Hello! I am lucky enough to be in a position to be deciding between two great schools, and I was hoping to get some advice from people who have attended, or have family who have attended, a military academy. I've certainly spoken with people in my personal life, but the majority are of the opinion that I'd be crazy to join the military/go to an academy when I have excellent alternatives.
First and foremost, I want to serve, and I would definitely do ROTC if I attended Stanford. I plan to study Aerospace Engineering, and while I'd really love to fly, I'm aware that not everyone gets that opportunity. I'm from New England, so both the USAFA and Stanford are not close to home, nor will I know anyone at either. My girlfriend is going to school closer to home, so I don't even have to consider being close to her, not that either of us would base our college decisions on that.
Stanford is ranked as a top 10 school for Aerospace, but it doesn't have ROTC on campus, so I would have to attend ROTC at a different school. It's all set up and organized though, but there will be travel from campus to campus. I would get a traditional college experience there, but I'm not the huge party type anyway, so that part I won't miss. On the other hand, since I plan to serve regardless, the USAFA would be much more immersive, and I imagine it's nice to be with a group of likeminded people.
My parents have completely left the decision up to me and will be happy with whatever I choose. Getting into the USAFA was a dream of mine since I was pretty young, and I'm still leaning toward it, but I can also acknowledge that Stanford is a great school. I guess what I'd love to know is whether there is ultimately an advantage career wise between the two, especially since I plan on serving either way? What are other advantages to attending the academy as opposed to doing ROTC?
This is definitely a very good problem to have, and I'll take any advice I can get.
Thank you in advance!
First and foremost, I want to serve, and I would definitely do ROTC if I attended Stanford. I plan to study Aerospace Engineering, and while I'd really love to fly, I'm aware that not everyone gets that opportunity. I'm from New England, so both the USAFA and Stanford are not close to home, nor will I know anyone at either. My girlfriend is going to school closer to home, so I don't even have to consider being close to her, not that either of us would base our college decisions on that.
Stanford is ranked as a top 10 school for Aerospace, but it doesn't have ROTC on campus, so I would have to attend ROTC at a different school. It's all set up and organized though, but there will be travel from campus to campus. I would get a traditional college experience there, but I'm not the huge party type anyway, so that part I won't miss. On the other hand, since I plan to serve regardless, the USAFA would be much more immersive, and I imagine it's nice to be with a group of likeminded people.
My parents have completely left the decision up to me and will be happy with whatever I choose. Getting into the USAFA was a dream of mine since I was pretty young, and I'm still leaning toward it, but I can also acknowledge that Stanford is a great school. I guess what I'd love to know is whether there is ultimately an advantage career wise between the two, especially since I plan on serving either way? What are other advantages to attending the academy as opposed to doing ROTC?
This is definitely a very good problem to have, and I'll take any advice I can get.
Thank you in advance!