Luke45Eagle and FamOf8 DS,
Here is what I would add.
1) Academy life is hard. Only go if you are convinced that you want to be there. It is disciplined, regimented, and can be boring.
2) WP is steeped with tradition and history. But the allure of the academy (any one of them) wears off. This came from my cadet, not simply my opinion.
3) WP is a great place to learn to be a leader and learn to serve. The opportunities you will get there are unparalleled. At a recent dinner an O-6 told my cadet that at the academy, cadets are spoiled in their ability to interact with senior officers and in their early careers, they will seldom have individual contact with field grade officers beyond the rank of major. His point was they needed to take advantage to ask questions and learn while they could.
4) ROTC will give you a more normal college life. In contrast the discipline you learn and have at the academy is a life changing experience. At the academy, my cadet tells me that everyone has similar goals, purpose, and focus.
5) In contrast to #1, academy life can be fun. The bond cadets feel with each other is unique. My cadet has told me that he feels closer to his friends there than most people he grew up with. The bonds last a lifetime. Think Band of Brothers bonding.
6) Almost everyone thinks of leaving and thinks of the opportunities they passed up to be there. But no one who makes it through, regrets having done it afterwards.
7) The one major difference between the academies and civilian college is the honor code. In any other environment, you will not be held to the same standard and accountability as you will at the academy. But you will be surrounded by others who live under those expectations and have a similar commitment to live honorably. In contrast at a civilian college you will be surrounded by others who are trying to get away with things. At the academy the opposite is true.
Last words: Nothing is guaranteed. You have been given an opportunity that is unique and challenging but there is no guarantee you will make it through. Cadets all struggle with something: academics, physical, or military. If you think you are going to excel at all three, you are mistaken. Every year, a 1C or 2C cadet (at all the academies) is separated because of some deficiency or mistake, and either has to pay back or serve enlisted. Of the entering CO2018, 15% will not graduate (that is the statistic, and that is a higher retention percentage than occurred 15 years ago).
Entering the academy is a risk: are you going to make it through? Are you going to get hurt? Will you quit during BEAST? Can you survive COW DROWNING and the HOUSE OF HORRORS?
But civilian college has risks too. You might lose an ROTC scholarship because your grades fall below the median (3.0) of your classmates. You might fail an PFT or not get selected for Field Training because of the competition. You might have a unit commander that just doesn't like you.
I've read the posts saying "if in doubt, let someone take your place" and read the criticisms for those who jettisoned the opportunity because of doubt. I can't do that. The academy is a personal choice and a great preparation for a military career. Nothing more, nothing less. Only you can decide if it is the right place for you. My only advice is whatever you choose, don't look back.
Best wishes to you and your future.