Deciding if USNA is the right school?

C

chicagotousna '26

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Hello all! I am an junior attending a selective enrollment school in downtown Chicago. I have all A’s, a 35 ACT; I was the founder of my high school sailing team and am a part of various other extracurricular activities including a couple of leadership roles in them. For college, I know I want to attend a school with top tier academics, opportunities, and challenge. I am pulled towards many of the Ivys (Havard, Cornell, Dartmouth) and USNA, however I am still not sure if USNA is the right school for me. I applied for Summer Seminar, and have heavily researched the school.I listed some questions below and would just like some candid responses from naval service members to help me understand the choice I would be making...

1. How valuable is your USNA experience inside the military and outside of the military?
2. What is the atmosphere and perspective of females in the service? ( I am a female applicant)
3. Best advice you have received or given regarding the college admissions process?
4. USNA vs IVY League schools general thoughts?
 
The first question, before diving into the others: Do you feel called to serve your country in uniform as a leader for at least 5 years, working above, on or below the water, if you go the Naval Officer path, in a military environment? Have you researched the Officer paths available to you out of USNA and found some that interest you? That is the long pole in the tent. Solve that, and the rest of your analysis will flow easily.

You are comparing apples and an orange. USNA delivers high-quality academics, of course, but demands much more in terms of leadership, sports participation, athletic fitness, in its role as a 4-year training and degree way station enroute to service as an officer and leader in the Fleet or Corps. You need to be a well-rounded performer to get in, and continue to excel in all evaluated areas, which include not just academics, but PE classes, military aptitude, personal conduct, etc.

All five of the Federal Academies have graduates who have reached high places in business, non-profits, government roles, entrepreneurial roles, etc. No problem there. Service Academy graduates and military officers in general are valued by the workplace for their work ethic, ability to lead and operate in high-pressure environments and other traits honed by going in harm’s way.

I spent twenty-six years in the Navy, at a time when women were first being assigned to non-traditional roles and building toward opening the warfare communities and combatant duties. I am a woman. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, for the opportunities to be a servant leader, to work with great shipmates, to challenge myself, to serve the country. There are more and more women in every professional field, at every level. The military is drawn from the same population you are among now. If you have run into jerks, male or female, in school or activities, they exist in the military, but also the corporate world. I always felt I had more protection in terms of my rights in the military than the corporate world.

You have great tools in your toolbox. Think about where you might find your fit. Read every page, drop down and link on USNA.edu, as well as USMA, USAFA, USCGA and USMMA. Explore NROTC/AROTC/AFROTC scholarships, which are generous, can be used at the Ivies and other fine schools with units, and also get you your degree and an officer’s commission.
 
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Well, I was a jarhead... so, I hope that's close enough to naval service.

"I know I want to attend a school with top tier academics, opportunities, and challenge." While I did not attend USNA, I am pretty sure it will fulfill those requirements.

1. Invaluable. period.
2. Not sure about that one today- I served in the 90s. However, I would say there's not been a better time regarding atmosphere and perspective for females (I'm a guy, and I am going out on a limb there).
3. Plan, start early, prepare (if you do a guarantee early admission outside of USNA I believe it affects your ability to apply to USNA, read the fine print).
4. I know a lot of great folks that attended Ivys, I know very few that had the opportunity and personality to attend USNA- and they are doubly great folks. Enough said.
 
Here’s one path taken by a USNA grad:


www.nasa.gov

Astronaut Kayla Barron

Kayla Barron was selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class.
www.nasa.gov www.nasa.gov



Advanced degree from Cambridge in nuclear engineering, drove subs, went astronaut and learned to fly interesting things. Varsity athlete at USNA, a Div I school. Graduated waaaaay up there in the class. No doubt had what it took to get into “regular college” too.
 
