Reapplicant to Class of 2029 - College Decision

[academycandidate1]

Good evening,

I was not given an appointment to the class of 2028 and I plan to reapply to the class of 2029. As advised, I plan to attend a university while reapplying. I have narrowed down my choices to Florida State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or Norwich University. I will do NROTC at whichever university I attend, though, FSU's program is through a cross-town affiliate school (Florida A&M). I understand the benefits of attending VT or NU (as they are senior military colleges) during this prep year of sorts, but attending either of these would incur loans/debt. I would be getting paid to attend FSU. I have been accepted into the mechanical engineering major at each of these schools. With these pros/cons in mind, please give me some advice on which school would make me the most competitive candidate for reapplication to the class of 2029. Thank you for your time.

 

[justdoit19]

Good evening,

I was not given an appointment to the class of 2028 and I plan to reapply to the class of 2029. As advised, I plan to attend a university while reapplying. I have narrowed down my choices to Florida State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or Norwich University. I will do NROTC at whichever university I attend, though, FSU's program is through a cross-town affiliate school (Florida A&M). I understand the benefits of attending VT or NU (as they are senior military colleges) during this prep year of sorts, but attending either of these would incur loans/debt. I would be getting paid to attend FSU. I have been accepted into the mechanical engineering major at each of these schools. With these pros/cons in mind, please give me some advice on which school would make me the most competitive candidate for reapplication to the class of 2029. Thank you for your time.

IMO, attend the one that speaks to you most, should you either a) decide you love NROTC and not reapply or b) reapply and not receive an appointment. Either are potential outcomes.

Doing well in plebe like classes is what’s recommended. And NROTC gives you a potential nomination source. Additionally, you may end up receiving a NROTC college programmer scholarship. Ultimately you want to enjoy your chosen school.

 

[smokey%]

Me personally, I would choose FSU. It has the things I would want in a college. Great academics, great sports teams, and the fact that you can do NROTC and get paid to attend (no student debt incurred) is the cherry on top.

 

[nmabq]

“IMO, attend the one that speaks to you most, should you either a) decide you love NROTC and not reapply or b) reapply and not receive an appointment. Either are potential outcomes.”

This. I’m an old, years go by like days for me. You’re not, and a year may change you in ways you can’t expect.

 

[dahacker]

Good evening,

I was not given an appointment to the class of 2028 and I plan to reapply to the class of 2029. As advised, I plan to attend a university while reapplying. I have narrowed down my choices to Florida State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or Norwich University. I will do NROTC at whichever university I attend, though, FSU's program is through a cross-town affiliate school (Florida A&M). I understand the benefits of attending VT or NU (as they are senior military colleges) during this prep year of sorts, but attending either of these would incur loans/debt. I would be getting paid to attend FSU. I have been accepted into the mechanical engineering major at each of these schools. With these pros/cons in mind, please give me some advice on which school would make me the most competitive candidate for reapplication to the class of 2029. Thank you for your time.

Some majors at Virginia Tech can’t be completed in four years if you are in the Corps of Cadets, because of the extra class load. My DS was particularly interested in Aerospace Engineering and he would have had to attend five years to complete that major there and be in the Corps of Cadets. We were directly advised this in person by the Aerospace Advisor. He ended up direct appointment to USAFA.

Something to consider when pursuing your plan B while waiting a year to re-apply to your plan A.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Do you have the NROTC scholarship?? If not, you will have to "walk on" as a college programmer. Then, you can perform well, be a good shipmate, and apply for the sideload scholarship as they changed the rules a few years ago so that college students cannot apply for the 4-year anymore.

Wherever you go, take an appropriate course load that a plebe would take, and knock them out of the park. It can be difficult to get leadership positions as a freshman, but they are out there if you look around.

Do not go into an NROTC unit expressing that you are there to get an appointment to the USNA. Go in showing that you have a strong desire to commission and serve, no matter the path.

Good luck with whichever path you choose!

 

[noco]

So, my Ensign (Class of '23) was a college re-applicant. He went to a D3, was an engineering major, and wrestled for the college. We spent a lot of time talking about the college choice. He chose to be somewhere that he would have loved for the four years if USNA was not a reality. Look at what and where you will be happy.