May be Forced to take USNA Off the Table

H

Harbor1

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Attended NASS Session 1 in June. Finished USNA application early July, cleared by DoDMERB mid July, BG interview completed first week in Aug. NROTC App completed in August. All MOC Apps completed and sent Mid-August awaiting interview.

The issue is an offer of early decision to a Little-Ivy which mandates a signed agreement upon acceptance that one withdraws all other college applications with the agreement/acceptance of admissions due November 29th (my guess is that if they are holding a spot for you, they in return want to be sure you're going). The Little Ivy was my plan B, but can one risk giving up a guaranteed spot to a top ranked College, along with positions on both their football and track team as a recruited athlete in hopes of a non-guaranteed nomination (very competitive state) and hopeful offer of Admission to the USNA?

As Much as the USNA is my goal, being left at the end with neither scares the heck out of me. I can always defer to regular decision at the little-Ivy giving more time to confirm a nomination and offer from the NA, but this lessens the chance of a guaranteed admission to the little-Ivy.

My view based on the best information at hand suggest it wise to go with a sure thing rather then hope on a dream, as history dictates the Decision Board beat by their own drummer. Both would provide a great education be it different, and with equal effort provide a great future. But not being one to settle tears at me when I weigh the risks with this one.
 
I would suggest talking to this little ivy. Tell them your USNA situation. Some schools will let you out of the contract for a SA appointment.
 
First, congrats on your accomplishments. Most young people today would kill for the chance at the dilemna you are facing.

Second, perhaps you should let your true (ie long-term) goals drive this decision for you...


I saw no mention of ROTC or military service in your description of the Plan B school. And most of what you talked about was focused on school itself. So what do you want to DO when you graduate?

If it's serve your country as an officer, then you might lean one way.

If your service was only a way to "pay" for your education... Now you have another alternative to pay for it so perhaps you have the answer.

In the end, it has to be about where you see yourself in the future. Yes the right school is important, but it's only a step towards the rest of your life.

Good luck.
 
Tough Place W/ Advantages

Harbor1,

Congrats... As a parent I would guide my children to as Packer suggested. Call the admissions department of the Ivy, tell your story and see what they say. No harm no foul! I'm confident they will understand. "If" you drop out at any point in the madness of the college application process they will find another to take your spot.

Your in a really good spot only you will know what is best for you in the end.

Good luck...
 
MedB said:
First, congrats on your accomplishments. Most young people today would kill for the chance at the dilemna you are facing.

Second, perhaps you should let your true (ie long-term) goals drive this decision for you...


I saw no mention of ROTC or military service in your description of the Plan B school. And most of what you talked about was focused on school itself. So what do you want to DO when you graduate?

If it's serve your country as an officer, then you might lean one way.

If your service was only a way to "pay" for your education... Now you have another alternative to pay for it so perhaps you have the answer.

In the end, it has to be about where you see yourself in the future. Yes the right school is important, but it's only a step towards the rest of your life.

Good luck.
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Sorry for not being more specific. I consider The NA and NROTC both as plan A, as they, although different experiences will result in the same end point. As far as paying for college, this is the least worry on my list of worries, I conclude great things cost money and college is no different then a great home or car in this respect, and worth any cost if need be.

It is the goal to pursue the lifelong leadership responsibility in service beginning with an early focus on engineering. From there I will answer each challenge with open eyes through commitment and dedication. It is my belief if these traits are dedicated to, developed, and furthered each day; future goals and aspirations will undoubtedly present themselves. This by no means should be taken as a grail for unknown future plans as a Naval Officer, but rather the strong feeling that if one works to perfects oneself, or at least attempts to, and all things within their control then such commitment soon becomes leadership, and once true leadership is obtained then greater aspirations become available opening ones plate of options.
 
Harbor1 said:
Attended NASS Session 1 in June. Finished USNA application early July, cleared by DoDMERB mid July, BG interview completed first week in Aug. NROTC App completed in August. All MOC Apps completed and sent Mid-August awaiting interview.

The issue is an offer of early decision to a Little-Ivy which mandates a signed agreement upon acceptance that one withdraws all other college applications with the agreement/acceptance of admissions due November 29th (my guess is that if they are holding a spot for you, they in return want to be sure you're going). The Little Ivy was my plan B, but can one risk giving up a guaranteed spot to a top ranked College, along with positions on both their football and track team as a recruited athlete in hopes of a non-guaranteed nomination (very competitive state) and hopeful offer of Admission to the USNA?

As Much as the USNA is my goal, being left at the end with neither scares the heck out of me. I can always defer to regular decision at the little-Ivy giving more time to confirm a nomination and offer from the NA, but this lessens the chance of a guaranteed admission to the little-Ivy.

My view based on the best information at hand suggest it wise to go with a sure thing rather then hope on a dream, as history dictates the Decision Board beat by their own drummer. Both would provide a great education be it different, and with equal effort provide a great future. But not being one to settle tears at me when I weigh the risks with this one.
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I believe majority of the colleges consider little ivies are liberal arts universities. Majority of NROTC scholarships are for technical majors. Just something to consider.
 
Yes, My NROTC Colleges are all technical by choice, and seperate from the Little Ivy referenced. But the same problem exists with my NROTC Schools as the NA.
 
Another consideration, if you're being offered an athletic scholarship as part of the package, be aware that those are one year agreements. They can be revoked after one season (or should you decide to quit the team for whatever reason) and you're left with paying full tuition with little chance of financial help.
 
