Dilemma: USMA vs. North Georgia, and a Junior in College

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c14harv

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Hey guys,

I have been on the boards quite some time applying 2 times previous to the academy. But, the first was not really finished so I do not count it. Last year, I had a nomination and was Fully Qualified Not Selected. From my admissions counselor this was due to the low rate of refusal's of appointments. Just as this year will be the biggest class in West Point history.

I spoke recently again with my admissions counselor about possibly reapplying for Class of 2015. But, currently I have 75 credits in college. I am a graduate of Georgia Military College, 2-year military JUCO, and am enrolled to start at North Georgia this fall. As you probably know North Georgia is a senior military college. I am working on a contract, but wont sign til probably the end of August. In addition, I have a girlfriend (please no funny remarks) we have been together for 4 and a half years. She is probably one of the most down to earth, sincere, moral, and smart women out there. She is currently in college as well and will be a senior this Fall with a 4.0 GPA as a Pre-med, student. That is also a variable in the decision.

This question is probably moreso addressed to alumni, but is open to everyone for their help and ideas to rattle my brain.

My admissions counselor stated that if I were to reapply, I am in basically. Not trying to be cocky here or anything.

So with all of my given variables, what do you guys think. I will be an officer either way, and want to soldier on and serve my country. What do you think is the best for me? Long-term?

Please give experiences as well for alumni and why West Point would prove to be so advantageous.
 
None of us can make this call for you, but I will say this: I have known and still know some damn fine officers from North Georgia.


c14harv said:
Hey guys,

I have been on the boards quite some time applying 2 times previous to the academy. But, the first was not really finished so I do not count it. Last year, I had a nomination and was Fully Qualified Not Selected. From my admissions counselor this was due to the low rate of refusal's of appointments. Just as this year will be the biggest class in West Point history.

I spoke recently again with my admissions counselor about possibly reapplying for Class of 2015. But, currently I have 75 credits in college. I am a graduate of Georgia Military College, 2-year military JUCO, and am enrolled to start at North Georgia this fall. As you probably know North Georgia is a senior military college. I am working on a contract, but wont sign til probably the end of August. In addition, I have a girlfriend (please no funny remarks) we have been together for 4 and a half years. She is probably one of the most down to earth, sincere, moral, and smart women out there. She is currently in college as well and will be a senior this Fall with a 4.0 GPA as a Pre-med, student. That is also a variable in the decision.

This question is probably moreso addressed to alumni, but is open to everyone for their help and ideas to rattle my brain.

My admissions counselor stated that if I were to reapply, I am in basically. Not trying to be cocky here or anything.

So with all of my given variables, what do you guys think. I will be an officer either way, and want to soldier on and serve my country. What do you think is the best for me? Long-term?

Please give experiences as well for alumni and why West Point would prove to be so advantageous.
Click to expand...
 
Yes it will be a tough one.

What do you think about that 3 year difference, and for Post-military options with the two schools. No one knows for sure if they are in for the long haul until they are IN.

Thank you
 
c14harv said:
Yes it will be a tough one.

What do you think about that 3 year difference, and for Post-military options with the two schools. No one knows for sure if they are in for the long haul until they are IN.

Thank you
Click to expand...

If you're asking whether the three year difference will matter for your career, no not really. Whether it matters to you, I cannot say.

Best of luck.
 
WP in the army is highly regarded. Outside in the civilian world, it is known as the college for fortune 500 CEO's.

Record favors west point and its graduates.
 
You have to live with this one yourself.

I did not go to a Service Academy, I was an enlisted Marine for a few years, and I just turned 50 a month ago so, I'll give to the long term thought process; I know I kick myself in the ass everyday for not applying to a Service academy...to this day! I didn't really even know about the Service Academies but, I quickly learned as an enlisted man with ambitions, that to have a Service Academy pedigree in your resume, was a recipe for sucess.

My opinion only, I look at the three years you have, as a "leg up" on the other Plebes", and you should be able to Graduate as First Captain!
That would be my goal. JMVHO!
 
This is a tough one. Graduates from North Georgia have good records in the military. However, for the long haul, graduating from West Point is MUCH better than graduating from North Georgia. West Point is known world-wide. I doubt that most Americans have ever heard of North Georgia. This is not a knock on North Georgia but facts are facts.
Also, I detect that you really want to go to West Point. You must not go through life with regreats that you did not attend West Point.
 