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Capt MJ said:
Look into the summer programs offered by USNA and other SAs. I think registration is open now to juniors. That’s a week spent at USNA learning about the inside of a military academy.
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Capt MJ said:
The first question, before diving into the others: Do you feel called to serve your country in uniform as a leader for at least 5 years, working above, on or below the water, if you go the Naval Officer path, in a military environment? Have you researched the Officer paths available to you out of USNA and found some that interest you? That is the long pole in the tent. Solve that, and the rest of your analysis will flow easily.

You are comparing apples and an orange. USNA delivers high-quality academics, of course, but demands much more in terms of leadership, sports participation, athletic fitness, in its role as a 4-year way training and degree station enroute to service as an officer and leader in the Fleet or Corps. You need to be a well-rounded performer to get in, and continue to excel in all evaluated areas, which include not just academics, but PE classes, military aptitude, personal conduct, etc.

All five of the Federal Academies have graduates who have reached high places in business, non-profits, government roles, entrepreneurial roles, etc. No problem there. Service Academy graduates and military officers in general are valued by the workplace for their work ethic, ability to lead and operate in high-pressure environments and other traits honed by going in harm’s way.

I spent twenty-six years in the Navy, at a time when women were first being assigned to non-traditional roles and building toward opening the warfare communities and combatant duties. I am a woman. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, for the opportunities to be a servant leader, to work with great shipmates, to challenge myself, to serve the country. There are more and more women in every professional field, at every level. The military is drawn from the same population you are among now. If you have run into jerks, male or female, in school or activities, they exist in the military, but also the corporate world. I always felt I had more protection in terms of my rights in the military than the corporate world.

You have great tools in your toolbox. Think about where you might find your fit. Read every page, drop down and link on USNA.edu, as well as USMA, USAFA, USCGA and USMMA. Explore NROTC/AROTC/AFROTC scholarships, which are generous, can be used at the Ivies and other fine schools with units, and also get you your degree and an officer’s commission.
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thank you so much for your response! Yes the reason for USNA being my top school is because of the service! I really want to make an impact and help my community while also pushing myself to be a better person. I also have been running and working out every morning since I found my interest for USNA. I asked the questions above because coming from Chicago there aren’t many service academy connections and people I can talk to there; I was longing for more human perspective of service and not just information from the internet. I have actually research under every tab on the USNA site which has led to greater understand of the institution! I have found interest in Submarines and the nuclear program for SWO’s, I am too small for aviation (5’00”) hahaha
 
I think the advise to apply to USNA Summer Seminar is a good for you. Unfortunately, the SS is very limited in size, so you may not get selected for that, but you should really try for it. Not getting selected for SS does not hurt your USNA Acceptance chances. Sounds like you have a lot to offer and understand USNA will be a challenge!
 
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Usnaprospectivestudent said:
I am also looking for more female perspectives on this because my BGO is male and mostly everyone that I have communicated in person with has been male. So thank you so much for your insight @Capt MJ!
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If you ask your BGO, they might be able to connect you with a female BGO or grad in your area, I automatically offer this to female applicants and their parents. If not, there are a number of female officers currently serving in the USNA Admissions Office.
 
I'm male...It would be good to get more former female military officers to weigh in on your question. What I am certain of is: 1. Commanding Officers are held very accountable to ensure they enforce harassment rules, 2. There will be more incidents (hopefully few and minor), 3. There should be zero tolerance for any type of harassment.
 
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Hopefully the Brigade, Teachers, Leadership, and staff on the Yard, all get Covid-Vaccinated by June .... Then maybe the Yard can open for Tours given to MS and HS students who may like to attend the academy in the future.

We did the Student tour once when our daughter was in about 7th or 8th grade, -2014 or so. It is a fun tour. She also attended summer Lacrosse camps all throughout MS and HS, and we always like to visit Annapolis, since we are not too far away.

Anyway, you should really try to visit and walk around the Point there in Annapolis on the water front, outside the gate. Walk over to the Navy-Marine Corp Stadium too. It’s a little over 1 mile away from Gate 3 I believe.

