<p>Hi, I'm a high school senior who has had the great fortune in my college admissions, being accepted to both University of Wisconsin Madison with a full 4-year NROTC scholorship and also being appointed to the Naval Academy. I have been to both school and seen the pros and cons of either. I am from Minnesota so Madison would be closer to home, but the location is not of biggest concern to me. While the University of Wisconsin might be more enjoyable and easier, I feel I can get to my fullest potential by going to the Naval Academy. I honestly like working hard, but sometimes I feel that I won't have the audacity to make it through four years at the Yard. I have heard from many people that Naval Academy grads "are set for life" and that the education is as good as ivy league. Also, I know I will the best friends at the Naval Academy I like that feeling of "belonging" which comes through all the teamwork required there. I also have heard that the Naval Academy plans your whole life as compared to a civilian university. The money issue is also important for me, knowing the Naval Academy is basically free while I still would have to pay 20,000 dollars over 4 years and Madison. I also would like to know if if there are any benefits from the military aspect (assignment preferences, etc.) by going to the academy.
Another question I have in regards to the NROTC program is that the service requirement of being 4 years active reserve and 4 non-active. Does active get the same opportunities as a officer fully in the navy? And what does a "inactive" naval reserve officer entail?
My dad is a Naval Academy grad and didn't suger coat the experience at all. My mother went to nearby Hood college and was very ecstatic that I got an Appointment. Through they both don't blatently try to pressure my decision, i defineitly feel that they would like me to attend the Yard.
Please, somebody with some experience help me! I have about a week to make a decision and I don't know what I'm going to do. Anybody who has ANY advice I would love it. Thanks</p>
<p>Curlyboy, Congratulations on your appointment and UW acceptances. Both are great opportunities. I will honestly say that I probably won't be much help to you on your decision, because only YOU can make that decision. THe "set for life" comments and such are all fine and good, except you have to perform to be "set". KWIM? Your comment, "While the University of Wisconsin might be more enjoyable and easier, I feel I can get to my fullest potential by going to the Naval Academy." stood out to me like you really want to go to the academy but are, naturally scared to do it. I think that if you didn't question how hard it would be and if you could do it, would like it, could make it etc, then you wouldn't be very realistic. Sit down over the next number of days and write down what you like about each etc. You graduate with the same commission/rank, so it's just a different route to the same thing. I have heard that if you are from the Academy though, during your career you might have more opportunities. But, if you aren't going to make the Navy your career, then that won't really matter. If, at the end of the week, you still really can't make up your mind, then send in your deposit to UW. Not bad to have a back up plan anyway in case something happens between now and I-Day. (at least that's what we did with Purdue last year and my daughter). The right choice will come to you. If you truly hate the Academy, you aren't stuck there either. Sometimes you just have to try things and see what you think. Best of luck and congratulations again.
NAPS05mom</p>
<p>thanks so much napsmom, i think i am just freaking about a little bit cause its such a big decision. I appreciate the idea of sending the enrollment fee to UW just in case. I know its up to me, but it was very nice to and reassuring to hear it from somebody outside of my normal life. I appreciate it very much. </p>
<p>Lastly, i would like to hear back from anybody who knows anything about the service obligations in part of the NROTC.</p>
<p>I think you'd be fine at USNA. You already have a good foundation of knowlege from your dad and mom (my husband is a USNA grad and I went to Hood like your mom). It's been a great experience for my son and guess what, he's almost done!!! Once you make it through Plebe year, life gets easier. You'll gain experiences at USNA that you'll not get at a civilian college and I don't think you'll be missing too much. You should hear what some of those Mids did on their Spring breaks! Good luck!</p>
<p>CurlyBoy:</p>
<p>My son may soon have the same decision - he's into Wisconsin and has a 4-year Army ROTC scholarship and he's high on the waiting list at West Point. He's visited about 5 ROTC programs and has been very impressed with the programs and the officers who run them. He's leaning to Wisconsin - even if he gets into West Point - because of his academic interest in Biology and Biomedical Engineering and Wisconsin is one of the hot biotech schools and Madison is huge in biotech companies. USNA is unlikely to give you a chance for too much academic focus in a field like that.</p>
