military environmen and have the best of all available and marvelous programs.</p>
<p>Something that tipped the scale for her included a comment from an ROTC faculty member. He told her that she wouldn't have to wear her uniform on campus. She could change at the Armory. The reason for this is because many faculty members were extremely opposed to the military and he wouldn't want a negative association to impact her. She said that she would be proud to wear her uniform at any time. That's when she realized that the "full experience" is what she wanted.</p>
<p>If you look at past threads you will see comments from a number of conflicted kids and some of their analysis and decisions. I think you're wise to insure this is his decision as it's a big one. I also think some kids put up a barrier to protect themselves from the disappointment of not receiving an appointment. Then they invest in an option that may not really be the first choice. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you. And tell him that a lot of the girls still look pretty good - even in fatigues. He can get used to it.</p>
<p>BigGreen-
The admissions process is so tough and I'm sure you all feel that you were put through the ringer. Your son should put that all behind him and think of the reasons he chose to apply for an appointment and let that guide him.
An appointment to USMA is a once in a life time thing and they do have a Life Sciences major which could lead to Medical School.</p>
<p>hastellion-
Handsome is rampant at USMA. Fit and muscular is required. I personally supplied a cadet that met all those characteristics.
USMA Mom-OMW</p>
<p>Onmyway2 - couldn't agree with you more - all I'm trying to do right now is to get him to clear his mind and take a fresh look at his choices.</p>
<p>hastellion: sounds like you're in luck re: my son and OMW - my son is 6'2", plays varsity lacrosse and ice hockey, lifts every day, and has a cleft in his chin. Even his sisters think he's a catch.</p>
<p>BigGreen, that is a tough one, and I think regardlesss of the decision he makes, there may be regrets simply because it is not an easy path. Just let him know that the "What ifs" are just that, and cannot be answered.</p>
<p>My brother had the same sort of choice more than 30 years ago and picked WP.. Within a month, he was ready to quit and go to his college where he had a ROTC scholarship, only to find that once you accept a WP appointment, you lose the scholarship so that it was no longer an option for him. A heavy blow as he HATED being there, but he did not want to come home and go to a local school even more. So he sucked it down and stuck it out, and became a successful army officer who now has several advanced degrees , courtesy of the US Army including a Harvard MBA. He retired recently and is actively consulting and writing, and has absolutely no regrets in retrospect, but there were so many bumps on his road when he cursed his decision up and down. It's a world of difference between going to UCLA and UCMA.</p>
<p>Just an idea...Perhaps your ALO can introduce your son to some of the students who have recently decided for either option - WP or ROTC? I'm not sure how this would be done, but if not through the ALO, then perhaps through the local parents' club you may be able to have access to other students who went through this same decision process.</p>
<p>Hastellion: Wow, I think we must both have the same mind. I'm Catholic, you're Catholic, you're looking for hot guys, I'm looking for hot guys. :)</p>
<p>We definitely need to meet each other once at WP!</p>
<p>Big Green:
Hope the process is going well... how long does your son have to decide... that is with the package coming in after may 1, how long do they give you?</p>
<p>They give you SEVENTY-TWO hours after the package arrives. The package hasn't arrived yet - so the clock hasn't started ticking. Hard to believe only 72 hours - after a year and a half of medical and vision exams, essays, PAE, recommendations, visits, etc. etc.</p>
<p>BIG Green:
DO you know how your son is leaning? Your original question was for advice... I probably don't have any, I mean he knows what the military and WP are about from family ...</p>
<p>You seem to have a good view, its easy to want to 'brag' about where you child is going to college.....WP is a good point there, but we all know it is about what he wants to do..... I think it can be helpful to try an ask some thought provoking questions, but i realize the slightest accidnetal nudge can be picked up by these kids....</p>
<p>mostly i am thinking of you all and hope and pray for the best....</p>
<p>Big Green
When my so was faced withthe same dilema last year (ROTC scholarship to U of M or AFA) we told him think about the future and ask himself if he would regret his decision five years from now---it seemed to help --he just got his Prop and Wings and feels that he has found a home--hope this helps</p>