enlisted or college to usna

[dunninla]

If your goal is to become a Marine Corps Officer, then joining Navy ROTC - Marine Option is the only way to guarantee that, assuming you do commission. Going to the USNA is going to give you a good, but not guaranteed shot at going Marines. From what I've read here, going Marines is the most popular of the Service Selections, and many who want it will not get it, increasingly, in going forward Classes at USNA. It's not your choice at USNA, it *is* your choice if you become a college programmer in NROTC-Marine Option. You cannot be forced into Navy if you're in NROTC-Marine Option.

SAT-1320 ACT-18

I'm not sure your SAT score was interpreted correctly by some posters... if you had an 18 on the ACT, then your 1320 must be 3 part. With that very low SAT score, do you really want to be competing in the classroom at USNA against students who are trying just as hard as you are, but have much, much higher scores coming in? The pace is FAST, and you won't have any extra time compared to others to "study harder or longer". That's why academic attrition is a real issue at USNA. Why not go to an inexpensive state college where your SAT scores are closer to the midpoint, and become a college programmer NROTC-Marine Option mid?

Here are a list of NROTC-Marine OPtion colleges: http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/acad_addresses.aspx

 

[kinnem]

^^^^
+1 to dunninla. True wisdom there.

 

[Stevewar2]

Prior Service

A different view. I had no chance to go to an Academy or college after High School. I enlisted in the Infantry, did very well as a soldier and went to the Prep School. I took college classes while at my unit. I did the minimum (not effort - grades) at Prep School and got into West Point. My route is a viable option if you don't get sidetracked (no kids, no marriage, no conduct issues). I've told my daughter to sign up for enlisted language school if she doesn't get into the Academy this year. She is weak in that area, the school is about a year, and the SAT requirements are much lower to get to prep school/Academy then from high school. My daughter has a friend who didn't pass the CFA last year. She is a AFROTC recipient, but has lost the desire to go to an Academy (boyfriend etc). Bottom line - you can make it to an Academy if you stay on track and have the basic requirements met.

 

[Apgallozzi]

Actually academic attrition is not a really big issue here. 85% of people that start make it through here and most of that 15% isn't resulting from academics. They have SO MANY incredible resources that if you want to pass and ask for help, you will receive it and do better.

You have time to study extra if you make it. Sometimes you just have to do what you gotta do to get stuff done and be successful. If you're willing to do it you'll be fine. And in my personal opinion ACT/SAT scores are held in a little to high of a regard. I have firsties who are doing very well and got 18-19's on their ACT and I know other's who were in the 29-31 range who are unsat. Everything here, with a few exceptions, comes down to effort and how far you're willing to go to succeed.

And the only person you're "competing" against in class is yourself. If you want to go here then make it happen, it's not out of your bounds if you're willing to do what it takes. Sacrifices, make them it's worth it. Many days on my ship I skipped meals, lost sleep, and worked longer and harder than everybody else in my division. But that hard work is what gained the confidence of my chain of command in 3 months so they waived the 1 year "mandatory" waiting period for submitting a package.

If your goal is to become a Marine Corps Officer, then joining Navy ROTC - Marine Option is the only way to guarantee that, assuming you do commission. Going to the USNA is going to give you a good, but not guaranteed shot at going Marines. From what I've read here, going Marines is the most popular of the Service Selections, and many who want it will not get it, increasingly, in going forward Classes at USNA. It's not your choice at USNA, it *is* your choice if you become a college programmer in NROTC-Marine Option. You cannot be forced into Navy if you're in NROTC-Marine Option.



I'm not sure your SAT score was interpreted correctly by some posters... if you had an 18 on the ACT, then your 1320 must be 3 part. With that very low SAT score, do you really want to be competing in the classroom at USNA against students who are trying just as hard as you are, but have much, much higher scores coming in? The pace is FAST, and you won't have any extra time compared to others to "study harder or longer". That's why academic attrition is a real issue at USNA. Why not go to an inexpensive state college where your SAT scores are closer to the midpoint, and become a college programmer NROTC-Marine Option mid?

Here are a list of NROTC-Marine OPtion colleges: http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/acad_addresses.aspx

 

[Memphis9489]

Actually academic attrition is not a really big issue here. 85% of people that start make it through here and most of that 15% isn't resulting from academics. They have SO MANY incredible resources that if you want to pass and ask for help, you will receive it and do better.

What you say is true. This is in great contrast to years past where the PRIMARY cause of attrition was academics. That was certainly the case in my day. The "Ac Board" produced nothing but carnage.

In those days, they did not have such a wide spectrum of level for courses. If I recall, with very few exceptions, we all started with Calc I. Very few people validated and there was no such thing as Pre-Calc like they have now. It was a "one size fits all" approach to academics. Invariably, some people were over their head from the beginning.

Today, they seem to tailor the intensity of the course to the academic capabilities of the students. Consequently, there are more academic success stories.