Now what..

For the longest time I've dreamed of going to Navy. I love everything about it. My dad even graduated from there. However, I found out today that I was not accepted. This is incredibly disappointing for me; however, I am fortunate enough to have an appointment to West Point. I have never been to West Point and am much more familiar with Annapolis and the atmosphere and opportunities there. Could anyone please inform me about your experiences with West Point and how you or those you know like it? Any insight would be invaluable to me. Thanks!

Before we answer, say: "Go Army, Beat Navy"

Ok, here is my assessment.

Annapolis is a better town, by a long shot, and USNA has a very beautiful campus. USNA gives its graduates a lot of really cool military career choices, and also has the Marine option. West Point doesn't have a great town outside of the base grounds, but more than makes up for it with the most spectacular campus on earth, which is so rich with history that it is absorbed into your skin the moment you get there. It's cadets are genuine and have such strong character that you can sense it on first discussion. The Army is very large and provides many career options and opportunities to advance.

Both schools offer amongst the most prestigious college degrees in the world; but only one of them says "West Point".

My son could still end up at USNA, although he strongly is leaning WP. I am proud of him beyond description, regardless of where he goes, but WP gives me the best feeling.

I heartily agree with Judge Brovol.

Sorry to hear about the TWE. I think that if you applied to both USNA and USMA, hopefully you had some idea that this was a possible outcome.

Many here on this forum will give you opinions on their individual USMA experience but you ideally you did SOME due dilligence and know that Annapolis and West Point are very different environments.
If your stats and accomplishments were such that earned a USMA appointment then you should be able to endure Beast Barracks and the Plebe year and all that comes with the fourth class system. Both USNA and USMA are tough but not impossible.

The biggest issue I would be concerned about is if you go into WP with a mentality of disappointment. This would be a major mistake. In order to do your best and excel, you have to really want to be there and completely turn away from the disappointment of Annapolis.

Given this, I'd look hard at whatever Plans C and D that you have. If you are set on becoming a Navy officer, and you have an NROTC scholarship, that might be a better way to go than be miserable training to be an Army officer.

If you REALLY want to be at West Point then go visit USMA and make your decision with all the facts first hand.

Good luck on your decision, and whatever it is, don't look back with regrets!

I would definitely suggest you go on an overnight visit. You get to "shadow" a cadet and have lots of opportunity for questions. I think this is the only way you'll feel comfortable making a decision either way. Good luck!

Only you can make this call...go to West Point, or decline and hope for an appointment to Navy next year.
Back in 2008, a young man was on the forum. His forum name was Micahdet. He wanted Navy, but was DQ'd from them. He applied twice, but on the second try, he also applied for WP. He was accepted and jumped in, making it his top choice. Every time there was an event or big deal, he was front and center (travel, mock UN, lunch w/ Chuck Norris, etc)...to the point that I asked his mom to write a chapter in The Mom's Guide about taking advantage of every opportunity. He's currently in grad school in Israel. Army was not his first choice, but for career opportunities, he certainly realized Army was going to open every door he wanted open. The academy is just for 4 years, but your career is a long time. Do your research, visit, and make a good decision. The military is full of mixed branch families...maybe yours is about to be one as well. Your dad will get a kick of wearing his Navy dress uniform to the parent banquet at PPW! Good luck in your decision; please keep us posted!
Beat Navy!
Mom

If I was your mom I would tell you: Your butt is going to West Point! Your father USNA, you West Point, who knows your son USAFA?? Life works in mysterious way, grab this opportunity and never look back never regret)

gokings814 said:

The biggest issue I would be concerned about is if you go into WP with a mentality of disappointment. This would be a major mistake. In order to do your best and excel, you have to really want to be there and completely turn away from the disappointment of Annapolis.

Good luck on your decision, and whatever it is, don't look back with regrets!

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Desiretoserve, this is good advice. Read it again.

