<p>I have read through all the posts and agree with most of them. There are many routes to getting a college education through the military and perhaps a different route might be better for you, like the GI bill or something like that. NAPS is no cake walk, let me tell you. My mid went to NAPS and found herself taking physics that sophomores at USNA take in a class filled with priors straight from Nuke school. Talk about intimidating. NAPS is a wonderful opportunity and now, with my mid a firstie, I think it is the best way to go through the academy (biased of course). But it is not a prep school for other D1 schools and it takes a tremendous amount of work and dedication. Good luck in your search for your future. If D1 football scholarships are your goal, then I would hit the weight room and keep working on that. And I would go to a junior college if I didn't get that. You will get more exposure to recruiters and also be able to start your college career.</p>
<p>momathome and ChrisFussman, great posts.</p>
<p>Have some faith in the Admissions Process! Someone with the attitude that they would rather go to a civilian school but would go to USNA if they don't get a civilian scholarship is NOT going to get by the essays, interviews, etc and be considered a viable, worthy candidate. They have to convince nomination sources that this is what they really want as well.</p>
<p>However, it does somewhat frighten me that such a person could get into USNA to play football and simply not have their heart in it at all. Just a free education. Momathome, my son is just like yours; he really wants this. He feels lucky to have received a call from Senator stating that appointment package is forthcoming. </p>
<p>navy_clarinetmom is right on the money. To be successful at any SA, you must want it in your gut. Fire in the belly.</p>
<p>Rangelady -</p>
<p>Congratulations to your son! I like to hear that the ones who really want to serve get their chance! My son has his nomination from our MOC but no word yet from USNA. However, as other posters have said in the past it is just a waiting game for the next few months. We had a friend who didn't hear from USAFA until late March-early April. (And he had already been accepted at USNA which he then turned down so someone else got a late but happy phone call!)</p>
<p>
[quote]
I dont want to go just to play d-1 football. I want to go so i can get a college education. Im not gonna lie i would rather go to a civilian college if i can get a scholarship. But i dont get any scholarships and i can go to USNA get a college education and pay it off with 5 years in the service i will do it. Im jus trying to college and if i need to make a commitment to the navy to get it done i will do it.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>sea11234:</p>
<p>Instead of USNA, you may want to consider applying for an NROTC scholarship- which will open up a whole host of "civilian" colleges to you (plenty with D-1 Football), it will be independent of any "football" scholarships, it will get you your college education with little "out of pocket expense," and it will end you up in the Navy- as an officer- with the same service committment.</p>
<p>You may want to do a little research in that direction, as it might be a better solution to your stated desires.
Start here: NROTC</a> Scholarships - College Scholarships</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>
[quote]
However, it does somewhat frighten me that such a person could get into USNA to play football and simply not have their heart in it at all. Just a free education.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Just as sad are the kids who get pushed by Mom and Dad for the "free" education.</p>
<p>Like I try to explain-
-It is for some, but it is not for everyone.
-Your heart has to be in it- the candidates heart, not Mom's and Dads (although having their support is a huge help)
-Going there for any reason, or for anyone but yourself, is a red flag.
-and while the education is "priceless," it is hardly free.</p>
<p>rangelady- you are correct in that there are several checkpoints in the admissions process to determine a candidates motivation, and to determine if this is their goal or if it is someone else pushing them along. Sad to say, I had one such candidate this year, who was clearly getting pushed by well-meaning parents, which became evident during his nomination interview. It is easy enough to get such candidates "off the hook" when and if this occurs, and especially if they are looking for a way out with Mom and Dad. </p>
<p>For those on the fence- a lot can be done to provide information so that they can make an informed decision. This is where visits, NASS, CVW and the like all can help.</p>
<p>first off all i never said navy would be lucky to have me on their football team.</p>
<p>Im posotively sure there are people who are going to USNA for other reasons than ''honor, commitment, and duty.'' Just because i rather go to a civilian college that doesnt mean i dont care about or will never make it at USNA. yall make it seem like someone is more than a person because they went to that damn college. There still a regular *<strong><em>in person like me or any one else. Thanks to the people who actually helped me out and *</em></strong> the rest who i wont make it or im not good enough because i want to go there to get an education. All i know is i want to be successful in life and if i choose to go to Navy because it is my best option then i will go.</p>
<p>**** the person who said i dont know how to speak the english languauge. you never heard me talk so dont try to make it seem like im an idiot.</p>
<p>I never said i didnt care for the navy. I just said it isnt my first choice</p>
<p>2010, you're absolutely correct about how a person should pursue their goals for their own sake. And it is true how parent's intentions themselves should not influence a child's future.. The military is a crucial decision that the kid has to make by him/herself.</p>
<p>It isn't the parent's years that are spent bound to a Government contract.</p>
<p>However, a person should not abuse opportunities or specific programs for a selfish, self-centered reason as that of the original poster's. It's quite alright to want an "All-expenses paid" college life, and believe me, it's a major incentive for every candidate, including myself. But it's also much more than that.</p>
