Taking a lot of heat for choosing USNA over Stanford.

The above is true. While you're in h.s., all of the "talk" is where people were accepted and where they will attend. I guarantee you that, after your senior year of h.s., the ONLY ones who will know where you applied and were accepted (aka, the choices you had) will be you and maybe your parents.

No one else will ever talk about it or be interested in it. When you apply for a job, the employer will NEVER say, "So, I see you graduated from S school. Where else were you accepted?"

I can promise you that, for $1M, I couldn't tell you what college 5 people in my h.s. class even attended. For $100M, I couldn't tell you one school that any of them turned down.
 
usna1985 said:
The above is true. While you're in h.s., all of the "talk" is where people were accepted and where they will attend. I guarantee you that, after your senior year of h.s., the ONLY ones who will know where you applied and were accepted (aka, the choices you had) will be you and maybe your parents.

No one else will ever talk about it or be interested in it. When you apply for a job, the employer will NEVER say, "So, I see you graduated from S school. Where else were you accepted?"

I can promise you that, for $1M, I couldn't tell you what college 5 people in my h.s. class even attended. For $100M, I couldn't tell you one school that any of them turned down.
Click to expand...
wells that is true of almost everything having o do with high school and college. No one cares what your GPA was after several years of work experience. I am sure saying you went to Harvard or Stanford opens doors and impresses people ( I am impressed) but again depending on your industry, your reputation and what you have done done previously becomes more important.
 
UnDon0 said:
I filled out the Stanford application back when I was unsure if I would get an appointment to USNA. Friday, I received word that I was accepted into the Stanford Class of 2028. People at my school found out I got in (told a few close friends) and I've been taking a lot of heat for choosing USNA over Stanford. To me, the decision is obvious: I want to serve in the Navy as a career and already accepted the appointment AND told my BGO officer that USNA is my top choice. I've tried explaining this to people, but USNA isn't well known where I live and its hard to understand. Most people in the school probably think I'm just weird and leave it at that but there are a few friends of mine who were rejected from Stanford and are much more resistant to the idea. They've told me that they think I'm being arrogant by choosing USNA when they would choose Stanford in a heartbeat. On one hand, I do believe I came on a little strong in support of choosing the Naval Academy and can certainly see where they're coming from. On the other hand, I'm know that the Naval Academy is where I belong even if I had a Stanford NROTC scholarship. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
As a Naval Academy grad and mom to a Stanford grad (and NROTC midshipman), I will say that both institutions offer excellent, though different opportunities. Both can produce good officers who are fully capable. Graduates of both will have areas where they need work.

Your friends can probably imagine themselves at Stanford, but not at USNA. So your choice doesn't make sense to them.

To some people, admissions outcomes feel like a prize -- if you get a highly selective offer of admission then you've won. To some, winning is Stanford, an Ivy, or a flagship public. To others winning is an academy appointment.

I don't think your admissions results make you better or worse than classmates. Nor does your commissioning source make you a better or worse officer than shipmates.

Make the choice that is best for you. You might want to fully explore the Stanford option and not assume that it is second best (rather than different) to USNA. Whatever your choice, be excited and enthusiastic for your classmates' options and choices.
 
Full Steam said:
As a Naval Academy grad and mom to a Stanford grad (and NROTC midshipman), I will say that both institutions offer excellent, though different opportunities. Both can produce good officers who are fully capable. Graduates of both will have areas where they need work.

Your friends can probably imagine themselves at Stanford, but not at USNA. So your choice doesn't make sense to them.

To some people, admissions outcomes feel like a prize -- if you get a highly selective offer of admission then you've won. To some, winning is Stanford, an Ivy, or a flagship public. To others winning is an academy appointment.

I don't think your admissions results make you better or worse than classmates. Nor does your commissioning source make you a better or worse officer than shipmates.

Make the choice that is best for you. You might want to fully explore the Stanford option and not assume that it is second best (rather than different) to USNA. Whatever your choice, be excited and enthusiastic for your classmates' options and choices.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the words of wisdom. Do you know what kind of transportation assistance Stanford offers? And if they have any room and board discount.
 
UnDon0 said:
Thank you for the words of wisdom. Do you know what kind of transportation assistance Stanford offers? And if they have any room and board discount.
Click to expand...
What happened in the past was Stanford had a ZipCar account and paid for the car that midshipmen used each week. But the mids did their own driving.
I don't remember there being a room and board discount, but Stanford is generous with need based aid.
 
UnDon0 said:
I filled out the Stanford application back when I was unsure if I would get an appointment to USNA. Friday, I received word that I was accepted into the Stanford Class of 2028. People at my school found out I got in (told a few close friends) and I've been taking a lot of heat for choosing USNA over Stanford. To me, the decision is obvious: I want to serve in the Navy as a career and already accepted the appointment AND told my BGO officer that USNA is my top choice. I've tried explaining this to people, but USNA isn't well known where I live and its hard to understand. Most people in the school probably think I'm just weird and leave it at that but there are a few friends of mine who were rejected from Stanford and are much more resistant to the idea. They've told me that they think I'm being arrogant by choosing USNA when they would choose Stanford in a heartbeat. On one hand, I do believe I came on a little strong in support of choosing the Naval Academy and can certainly see where they're coming from. On the other hand, I'm know that the Naval Academy is where I belong even if I had a Stanford NROTC scholarship. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
My son has exactly same situation as you now. He admitted in Stanford on December 15th, 2023 and get appointment by USNA yesterday. It's a hard choice especially he didn't apply NROTC.
 
You should focus on what you want to do. If serving has always been your passion, go to USNA. You'll probably never see these people again. It's what you want to do, it's your life. Do some reflection and take a breath. You have time to decide.
 
MMO said:
My son has exactly same situation as you now. He admitted in Stanford on December 15th, 2023 and get appointment by USNA yesterday. It's a hard choice especially he didn't apply NROTC.
Click to expand...
Is there still time to apply for the NROTC?
 
newtonsapple said:
Stanford is a cesspool of communism, while USNA is a bastion of freedom.
Click to expand...
Rome said:
I never thought I’d witness the rebirth of McCarthyism
Click to expand...
I don't necessarily agree with the first comment. But the second comment reminded me of this:

About 15 years ago, at a leadership retreat for my Fortune 200 company, we had the honor of hearing from Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor. Someone asked her how she felt about "socialist countries such as France and Sweden."

Her polite but pointed response: "I've visited countries all around the world -- communist countries, socialist countries, democratic countries. If you think France and Sweden are socialist countries, then you don't really understand what socialism is."

My point: Beware hyperbole, especially in political matters, no matter what side you're taking.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top