How are my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>DT and others:</p>

<p>Here's another "mom report"</p>

<p>First, I work with 17 and 18 year olds every day. I agree that most of them have only an inkling, at best, of where they want their lives to lead them. If I were to ask today, most would respond with some vague answer, or the usual, "I'm not sure."</p>

<p>BUT, and this is a BIG but, every so often I come across a student who, for whatever reason, has identified that goal, that future aspiration, which drives everything he/she does. I truely believe that most of the service academy candidates are among those special people who have been fortunate enough to have discovered where they want to be, and what they want to do. </p>

<p>My older son, the plebe, discovered this for himself, by himself, when he was in 6th grade. His Dad and I thought it was a "pipe dream", and while not discouraging it, did not put this goal at center stage, either. He did what he thought was necessary to achieve this dream. He did his own research, and followed the avenue which he thought would make him competitive. We were the chauffers, the post office delivery people and the travel agents. His essays were reviewed by his teachers and we were only given the opportunity to read them prior to the envelope being sealed.</p>

<p>I agree that there are some who might be pursuing appointment only due to the pressures of their parents or other relatives. But you must understand that there are plenty of candidates who are mature enough to know what they want and put together a plan to achieve it.</p>

<p>As an aside, I also have a 16 year-old son who is clueless as to what he wants to do with his life. I might suggest that his lack of a goal at this time is the norm, rather than the anomoly. I would suspect that he will be the student who changes his plans and major several times before civilian college graduation (if he can figure out which college to even apply to!)</p>

<p>Please do not sell short those candidates who have done the work to uncover, as best as anyone can, the personal committment required to pursue this goal, and still have chosen to accept the challenge. These are the people who will rise to the top, no matter where their lives eventually take them. </p>

<p>(Those who have pursued this path only because of parental pressure, and/or as a lark, not only will be miserable, but I suspect will comprise the highest percentage of those who leave. I know that last year more than 40 plebes left during plebe summer, alone).</p>

<p>I wish the greatest luck and opportunities to all.
CM</p>

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<p>DT ~ My son has been interested in the Navy since he was a toddler. I am not sure why...he has been glued to movies about the navy etc. His pleasure reading is all about the Navy. It's not my dream and I have concerns about life at USNA especially at a time in an 18 year olds life where they should be experiencing increased freedom! It's not about "free" as he now has several opportunities that are getting close to or are the same as free. Free can be misleading though...I don't count 4 years of school and a 5 year service committment as being free :-) Graduating from a great institution with traditions is definately a plus. So as I explore this board and try and understand the motivation these discussions are helpful. My son is looking realistically at all his options hoping that USNA is one of them. (The only service academy he applied to). </p>

<p>I want him to seriously look at all his options for the very reasons you express. I think it's very hard to know what you are getting yourself into until you are in Annapolis in July when it's 95%, exhausted and thinking about friends packing for their college life about to begin. No one should take this decision lightly!</p>

<p>For me earlier in the thread Brie-3's attitude is what got under my skin and the HaHa. Many do have that the interest and passion (and may not get in even with better stats because of where they live and the admissions system) and it feels like it belittles their work! No can be assured of getting in and they should be grateful to have that as a choice!</p>

<p>Thanks for the discussion. JM</p>

<p>To the original postee~If it's your dream you have a great start. maximize your HS opportunities, apply and have a great back-up plan. Even Jimmy carter took 3 tries to get in ;-)</p>

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<p>My daughter and I visited the Naval Academy her junior year along with several other colleges. Nothing inspired her as much as the academy and she set her sites on attending. During the way, however, she had several moments where she didn't even want to apply. Did I push her to? You bet I did. It wasn't because I wanted her there. Selfishly I would have rather had her at a civilian college because I would see her more. But, I sometimes had to keep the focus for her when she would waiver. As it turns out, it was mostly the daunting application process, and moreso the fear of it all that was influencing her. Add to it that her high school was less than supportive of this decision. She got a NAPS offer late in the year; after she had everything else all set at another university. She went through several ups and downs and decided to take the NAPS offer so she wouldn't have regrets down the road. It probably took about 5 months for her to settle in and realize that she was where SHE wanted to be; not for me but for her. So, did I push her? In a way, yes I did. I think it's important to help an indecisive teenager focus their goals. I think this is normal to be unsure, even from hour to hour some days of what your commitment is. She is now so totally focused and excited about next year at the academy. She is ahead of the game academically as well as militarily, so the transition should be pretty smooth.<br>
Anyway, just my 2 cents.<br>
P.S. About the "free" education. It's making me go broke. Have you seen hotel rates in Annapolis? LOL</p>