The Naval Academy is a beautiful location and a beatififul campus.
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Usnaprospectivestudent said:
Hello all! I am an junior attending a selective enrollment school in downtown Chicago. I have all A’s, a 35 ACT; I was the founder of my high school sailing team and am a part of various other extracurricular activities including a couple of leadership roles in them. For college, I know I want to attend a school with top tier academics, opportunities, and challenge. I am pulled towards many of the Ivys (Havard, Cornell, Dartmouth) and USNA, however I am still not sure if USNA is the right school for me. I applied for Summer Seminar, and have heavily researched the school.I listed some questions below and would just like some candid responses from naval service members to help me understand the choice I would be making...

1. How valuable is your USNA experience inside the military and outside of the military?
2. What is the atmosphere and perspective of females in the service? ( I am a female applicant)
3. Best advice you have received or given regarding the college admissions process?
4. USNA vs IVY League schools general thoughts?
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I hope I can add a another perspective for you. I am the father of a current female at USNA. My DD sounds similar to you in many ways. Similar tests scores, although from a very average public high school in the Midwest. She knew from a very very young age she wanted to be challenged at the highest level academically. She literally asked me about Ivy league schools during preschool. No idea where it came from. As you can tell by grammar, I went to a state school. She was pursuing Ivy's and highly selective schools until she discovered USNA.

So far in the responses you have received are from those that have served. With complete deference and respect to those that are from a military background, it is a new world for those that have not served, or come from a military background. USNA is a welcoming family and a worthy pursuit, but it can seem intimidating, if you are not familiar.

Side note; I see you are fairly new to the forum. I recommend you filter the advice you take from anyone here. Including me :D I do recommend everyone follow and listen to @Capt MJ and @NavyHoops, two of my favorites. For your reference they are both female as well. There are others that give excellent advice and perspective, but these are two of my reliable favorites that have lived it.

1. I can't speak for in the fleet or Corp (do a search in this forum, lot's of threads around this). A resume and where you went to school gets you invited to the party. You determine whether you stay. I work for a fortune 50 Co. An Ivy or SA get you invited to the party. I have worked for and with many SA grads. These individuals always enter the company at a management or higher level pay grade than others would. They are always in the conversation for promotions and being elevated to higher responsibility. The value of an SA education will ebb and flow slightly, but will always be valued. Once you get there, it's up to you. From my experience, SA's give individuals leadership experience that can't be achieved otherwise.
2. Again, I can't speak for the in the fleet. As for the academy, my DD loves USNA. USNA is full of different types of individuals from all types of backgrounds. Her company mates are like brothers and sisters. Male/female it does not matter. She has never mentioned her gender being a factor in any aspect. There are twice as many males as females at USNA. This seems to be a more problematic situation for males than females to me. She is asked out frequently, and usually respectfully, but from what I remember, that's college. There was a time when females where treated less than, at the academy. Thankfully, that is not the sentiment any longer. Gender is not a factor.
3. If you are choosing between Ivy's and USNA, thank god, and give back.
4. Same as number 3.

Hope that helps just a little Good Luck!!!
 
Let me address number 4 a bit since it has not really been addressed very much.

The Ivys are recognized names that will impress people and open doors but in terms of EDUCATION, they are known for often having very large classes which are often taught by grad students (TAs). This applies to the undergraduate BA/BS level and differs from their Graduate Schools which are wonderful. They often have professors who are extremely well known in their fields but are mostly occupied with their research so the classes are not their focus (thus the TAs). The Service Academies have much smaller classes and do not use TAs. At a regular university which includes the Ivys, professors will offer assistance at THEIR convenience and often there is not a lot of time made available. I teach at a STEM University and am very aware of what my peers do in this regard. The Service Academies make it a requirement that the professors provide Extra Instruction to a much greater degree. Your Company Officers/company leadership will help you hold them to this standard.
Another thing that is different is the degree to which you get to know and interact with your peers. The nature of the Service Academies will bond you with your peers to a much greater degree than the Ivys because you are together more and actually pushed to work together from the very beginning. Dorm life at the Ivys with much greater freedom to come and go is just a lot more of an individual thing.
 
