USMA vs. AROTC Scholarship

paulycowgirl

ProudMomPaulycowgirl
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GOOD NEWS!! After 8 months of recovering from a dirt-bike wreck, DS has received word that he has finally been granted a medical waiver and will be offered both USMA Appointment and an AROTC 4-Year scholarship (to TAMU). Now that the choice is before him, the nerves have hit and he is feeling overwhelmed by the choice.

USMA has been his goal since 5th grade and he's overcome amazing odds and challenges to finally be right here. On the other hand, TAMU and AROTC only entered the picture as a "Plan B" after he was turned down for SLE and then had the wreck. At that point he had a reality check and really thought his chances of getting an appointment to USMA were pretty slim, so he began to pursue other options and wound up with TAMU. From where we sit, it seems like he's talked himself out of believing that the USMA appointment would ever come, so he's more prepared to take Plan B.

Can anyone offer any advice to us as parents how to help him through this decision? Has anyone else experienced this kind of nervousness when the offer was actually before you? Is this normal??
 
No advice, paulycowgirl, but congratulations to your DS on FINALLY getting the waiver & appointment (& AROTC schol)!! Nice choice to have to make.

If USMA has been his goal for so long, it's easy to believe that if he didn't accept the appointment, he might look back with some regret. For many people, that would be the chance of a lifetime.

Some fellow posted a thread on that not too long ago - in his case he was sweating about the swimming requirement at USMA & hastily turned down the appointment. Still regrets it.

Not suggesting that would be your son, but a long-time dream dies hard!

God bless him as he makes the decision.
 
Some fellow posted a thread on that not too long ago - in his case he was sweating about the swimming requirement at USMA & hastily turned down the appointment. Still regrets it.

Not suggesting that would be your son, but a long-time dream dies hard!

God bless him as he makes the decision.

I DID read the post you are referring to and printed it for our DS to read today. I agree that a dream like this dies hard (I've experienced it myself), so we are trying to help DS see all sides and be as certain as possible about his decision. What seems so obvious to everyone around him is apparently not as clear to an 18-year-old, but in the end, it is his life to live and we want what is best for him. So, we are covering the matter with prayer and trusting God for wisdom ...
 
There is a lot of information about this out there. Ask your DS to do his homework so he can come to an informed decision, which like you said is ultimately his to make. With the downsizing of the military as a whole, I do question the opportunities that lie ahead for these young soldiers. I would personally think with the investment put into WP cadets, they might have an advantage. (Just my opinion)
 
I was advised just last week by Cadet Admissions at UNG that next year, they are expected to commission more officers than before and that there will be more scholarships to give. Defense cuts may not be as much of an issue with service academies and ROTC.
 
I DID read the post you are referring to and printed it for our DS to read today. I agree that a dream like this dies hard (I've experienced it myself), so we are trying to help DS see all sides and be as certain as possible about his decision. What seems so obvious to everyone around him is apparently not as clear to an 18-year-old, but in the end, it is his life to live and we want what is best for him. So, we are covering the matter with prayer and trusting God for wisdom ...
"So, we are covering the matter with prayer and trusting God for wisdom ..."

Then all will be well.

From the many posts on various threads from last year & this, it does seem like what your son is experiencing is WELL within the norm! Maybe you could dig a bit and PM some of those parents who posted similar pre-decision angst.
 
If he wants to be apart of a corps of cadets and get made fun of for wearing funny uniforms, he might as well come here!
 
I was advised just last week by Cadet Admissions at UNG that next year, they are expected to commission more officers than before and that there will be more scholarships to give. Defense cuts may not be as much of an issue with service academies and ROTC.

Hmmmmmmm. PM sent.
 
Choice

I don't know what a "TAMU" is, but I do know what USMA is. If it has been a dream for so long - why even second guess. TAMU will always be an option - USMA not so much.

I did do a search of TAMU. I hope this is not it lol: Tamu Tamu Refreshments menus and dining information located at Animal Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort.
 
I don't know what a "TAMU" is, but I do know what USMA is. If it has been a dream for so long - why even second guess. TAMU will always be an option - USMA not so much.

I did do a search of TAMU. I hope this is not it lol: Tamu Tamu Refreshments menus and dining information located at Animal Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort.

I'm sure the worldwide Aggie Family is in disbelief- TAMU = Texas A&M
 
I don't know what a "TAMU" is, but I do know what USMA is. If it has been a dream for so long - why even second guess. TAMU will always be an option - USMA not so much.

I did do a search of TAMU. I hope this is not it lol: Tamu Tamu Refreshments menus and dining information located at Animal Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort.

LOL! First of all ... to the first part of your response I say, "My thoughts exactly."

As to the TAMU reference for Disney World ... hilarious! I guess if college doesn't work out, DS could always apply for a job there! EEEK!!
 
Disney

LOL! First of all ... to the first part of your response I say, "My thoughts exactly."

As to the TAMU reference for Disney World ... hilarious! I guess if college doesn't work out, DS could always apply for a job there! EEEK!!



Great minds think alike. I live an hour from Disney. The weather is better than West Point. We can host. lol Cheers
 
Texas A&M and West Point are very different. One produces graduates who, after four years of isolation in a bleak military-themed environment, forever have trouble integrating into the real world that lies beyond their insular network of "ring knockers." The other is West Point.
 
Sledge....hah...

Clever, very clever.

and I liked it.


Push Hard, Press Forward
 
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