Should I Stay or Should I Go?

SP4C3M4N

5-Year Member
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Mar 31, 2014
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Hey Guys!

This school called the Utah Military Academy just opened up about year or two ago about 15 minutes from my house. It was a school made to help people get to a military academy. I learned about this it from my Civil Air Patrol Squadron that moved there at the beginning of the school year and my Squadron Commander was asking if I would be attending next year. I really had no idea.

My dilemma is the fact that I've already started a "career" here at my current high school. The Utah Military Academy is lacking what I consider to be essentials for a proper school. They don't have a swim team-which I think I could start-, NHS, and I might even go as far as saying a working educational system. But, the school is full of leadership opportunities. Think of it like the Air Force Academy. To some extent, it's ran by the student. I'm about to become an officer in the Civil Air Patrol and that would easily get me a staff position.

The school is still in the making, improving a little every year. Although it provides the environment I want, I don't think it has what I need. I wanna see what I could do for the school but I am afraid it will do more harm than good. What do you guys think?
 
Since you're in CAP and about to become an officer, it seems like you should have had access to or soon will have access to lots of leadership (BTW, hello from a fellow C/CMSgt-I am getting my Mitchell soon too!). If your current school has more academic opportunities, I vote with LITS and say stay there and pursue leadership in other areas :)
 
I'll explain my thinking a bit.

You're at a school right now that offers the normal high school stuff, right? That's good, that how most cadets find USAFA.

This new school is a bit like a start up. It doesn't offer the typical high school things.... but it does give you a taste of the military. OK fine, but you'll get that experience soon enough, no need to burn out on it now. And between a good calculus class and learning how to march, USAFA prefers the Calc.

Now, start ups are cool for the people involved with the administration of the business. It says alot about someone when they can grow something from nothing and make it a success. But that's not you.... you'll be the student suffering the bumps.

And there will be bumps. People will come and go, some will be good teachers, some may not.

When ever a new ship comes out people want to be on it.... not me. I'd rather wait a few hulls until all of the issues are worked out. Maybe 10 years down the road the school will be ready for you.... but now? I'd want to ace what I need to compete with other kids.
 
Looked at their website an not a lot of information on there. I'm with LITS and Bailey on this.

But if you're still curious about the school I guess the number 1 question I would ask is how many students per year have gone on to an SA or ROTC? It could be very telling if they don't have a number like that readily available when it's in their mission statement.
 
I think I agree with you guys. I was going to go and talk to the Commander at the school and maybe get a few statistics to see if their school would actually benefit me. I'd ask for the amount of acceptance letters from academies as well as SAT and ACT scores. To be honest, I'm sick of stupid people. The reason I take all the harder classes is because I can actually maintain a conversation with the people in them XD. I'll go and get some numbers though.
 
I live in the same area and I am familiar with Utah Military Academy. I know a kid that went there but was still able to play football with me at a public high school in the area. Maybe you could go to utah military academy and still be able to swim for your high school. Just an idea
 
That's always an option too. My Dad started the swim team for his High School and he thinks that it helped him a lot for his Academy acceptance. Like I said though, If I did go I'd want to leave it better than before and not "participating" in what UMA has to offer is not doing that.
 
Like I said though, If I did go I'd want to leave it better than before and not "participating" in what UMA has to offer is not doing that.

Why couldn't you do that in your current school? There is always something you can create/improve on to leave the current school a better place. Will there be more chance at this UMA, maybe, but doesn't mean there aren't opportunities in your current school. Just have to find them and work them and if anything maybe more challenging and fulfilling.

Just to be clear I'm not saying go or stay but I'm challenging you on your view of things to help you make an informed decision. You know the whole devils advocate thing.
 
No I understand, in fact I love it when people make me think. I've talked to the administrators a few times about a few clubs that could spark some interest in people. The one I've really pushed for is a rocketry club but I don't think they fully understood my intentions so they just kinda brushed the idea away leaving me feeling stupid.
 
Based on what you wrote, I say stay at your school. It sounds like the only reason you're considering transferring is because you think it'll help you get in USAFA. Good grades and ECs help you get in, the name on the school can just be a bonus, at best. There are other ways to exemplify leadership without having to go to a MA just to get in a SA. Not trying to sound harsh, but like I tell everyone, think long term. How will transferring help you as far as getting in other schools in case USAFA doesn't work out (hoping it does, but you never know)? There are no invisible boxes to check that guarantee acceptance into USAFA, only things that help you out.
 
No I understand, in fact I love it when people make me think. I've talked to the administrators a few times about a few clubs that could spark some interest in people. The one I've really pushed for is a rocketry club but I don't think they fully understood my intentions so they just kinda brushed the idea away leaving me feeling stupid.

Keep pushing if that's what you want. My son started up the rocketry club for his HS JROTC. Come up with a plan get others involved to help put it together and present it again.
 
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