<p>This college program is designed to create officers, not college graduates, at heart. It's meant to supply the ever-changing Naval fleet with bodies: Able bodied men and women dedicated to their country and willing to sacrifice everything in it's defense. There is an equal balance between self-gain and service. You can reap these benefits, but you also have to serve back to your fullest.</p>
<p>A quite brainless goal it truly is to just want to use one of the Armed Forces most prestigious opportunities JUST for the college benefits, with no will or want to give back to the nation. And that 5 year extension should not be treated as some kind of "punishment," but more of a privilege.</p>
<p>And about the NROTC thing... it's fine to go and do that to fulfill your own goals, but what will happen when time comes to wear the uniform and serve the years? If that isn't really something the person wants, then what kind of officer will he/she be?</p>
<p>Certainly not someone I want in my Navy, or anyone's for that matter.</p>
<p>its not exactlly my dream job but i never said i had a problem with serving 5 years after college. It has great benefits great pay you have a solid job and it turns boys into men. it has done good things for my brother so far. i never said i would consider it as a punishment. Can yall please stop putting words in my mouth.</p>
<p>The way you worded everything, you basically set yourself up =/</p>
<p>well if i sounded arrogant in any way i didnt mean to. If i sounded like i didnt care about the navy i didnt mean to. In my other post i was just angry with what some of yall posted.</p>
<p>Im not gonna lie im not the biguyuyyyest fan of the navy or naval academy and i havent dreamed of going into either since i was young. But i do like some of the oppurtunities and benefits they offer and i want to get a college education. Once again they are not my first choice but i dont consider them as hell or punishments or anything like that. I also think it is kind of unfair for yall to tell me i dont deserve to go the academy because i dont have it as my first choice. I understand yall have a lot of pride but i dont think that was neccessary to tell me i dont deserve or i am not good enough to go there. and i love football and my goal is to play D-1 but i never said that i was using the naval academy to be able to play football or that they would be lucky to have me.</p>
<p>Lizandro -That was my point exactly. </p>
<p>Sea11234- You never get a second chance to make a first impression and while no one should expect perfect grammar on a bulletin board, your letters indicate a serious lack of attention to detail. And frankly, your profane response to me for pointing it out says even more about you!</p>
<p>i think it was very rude and uneccessary to tell me i dont know how to speak the english language. im just typing on a forum not writing a essay for class i didnt think i would need to use perfect grammar</p>
<p>Alright.. seriously, this bickering is very immature.</p>
<p>No insults need to be made right now. And Sea, no one "put words in your mouth" or anything like that, and all these responses were meant to do is tell you that the ultimate decision to join the Armed Forces should not JUST be of self-indulgence. It's kind of like a job. Think about it, if you don't necessarily like or want to be at a job, how well will you perform?</p>
<p>You will HAVE to serve for 5 years, and if it isn't something you want to do, you shouldn't do it, at all. It's the same for enlisted. Because honestly, complacency kills. And a lack of dedication to the work at hand can put others at harm. It is the military. Your work always leaves other peoples' lives in your hands, especially as an officer.</p>
<p>sea11234 -
How old are you? If you are a senior in HS now, it is too late for this conversation. Nomination deadlines have passed. If you are a junior in HS, research Summer Seminar on the usna website. If it something that sounds interesting, apply for it. There you will see USNA and meet some of the mids. Ask lots of questions.<br>
Wanting a college education is commendable. Do some soul searching. Try to determine what it is you want for your future after college. Getting into USNA is hard, stressful, and time consuming. You have to want to be there to succeed there.</p>
<p>i am 15 and i am a sophomore</p>
<p>Whewww.. all that and to a Sophomore.. ahaha. I hate forums. :P</p>
<p>you have plenty of time, you might not even be interested in the Navy or in football in a year. </p>
<p>And regardless of what anyone on here says, No one here has a say in the matter, as it comes down to the admissions board to decide who deserves to get in. Its just a forum</p>
<p>do you become an officer in the navy after graduating from the Naval Academy?</p>
<p>Indeed, with the five year commitment</p>
<p>The main reason people leave USNA (especially early in the process) is that, at some level, it's not what they expected/wanted. This is true, BTW, even for those who really thought they wanted to be there. Those of us who've been there have seen it happen far too often and it's not good for the person who leaves or the person who could have had that slot. </p>
<p>I don't want to suggest that USNA will ever achieve "nirvana" in ensuring every person whom they admit will stay (or at least won't want to leave of his/her own accord), but that's the goal. We also know what it takes to get through -- there are some people who come to play football or b/c it's free or b/c their parents wanted them to come, who make it through just fine. But many others don't. </p>
<p>USNA isn't a normal, civilian school with a little Navy thrown in. That's ROTC. It's a military school with a major commitment upon graduation. We want to ensure you fully understand that. </p>
<p>I suggest you start by going to usna.edu and reading every single page. You can download the USNA catalog -- read it. Next year at this time, apply for Summer Seminar (you can read about that at usna.edu). Lurk in these forums and read what folks have to say. Know what you're getting yourself into. And then decide if USNA is right for you.</p>