I need help!!!

Joined
Nov 27, 2018
Messages
18
Hello all I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

I will try and keep this brief but I am looking for some advice and guidance and would appreciate any and all input anyone has. The gist is: should I go to West Point or should I stay at my current university? Now I know that I am the only one who can make this decision and I know that many of you here may say that the fact that I am up in the air with the decision may mean that USMA might not be the right option for me. However, I can say that I do want to go West Point. The issue is that I want to stay at my current university as well. I could say that i i was not at the college I am at now and was instead a senior in high school facing the choice between my current university and west point I would pick West Point. However since I am already here I am struggling with the idea of leaving. I am at a great school and have great friends and can see lots of pros of staying here where I have already started. The deadline is approaching fast!

Heres some background. I am not a college re-applicant. I did not apply to West Point my senior year. My senior year I was interested in continuing my athletic career and although West Point is something that had always been on my radar, they were not a school I could continue playing my sport at at the level I wished. Long story short, my pursuits fell through and I did not end up going to a school as a athletic recruit. Now that my sport wasn't an option I had a decision to make about where I would go to school. I had not applied to West Point and when faced with my options I was disappointed I didn't have West Point as an option. Back then I am not sure if I would have chosen WP had I applied but I wished it was on the table. At the moment, before I had even started my summer session at the college I am at now I had started the WP application process. As I got further along in the process and eventually received my acceptance I was more and more all in on West Point. However, simultaneously I was becoming more and more attached to my life here. I would say even as recently as December I would have chosen West Point hands down but now I am unsure. I am faced with two phenomenal options that are inherently very different. If there was a spectrum I am sure my school and WP would be on opposite ends. There would be a drastic change in lifestyle coming from here to a military academy. Both schools have numerous pros and cons and I do not know what I want to do! I find it hard to leave behind what i have established here and give up the academic progress I have made here. Please share any advice or input you may have I need it! Thanks!
 
Hello all I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

I will try and keep this brief but I am looking for some advice and guidance and would appreciate any and all input anyone has. The gist is: should I go to West Point or should I stay at my current university? Now I know that I am the only one who can make this decision and I know that many of you here may say that the fact that I am up in the air with the decision may mean that USMA might not be the right option for me. However, I can say that I do want to go West Point. The issue is that I want to stay at my current university as well. I could say that i i was not at the college I am at now and was instead a senior in high school facing the choice between my current university and west point I would pick West Point. However since I am already here I am struggling with the idea of leaving. I am at a great school and have great friends and can see lots of pros of staying here where I have already started. The deadline is approaching fast!

Heres some background. I am not a college re-applicant. I did not apply to West Point my senior year. My senior year I was interested in continuing my athletic career and although West Point is something that had always been on my radar, they were not a school I could continue playing my sport at at the level I wished. Long story short, my pursuits fell through and I did not end up going to a school as a athletic recruit. Now that my sport wasn't an option I had a decision to make about where I would go to school. I had not applied to West Point and when faced with my options I was disappointed I didn't have West Point as an option. Back then I am not sure if I would have chosen WP had I applied but I wished it was on the table. At the moment, before I had even started my summer session at the college I am at now I had started the WP application process. As I got further along in the process and eventually received my acceptance I was more and more all in on West Point. However, simultaneously I was becoming more and more attached to my life here. I would say even as recently as December I would have chosen West Point hands down but now I am unsure. I am faced with two phenomenal options that are inherently very different. If there was a spectrum I am sure my school and WP would be on opposite ends. There would be a drastic change in lifestyle coming from here to a military academy. Both schools have numerous pros and cons and I do not know what I want to do! I find it hard to leave behind what i have established here and give up the academic progress I have made here. Please share any advice or input you may have I need it! Thanks!
Go to West Point! There is nothing like it in the world. You will have an experience that you cannot duplicate and one that you don’t usually get multiple shots at. All the best to you.
 
West Point

In the history of West Point aprox 60,000 have graduated. A small select few as compared to other educational institutions.

But then its always good to make a decision by committee from people who use handles to identify themselves on something that is life changing. hahaha

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
You don't mention ROTC -- whether you're doing it now or will soon. Which makes me wonder if your real goal is to become a commissioned officer or to just attend West Point. If it's the former, then you can get there via ROTC at your current school (provided that it offers ROTC). If it's the latter, don't go to West Point; unless it's your absolute goal to serve on active duty, Weat Point isn't for you.

Beyond that, your post sounds an awful lot like you want to stay at your current school. Perhaps just looking for others to ratify the move. In either case, best wishes to you.
 
Do you want to be an Army officer? That is the question. How is your ROTC unit at your current university? Don't go to USMA to go to USMA, you have to want to be an Army officer.
 
West Point

In the history of West Point aprox 60,000 have graduated. A small select few as compared to other educational institutions.

Push Hard, Press Forward

Over 70K and counting but still a select group over 200+ years. State schools here graduate far more than that every decade.
 
