@MichaelT2022, most of us here are “seasoned veterans” (not necessarily the military type, but the type that’s been around and seen a lot). Most of us are parents, so we know how indecisive and impulsive teenagers can be. And we well understand the pressures that young people face when making what seems like life-defining decisions. Which is why we’re here, chiming in with perspective to help ease your decision-making.
We’re also now suffering from whiplash, as surely you are too. Several posters encouraged you to take a “timeout” to truly assess all the moving parts. Some offered to provide direct, in-person advice. I don’t know if you took anyone up on that, but the indecisiveness and impulsiveness remain. Again, these are characteristic of many teens (and adults, for that matter). But you don’t seem to be learning or gaining from your circular yet wayward logic. It seems like one step forward, two steps back, repeatedly (including the multiple other threads you’ve started). I’ll echo others, with hopeful emphasis: You need to get off this forum, take several deep breaths, thoughtfully write down what you really want in the short and medium terms, and then talk it through with a trustworthy adult who knows you well but also is willing to call “BS” if necessary. If that process sets your timeline back, so be it. Better to take a clear and decisive step forward a year of two from now, than to continue wish-washing away depending on how the wind blows.
Now, for my extra two cents: Do all you can to avoid significant college debt. It’s an insidious and nasty thing, with a terrible ROI. It will eat away at your paycheck, your psyche and your quality of life for years. Given the choice between 3x cost paid by a loan and 1x cost paid by cash and scholarships, take the latter every single time. No college degree or experience is worth 3x another! I say this as someone who teaches at the college level, who sees too many students burning their parents’ — or their own — hard-earned funds: It’s not where you go, it’s what you do while you’re there.
Given your indecisiveness and impulsiveness, the best route seems to be in-state college (that you can comfortably afford) while participating in ROTC (with or without a scholarship). Try it all out. If all goes well, perhaps you can transfer to your school of dreams or earn an ROTC scholarship. If you change your mind and/or things don’t work out, you’d still be on a good path to a college degree — but without the weight of significant debt dragging you down as you embark on your career.
Now, about that timeout and deep breaths…
