Interesting "problem"

NavyUMO said:
I solicit the input from this esteemed group as my DS (who has wrangled with this for sometime) now has all of the information to make his best decision on where to go next year. He has worked very hard and has put himself in a position to have a plethora of choices that I realize really come down to his heart, gut, service preferences etc.

He has all 3 service ROTC scholarships, appointments to all 4 service academies, and a full 40 Acres Scholarship (no ROTC or academy commitment) which is a full 4 year ride to the University of Texas at Austin. He has acceptances to Princeton, Duke, UCLA, UNC, UVA, UTA, and William and Mary.

He has to decide on the 40 Acres scholarship by next Monday and the rest NLT 1 May.

Would love to hear pros/cons from this esteemed group that perhaps we haven't considered in our lists.
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Your kiddo needs to do the soul searching about what speaks to him as his path. My DD was accepted last year to Harvard, Michigan, UTA with full 4 year ROTC scholarships as well as USMA. She didn't blink because she knew, for her, the path was West Point and always had been. She has had zero regrets. That said, your son's path is his path and he has to figure that out for himself. As they say ... invite him to sit in a quiet chair with his thoughts. Best of luck to him sorting through his choices .. he can't go wrong unless he is trying to walk someone else's path other than his own.
 
Ivy22 said:
Well, what branch does he want to serve in? That should eliminate 2 ROTC scholarships and 3 of the service academies right off the bat based on that answer.

After that, I’d look at what his top choice school is. Go to admitted students’ weekends and get a feel for how life is as a student at that school.

Does he want a more normal college experience? Or does he want to attend a service academy? Remember, everyone commissions as an O-1 and gets paid the same…

If leaning towards ROTC, which schools host the unit? Which schools are cross-town? For example, Princeton hosts Army on campus (it’s a fantastic program for sure), but Navy is at Rutgers. If you want to do NROTC at Princeton, just know you’ll have to commute some for NROTC activities.

Intended major could be something else to consider as well.

I’ve heard great things about NROTC at Duke, UCLA, UNC, UVA, and UT Austin. Princeton Army is amazing too.
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The type of experience he wants from college is really important. And I would add what type of college atmosphere does he want? UCLA is in LA, a great city with many things to do and beaches nearby. Princeton is in a cool small town, but a train ride from NYC. He needs to visit as many as he can (and you can afford).
 
NavyUMO said:
I solicit the input from this esteemed group as my DS (who has wrangled with this for sometime) now has all of the information to make his best decision on where to go next year. He has worked very hard and has put himself in a position to have a plethora of choices that I realize really come down to his heart, gut, service preferences etc.

He has all 3 service ROTC scholarships, appointments to all 4 service academies, and a full 40 Acres Scholarship (no ROTC or academy commitment) which is a full 4 year ride to the University of Texas at Austin. He has acceptances to Princeton, Duke, UCLA, UNC, UVA, UTA, and William and Mary.

He has to decide on the 40 Acres scholarship by next Monday and the rest NLT 1 May.

Would love to hear pros/cons from this esteemed group that perhaps we haven't considered in our lists.
Click to expand...
I don't know if I am more impressed with the UCLA admit or the Princeton one. Princeton is obviously tough, but UCLA has been practically impossible lately. 40 Acres is pretty impressive as well. Personally, I think the UTA 40 Acres scholarship is the way to go, but that's me.
 
Holden100 said:
Your kid makes my kid look super lazy! DS applied to only 6 schools and 2 academies. Good luck to your son. I have a feeling whatever choice he makes he won't regret it.
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DD is 4-c mid; applied for only the NROTC scholarship, applied to just 3 schools.
Her "plan A" became reality: got her first-choice school as Early Decision, NROTC to cover tuition, Pell grant & federal work-study job help pay room & board.
Her contingency plans included College Program or enlisting with intention to attend OCS-- because she's been focused on serving as a Navy officer. (Her interest became even stronger during several years in Sea Cadets.) In her case, a short list of applications reflected dedication to a goal she set for herself.
 
Mom_SZ said:
DD is 4-c mid; applied for only the NROTC scholarship, applied to just 3 schools.
Her "plan A" became reality: got her first-choice school as Early Decision, NROTC to cover tuition, Pell grant & federal work-study job help pay room & board.
Her contingency plans included College Program or enlisting with intention to attend OCS-- because she's been focused on serving as a Navy officer. (Her interest became even stronger during several years in Sea Cadets.) In her case, a short list of applications reflected dedication to a goal she set for herself.
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I was half joking; I don’t actually think my kid is lazy 😂. My older son is the same as your daughter. His plan A was NROTC and applied ED, was accepted, has loved it and will graduate and commission in about a month (yikes!). My younger son candidate did a lot of research on schools, programs, majors, costs, and service assignments beginning sophomore year. He was very deliberate on where he applied, with his plan A also being ROTC. He was accepted to his top choice school several months ago and has been patiently waiting for admitted students day before he asks us to pay the enrollment deposit. All that said I think is fine to throw a wide net. Lots can happen in this year long application process.
 
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