<p>I got accepted into the coast guard academy. It seems like an excellent opportunity but I don't know it is for me. Here is what I think:</p>
<p>Coast guard academy:
Pros:
Free
Challenge
Small class sizes
Professors focused on teaching </p>
<p>Cons:
Not much free time
Not intended major ( I want to be a material science major, I chose to be a orca major at the academy)</p>
<p>Material Science and Operations Research are quite different from each other. If you are serious about Material Science, then the USCGA is almost certainly not for you. The grades and test scores that got you into USCGA would probably get you serious merit money at a number of institutions. If money is an issue for you, spend some time looking through the threads at the top of the Financial Aid Forum, and check out the merit-aid lists.</p>
<p>I served 20+ years as a naval officer (and 20+ more at Lockheed Martin, which was a natural adjunct to my senior officer service) and I hope to ensure you understand one vital fact very well. The USCGA is a superior undergraduate school, admission is very difficult, your classmates and instructors will be superb – and in areas the go far beyond the academics – and you will learn SO much more than you would at an elite undergraduate institution that does not (and, truly, cannot) place similar emphasis on leadership, ethics, character development, teamwork, self-discipline, and so forth.</p>
<p>However, with this most sincerely said, DO NOT accept this appointment if you have any question or concern regarding a lifetime of sacrifices and service as a commissioned officer. Attending the USCGA – or accepting a commission in any of the armed forces – is absolutely unlike any other profession or career. I know that may seem like hyperbole, but here’s a solid – although inconsequential – example: in EVERY other American job, one can quit at will. Yes, rarely, one might be sued for contractual breach and, yes, you may receive terrible references (etc.), but the fact is you can walk away at any time (this includes all public employees except the military). However, for armed forces personnel, if you quit (and retirement/commission resignation can take many months and not infrequently is denied) you eventually become a deserter and you’re quite likely to spend some time in Leavenworth Military Prison. This is a small and unlikely example, I know, but I use it to demonstrate that military life extraordinarily differs from civilian life. For your own sake, DO NOT enter the USCGA if you are not absolutely aware of – and entirely comfortable with – the concomitant responsibilities, the probable sacrifices, and the pervasive environment which you will assume the instant you say “I do solemnly swear” next June.</p>
<p>Absolutely agree with TopTier. The academy is VERY DIFFERENT from a civilian college. It’s an excellent education that demands complete commitment, 24/7. No half measures. Cadets can change their minds during summer training prior to the actual start of classes, but it sounds like you are not sold on the USCGA anyway.</p>
<p>To echo the two posters above me, do not attend USCGA if you are not ready for the commitment. Don’t take the place of someone else more committed. </p>
<p>I personally don’t think the majors matter that much. At 17-18, it’s hard to be completely serious about any one major area of study - you haven’t taken any classes in it, and you don’t really know anything about it. In addition, materials science is a pretty uncommon major to begin with at undergraduate institutions. (Although I do wonder that if you are interested in materials science, why not go for mechanical engineering at the USCGA, which is the closest alternative? Operations research and computer analysis is an interesting, lucrative, in-demand field, but quite different from engineering and materials science.) Of course if your dream is to become a world-renowned materials scientist then you probably should choose a college where you can study that (or at least physics, chemistry, or some other engineering field). But if you were just interested in it as a possibility but other things interest you just as much, then I think it matters not what you pick.</p>
<p>The question is - do you want to be an officer in the Coast Guard? For at least 5 years of active duty, if not a career? If the idea of living the very regimented lifestyle of a cadet at a military academy - and then going on to serve as an officer in the military - doesn’t inspire passion in you, don’t do it. You don’t have to give your whole life to the Coast Guard, as your initial contract is only 5 years (of active duty) unless you get selected for some kind of special duty with a longer commitment. (Flight school and graduate school are two choices that can incur a longer commitment.)</p>
<p>If you want to go to college to have free time and the traditional, stereotypical college experience - do NOT go to the Coast Guard Academy! It’s well-known that the lifestyle there is very different. There are MANY more restrictions on what you can do with your time, and infractions that would be relatively minor elsewhere can get you in serious trouble there. I know that at the other service academies you are subject to the Military Code of Justice, and that’s probably true at the CGA too.</p>
I’d respectfully like to clarify two points in @juillet 's foregoing post (#5):