I have been dead set on the Naval Academy since eighth grade, and my parents have always been less than supportive. Now that my test scores are coming back, they're begging me to consider the ivy league or Stanford/MIT, and they effectively have me second guessing myself. The decision is mine, but does anyone have advice for weighing my options?
Its YOUR education. This comes up a lot. I have seen this with parents who either are Ivy Alums, or (more commonly) have the mistaken idea that Ivy league means more success and $$ in their kid's career later. Why do they think an Ivy school is best for you? What is the purpose of the Ivy league education, of any college education? Its to qualify you for employment. What do you need to compete as a job applicant? Education, Experience, Desire, Marketable Skills - most often, not in this order and you need all of these! Many parents assume Ivy school =job. School alone can not fully prepare you for a job. Parents also think Ivy = more $$$ when you get the job. This is is not a given and most carry a high amount of school debt. Not good.
As someone who lived and worked in Silicon Valley, recruiting employees in this crazy computer tech area, I can tell you an Ivy degree was nice, but it never sealed the deal. A colleague was hiring applicants to a national tech lab here. Guess who got the $125,000
starting salary job: the ivy grad who had a masters degree and mostly school and research experience during the past 7.5 years and had huge school loan debt or the service academy grad with a masters, 7 years of real world, hands on employment experience in the field of the job AND management experience (as an officer) in this field? Yup, service academy guy won the job easily. The Ivy guy was offered an entry level job at $45,000. He didn't take it.
I have spoke to parents are from Asia and Europe, whose kids are first generation Americans. These parents have $100,000+ jobs at Google, Sony, Facebook, Hewlett-Packard, Lawrence Livermore Lab, and other. These parents, like yours, pressure their high school kids to only apply to schools such as Stanford, Berkeley, Cal, Cal Tech, as well as MIT, Harvard, the Ivys. All great schools. I asked them why do you want your kid to attend these schools. They usually reply these are the best schools and I want my kid to be able to get a good job. Further discussion reveals their desire for the "prestige" for their kid to attend a Ivy or premier school. I usually ask them about their jobs and careers, where do they work, how long, how long did it take to reach your position, what is your income. They usually answer these questions with pride because they have worked hard to build a respectable career, raised a family in the most competitive and highest paying job markets in the world. These successful parents have immigrated to the US and have achieved the dream. I then ask them the final question: Where did you go to school? Answers vary, but usually when they reply with their Alma mater, I coldly reply, " I never heard of it". I explain my point to them that in this area and job market, the location and name of the school does not magically equate to their child's financial success, self worth, an future success. For these families, one can not ignore the cultural influences and the perceived worth in the Ivy/premier schools.
Truth: most Ivy leaguers will not graduate with bachelor's degree in 4 years, taking 5-6 years. Then they will find to be competitive in the real world, which they have no work experience, they need a Masters degree just to get that entry level, lower paying job. Add on two to three more years. So, now you have 6-8 years of "Ivy League education", have paid up to $400,000 ($50,000 a year tuition AND housing and expenses) to get that low paying, entry level job... if you can get one. Remember all that school debt you will carry as well!
Compare the USNA where you have a job and are employed with full benefits WHILE in school. USNA grads graduate in 4 years (98%), a good percentage can and will continue with graduate education while serving and have a funding source for this during and after their military service. You seem to know the benefits of an USNA education, too many to list.
Do you parents want you to have an Ivy education? Have your folks explained the real, seminal reason they eschew a service academy and prefer other schools? Many parents who know little about a service academy think these schools are not competitive and is a "war college". Is it they don't want their kid to be in the military? Perhaps show them them this:
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/naval-academy-2101/overall-rankings
2017 Best Colleges Rankings (corporations know these #'s!)
For the few who have the determination, smarts, and a calling to be an officer in the finest military in the world and who are uniquely qualified to be selected to attend a service academy, you will find it a rewarding decision in every conceivable way. Service Academy grads have an highly regarded education and are highly valuable in the employment world after their military career. If you want Navy, apply. Here's the easy solution. Apply to USNA and those Ivy League schools. Apply to the NROTC option for these Ivys. Show your folks you have Plan A, B, C, D-Z. You have had discussions with your parents about your USNA desire. As a parent, I know that I knew more than my current 2020 Plebe about where he should go to school (sarcasm). I was happy that he was driving the process,working hard to reach his goals, that he was doing the research, he was doing the applications, he was doing the SAT/ACT prep.
You asked for advice to weigh your options. If you qualify for Ivys, they are fantastic schools. If you qualify for a service academy, (I vote USNA) they are equal to Ivys AND are great employers! Apply to all, do your best, and see which school sends you a Big Fat Envelope!