Second Thoughts

Well Spud, I'm afraid my decision (and anyone else's in my shoes) is a bit more complicated than my "wimpiness." Everyone knows it's a tough transition from civilian college to a service academy; that is my point. I am by no means anything you said here. I re-applied while still experiencing a normal college experience because regardless of what was going on around me, I still thought about and obsessed over USNA. Although I appreciate the "bad cop" tactic, which I hope it is, I am by no means weak nor a wimp. This is purely to make sure if and when I go, then I stay and thrive there. I do not want to go in wishy-washy and just leave, then being the wimp that you stated. USNA is not for everyone, you know this. I am motivated by much more than nothing. That's what got me to this position in the first place.

All points people have brought up are great, and I thoroughly appreciate the time you have all taken to drop wisdom on me. I've realized I'm afraid of the unknown, and sure maybe you're right, maybe my girlfriend does have something to do with it, but you bring up an awesome point that if its true love, then it will still work out.

I realize that the experiences and opportunities that USNA can offer me can be found no where else, let alone a civilian college. This thread has strengthened my thoughts to go. I need to wrap my head around everything completely and make sure I'm 100% in this when I do go on I-Day. Like I said before, if I'm "iffy" going in, well that's not going to work out. Your posts all truly help.

Thanks again for the knowledge and wisdom, it's much appreciated. Except for Spud. Well maybe him/her also helped...

RedBull,
I applaud you for laying it all out there and soliciting advice on whether this is the right decision for you. In my day, candidates like you (myself included) with similar reservations, fears, doubts, etc. didn't have the benefit of the wide net that this forum casts, so the pool of advice was much smaller. Ironically, in some ways, that may have been a good thing. Advice is great, but as it relates to a decision like this, it can sometimes muddy the waters, create further doubts, and add even more confusion than was already there. That said, I would echo what several have wisely counseled, that is to weigh some of the points that others offer for consideration, but it is ultimately your decision. Take solice in knowing that many, maybe hundreds of your potential classmates are having the very same doubts and concerns. The process is far from perfect, and it sometimes ends up not being a great fit for some who are offered an appointment. But dealing with the very challenges you are concerned about is part of the experience, moreso for some than others. Successfully doing so results in growth, and to some extent "growing up." This is true at an SA or any other first "out of the nest" experience. None who dispense advice know you or your situation better than you do (including Spud, who IMO was over the top in his post, one I would actually dismiss), so again you will make the call. But know that you are not alone.

Best of luck,
USNA 85
 
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Not academy related but perhaps my DS's experience would be helpful. Junior year in High School he only wanted to consider in-state schools because he didn't want to be too far from home. Senior year he started considering out of state schools. Eventually his first choice became an out of state school only 3.5 hours away. He has a car and its not an unreasonable weekend trip. However he only came home for Thanksgiving, Christmas and a part of spring break. He loves his school and his independence and has such a great time with his many new friends that he has no desire to come home for a weekend. If he could stay there through the summer he would do that too. Don't be surprised to find your experience will be the same regardless of where you go to college. You maintain contact with home via phonecalls, Facebook, Texting and emails. Everyone will still be in your heart and you in theirs.

Same here. DD is a junior studying at a large private university just outside Boston, only 45 minutes at most from our house. She lives on-campus. Being 45 minutes away, one would tyhink we'd see hermore often, but this year so far we have seen her for:
- One weekend in Oct (Columbus Day),
- one weekend in Nov (Thanksgiving),
- a couple/few weeks at Christmas,
- a week of Spring Break,
- Easter weekend.
We certainly saw her a little bit more freshamn year, but steady state is what you see above. Basically, if a kid finds the college they choose to truly be "home" for you, it doesn't matter how close or far it is, they will find themselves staying there.

DS starts at USMA in July. We believe we will see him for pretty much the same amount as DD, just minus the Easter weekend and the Oct weekend. I know that's a simplification, since his "visits" come with restrictions about reporting times, etc. Plus he'll have shortened summers to some extent due to training. But on the basis of a college -to- college comparison, I don't see much difference between the two. I think the real consideration for the OP is that for 5 years (or 10 or 15 or 25) AFTER college, someone else tells you where you must live and work, and that will very likely NOT be a short drive from your childhood home.

