Is West Point worth it

T

talltrees

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Feb 23, 2019
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I’ve been on this forum for about 2 years now asking about tips on how to gain admittance to West Point, and now that I’ve gotten in I’m having serious doubts about attending. Throughout all of high school I wanted to attend USMA, but now that I’ve experienced college and a 4th class cadet system at an SMC, I’m not sure whether it’s worth it to attend USMA. Everything is weighted towards the academy... Free college, ivy level education, and an extremely powerful brand on my resume, but I can’t help to think that if I attend West Point I will heavily regret missing out on the freedoms and joys of college. I love Army rotc and my class mates, I love the freedom granted to me, but i can’t stop thinking how selfish I would be to turn down this appointment just to enjoy college. I don’t know what to gain from posting here, but I really hope someone could give me their perspective.
 
talltrees said:
Everything is weighted towards the academy... Free college, ivy level education, and an extremely powerful brand on my resume
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I can't help but notice that you did not mention serving your country as an officer in the Army. That should be the #1 plus to attending USMA. Freudian slip, perhaps?

Only you answer these questions you are asking.
 
brewmeist said:
I can't help but notice that you did not mention serving your country as an officer in the Army. That should be the #1 plus to attending USMA. Freudian slip, perhaps?
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OP indicated that they are currently a ROTC cadet at a SMC so this feels like an unfair critique as both attening the USMA or continuing on his current path will lead to serving as an officer in the army.
 
Fair enough. I apologize to @talltrees if my post came across as him/her not wanting to serve. That was not my intention. I just couldn't help but notice that the free education and resume building were the pros.
 
brewmeist said:
I can't help but notice that you did not mention serving your country as an officer in the Army. That should be the #1 plus to attending USMA. Freudian slip, perhaps?

Only you answer these questions you are asking.
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To be fair, he does say that he loves Army ROTC. It sounds he is definitely set on serving in the military. It appears he may be a college re-applicant who has enjoyed his civilian college experience, the ROTC program and the friends he has made. Plus, I think he is having second thoughts about starting over as a 4/C. Perfectly understandable. From my understanding it happens quite often. Many times a SA may be plan A out of high school but they don’t get an appointment. It turns out they really enjoy plan B or C. There is nothing wrong with that. I tell my DS that everything happens for a reason. Trust your faith and trust the process. If your passion is to attend USMA then by all means accept the appointment. If you enjoy your college, your friends and the ROTC program and want to stay there, trust your gut. Both choices lead to a Commission and one is only 3 years away instead of 4. Either option is great and very honorable. Do what is best for you.
 
My DS is in the exact same position! Just did a year at a 'normal' college and did AFROTC. Loved his year at college but after ROTC finally met in person for the first time last week - now he's itching to get to West Point and have more of that experience. We also had a one hour meeting with a West Point graduate that I work with. He left the military because he and his wife have kids now and wanted to settle down in one location, but man he RAVED about both his time as a cadet and his post-academy military career. He told my son that if he decides to pass up on this opportunity he will genuinely feel sorry for him because he doesn't understand the amazing opportunity he'd be passing up. The key takeaways I got from our meeting with him were: the camaraderie/brotherhood are unlike anything else and the leadership skills and experience gained are priceless. Additional note from him - if you DO go to West Point, do a sport if possible, it will open you up to guys you may not otherwise get to know while you're there, and you travel to other colleges for away games, he appreciated having a break from the academy every now and then.
 
I will be honest with you: no. It is not worth sacrificing the time you will have lost, the friends you've made, and the commissioning source you're happy with for something you may not end up liking. There is a lot of bull**** here and you would often be stuck with the lingering "what if" seeing your ROTC buddies living their best lives.

Your appointment will go to the next person in line, who I'm sure will be overjoyed with the miracle of such a surprise this late in the game. There is no selfishness in that. There is selfishness on coming here and leaving, as then you have truly taken someone else's spot.
 
prospective2019 said:
I will be honest with you: no. It is not worth sacrificing the time you will have lost, the friends you've made, and the commissioning source you're happy with for something you may not end up liking. There is a lot of bull**** here and you would often be stuck with the lingering "what if" seeing your ROTC buddies living their best lives.

