Is it worth losing 2 years?(College question)

DC1220

DC1220

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
80
So as some of you have seen me on here before, i'm currently starting my second year at a community college and am pretty excited for this upcoming year. Overall my first year was fantastic and i expect the same for this year. I've been very passionate about the academy since i was very young and it is always been my top school. I am currently entering my 4th time applying for the class of 2020, but recently I've been thinking a lot about whether or not going to the academy is worth losing the 2 years that I've worked hard for in college, all to start over at square one at the academy. My SAT Scores were what held me back always in the application process, but honestly, that test means nothing to me anymore as I've taken it 3 times in 3 years and have had little improvement ( overall scores: (1st time) 1350, (2nd time) 1370, (3rd time) 1380). I'll be honest, i'm not a good test taker, but my college grades reflect me as a great student, (currently a 3.0 GPA, but i had all As and one B this past semester, first semester was a little rough, but that's every college freshman). Unfortunately the academy does base a lot on the SAT even with college applicants, so that has caused a lot problems with nominations and the application itself. I graduated High School in 2014, so majority of the college students who graduated high school in 2014 would commission in the armed forces in 2018-2019, I am currently working on my plan B which is to attend a university after my first 2 years here at community college, but my application for the academy is still open and im still working on it. I know that i'll end up in the same place no matter which path i take (USMC 2nd LT. is the goal, i could go NROTC, PLC, or USNA and end up as the same rank.)

So my question is simple: Is it worth losing 2 years to go after a dream, where i can get the same result just going the path that i'm following(attending 4 year after CC)?

One more thing i'd like to say is: A leader, regardless of whether military or professional, is not determined or respected by the school or path they take. They are respected by the way they demonstrate their leadership to there subordinates and how they demonstrates themselves as a leader.
 
In the grand scheme of things 2 years really isn't that much time. I'd say apply for all the programs you are considering, and are eligible for, and keep on charging for USNA if that is your dream. Like you said, there are many ways to earn your commission and there is no "holier" choice, but if you prefer one over the others than I say you should still go for it. I must also (dis)agree with some of your points: 1380 is a pretty solid SAT score and is in the ballpark for acceptance, but not every college freshman has a tough time their first semester. I have peers who held down a 3.8 in engineering prerequisites on top of NROTC and other EC's their first semester. I am in no way trying to put your accomplishment down, on the contrary, I am simply pointing out a reality of your competition. Best of luck to you throughout your application process.
 
Seawings18 said:
In the grand scheme of things 2 years really isn't that much time. I'd say apply for all the programs you are considering, and are eligible for, and keep on charging for USNA if that is your dream. Like you said, there are many ways to earn your commission and there is no "holier" choice, but if you prefer one over the others than I say you should still go for it. I must also (dis)agree with some of your points: 1380 is a pretty solid SAT score and is in the ballpark for acceptance, but not every college freshman has a tough time their first semester. I have peers who held down a 3.8 in engineering prerequisites on top of NROTC and other EC's their first semester. I am in no way trying to put your accomplishment down, on the contrary, I am simply pointing out a reality of your competition. Best of luck to you throughout your application process.
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Thanks for the reply, i see what you're talking about. I'll keep going after the Academy. The one thing im afraid is, none of my credits will transfer if i do get an appointment. Now the 1380 in the SAT was the combined score of all 3 areas, not just the verbal and math( hopefully thats still good). you're right about the college freshman thing too as not every college freshman is the same, my bad on my wording. I too am an engineering major who had a rough time my first semester (didnt fail any classes or anything, just had alot of B s in my classes, which is still better than most people i know). Again thanks for the reply.
 
Life is like a marathon, does it matter if you become a 2LT when you are 22, 23, 24, or 25? I remember an Army officer telling me that his goal is to become a youngest battalion commander in the Army - I asked myself what does that accomplish?

You might want to have Plan C as 3.0 GPA at a community college and 13oo+ on SAT might not get into a NROTC program.
 
take the ACT, my cadet took the SAT 5 times, barely breaking 2000, took the ACT twice and got high 30s. we never even submitted the SAT scores to most schools.
 
