<p>I am entering my second year here at the academy and am having second thoughts about staying here another year. I am not enjoying it at all and do not know if this is the place for me. I would love to become an Army officer, but dont know if I want to do it through West Point. All I hear is that West Point "opens doors" and provides opportunities. But cant these same oppportunities be found by going somewhere else? I am interested in transferring to the University of Georgia and doing their ROTC program. It owuld be much closer to home and to my girlfriend. Would this be a poor decision?</p>
<p>What does “not enjoying it” mean-- you don’t like the work, the bs, the climate, the people, being away from gf, or other? I’ll comment on a couple of these:
a. The BS quotient should drop each year. But if there isn’t anything you like about USMA, bs could be a good enough reason to leave.
b. Don’t worry too much about people if you have a core group of real friends. If the only thing you have in common is disliking West Point, it’s time to go.
c. Girlfriend at another school is almost never a good reason to transfer. First, you need to figure out what is best for you and not just follow her. Second, things change and may have already changed. And if it has already changed, going to Georgia won’t change it back.</p>
<p>West Point opening doors-- I don’t really think so. I think USMA graduates get more say in their first assignment after graduation, but that might be just those near the top of the class. The choice of first assignment does not mean career doors open. USMA on a resume garners respect, but your career (military or civilian) depends on your performance. In this way the military academies are like the Ivy League. Make your choice for the 4 years (3 years) you are in school and not for where you think you’ll be in 15 years.</p>
<p>Transferring to Georgia wouldn’t be a poor decision if done for good reason and with realistic expectations.</p>
<p>You’ll have a better chance of getting the branch you like if you stay at West Point (USMA cadets get first dibs), but if you go to UGA, do well academically, and push yourself to max out on the PT tests you shouldn’t have a problem with your branch anyways. West Point is incredibly prestigious, but if you don’t like it then you don’t like it. You can have a great military career if you do ROTC through UGA as well.</p>
<p>Mom58 has many good points. Since you just finished your freshman year you’ve just gotten through the hardest part. I would give it a chance.</p>
<p>Well, I initially came to this place to be on the gymnastics team, but due to two surgeries in the past 3 months, my dream of gymnastics may be over. Therefore, my will and drive to complete my education here as waned as well. I am dedicated to becoming an officer, just want to do it somewhere where I will actually enjoy it. West Point keeps you so holed up that you get NO outside exposure and no opportunities outside of the gates.</p>
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That is plebe experience talking. It is true that you have less feedom to leave than most other schools, but your statement is overblown.</p>
<p>What are your priorities? Why do you think UGA would be better?
Gymnastics? Physical injuries that preclude that at WP will preclude it elsewhere, as well.
General freedom? Yeah, UGA has WP beat.
Quality of education? Depends on the major.
Opportunities? It depends what ones you value. The service academies are the “spoiled rich kids” of commissioning sources. If cool military training is what you want, they are hard to beat. If you want to experience a bunch of stuff unrelated to the military, UGA would be better.
“Opening doors?” Again, it depends on which doors you value. WP has a very strong alumni network. It may help you get the MOS you want, but I cannot speak to that very well (as a USAFA guy). I can’t speak to the UGA network, either.</p>
<p>Think this one over for a while. You don’t have to commit for another year, so you have time. Only you can make the decision, but it is not one that can be easily reversed. Posters here can only give you points to ponder. You still have to make the best decision for yourself.</p>
<p>If you went to West Point for gymnastics and can’t do that anymore, transferring to a school where you like everything else better makes sense.</p>
<p>Academy graduates may get dibs on branch, but it’s not a guarantee for the branch you want and academy graduates don’t get all the spots in the desired branches. And every branch offers opportunity.</p>