<p>Essential Questions:
I've been accepted to UCLA and the USMMA Prep School, NMMI in New Mexico and I hope to soon be accepted to NROTC at UCLA. I'm curious as to what you all think about which route I should take? Also, would it be advisable to go to UCLA this coming year and reapply to USMMA so that I could cross out the prep school opportunity? I realize not accepting the prep school opportunity now would be quite a gamble... decision isn't easy. Will NROTC at UCLA ultimately offer me parallel opportunities? If I am not accepted for an NROTC scholarship, should I go to NMMI or UCLA and reapply for USMMA? </p>
<p>Other Question:
What do you think my chances are for getting the scholarship? I'm in UCLA for College of Letters and Sciences Social Sciences Undeclared. GPA: 4.3, test scores: suck (average)... but got into UCLA so I assume the rest of my application worked well. Community service: about 700 hours with a great deal of leadership. Internship at SPAWAR (Naval contracting company) and Mayor at California Boys' State.</p>
<p>Opportunities for Future:
I hope to become a Naval Pilot and be in the Navy for 20 years only to retire in order to run for a political office such as Mayor or Congressman. However, I am open to becoming a Merchant Mariner and not take the opportunity at Kings Point to switch to Navy.</p>
<p>Personal Opinion:
I currently live in San Diego so the easiest transition would be going to UCLA however I feel that going to USMMA will truly offer me every opportunity I need in order to accomplish my military aspirations. They are both amazing schools; the UCLA name its self is motivation to attend and the fact that USMMA is a service academy is huge. If I get an NROTC scholarship, both schools will be paid for, only MMA will be all military and UCLA will be more civilian.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Can’t help you with your choices but your “navy pilot” as a path to “politician” life plan seems odd. What do you think people who end up being Mayors and Politicians do? They’re the ones who start on their kids’ school boards and slog through reading reams of policy decisions and assignments. They accept the local committee assignment to review library budgets. They do fundraising for their candidates. They lead local community action orgs. They work potlucks at their union functions. They paint faces at the elementary school Easter party and then head off to the PTA meeting. They sell tickets at the HS girls’ basketball games. All while holding down a full time job as a homemaker or rising leader within a business organization.</p>
<p>If this person shows acumen and leadership, he/she might be raised to higher levels of leadership. It’s a life firmly founded on public service – not towards grabbing a golden ring like being selected as Prom Queen. I think your view of what a “politician” does is more Hollywood vs. reality.</p>
<p>Agreeable, but remember that NROTC allows their officers to have a civilian job as well. I like to get myself involved and I don’t think that the aviation to politician move will be the most drastic change any NROTC officer has gone through. Plus, I’ve seen it done by a politician in my area.</p>
<p>Do you ultimately want to go to USMMA, a service academy, or are you fine with NROTC? They’re all fine schools, but if you want to go to USMMA more than any of the others, I’d take the prep school offer. If you don’t really care where you’re commissioned, then do NROTC. </p>
<p>You might think that in 20 years you’ll be running for political office, but your plans might always change. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>What do you mean? You seem hung up on the commissioning source, when in reality, once you become a Naval officer, it doesn’t really matter where you’re commissioned. What do you mean you can have a civilian job as well? You realize even though NROTC is “Reserve Officer Training Corps”, they commission active duty officers, right?</p>
<p>When did you send the NROTC app. in?<br>
Chances of getting a NROTC scholarship are slim if your major is undeclared and your SAT is just average. A large percentage of NROTC scholarships are required go to those majoring in engineering or other hard science. Naval officers do not have other civilian jobs. Being a Navy officer is a full-time job. </p>
<p>If you seriously want to serve, I think going to NMMI and then on to USMMA is your best opportunity.</p>
<p>My S attended college on a NROTC scholarship and is now a Spec.Ops officer deployed to the Middle East. It is a committment not to be taken lightly…i.e. using it as stepping stone to a political career.</p>