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<p>Well if my son gets in I will be visiting my 3 sisters and my parents houses that still live in Annapolis or very close too!
If he doesn't then its NROTC here in NC at UNC and thats good too. :)
But its 8 hour drive to MD verses 2.5 hours to UNC</p>

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<p>I recieved Diane Feinstein's Nomination to the Naval Academy, and Congressman Mike Thompson's.</p>

<p>I finished the application, and went through every hoop.</p>

<p>Do I want to go to the Naval Academy? The choice is tough.</p>

<p>For me, it does not come down to honor. Or freedom. Or war.</p>

<p>College for me, and so many like me, is a stepping stone, and it's not the Naval Academy itself, but what I can do with it, that will ultimately make the final decision for me.</p>

<p>But I can guarantee you one thing: if the decision falls toward USNA, you will find no better Naval Officer than I.</p>

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<p>kritarch-you can't be serious--it's a little early for "April Fools" isn't it?</p>

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<p>For some the Naval Academy is the best college for them. For me, it is not. That means something other than academics must make the decision, and I'm honstely saying that the opportunity to kill foreigners isn't going to be the deciding factor.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
For me, it does not come down to honor. Or freedom. Or war.But I can guarantee you one thing: if the decision falls toward USNA, you will find no better Naval Officer than I.

[/quote]
Please glue sufficient postage on your butt and mail yourself to Iraq.</p>

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<p>A flame? In the service academy forum? Note the word "service" in the title. There is a lovelss trade entailed in the acceptance of the Navy's offer. Their school, their program, their benefits, your youth.</p>

<p>Does one really outweigh the other so strongly in your mind?</p>

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<p>
[quote]
There is a lovelss trade entailed in the acceptance of the Navy's offer

[/quote]
From what I heard, it ain't that loveless, esp. if you drop the soap a lot in the shower.</p>

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<p>kritarch
New Member
*
"For some the Naval Academy is the best college for them. For me, it is not."</p>

<p>Praise the Lord! Buy yourself a dictionary and accept the offer from USC (you and the sorority girls will have a lot in common...)</p>

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<p>Interesting I suppose that seriousness would be met with such bitterness, and hostility. Obviously, the truth has surprised you.</p>

<p>I feel slighted, no doubt. I've had good fortune, from years of hard work.</p>

<p>Do you think High School was fun for me? That I enjoyed every day in the blissful abandon of youth?</p>

<p>We work for something greater than we have, to make ourselves the best that we can offer this world and some other. You insult me, but I am attempting to base my decision on what is right for me and for all people. What can I do as a Naval Officer? What can I be as a USC Grad? With a Harvard Diploma? With some other?</p>

<p>These things mean more than the certitude by which you label and negate me. But by rights I never meant to insult or slander. Only offer truth.</p>

<p>Apparently, my patriotism disappoints you too much for that.</p>

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<p>.
[quote]
Apparently, my patriotism disappoints you too much for that

[/quote]
I'd say it was more your prose style.</p>

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<p>Just mean and cold you are.</p>

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<p>WHOAA THERE! USC IS A GREAT SCHOOL!! (and I'm not just talking about football!! :) )</p>

<p>Not everyone is a soroity sister:) , though the ones that seem to hang around my son's frat house are "interesting" never-the-less!</p>

<p>There are plenty of patriotic young men and women wearing the cardinal and gold! My daughter (who's no slouch) probably would have chosen USC had she not received her appointments to West Point and Annapolis.</p>

<p>Kritarch's views don't resemble anything I've seen in "Troy" </p>

<p>Fight On!</p>

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<p>Kritarch:
I understand where you are coming from. You have a tremendous amount of talent and have received many accolades and kudos over the years I'm sure for them. The problem, I think that many have with your posts, is that there is an air of arrogance to them. To me, though, as a mom, I can see a bit deeper and realize that it is sometimes just youth and ignorance to what the future will hold that makes people act as they do. That's ok though, as it is necessary for our young people to believe they are invincible et al. Makes them do things that they might normally not do, experiment or "fly" in a new direction. I think you should take every opportunity to weigh each offer based on what you think you want to do and then follow your heart. If it is to be at the Naval Academy, then go heart and soul because noone will care how you got there, who you know or what your stats were. Standing out is bad and blending in is good. But, if your heart isn't in it, then you have great choices where you will find your niche and shine. Best of luck to you in your decisions.
Naps05mom</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Just mean and cold you are.

[/quote]

If you think I'm mean, just wait till you meet Mr. John Q. Iraqi.</p>

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<p>Shogun,
Sorry, I didn't mean to dis' your son's school.</p>

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<p>Man calm down...We need some one like DocFranc for the Naval Academy boards :)</p>

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<p>No problem, wstcoastmom! Maybe all this rain here in SoCal has us all a bit bummed!</p>