Help!!

[lew17]

Hello everyone! I'm in desperate need for some help in deciding between USNA (probably my 1st choice) and VMI (probably second). I'm pretty confident that I can get into USNA and I've been verbally accepted by VMI. I was wondering if anyone with any experience might be able to help me here.
Thank you!

 

[Pima]

I take it you are a rising sr...you need to take time right now to decide, look, read and listen, then make your decision.

Good luck in your coice!

 

[bruno]

Hello everyone! I'm in desperate need for some help in deciding between USNA (probably my 1st choice) and VMI (probably second). I'm pretty confident that I can get into USNA and I've been verbally accepted by VMI. I was wondering if anyone with any experience might be able to help me here.
Thank you!

lew: as a VMI alum and the dad of an incoming rat and a retired career army officer- I can shed a little light on VMI. Why don't you start by asking what you are looking for. Unquestionably - if your primary goal is to be a career Navy Officer- then USNA ought to be your first choice.
If you are, however, undecided about a career in the Navy or Marine Corps- you will have more immediate post graduation options as VMI can give you the option of a commission in any of the services other than the USCG (sorry you will have to go to ocs for a Coast Guard commission) or even no commission if that is what you decide although you will be strongly urged to take at least a reserve commission. A lot of guys decide that they want to start their civilian career when they graduate- you won't be able to do that from a Service Academy (other than from USMMA).
Money should also be a thought- even with an ROTC scholarship VMI will cost you something and without one could cost you a lot- ($32k this year for an out of state cadet - my son has a 4 yr Army scholarship and it will still be around $6k/annually if you don't figure in the monthly stipend). Compare that to a service academy where you will come out ahead financially- something not to be disregarded if you are choosing between the two.
In either case you will have a challenging college experience different from what most of your peers will experience. In both cases - you will have a highly demanding physical, mental and academic program that will stress you a lot which will leave you a better person, prepared to be leader in whatever field you choose, and bound to your classmates in a way that still amazes me 30 years after graduation.
If you are a current junior I would strongly suggest that you pursue both options and see where you stand once you have acceptances in hand. In the meantime start building your file now for USNA if that's the academy you are considering. It's good to have choices and spring of your junior year is the time to start getting serious if you are even considering a Service Academy.

Good luck

 

[lew17]

Thanks for the advice, it does help. Well, money is hopefully not an issue. I am eligible for NROTC scholarships, and for VMI's Institute scholarship, and besides, I'm a girl which helps. Basically my concern is about going to the Naval Academy and being thrown in with the pack, if you will. I feel like at VMI with smaller classes, I may be able to stand out a bit and do very well, whereas at USNA I'd be in the middle of an extremely talented group of mids.

Or maybe I'm over stressing about this and overthinking everything. Which is certainly possible.

 

[VMINROTChopeful]

Thanks for the advice, it does help. Well, money is hopefully not an issue. I am eligible for NROTC scholarships, and for VMI's Institute scholarship, and besides, I'm a girl which helps. Basically my concern is about going to the Naval Academy and being thrown in with the pack, if you will. I feel like at VMI with smaller classes, I may be able to stand out a bit and do very well, whereas at USNA I'd be in the middle of an extremely talented group of mids.

Or maybe I'm over stressing about this and overthinking everything. Which is certainly possible.

are you considering c/o 2013 lew?

also, i sent you a PM.

 

[bruno]

Thanks for the advice, it does help. Well, money is hopefully not an issue. I am eligible for NROTC scholarships, and for VMI's Institute scholarship, and besides, I'm a girl which helps. Basically my concern is about going to the Naval Academy and being thrown in with the pack, if you will. I feel like at VMI with smaller classes, I may be able to stand out a bit and do very well, whereas at USNA I'd be in the middle of an extremely talented group of mids.

Or maybe I'm over stressing about this and overthinking everything. Which is certainly possible.

I think that you are overthinking it a little at this point- but not to worry- you have lots of time. Again I would keep all of your options open which means pursue both and be thinking about what you want to get out of it. You may discover that going to VMI is everybit as much being "thrown to the wolves". I suspect that you will be fine
Good luck!