I would like to go to a top-tier college/military college however, I don’t think I have what it takes.
I am above average in everything but never the best academically. My extracurricular suck and only now have I realized. I’ve become so stressed that I’m pretty much stressed out to the point of tears every night when I think about all the years I’ve wasted and how little time I have left(2 years)
I’ve done piano but stopped when I was around level 5 or 6. I am planning to continue down that path to get to level 10 but unsure if it’s worth it as pretty much everyone I know has got to that level piano wise. Would it be better to start over from scratch with a less well known musical instrument that I like a bit more to ‘stand out’ to make up for my lateness arrival on the musical scene?
My parents never made me do anything when I was younger so I have nothing under my belt and have no choice but to start over athletically. This is probably where I am the most worried about as I have NO SPORTS. I am actually starting to panic quite a bit just typing this out. Would it be better or even realistic to start over with a sport and maybe get to tournament level? But even if I get there, would it even help my application? My parents are very hesitant to hand over the money for private classes as those things are quite expensive.
You won’t get into a service academy without having a sport of some type. As far as other schools, do what you like. Be yourself and you’ll be accepted to a place where you will fit.
I definitely will do some kind of sport but I don’t know if it will be worth it as since I only have a limited amount of years left, should I focus on sports, my music will definitely suffer and maybe even my academics. I just don’t know the result will work out in my favour or not
Do yourself a favor and remove this idea that going to a military academy is some sort of prestigious honor for you. It won’t be. If you want to enroll to become a leader of this nation’s young men and women during the twilight of it’s most lengthy war, then consider it. But don’t sit here and chatter about becoming how your EC choices limit your chances to become military officer because I question your actual understanding of what that really means.
You’ve not been a leader because you aren’t one. The service academies frankly, don’t want you with this kind of attitude.
I apologize if I came off as a pretentious oaf that only wanted to apply to military school for the prestigious benefits as that is absolutely not my intention. I probably wasn’t clear enough when I specified which kind of college wanted to go to and what I meant was ‘I want to go to colleges INCLUDING and not limited to military school if I am deemed fit to go’.
I have done things related to leadership but I didn’t see how it was necessary to include them as I am not writing this to brag. I know that my EC’s are only a factor in the decision but my school counsellor…is difficult to talk to and you are absolutely right in the fact that I may not understand everything about the admissions process in going to a military school.
As I read my previous posts, I can tell how many can be annoyed with me, but I am curious as to why you have come to the conclusion of me not possessing leadership qualities? I would very much like to improve myself, even if it’s through an online forum and a stranger on the internet.
You can relax on the compulsion to go to “top tier” schools. There is life after most of the thousands of schools in the US. What’s more, it’s up to you what you make of yourself; not the school.
Why don’t you go to a good state school and take ROTC? You don’t have to sign a contract until your Junior year which would give you some time to see if this is what you want to do.
To be honest, I don’t see much to top tier schools either. It’s more of…a family preference.
Also people around me have consistently told me that If I were to go to a profession such as law and didn’t go to an ivy league, I’ll be just thrown in a ‘rat race’ and i’ll be in debt.
Also I should probably stress this, military was something I thought was interested in but the more I read into the previous reply the more I regret even mentioning it.
Simply ask yourself why the military interests you. That’s all. Our nation deserves great leaders. If you’re prepared to do that, then go for it. If you simply want a cool alma mater, then don’t go the military route.
By all means, re-examine your motivation for this route. If it’s profound and well though out, please apply. Otherwise, don’t. Best of luck to you in your choices.
I’d have to agree with @JustOneDad on this one. If you really want that military experience then take up ROTC I don’t think you would think of too much of what you are saying if you apply on a community college or a state college.
@T26E4 Right, thank you for your input. I assure you, I am well aware of the importance of the next generation of military leaders.
However, you have not answered my question. What part of my previous post has made it seem like my motive for applying to military college is only for the prestige? At what point of my post do I make it clear that I am not a leader and consequently, no military schools would want me to be a part of their student body?
Is it because Instead of talking to a professional I am on my butt chatting about my EC’s on the internet? Or is it my writing style? I am so very curious but also very confused.
College is only 4 years. Hopefully life is longer. Prepare yourself for a meaningful life not for a 4 year stint. Take the music you want and enjoy without worrying about the judgement of others. Picture yourself playing music for your family or yourself in 15 years. What do you hope to be able to play? Same with everything else. What will enhance your life? Forget about college. It comes and goes.
Yeah, definitely. I kind of lost my cool and had an epiphany of sorts when I told a relative of my plans for the future and they began to grill me on my non-existent EC’s.
Thank you for your words of advice. I don’t think I will pursue piano as I dropped it for a reason- I’m not that interested in it. I have another instrument in mind and while I’m not going to be playing in any concerts any time soon and it probably won’t add anything special to my application, at least it’s something I will enjoy. I’ve calmed down a lot from my mental fart a few hours ago and am seeing my situation a lot clearer. I definitely put too much emphasis on something temporary and not that important in the grand scheme of things, or for what I want for my future anyway.
If you really want to be a lawyer (and that’s not just some relative saying you need to do that to make money), undergrad is relatively unimportant (particularly if you go to your state institution – absolutely everyone understands avoiding debt in college in order to pay for professional school). Get great grades in college and go to a great law school. Good grades at a mid-tier law school in the region where you want to work works just as well.
Absolutely no reason you can’t play for your schools track team. There are strength disciplines, speed disciplines, distance/stamina disciplines. Just start running and you’ll have your sport. No one is saying you have to be the team captain, or win all state, but you should possess some athletic ability of forget about the military academy. I also don’t think everyone is cut out for General. I’m an Introvert, but an exceptional manager. If I had gone the military route, no reason I couldn’t have been an exceptional Captain or Colonel. Am I General material, probably not, but there are all levels of leadership even in the military. Was I a leader in high school. Absolutely not. I couldn’t care less. But I can still lead teams, and in high tech, being an introvert is a plus.
What about military academies made you want to go there?
The reason many people thought it is prestige is because you’ve not mentioned any of the typical things: JROTC, Eagle Scout, interning for your congressman, a clear reason why you’re thinking of it. In addition, the military academies train you to be a soldier. They’re physically GRUELING. I remember being at West Point and being told most students had to have about 5,000 calories intake to keep up (it’s 3,000 for a normal teen boy and about 2,000 for an adult). The selection process rejects anyone who is not physically fit, and the demands are much higher for the Academies than for ROTC. If you’re not already a team leader in a sport, your odds are very low you’ll make it.
If you want to be a leader, you don’t need to do that through the military; look for universities with good leadership programs including experiential learning.
Here are good examples: https://academy.psu.edu/ http://cnu.edu/presidentsleadership/
If you want to serve, look for colleges with serving learning.
If you want the military, look for colleges with ROTC.
