Agree with alot being said in this thread. USAFA: 2016! has great insight on the differences of why one came and why they stayed. This often will change as a Cadet or Mid moves through their years at SA. I was recruited heavily by the Ivies. I took one recruiting trip and knew an Ivy was not for me. I just didn't feel comfortable. When I went to USNA, I knew I had found the right place and felt at home. I think this is what your DD is probably feeling. Its hard to describe, but those who have been through the process know this feeling. It is often one when a candidate is trying to decide between to SAs... the service and SA just seem to be a better fit. No doubt any person will get a great education at an Ivy. At a SA the education is different. Its well rounded, you are challenged in not only academics, but physically, to follow, to lead, ethics, character development, honor codes, military development. Its a different education and experience than a regular college. I think the biggest difference between an Ivy ROTC program and a SA is the 24/7 environment, the constant contact with officers and senior enlisted to learn, train and mentor from. The exposure to guest speakers in classes, lectures, seminars from a military perspective cannot be matched by a ROTC at a regular university. The military training opportunities as mentioned cannot be matched. But with all this being said, the right place is the school that she knows is right for her. That is the school she will do best at.
The other thing to think about with USAF ROTC is there is no guarantee she will get active duty. You mentioned her not wanting to fly. Non-rated is getting harder and harder to get in the USAF. What if she isn't selected for SFT? Does she/you have the funds to pay for 2 more years at Yale? I realize their endowments are huge, but how does that come into play down the road for someone who is dis-enrolled in ROTC. At USAFA she is guaranteed Active Duty.
I have had probably 20 friends attend Ivies for their post grad education after they attended SAs. They have all done very well and ended up in amazing careers. So Yale is always an option for a Masters down the road.
The other thing to think about with USAF ROTC is there is no guarantee she will get active duty. You mentioned her not wanting to fly. Non-rated is getting harder and harder to get in the USAF. What if she isn't selected for SFT? Does she/you have the funds to pay for 2 more years at Yale? I realize their endowments are huge, but how does that come into play down the road for someone who is dis-enrolled in ROTC. At USAFA she is guaranteed Active Duty.
I have had probably 20 friends attend Ivies for their post grad education after they attended SAs. They have all done very well and ended up in amazing careers. So Yale is always an option for a Masters down the road.