Hello all,
I’ve been recruited to play lacrosse at USNA, Cornell, and Dartmouth. I really want to spend some time in the military (preferably Navy) but afterwards would like to go into management consulting or IB. Would I be able to find success in this from USNA, or would I be better off going to Cornell or Dartmouth and go to OCS after? Thanks!
The big difference is getting into an IB or consulting firm using an on campus recruiting process versus doing it yourself once you leave the fleet after your initial post-graduation service commitment.
Are you thinking of doing a full active duty hitch through OCS after graduation from Cornell/Dartmouth? If so, you’re really in the same position with either option - DIY after your initial tour is over (although maybe some help from the C/D placement office as an alum).
A couple of years ago, I helped a USNA grad who was trying to find a Wall Street job upon his departure from the fleet without going the MBA route. To be quite candid, it was difficult, even with a lot of well connected people trying to help him. He went to a number of IB programs for veterans (GS, BofA) but nothing worked out. Was able to get an offer from a non-bulge bracket firm in their compliance area. Not the front office spot at a white shoe firm that he was hoping for. Would imagine that the experience would be similar at a Bain/McKinsey.
I can understand not necessarily wanting to incur the cost of an MBA after your service, but if MC/IB is really what you want to do, the access you get to the big firms from the recruiting/placement process at top tier business schools can be worth it. You might want to think about that approach.
As I’m sure you know, there is a big difference between Canoe U and the Ivy League. You will have a more pleasant experience as a recruited athlete in a higher profile sport than the average squid, but at the end of the day, you really have to want the academy experience. I’d really focus on that question versus how easy it will be to get the kind of job you want after you do a “five & drive”.
Well that question of how easy it will be to get the kind of job you want after you do a “five & drive” versus Cornell or Dartmouth is what I’m struggling with. I know Cornell and Dartmouth aren’t HYP, but will the 5 years of service be a hindrance for me in the work force? And USNA+topMBA would look better a lot better than just Cornell or Dartmouth, right?
Please do not attend USNA if you do not plan to serve for a respectable portion of your career.
It is not that USNA and a future MBA would not be a reasonable ambition. It is that it would be a slower route than attending a top 20/30 university and padding your resume with internships and more relevant work experience. Cornell and Dartmouth will surround you with elite professor and programs with connections to leading business. You will be able to cultivate a much more impressive and career-specific resume by taking advantage of all of the opportunities that those schools have to offer.
You will have to do the work! You will have to work for your GPA! You will have to spend nights and nights applying for undergraduate fellow, internship, research, etc, but the opportunities are definitely there at those schools for students who are willing to work for them. As a senior at UC Berkeley, I could not imagine losing five years of my career. It might be a worthy sacrifice for you. But it will be a sacrifice. The pay, obligation, time, etc. Statistically, there is no more critical time for our careers, than our twenties.I’m not trying to scare you away from attending USNA. I just want to stress that 5 years for a top 20 graduate, which doesn’t even include pursuits during undergrad, is worth a heck of a lot.
I disagree with TheVisionary…His comment comes from the perspective of a 20 something year old, but looking back with 30+ years experience, those first 7 years in the Navy meant more to me than 20 years plus as a lawyer. i attribute a lot of my personal success to attending USNA. Attending USNA opens doors, and the leadership and people skills you will develop as a Naval Officer will help you whatever you do. I don’t know what the TheViisionary means by stating that statistically the first 5 years are more critical…it really doesn’t matter if you start your “grown up career” at 24 or 30 …when you are 50+ years old, those 5 years are irrelevant. I wouldn’t give up the time I spent as Naval Officer to get those years back !
Finally, in response to the comment about not attending USNA unless you plan to serve a career… my only recommendation, and advice I give my Candidates is to go in with an open mind about serving a career. I was one who went in hell bent on serving a career, and for a variety of reasons left after 7 years. I know others, including recruited athletes that came in with the intent of 5 and dive. who went on to serve very successful careers. Bottom line, at 18-22 years old, you really don’t know where life will take you… Keep an open mind, enjoy the ride, and you willl be successful in whatever you do.
All military service has some value in the corporate world, but having served as a commissioned officer is very highly respected. Having been selected and successfully completing all that is entailed at a military academy is very unique indeed. I have seen it time and time again. Personally, I have hired one West Point and one Annapolis grad (both lawyers now). All that being said, if you don’t feel it in your gut that you want to serve your country in uniform, choose option B. JMHO.