I used to be on the Hiring Committee at a pretty selective professional organization. The undergrad school mattered--even for candidates with experience-- and we always gave service academy grads a VERY serious look. If you realize you may be in the workforce for 40 years, 3 years does not make a big dent--I would urge you to follow that original dream and re-apply.
 
No one has really brought up the opportunity cost of 3yrs:

Another wrinkle to think about:

* Does 3yrs leading men and women in combat look better than 3yrs at West Point?
*What's the long term salary/retirement account losses for 3yrs of extra college?


Also (only pertinent with the gf):
*What is your girlfriend going to do when you go to WP? If she's a serious pre-med there aren't any med schools in the WP area (sure there are some in NYC and the surrounding area)
*Most civilian medical school graduates tend to stay in the area they went to medical school for residency. So you graduate WP and then she is stuck looking for residencies (3-7yrs) at some place that you will likely only be stationed for 3yrs or so. Army won't care about her when looking at billets for you (hard reality)

Anyway, I can't tell you which is the better option for you. Look yourself in the mirror and ask if you would always question yourself if you don't go. Think about the opportunity to be leading combat troops in the near future vice spending the next 4yrs in a training environment. You would almost be a Captain by the time you graduated WP if you stayed the current path.

Just more thoughts for the process. Best of luck on your decision, that's a tough one.
 
Ask yourself 2 questions:

1) If you were a Harward University junior and offered an admission to Harvard University as a freshman, would you take it?

2) If your gf is "the most down to earth and most sincere person", would she sincerely support your decision or will you be concerned that she might leave you one day?
 
kp2001 said:
No one has really brought up the opportunity cost of 3yrs.......

Think about the opportunity to be leading combat troops in the near future vice spending the next 4yrs in a training environment. You would almost be a Captain by the time you graduated WP if you stayed the current path.
.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking - i.e "Where will you be in the summer of 2015?"

Going the North Georgia route, you'll probably be an Army Captain with 3 years active duty service.

Going the WP route, you'd be a newly commissioned 2LT probably heading for Ft Benning for another 4 months of school.

And despite what your WP admissions counselor told you, until that appointment is in your hands, anything could take it away.
 
Some good points from everyone

Iwheel said:
Ask yourself 2 questions:

1) If you were a Harward University junior and offered an admission to Harvard University as a freshman, would you take it?

2) If your gf is "the most down to earth and most sincere person", would she sincerely support your decision or will you be concerned that she might leave you one day?
Click to expand...


I believe she would support my decision Iwheel.

That is the thing too, I want to be an active duty officer. And if i go to north georgia,I could possibly be a Captain by the same time as WP.

But, WP could help me later. 43 vs 46 at 20 yrs, what will my next job be? I believe WP will provide the better chance there.

I know it is my decision, it will be a tough one. I understand too that until I have that appointment nothing is for sure. Thank you all for your contributions.

I am going to keep pursuing through North Georgia now. Meanwhile, I will still reapply to WP and then make a decision as things progress. I will keep updated.
 
You can say yes or no if you re-apply and are admitted.
You can't say yes if you don't apply.

Yeah, give yourself this chance.
 
c14harv said:
But, WP could help me later. 43 vs 46 at 20 yrs, what will my next job be? I believe WP will provide the better chance there.
Click to expand...

Not to influence you one way or the other, but if you plan to go career army, then what you did in those 20 years will have a far larger impact on civilian jobs than which college you graduated from.

USMA will still have a larger name impact, but for someone in the mid-forties entering the civvy workforce it will be you experience in those 20 years that counts most. (perspective from someone with 27 years at a well known Fortune 20'ish technology company)

If you stay in the military circles as a contractor type the USMA ring may help though.

I'll defer to those with experience as to whether USMA will position you for faster rank advancement over North Georgia.

Having visited N GA, and knowing several who attended there (including my father in law), it's a good school.

I agree with the post stressing keeping your options open. If you are serious about USMA I'd find a way to do a orientation visit. Not just a tour, but shadow a cadet. The USMA experience will be very different than N GA for sure.
 
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I had several West point classmates that had 2-3 years of college before entering West Point as a Plebe. I have heard all of them say that the made the right decision by going to West Point.
However, you must deterime what is best for you
 
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