I agree with the "think long and hard" advice above. And hopefully you also have a Plan B in your pocket. Consider making a deposit at your non-SA choice and hold that spot and give yourself a little time to think if you need it. Good luck.
 
From personal experience and casual observation, parents need to steel themselves for the probability that midshipmen tend to find other ways to spend leave time as they progress through college be it SA, private, or public. One major factor at the SAs is the availability of Space Available transportation at bargain basement prices. Another factor is that there is a lot of world to discover.
 
I was channel surfing the other night and I stopped on this reality show on the RealLife Channel:

(Scene: Microsoft HR Department. The HR Director is sitting across a table with Mr. Redbull)

HR Director: Mr. Redbull, it has been a pleasure talking with you over this interview. Your stats are great, your grades are good, you look good, smell good, and we would like to offer you a position with Microsoft. Here is the deal. Microsoft will send you to an extremely intensive training program in which you will study academics, technology, management, and executive decision-making. This will last for 4 years and the summers you will spend with field business units and our young leaders on the job. During this time you will meet Bill Gates and his staff and get a chance to talk to many of them. Of course Microsoft will cover all room, board, and a stipend for the 4 year course. At the end, you will immediately be given a position of responsibility at one of our hottest divisions over a 30 person team. Your starting salary will be $50,000 with full medical, dental, and a very generous retirement plan. After a few years you will be given a chance to earn a Masters or PHD, again at Microsoft’s expense as we like to reward competency. A few years later you will be given a chance to go to one of the world’s top executive and strategy schools that we have here in-house. We like to call it our War College. And, finally, we sincerely hope you stay with us for 20 or 30 years.

Tell me, Mr Redbull, what is your pleasure and do you have any questions?

Mr. Redbull: Umm…..yeah, I have some reservations as there is only 2 months per year worth of vacation in your plan. That’s not much. I need a lot more than that. Also I am not really sure I am passionate about Microsoft to do this for the next 9 years minimum. I really would like to come back to my real life (as opposed to my imaginary life with Microsoft) for more than a few weeks a year. Frankly, there is nothing Microsoft has for me that is worth the down-time price or else I wouldn’t be saying this.

HR Director: (Looks down at his hands slowly, then raises slowly up with a smile on his face and offers his hand) Mr. Redbull, as I mentioned, it has been a pleasure talking with you. My secretary will show you out. Oh, Miss Jones, please escort Mr. Redbull to his car and make sure he finds his way out of the parking lot.......and, send the next young man in. Thanks.

(Commercial Break)

I turned off TV and went to bed. Who writes this stuff?
 
^^^ Excellent post. Unfortunately I think the OP has left this thread.
 
Hahaha you kill me Spud. Very appropriate post. Thank you for the help, all of you. It really means a lot and has helped tremendously at this point. For what it's worth, I'm more confident then when I started the thread and I know I want to be a part of USNA. Second thoughts and doubts will always be there for any appointee, but I can do it.
 
Outstanding Post Spud...Needs to be a "Sticky" for people having second thoughts. Really puts everything in perspective
 
I was channel surfing the other night and I stopped on this reality show on the RealLife Channel:

(Scene: Microsoft HR Department. The HR Director is sitting across a table with Mr. Redbull)

HR Director: Mr. Redbull, it has been a pleasure talking with you over this interview. Your stats are great, your grades are good, you look good, smell good, and we would like to offer you a position with Microsoft. Here is the deal. Microsoft will send you to an extremely intensive training program in which you will study academics, technology, management, and executive decision-making. This will last for 4 years and the summers you will spend with field business units and our young leaders on the job. During this time you will meet Bill Gates and his staff and get a chance to talk to many of them. Of course Microsoft will cover all room, board, and a stipend for the 4 year course. At the end, you will immediately be given a position of responsibility at one of our hottest divisions over a 30 person team. Your starting salary will be $50,000 with full medical, dental, and a very generous retirement plan. After a few years you will be given a chance to earn a Masters or PHD, again at Microsoft’s expense as we like to reward competency. A few years later you will be given a chance to go to one of the world’s top executive and strategy schools that we have here in-house. We like to call it our War College. And, finally, we sincerely hope you stay with us for 20 or 30 years.