Your appointment will go to the next person in line, who I'm sure will be overjoyed with the miracle of such a surprise this late in the game. There is no selfishness in that. There is selfishness on coming here and leaving, as then you have truly taken someone else's spot.
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Always admire that you speak freely and what’s in your mind. My DD is a co2025 appointee and we have learned a lot from your posts. She is debating her choices between USNA and USAFA as her first choice USNA seems fading away ( no nom but have LOA).
 
txfwindian said:
Always admire that you speak freely and what’s in your mind. My DD is a co2025 appointee and we have learned a lot from your posts. She is debating her choices between USNA and USAFA as her first choice USNA seems fading away ( no nom but have LOA).
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Kids leave here because they don't know what they're getting into. I will always be candid about the Academy experience--and don't get me wrong, I love West Point. Cadets who come here who lose their drive and don't try to make this place better because they thought it was going to be something it's not make me sad. I'd rather those appointments go to someone who will be a "plus" and make the most of it here.

I don't believe in blindly following anything or drinking the USMA Kool-Aid without a grain of salt. I didn't as a CC and I don't now, which is why I believe I've done very well here and have maintained a more optimistic attitude than many of my peers. I did my research and knew what to expect. It would be dishonest to tell the world that it is a perfect institution and I try to educate prospective cadets on what life is really like. I'm glad your daughter has found it helpful and I wish her the best of luck with her decision-making.
 
prospective2019 said:
There is a lot of bull**** here and you would often be stuck with the lingering "what if" seeing your ROTC buddies living their best lives.
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While I agree with the ultimate conclusion of @prospective2019, I will argue that many cadets/mids will say they are living their best lives at an SA and want no part of ROTC. SAs and ROTC are all about fit. What works for one may not work for another. Such is life.
 
@talltrees I remember you from last cycle. I am so happy that you found your niche with your unit and school. I don't have any magic words or counsel. You have some time to sleep on it. Follow your gut, and your heart. Have you spoken with your unit leadership? I wonder if they might have some wise counsel. Somewhere, years ago I heard something about writing down both options and sealing them in separate envelopes. A few days, or weeks later, open them. Your gut reaction to seeing them would tell you which way to go. I wish you the best and appreciate your willingness to serve our country in uniform.
 
MidCakePa said:
While I agree with the ultimate conclusion of @prospective2019, I will argue that many cadets/mids will say they are living their best lives at an SA and want no part of ROTC. SAs and ROTC are all about fit. What works for one may not work for another. Such is life.
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I fall into the group that wants no part of ROTC--however I have no other perspective. Some prior ROTC kids I know struggle because they know what they're missing out on, others are incredibly proud of how far they've come. Same with prior-enlisted. It's a gamble, and since you seem to be leaning one way, a risky one.
 
I am sure there are plenty of service academy midshipmen and cadets who would dislike the lifestyle in an ROTC and I know there are not many in ROTC who would fancy the idea of going to a service academy. In life you have to do what YOU want to do. Tomorrow is not guaranteed and yesterday is never coming back. You have to make the most of your life and do what you want to do in the precious time we have here. You are in a great situation deciding if you want to continue your education and commission alongside your peers or attend West Point which is an institution you have wanted to attend for a long time. Take your time and evaluate the pros and cons of each path before committing to one over the other. In no ways are you selfish if you turn down an appointment. That is a spot which you have worked hard to earn and you are absolutely deserving of it.
 
Sometimes it helps making a lists of the pros and cons of each path when making a difficult decision. You do not indicate whether you are on scholarship, but if you are not already, I would think you would be competitive to earn one if you have secured an appointment to USMA this year. I would say not to let the free education be a deciding factor. Go with what fits the "today you" best. I have no experience with an SMC, but everything I have read says that it is the closest you can come to an SA in terms of overall experience. I have also never seen anything negative said about the quality of the education. If you have enjoyed your experience where you are and are now a year closer to graduating and commissioning, that would carry a lot of weight if I were in your shoes. The overall tone of your post leads me to believe your heart is in staying where you are and looking for someone to tell you USMA is not worth it and to stay put. Ultimately only you can make that decision though. Best of luck.
 
Congratulations on your appointment and for such a wonderful first world problem!

Agree continue to weigh your options and take your time to decide.
Make a list, assign weights or comments to each concern.
Is there a "special someone" that is included in the decision?
Family does matter as well. We are all a function of family.
You have 2 years at USMA where you can change your mind.
A large part of getting into USMA this year is because you did so well where you are now.
You are thriving in your current college, lifestyle, ROTC unit with all positives about it.
Are your doubts because of the uncertainty and sadness at leaving friends/familiar environment after a year, or because they are true concerns?
If you are sad about leaving friends, remember you will make more lifelong friends at USMA, and have experiences with them that no one else will have.
ROTC is awesome. USMA is awesome. You are awesome, and will do well either place. Good luck choosing!!!
 
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