Usnaprospectivestudent said:
Hello all! I am an junior attending a selective enrollment school in downtown Chicago. I have all A’s, a 35 ACT; I was the founder of my high school sailing team and am a part of various other extracurricular activities including a couple of leadership roles in them. For college, I know I want to attend a school with top tier academics, opportunities, and challenge. I am pulled towards many of the Ivys (Havard, Cornell, Dartmouth) and USNA, however I am still not sure if USNA is the right school for me. I applied for Summer Seminar, and have heavily researched the school.I listed some questions below and would just like some candid responses from naval service members to help me understand the choice I would be making...

1. How valuable is your USNA experience inside the military and outside of the military?
2. What is the atmosphere and perspective of females in the service? ( I am a female applicant)
3. Best advice you have received or given regarding the college admissions process?
4. USNA vs IVY League schools general thoughts?
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1. My USNA experience was incredibly valuable to me, but my husband was an NROTC student in your backyard (U Chicago/IIT for NROTC). In no way do I think you need to attend a SA to be a great Naval Officer. If you attend SS and think USNA is for you, go for it. Otherwise, consider a civilian university and an NROTC scholarship. What is truly valued in the Navy is hard work and dedication.

2. As mentioned in several other posts, things have definitely changed over the years with regard to how women are regarded in the Navy. I served for over 20 years as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), and feel I was never limited by my gender. What matters in the Fleet is how well you can accomplish the mission. That's not to say you will never encounter anyone with archaic ideas of gender roles or who is generally a jerk, but that can happen anywhere.

3. The best advice I can give you with regard to applying for college is do what feels right to you. As the parent of a college student, it was immediately apparent when our DD knew she had found "her school". SA, Ivy League, state university, other private school...any of these can produce an amazing Naval Officer. If you are happy and content in your surroundings, you will perform better in your classes and have a much better experience overall.

4. See #3. You need to decide what's right for YOU! If you think a SA or Ivy League school is the right fit for you and you can handle the academic rigors, go for it.

I wish you all the best!
 
OldRetSWO said:
The Ivys are recognized names that will impress people and open doors but in terms of EDUCATION, they are known for often having very large classes which are often taught by grad students (TAs).
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Can’t emphasize this point enough. DD’s classes at USNA average about 20-25 students each. The professors are constantly and regularly available for EI. They’re not just limited to a couple of office hours per week. DD has gotten to know all her professors in a way that she wouldn’t at almost any civilian college.

(Interestingly, one of her favorite professors thus far was the one she had for 2/C Leadership. He was a senior chief and former SEAL. Very passionate about the subject, very committed to teaching it well.)

I teach at our flagship state university, which has reinforced my long-held belief that there are schools known for having a great reputation (i.e. badge value) and schools known for having great teaching (i.e. education value). They’re not necessarily one and the same.
 
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MidCakePa said:
Can’t emphasize this point enough. DD’s classes at USNA average about 20-25 students each. The professors are constantly and regularly available for EI. They’re not just limited to a couple of office hours per week. DD has gotten to know all her professors in a way that she wouldn’t at almost any civilian college.

(Interestingly, one of her favorite professors thus far was the one she had for 2/C Leadership. He was a senior chief and ex-SEAL. Very passionate about the subject, very committed to teaching it well.)

I teach at our well-regarded flagship state university, which has reinforced my long-held belief that there are schools known for having a great reputation (i.e. badge value) and schools known for having great teaching (i.e. education value). They’re not necessarily one and the same.
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Just to let you know, it the military the terms used are "Former SEAL" not "Ex", which implies a negative. See this: https://blog.usni.org/posts/2013/02/13/ex-vs-former-there-is-a-difference

I know people without military experience dont see this as a big thing...but it can be for some that served.
 
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