It's four hard years at USMA and five years (minimum) as an Army Officer. The fact that you didn't mention ROTC and that you're still conflicted, this late in the game, tells me you're where you should be. Typically college (re)applicants don't think twice when they receive an appointment. Keep in mind, there is a candidate behind you waiting on your decision who will accept your appointment in a heartbeat. Make a decision

Just my humble opinion
 
It’s a tough decision. My son had difficulty in his decision between an academy or ROTC and then in between the services. All of his options had merit and good things to offer. I think it’s typical to have angst when making a life changing decision that you have to live with. My advice to my son was to make his best decision and never look back.

If you have been doing ROTC you have gotten a glimpse of Army training and will help with your decision if you want that life 24/7. If you haven’t been, you have had a taste of freedom and all that it holds. Only you can make the decision and don’t look back. Forward progress!
 
I once read some advice to students trying to choose colleges for D1 athletic scholarships, but it sort of applies here too. He said make a spreadsheet that includes the academic standards so you know where you fit, and then add the athletic parts like if you'll get much opportunity to play, then add geographic things like weather or if you're comfortable being that far from home, and finally add a column for your gut feel about each school. When you're done, review the work so it looks right, then go back and sort by the last column and take the one at the top.

You know the facts about each option, but sometimes it's hard to get your feelings down on paper where they can clearly tell you what you want. That little voice isn't going to shut up just because you make a choice, so you may as well listen to it now rather than hear it chirping away for the rest of your life.
 
Thanks everyone. In regards to ROTC that is something I plan on doing if I stay here at my current school. I am not currently doing it as I didn't see much point if I would just be leaving anyway.
 
It is a different life. One you may enjoy. The winters are long and cold--but the friendships last for the rest of your life.
No one can make this decision for you--but something made you apply to USMA this year. Are you ready to give that up?
Make a list of pros and cons.
 
My addition is this: you will make friends wherever you go. I have been told there is no greater bond than your classmates at a SA. They will see you at your lowest lows and be part of your highest highs. A SA is a huge leadership training bubble. Everyone there is learning to lead. This is different than a regular college. True there is that in your ROTC unit, but not the whole campus.

Your friends you have already made will still be your friends. No matter where you go. At some point, you will all scatter after graduation.

Personally I would never advise my kids to make a decision based upon friendships. It was hard to “leave them” after high school (DS is USNA). But DS has been home/seen us about every 6-8 weeks. His friendships have been maintained (even his HS GF. So far they are still a part of the 2% club!).

DS really struggled with his decision to accept USNA. He had offers for AFROTC and NROTC as well. He was initially set on NROTC as he would be close to friends/family and loved the unit/university. Until he spoke with his uncle (a retired AF Colonel who was an AFROTC grad). Who pointed out the leadership opportunities at a SA, that there are leaders and speakers just not present at regular college. This was an opportunity DS could not pass up (he has listened, learned from fantastic world known leaders, too many to count).

Have you actually visited? That may help you. DS’s visit solidified that USNA felt like home, among his people. And he has made some FANTASTIC friends. And his at-home squad is still his at-home squad.

Choosing the unknown rather the known is hard. But if you had a drive/interest initially, there must be something drawing you. If that’s true, I personally don’t think you could go wrong. The reputation of a SA alone on your resume will open doors/paths for you just from the name.

It’s your life. Your choice. But make a decision where you won’t have regrets!
 
The only thing I can add ....if you are not 100% committed to attending USMA (or any service academy) and serving as an Army officer, stay where you are. Plebe summer and Plebe Year (or whatever its called at USMA) can be tough, but its even tougher if you don't want to be there.
 
Stay.. fact that ur asking is because ur in a good place. I would not start over
 
Last and because I am a TOTAL MOM:
If YOU ARE STAYING FOR A GIRL...do not factor that into your decision making process--unless you are already married or looking at getting married this summer--like have engagement rings and a venue booked.
Do not let the person you are dating factor into this unless she is The One--and there are strings attached already. If not, and she is a girlfriend--you will figure out how to get her to USMA for dances and weekends--and you will have a salary so you can pay for it.
Please, do not give up this opportunity for a girl.
You should want to be with someone who wishes for you to fulfill all of your dreams.
 
Only one school allows you to become part of The Long Gray Line. You can always go back to Gator land and get your graduate degrees. My DD loves it in Gator land. My DS has 28 and a butt day left at West Point and has made life long friends from all over the country. May your choice be a wise one that you want regret.
Go Army! Beat everyone! Well except the Marines ...
 
My advice is coming from a graduate of u of fl, go gators. My husband and I both grad from there and 2 of my 4 daughters have gone to dental school there. I bleed orange and blue. My youngest is at West Point and I have never felt anything like the long grey line. Will it be different than UF...yes of course. But the friends you make there are more like family.
Bottom line if you want to be a leader go to West Point. If you want to have fun in college stay where you are. You will never get leadership training like what you will receive at West Point anywhere else, in my humble opinion not even at other service academies.
 
My advice is coming from a graduate of u of fl, go gators. My husband and I both grad from there and 2 of my 4 daughters have gone to dental school there. I bleed orange and blue. My youngest is at West Point and I have never felt anything like the long grey line. Will it be different than UF...yes of course. But the friends you make there are more like family.
Bottom line if you want to be a leader go to West Point. If you want to have fun in college stay where you are. You will never get leadership training like what you will receive at West Point anywhere else, in my humble opinion not even at other service academies.
HooAh!
 
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