Tell me, Mr Redbull, what is your pleasure and do you have any questions?

Mr. Redbull: Umm…..yeah, I have some reservations as there is only 2 months per year worth of vacation in your plan. That’s not much. I need a lot more than that. Also I am not really sure I am passionate about Microsoft to do this for the next 9 years minimum. I really would like to come back to my real life (as opposed to my imaginary life with Microsoft) for more than a few weeks a year. Frankly, there is nothing Microsoft has for me that is worth the down-time price or else I wouldn’t be saying this.

HR Director: (Looks down at his hands slowly, then raises slowly up with a smile on his face and offers his hand) Mr. Redbull, as I mentioned, it has been a pleasure talking with you. My secretary will show you out. Oh, Miss Jones, please escort Mr. Redbull to his car and make sure he finds his way out of the parking lot.......and, send the next young man in. Thanks.

(Commercial Break)

I turned off TV and went to bed. Who writes this stuff?

Bravo, sir, bravo.

All of my friends these days are scrambling around, trying to figure out how to take out loans, grab scholarships, register for housing, register for classes, buy a computer, find a roommate, etc. And I'm just sitting around, running, working out, and doing homework without a care in the world, because USNA will issue me everything down to the socks and toilet paper.

I took a tour of UCLA two days ago. Those residential halls are small, cramped, lacking in air conditioning, and you have to pay upwards of $10k a year to live in them. The rooms in Bancroft are almost double the size, air conditioned, and living costs are covered by the Navy.

When my buddies graduate, they'll have anywhere from $50-100K in student loan debt. I'll have something closer to $0.

From junior year until they graduate, they'll be scrambling for internships (most of which are unpaid), desperate for some kind, any kind of job experience. The guys who did really well in college will get the good opportunities, and the others will have to grind it out at the bottom of the ladder for a while. Every summer while at USNA, I'll be getting world-class training in the career field I want and can have when I graduate, while being paid. When I graduate, I'll be all set to head off on a ship or submarine doing exactly what I always wanted to do. And I won't be in a 5x5ft cubicle.

Sounds like a good deal to me.
 
I'll be honest, Spud really gave me a nice wake up call. It helped a lot and is much appreciated. Great post as well nuensis. :thumb:
 
One problem I've already noticed is a distaste for people without ambition. That is not an admirable trait in me... It's just so hard to be polite when kids my age laugh about going to college, all that YOLO stuff, I dunno. For a seventeen-year old, I'm an awfully grumpy old man.

But I'll be around more like-minded people soon. I say that at the risk of sounding naive, I know - USNA will have its share of slackers and whatnot as well, I'm sure. Just hoping that it'll be a more manageable group...
 
One problem I've already noticed is a distaste for people without ambition. That is not an admirable trait in me... It's just so hard to be polite when kids my age laugh about going to college, all that YOLO stuff, I dunno. For a seventeen-year old, I'm an awfully grumpy old man.

But I'll be around more like-minded people soon. I say that at the risk of sounding naive, I know - USNA will have its share of slackers and whatnot as well, I'm sure. Just hoping that it'll be a more manageable group...

You've said everything I've thought about for that last few months. I can't wait to get into a classroom where more than just half of the class actually wants to learn.
 
All replies in this thread have been valuable. Kind, loving, understanding and especially the great kick in the butt that some need.

USNA is not easy.
USNA is not fun.
USNA is not relaxing.

USNA is the most rewarding experience you could imagine.
USNA provides you with amazing opportunities and lifelong friends.
USNA will turn you into an adult.

Which route will you take?
 
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