<p>Hello all, I have been given the opportunity to make a choice between the United States Naval Academy and the University of Notre Dame. I have already received an offer of appointment to the academy as well as an acceptance to Notre dame. I have also received the navy option ROTC scholarship to Notre Dame, which I would definitely use if I went there. My career plan is to go into the navy and to spend the full 20 years or more in the navy. I have read other forums comparing the Naval Academy vs ROTC, but this one is a choice between a very good (top 15 in the nation) school such as Notre Dame and the Naval Academy. </p>
<p>My question is: what are the differences both during college and the differences as you enter a career in the navy (both short term and long term) and which one you would recommend. Also, insight about the social differences, college life differences, and such would be greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>Basically, this is a matter of personal preference. My advise is to only go to the Naval Academy if you are totally sure that it is your preference. USNA is designed to challenge you at every level. Nothing in America can compare to the demands of attending one of the five service academies. If you want to be challenged every day – mentally, socially, and physically – then the Academy might be the right choice for you. NROTC is like going to college with some military training on the side. Notre Dame’s own Catholic identity will probably influence you more than will NROTC.</p>
<p>From a career perspective, it is no longer an advantage to be an Academy graduate. A few decades ago, Academy graduates did tend to get some preferential treatment during their careers. This has not been the case for quite a while now. </p>
<p>I can think of two advantages to attending the Academy. First, you are not required to declare your academic major until after you plebe year, and thus you still have the possibility of majoring in a non-STEM field (History, for example). With NROTC, if you have stated that you intend to major in mechanical engineering at ND, it will nearly impossible to change to a non-STEM major. Perhaps you could switch to physics, but changing to history would be a big problem. Second, similarly, you do not have to choose between a career in the Marines or one in the Navy until the end of your second class year (junior). If you have any interest in the Marines, this might be valuable.</p>
<p>The main advantage of NROTC, anywhere, is that you get a fairly normal college experience and in some ways might better understand what it is that you are defending. In other words, you probably will understand civilians a little better than an Academy graduate. A lot of Academy midshipmen and cadets (at USMA and USAFA) love to repeat the irony that “we are here to defend freedom, not have it.”</p>
<p>As far as the differences between the “college experience” of USNA versus ND, almost nobody can tell you because almost nobody has done both. However, the main differences are fairly obvious to most people who pay attention. The Academy is military 24/7, while NROTC is more like 2 or 3 hours per day, at most 6 days per week. Both USNA and ND have very strong alumni networks nationwide.</p>
<p>That is a great comparison NROTC grad. Our DD is a Freshman at Notre Dame on a NROTC scholarship. She opted to go there over an academy, primarily because she wanted a more traditional college experience. She love it there. There NROTC is a very active unit there and much more time consuming that my own personal experience with AROTC at another college. She is challenged with her coarse load, NROTC requirements and everything else she does, but absolutely loves everything about it. I asked her if she has any regrets on her choice and she does not. Our DS, who is a senior got a NROTC scholarship and has been appointed to the Naval Academy. He will be choosing the Naval Academy. He wants to be totally submerged in the academy life. He doesn’t feel as though he will be missing out on anything by going there over a civilian college. He is the type of kid, while being a high achiever, can benefit on being told what to do and when and I believe will thrive on that environment at the Academy. DD is very organized, self-disciplines and can juggle many things at once. As NROTC grad says, I think it comes down to what you see for your 4-year college experience, as you will end up in the same place in the end. </p>
<p>My S initially thought he would apply to both but decided he wanted the full college experience. His theory was that he will have twenty years to be immersed in all things Navy but only four years to live the regular college life. </p>
<p>He commissioned five years ago after four great years at a big state u. If he had it to do over he wouldn’t change a thing. He had a definite career path he wanted to get into, one of the hardest ones to make it into. He made it and is loving his job. Coming from NROTC was not a drawback in any way. It has been just the opposite.</p>