<p>As for getting jobs - that's up to you - not where you went to school. By the way, if I'm not mistaken the Chief of Naval Operations is the senior Naval Officer - Currently it's Vern Clark. He went to Evangel College (now Evangel University) and didn't even do ROTC - he went into OCS. He's done OK for himself - as did Colin Powell who did ROTC at City University of New York. </p>
<p>Anyway - you have a great choice and you can't really go wrong. Good luck.</p>
<p>Are you serious? the Naval Academy is wayyyy better. Seriously.....Go Navy...</p>
<p>Some people would rather have a normal college experience Thomas.</p>
<p>Hey dude,</p>
<p>I'm in a somewhat similar situation to you. I'm really deliberating between Notre Dame, which is such a draw for so many reasons, and the Academy,which has been my dream all tough high school. I even thought I had a sign from God when in my cross word puzzle 18 across was "Notre ______" only to be confused even further when 43 across was "USNA grad." Damn the irony!</p>
<p>I'm moving more and more toward the academy, but with other acceptances coming in, it's impossible not to gaze into one's crystal ball and see what it would be like at other colleges. I also share the fear that I may not cut it the first few weeks. But I believe that I will ge through it if I want it badly enough. </p>
<p>My main philosophy in life is that whatever you choose, have no regrets. Your path is the right one. Follow your gut. Just remember, when you've made the decision, you've made the right one.</p>
<p>Curlyboy:</p>
<p>Ironically, I just found this website today and noticed your post. I think I may be able to offer a little bit of advice, although this is a decision that, as other posters have suggested, only you can make. </p>
<p>I think through describing a little bit about myself I can maybe offer a little bit of indirect advice. We have a lot of similarities. Here is my situation:</p>
<p>I am currently a senior attending a high school just south of the Twin Cities. I was awarded an ISD 4-Year NROTC Scholarship last year and plan on attending the NROTC unit at the University of San Diego. I have also applied and been accepted into the engineering program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A little ironic, isn't it? I guess the world is small after all.</p>
<p>It all really comes down to what you are more comfortable with in my opinion. To be quite honest, you will get a world-class education either route you decide to take. You really cannot go wrong. </p>
<p>To answer your question regarding the service obligations through NROTC: To the best of my knowledge, you have the potential to be commissioned in the Navy as an Ensign either through the Academy or NROTC. The CO at the University of Minnesota NROTC unit told me that he has seen good and bad officers come out of both NROTC and the Academy. Basically, either route is what you make of it; you will have to work hard either way. There is not one set criteria for making a good naval officer; there is no magic formula. However, he did tell me that the retention rate for officers from the Naval Academy is historically a little bit higher than for NROTC. Take that for what it is worth.</p>
<p>Always remember that the predicament that you are in is a "good" problem to have. You have as much opportunity available to you as anyone else in the world. That is something to be thankful for because not many individuals can say they have received a NROTC scholarship AND a commission to the Naval Academy! That is something to be very proud of! Don't forget that. . .ever. . .</p>
<p>Even though this is of no consequence, if I were you, I would probably take the invitation to the Naval Academy. About a year ago or so, I debated whether or not I should apply to the Naval Academy because I felt I would have a fair shot at it. However, I decided against doing just that and now, to be honest with you, I regret that decision to some small extent. I realize that that is an opportunity that I will never ever have again. Despite your predicament, you made the right decision by keeping as many doors open as possible, and that is a good thing.</p>
<p>It seems that your family has a strong military tradition. My family is exactly the opposite! I will be the first indivdual in my immediate family to serve in the Armed Forces. I think that had some bearing on my decision to go the NROTC route. I don't think my parents really wanted me "sacrificing" a traditional college experience, so I took the middle road, which seemed to be NROTC. In my opinion, I think that accepting the NROTC scholarship affords you the unique opportunity to be in a traditional college setting. I would hypothesize that this allows a Midshipman to experience a wider range of viewpoints, etc. However, I haven't had any experience with NROTC beyond being accepted and my personal knowledge of the Naval Academy is non-existent. Therefore, I am merely just guessing.</p>
