<p>To all of my College Confidential friends - </p>
<pre><code> It is with great pain that I have decided to decline my Offer of Appointment for the Class of 2010. I feel privileged to have received this honor, and I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to attend such a prestigious institution as the United States Naval Academy.
The Naval Academy has been nothing short of completely impressive in every form of contact I have had with it. From Summer Seminar, to Candidate Weekend Visit, to other admissions events, I have been awed by the level of professionalism and integrity displayed by USNA representatives. My Blue and Gold officer was fantastic. Every midshipman I have spoken to has been nothing short of helpful, and I admire every one of them.
I have decided to attend Harvard College for the fall of 2006, with an NROTC/Marine Corps option scholarship. This decision was a very difficult one, and I struggled greatly with it for several months. The Naval Academy stands for everything I believe in, and the lifestyle was very attractive to me. Up until I received admission to Harvard, I was very set on becoming a member of the Brigade of Midshipmen. It seemed like the ideal environment for me, and I had already begun preparing myself for the mental and physical rigors that I would encounter upon entrance.
My decision came mostly to one major thing: academics. I have always wanted to be a Classics major, and my strengths lie more in the humanities than in science. Harvard will allow me to develop my strengths much more than the Naval Academy curriculum, and will better prepare me for law school after I finish my Marine Corps active duty. Everything else about the Academy is what drew me to it in the first place: the culture of fitness, the honor concept, the integrity of the student body, and the regimented lifestyle. That is why it is very difficult to let go of the idea that I will be missing out on these things by going to Harvard instead of USNA. I still get a knot in my stomach when I think about that.
I just wanted to thank you all for being a part of my Naval Academy journey on College Confidential. My Naval Academy experience has been nothing short of incredible, and I will always hold a place in my heart for Annapolis. I have made so many great friends throughout this process, and I will have the utmost respect for any USNA graduate I meet while I am in the Marine Corps. I have been impressed by the Naval Academy beyond what words can express.
I am totally serious when I say that I want to write to you guys during Plebe Summer. Please PM me with your address when you get it; I can guarantee you at LEAST one letter, lol.
Again, THANK YOU to all of the students, parents, candidates, and alumni who have supported me throughout this process and given me invaluable advice. You are an amazing bunch of people, and you should all be very proud of your USNA connections. And don’t despair: I will still hang around these boards, especially to offer advice to future candidates who inquire about NROTC and want to learn more.
A part of me wants to be at USNA on June 28th more than anything; on the other hand, something else tells me that God has plans for me up there at Harvard…and I think that this is an opportunity that I really need to take. Who knows, maybe I personally could be a bigger asset to the Corps with a Harvard education than with a USNA one. And maybe I will make a lasting impression on that Harvard campus, so that ROTC will begin to thrive there and actually have a major presence. The important thing is, I will still be a United States Marine when I graduate, I will see all of you future Marines at The Basic School. Oo-rah!
</code></pre>
<p>semper fi,
harvard college/NROTC-Marine Option
class of 2010</p>
<p>Girl...that was quick ;)
Sincere congrats Shawna! Exciting times ahead...don't look back with anything but good feelings about USNA...no regrets!</p>
<p>Maybe I'll see you out on your 5:30 AM scenic runs around the Charles river... LOL!</p>
<p>Best of luck at Harvard. You're correct in stating that it's the end goal that counts--a Marine from Harvard NROTC is as much a 2nd Lt as a Marine from USNA. Go get 'em!</p>
<p>Shawna...just this morning Janell and I are relaxing together. She's lounging around home on spring break, 24 hours out of her wisdom teeth extraction....and you come up in our discussion. Wanna know what I told her BEFORE your post? "You know, if Shawna is still having to think this long and hard...she really should go Harvard. You have to want USNA more than anything else ...plus..to have to choose between those 2 schools...and if she's struggling, I'd advise her to go Harvard. Besides...Harvard needs Shawna and her influence. At USNA, she's one of the many. As much as we'd miss her, I think God is calling her to Harvard and I think that's where she'll choose to go."</p>
<p>So, I'm delighted for you, honey. Your friendship with our family is ONLY BEGINNING, not ending because you are attending a different school . The ultimate goal has always been for you and my daughter to serve your country as woman Marine Officers...HOW you both get there is one thing. THAT you both are responding to this call, that you both are amazingly gifted young women, that you come from loving, supportive homes, that you had every door open to you in your pursuit of your calling....only means you both have every tool from God to achieve your dreams.</p>
<p>I am so immensely proud of you, Shawna and I urge you to keep us informed both on this forum and in personal email contact, with what you are up to. Who knows, you and Janell might end up at Quantico together come July 2010!!! How awesome would THAT be???!!!</p>
<p>thanks to everyone for your kind words! and peskemom, thank you especially for everything. i emailed Janell earlier today and just got an e-mail back from her, where we were saying the same things. TBS 2010! that is something to look forward to together, lol. don't worry about staying in contact; Janell will be receiving my letters this summer, and we are definitely staying in regular contact.</p>
<p>boston usmc- congrats on Harvard- and at least the Navy is not losing you all together!!! Harvard is a great school- and it's always to have another "Navy Fan" in the student body there!!!</p>
<p>Life is filled with decisions where you choose one great option over a different great option. Each of your options could provide amazing experiences, but each will help you get to the exact same place. I have no doubt that you'll be extremely successful at Harvard and then in the Marines. You have made a very sound decision. Congratulations!</p>
<p>I am fairly new to this forum, but very passionate about God's calling! As a Mom, I believe we are all directed in life's calling by God and we MUST go with what we feel is right for us. You are passionate and will achieve great things no matter where you go. Good luck and God bless you in the future!!!</p>
<p>hey guys -- sorry to revive this thread, but i've been abroad for the past two weeks and i haven't been able to read all of your responses to my post. thank you so much for your kind words and support. you guys are amazing.</p>
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[quote]
I have always wanted to be a Classics major, and my strengths lie more in the humanities than in science. Harvard will allow me to develop my strengths much more than the Naval Academy curriculum, and will better prepare me for law school after I finish my Marine Corps active duty.
[/quote]
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<p>And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is a perfect reason to select a school other than a Service Academy. </p>