Little Ivies, like Ivies do not award athletic scholarships, so it would purely be to attend a top acedemic school. That said, athletic scholarships have been offered from some Patriot leage schools and they were 4 year (quiting would be an obvious breach of the contract as would poor grades, but performance and injury would not not).
 
Little Ivy

If by Little Ivy you are referencing Williams , Wesleyan , and Amherst, there are a couple of things you should consider.

1.Those schools are small Liberal arts schools .
2. They do not have ROTC programs
3. They do not have engineering programs


I would think about what you want to major in and do after graduation.
Having siad all of this, those schools are very fine.. My Husband actaully attended one of them and particpated in Varsity sports.

Best of luck to you!
 
There is no such thing as a 4 year athletic scholarship. They are renewable for 4 years, yes, but never guaranteed.

My question is this - why did you apply ED to any school if you were planning on applying to the USNA? ED means you promise to attend if selected. Period. The only semi-honorable way out is if the financial aid package is insufficient for you to attend. If you applied ED, you should withdraw your other apps as required, including the USNA.
 
I have to agree with jcc123... if you were applying to USNA you should not have applied ED to ANY school . My DS knew this and had many conversations with his freinds about the fact that because notification can happen as late as MAY , he would not be able to apply ED.
 
+1. Applying ED makes no sense when also applying to an Academy and ROTC, especially to a "backup" school. If it were first choice that's another thing. However, congratulations are still in order. Tough decision to make. Good luck with it! :thumb:
 
mjm said:
If by Little Ivy you are referencing Williams , Wesleyan , and Amherst, there are a couple of things you should consider.

1.Those schools are small Liberal arts schools .
2. They do not have ROTC programs
3. They do not have engineering programs
Click to expand...

I'm guessing by "Little Ivies" he means Duke, Vandy, or similar. Great schools but totally different than a SA.
 
Harbor1 said:
I consider The NA and NROTC both as plan A, as they, although different experiences will result in the same end point. As far as paying for college, this is the least worry on my list of worries, I conclude great things cost money and college is no different then a great home or car in this respect, and worth any cost if need be.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you just answered your own question.

Good luck at the Academy. And if for some reason that or NROTC doesn't work out, you can always pay for college another way and seek an alternate path to commissioning.
 
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NO

In the Northeast it is well known that the "Little Ivies "are Williams , Wesleyan and Amherst. They are also referenced as "the Potted Ivies" and the "Little Three". I have been listening to my husband for too long talk about this distinction:shake:
 
No ED application has been submitted. They are requesting that an ED Application be submitted which has just opened, as they have completed a pre-read and was recruited athletically. As per this school and most ED guidelines I have read, one can have as many applications out as one desires (actually encouraged) and only when the applicant accepts the early decision offer and signs the agreement does one need to pull all outstanding apps.

Although I regret posting my thoughts, I thank all those who took time to respond. My mindset was that gaining as many options for the future was a good thing leaving no stone unturned. This evolution included the Naval Academy, NROTC Schools (for technical majors), top ranked business and LA Schools, and D1 athletic opportunities. My guess is, the thought process involved with the decision is mine and mine alone, and as such should have remained there. Thank you all again.
 
Harbor1 said:
No ED application has been submitted. They are requesting that an ED Application be submitted which has just opened, as they have completed a pre-read and was recruited athletically. As per this school and most ED guidelines I have read, one can have as many applications out as one desires (actually encouraged) and only when the applicant accepts the early decision offer and signs the agreement does one need to pull all outstanding apps.

Although I regret posting my thoughts, I thank all those who took time to respond. My mindset was that gaining as many options for the future was a good thing leaving no stone unturned. This evolution included the Naval Academy, NROTC Schools (for technical majors), top ranked business and LA Schools, and D1 athletic opportunities. My guess is, the thought process involved with the decision is mine and mine alone, and as such should have remained there. Thank you all again.
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Absolutely your decision to make. However, there is no harm in soliciting other opinions which might shed a different light on the matter or suggest something you hadn't considered. Good luck again. :thumb:
 
Harbor1 said:
Although I regret posting my thoughts, I thank all those who took time to respond. My mindset was that gaining as many options for the future was a good thing leaving no stone unturned. This evolution included the Naval Academy, NROTC Schools (for technical majors), top ranked business and LA Schools, and D1 athletic opportunities. My guess is, the thought process involved with the decision is mine and mine alone, and as such should have remained there. Thank you all again.
Click to expand...

Don't regret posting your thoughts. It is a valid question. Going to USXA or joining ROTC aren't the only options out there. Alot of people on this board seem to think those are the only 2 options one should consider. You sound like a great young man with lots of great options. Most people at 17/18 aren't 100% sure what they want to do in life and you have a couple of super options to choose from.

Question for you.... is the driver for ED coming from the athletic side of the school? If so, call the coach and tell him you would like to wait for NLI day (Feb sometime if I remember correctly) before making a decision. Are you being recruited by USNA as well for the same sport? Maybe things for USNA would be sorted out by NLI day.

It is a very tough decision to turn down a fantastic bird-in-the-hand just to find out in May that you didn't get into that school regular admission and you are sitting on the wait list for USNA. I think there are a couple of other levers that you can pull before you have to remove one of the options.

Please keep us informed about what you find out and your decision process. Good luck no matter what your decision!
 
Am I understanding correctly that you have until November 29 to decide? A lot can happen before then. Are you in a competitive congressional district? How early do your MOC's interview candidates? Might it be possible to interview, receive a nomination and appointment before November 29? (My DS did) If you think it may be possible, you might delay making that final decision for a couple of months.
 
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