<p>From what I have read, there seems to be some bias in individuals on here believing that you can "set" yourself up for success by taking one route over the other. In my opinion, that is something that is merely romantisized on forums like these. To be quite honest, you can fail and you can succeed no matter where you go to college. Just because you go to the Naval Academy does not mean you will automatically be a great naval officer. You still have to earn that just like everyone else. Likewise for NROTC. </p>
<p>I also have a cousin that attended Madison and she really seemed to like it. There is a lot of partying that takes place there, but the education cannot be beaten. When I visited the campus, I was very impressed with what I saw, too. </p>
<p>There is one aspect that I think you should take into consideration between Madison and USNA: At USNA, you will have more personalized attention. Your class sizes will be much smaller, and your personal interactions with professors will be to a greater extent. This is one of the reasons I decided against Madison and am now going to a smaller school. This is a huge advantage that USNA shares with smaller institutions in my opinion. I have also heard that the professors at USNA are amazing in many respects and bend over backwards for their students. At Madison, you are going to be more of a number, although I could be wrong.</p>
<p>You have a decision to make and there is really no other way to cut it. The best advice I can offer you is to weigh all of your options and do what feels right. Try asking yourself this: "If I decide to go to the University of Wisconsin on the NROTC scholarship, will I regret not going to the Naval Academy? Will I constantly be wondering what my life would have been like if I chose to go to the Academy?" Do what you think is right; take the route that will leave you with no regrets. And always remember that you cannot go wrong because you have opportunities of a lifetime awaiting you. You just have to decide which opportunity to embrace.</p>
<p>I hope that helped a little bit. If I can be of any service to you in any capacity, just let me know. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>-Mike-</p>
<p>If you dont have a dream and passion to go to the academy (IE, you arent dying to get in), you're better off at UW. </p>
<p>On the other hand, you can always quit the academy if you go and decide to leave. </p>
<p>Service assignment opportunities are exactly the same--except that when you grad from the Academy, you have to be a combat-line officer- (no doctors, civil engineers, lawyers, etc). </p>
<p>There is a five year commitment after you graduate from the Academy.</p>
<p>Finally, you aren't "set for life". you have good friends and a degree, but that doesnt mean you'll be happy and successful just because you have a usna ring. </p>
<p>-08 midshipman</p>
<p>motivator:</p>
<p>You misspoke when you said that USNA graduates cannot be doctors, civil engineers, lawyers, etc. It is not an opportunity extended to many, but it is still there.
CM</p>
<p>Curlyboy:</p>
<p>Just to add further to your confusion; when my son got his financial aid package from his NROTC scholarship school, they had covered his room and board (not with loans, but with a grant). He would have had all costs covered, and benefitted from the monthly stipend as well. </p>
<p>(You might want to wait for the package to see what is being offered to you.)
He chose USNA.
CM</p>
<p>Curlyboy- sorry to stray away from the topic, but i was just curious as to where in Minnesota you live. I live in Lakeville but go to Apple Valley High School.
I also struggled with the thought of ROTC vs. one of the academies. Now, I am almost fully confident that it will be either West Point or USNA. Getting accepted to an Academy is an honor and is just too much for me to pass up. I haven't heard anything back from USNA yet, but I am leaning significantly towards West Point anyway. But who knows, maybe my overnight stay in Annapolis this weekend will change my mind.
Anyway, I know I started typing this in the thought of offering you some advice but once again found myself bragging about my acceptance. Like everyone says, it's your choice. Don't let your parents or friends make the decision for you. Whatever you think will benefit your future the most. It looks like you have some great options and good luck with you choice.</p>
<p>The Naval Academy experience is much better in my opinion. The only common problem with USNA with many people are the stressful situations. However, those situations only occur often during Plebe Year. Aftewr that, the Academy does have its tension moments but it has calmed down significantly after Plebe year. There's more flexibility when you become a youngster and so forth.</p>
<p>hey, thanks to everybody for their replys, they've helped me tremendiously. As of right now i'm still quite undecided but that should end next week after one last visit to UW. I'll make a post when I make my decision, and again, thanks so much to everyone who replyed.
Renken, I live in Plymouth but am in the Maple Grove- Osseo District and go to Osseo Senior High.</p>