Beauty of campuses and towns aside, this decision should be on what your military career goals are. Do you want to be on a ship, sub, navy pilot or be a marine? Do you want to serve as an Army officer?

Once you figure that out, your decision will be easy. Plebe DD had no desire to spend 6 months on a ship or in a sub or to be a pilot at USAFA. Ultimately, that is what led her to WP.

I agree decision should be made based on vision for the future. But you spend four years of your life at the academy, and I think you need to be comfortable with the school itself, in addition to the service after graduation. Many dismiss the academy itself as if you are attending a weekend seminar. The professor's, the administration, the student body, the geographical area, and the campus and town are all worthy considerations. It's important to appreciate where you are, so that when times are tough you push forward.

Just my thought anyway.

Blessedmom said:

If I was your mom I would tell you: Your butt is going to West Point! Your father USNA, you West Point, who knows your son USAFA?? Life works in mysterious way, grab this opportunity and never look back never regret)

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Hernán Cortés, the Spanish commander, scuttled his ships, so that his men would have to conquer or die. While that might be dramatic, I do like the expression "burn the boats," (especially in dealing w/ Navy...).

mom3boys said:

Hernán Cortés, the Spanish commander, scuttled his ships, so that his men would have to conquer or die. While that might be dramatic, I do like the expression "burn the boats," (especially in dealing w/ Navy...).

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DS enrolled as a non-contract Army ROTC cadet after being turned down by USNA, and NROTC. He totally was focused on Marine infantry up until then.
After one month at his college in AROTC, he received a phone call from a Marine OSO trying to talk him into enrolling in PLC/OCS while also participating in AROTC.

He thought about it for about five minutes and then like Cortes, he burned the boat and politely declined.

desiretoserve said:

For the longest time I've dreamed of going to Navy. I love everything about it. My dad even graduated from there. However, I found out today that I was not accepted. This is incredibly disappointing for me; however, I am fortunate enough to have an appointment to West Point. I have never been to West Point and am much more familiar with Annapolis and the atmosphere and opportunities there. Could anyone please inform me about your experiences with West Point and how you or those you know like it? Any insight would be invaluable to me. Thanks!

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Our son has been dead set on Navy for as long as we can remember. But last summer he went to SLE at WP. It was our first visit. The campus is beautiful beyond measure. It drew is in immediately upon entering the gates. True, it sits in a small town in rural NY. We found the town to be wonderful. When our son left SLE, he said he was applying to WP and would be happy to attend there. He recently accepted his USNA appt, but WP has a place in his heart. He thinks he may do the exchange program and spend a semester (or maybe it's a year, I don't remember) at WP. Maybe you could consider/apply for that program, as well for USNA. Just tonight at dinner he told his brother that WP really offers great options after graduation. Im sure he would have attended WP if USNA didn't pan out.

I think the winters could be tough.....but I don't even like VA winters, so take that with a grain of salt. Best wishes to you. Hold your head high. WP is nothing to sneeze at. Congratulations.

Some truly wonderful advice! Thank you all so much. I will be visiting West Point next week, and am about 90% certain I will accept the appointment. I've always wanted to serve in an infantry type role, so perhaps West Point will be the better option for me after all. Thanks everyone!

desiretoserve said:

Some truly wonderful advice! Thank you all so much. I will be visiting West Point next week, and am about 90% certain I will accept the appointment. I've always wanted to serve in an infantry type role, so perhaps West Point will be the better option for me after all. Thanks everyone!

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My cadet is on the "team" that shows around/hosts visiting appointees. Perhaps he'll be your host. =) Be sure to ask for a tour of the climbing wall and then you'll be sure to meet him.

desiretoserve said:

Some truly wonderful advice! Thank you all so much. I will be visiting West Point next week, and am about 90% certain I will accept the appointment. I've always wanted to serve in an infantry type role, so perhaps West Point will be the better option for me after all. Thanks everyone!

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Please let us know how the visit goes! Enjoy!