Those SAT scores are extremely low. Have you proceeded to candidate status before or has your file been closed?

Good for you for keeping your dream of serving but you should be realistic that (a) those scores are very low (disqualifyingly low, probably, without some other "hook" such as being a recruited athlete or an underrepresented minority candidate); and (b) USNA would not see a 3.0 average at a community college as particularly strong academic performance either.

If you do want to try to pursue USNA, agree you should try the ACT -- maybe that test works better for how your mind works. But, more likely, you'll need to transfer to a 4-year college, do as well as you can there, and explore options of pursuing a commission that do not involve USNA.

Not trying to be discouraging, just trying to be honest. Good luck to you.
 
Thank you all for the replies. ..I really do appreciate it. @sox my file is still open and I was given candidacy... but I honestly don't know if it's worth starting all over...I know academy graduates sometimes have advantages over many people in the military, but I feel like the academy is not the end all be all for successful officers. Now will commissioning be through NROTC? Maybe, maybe not... the key here Is that I'm working towards a commission and I'm working to take the steps forward to earning that commission regardless of how I get there (except for enlistment unless it's absolutely necessary)...I always try to remember there's always another way to skin the cat
 
@ DC1220, my DS was very disappointed in not being accepted to USMA or USNA. He considered reapplying next year, but instead refocused completely on AROTC at a Local University as his plan B. He is moving forward next week for ROTC orientation at his current college and is excited. He felt that the SA's were only a means to get to the goal and that reapplying would be tantamount to running in place for a year. One door closes and another opens. My DS wants to keep moving and focusing on the goal of becoming a US military officer.

Whatever you decide....keep improving and focusing on your goal.
Good luck!
 
DC1220 said:
Thank you all for the replies. ..I really do appreciate it. @sox my file is still open and I was given candidacy... but I honestly don't know if it's worth starting all over...I know academy graduates sometimes have advantages over many people in the military, but I feel like the academy is not the end all be all for successful officers. Now will commissioning be through NROTC? Maybe, maybe not... the key here Is that I'm working towards a commission and I'm working to take the steps forward to earning that commission regardless of how I get there (except for enlistment unless it's absolutely necessary)...I always try to remember there's always another way to skin the cat
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DC1220, I'm a serving Marine officer. I know being a U.S. Marine officer is your dream. Don't feel like the Naval Academy is the only road to the Marine Corps officer corps -- far from it. In the Corps there is truly a belief that officers are judged by performance, not by their program of origin. It probably doesn't hurt to keep pursuing USNA, but if that doesn't work out, don't give up -- pursue your degree, get good grades, kick a-- on fitness, and pursue one of the options like PLC or OCS.
 
DC, have you spoken with the OSO yet about PLC? Also with you now starting your 2nd year of CC, NROTC is going to be a tough road. Remember you must gain a scholarship or advanced standing to continue within NROTC beyond your Sophomore year. So when you enter a 4 year school as a Junior, not sure there will be an option of NROTC. Kinnem will have to correct me on that one.
 
I will continue the application for the academy and I'm gonna give it one more go and @sox thanks for the motivating words.. it really helps.. thank you all honestly... this helps me out so much because for a minute I was losing a bit of faith.. but I'm not a quitter so I know I can try and give it one more go... the only thing I'm worried about is that the same thing that ended my application last year will come up again... nominations... I'm actually planning on contacting an OSO located at the 4 year and talking to him about PLC because i know i might just end up doing that as it would be best fit..ill take another look at nrotc... my scores don't qualify for the scholarship so if not then ill just do PLC.
 
You might be mixing up OSO and MOI... Maybe not. OSO is officer recruiter and MOI is the instructor at an NROTC unit.

And keep at it. Keep going until they say no. Like Sox I knew all kinds of folks from a variety of commissioning sources. The one that is best... Is the one that leads YOU to a commission.
 
I don't believe you would be eligible for nrotc after 2years of CC because you need to gain advanced standing or get the 2year scholarship to continue in the program. Can you transfer to a University now with a nrotc program and walk on as a college programmer? Holding out for PLC is surely going to be competitive so make sure all of your numbers are superb.
 
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