USNA or MIT

Which school?

  • USNA

  • MIT AFROTC

Results are only viewable after voting.
Mattcat,
My DD is facing the same decision, USNA or MIT with NROTC. I am a new member so I do not believe I can message people yet. Is it possible for you to message me so she can set up a time to talk with you? My DD asked If this was possible. Thank you so much for your time!
 
Toserve2025 said:
Mattcat,
My DD is facing the same decision, USNA or MIT with NROTC. I am a new member so I do not believe I can message people yet. Is it possible for you to message me so she can set up a time to talk with you? My DD asked If this was possible. Thank you so much for your time!
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Hi Toserve2025,

I just tried to send you a private message (I’m not super familiar with how to work the forum either) and I encountered an issue. I looked it up and it seems like you need at least 10 posts before I can message you. Let me know when you get there!
 
mattcat said:
Hi Toserve2025,

I just tried to send you a private message (I’m not super familiar with how to work the forum either) and I encountered an issue. I looked it up and it seems like you need at least 10 posts before I can message you. Let me know when you get there!
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I also need 10 posts so I’m replying to my reply to help get the number up.
 
I think it comes down to whether DD wants a military school or a civilian school with some military thrown in. USNA is military day in and day out. Some people want that; others want a more "traditional" college experience.
 
Hi Mattcat,

I'm experiencing the same 10 post limitations. If you reach the required threshold could you please DM me?

Thank you again for thoughtful response and meaningful engagement with us!
 
It was great reading this resurrected post. Mattcat did a great job detailing his/her life at USNA. My plebe has expressed many of the same positive feelings as it relates to the exposure to officers and different service communities. The exposure to leadership and those with fleet experience is incredible. Even in the lockdown of COVID ROM they are getting zoom meetings with people like Marcus Luttrell and last night was Chris Cassidy.

The one thing I took away from Mattcat's decision was that you can do MIT at some point in your future, but you can't do grad school at USNA after a 4-year stint at any other college. I know it's early in the process for our plebe, but already he has a lifelong friend in his roommate. Their shared experience through plebe year during COVID will bond them in ways I wouldn't have thought possible.

@mattcat, a great job paying it forward during your experience at USNA.
 
usna1985 said:
I think it comes down to whether DD wants a military school or a civilian school with some military thrown in. USNA is military day in and day out. Some people want that; others want a more "traditional" college experience.
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This is very true.

My DS was in a similar situation. USNA vs USMA vs USAFA vs the college competing with MIT (in terms of ranking). Eventually, he chose USNA. Although it was the best choice for my DS, he suffered a lot in my areas associated with the military day in and day out. In the beginning, he had to deal with the very unique military environment, rules, protocols, cultures, etc.

The best thing that happened to him at USNA was that he started feeling a Big Picture. I want to say that an immature teenager became a gentleman who understands the true meaning of "accountability" in a short period of time. As a parent, it's not easy to see all issues associated with ROM, restrictions, etc. caused by the pandemic. But my DS and his lifetime classmates have worked together to overcome the difficulties.

No pain no gain??? This is absolutely right and applicable to USNA. Many young men and women are gaining leadership throughout the very "unique" military day in and day out.

I read mattcat's thoughtful response. This is a good example of great leadership influencing many people in a very positive way! Thank you!
 
The MIT NROTC unit is actually a combined MIT/Harvard/Tufts unit but based at MIT. A lot better than say Brown where you have to travel to another state (Holy Cross in Massachusetts) for NROTC.
 
Hi Mattcat,
Thank you for the reply! I appreciate your time. I will message when I get up to 10 posts. Just 8 more to go, lol.
 
Toserve2025 said:
Hi Mattcat,
Thank you for the reply! I appreciate your time. I will message when I get up to 10 posts. Just 8 more to go, lol.
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I'll give you an opportunity to send another. MIT was by oldest's dream school but he was deferred/rejected. Applied for 18c - Math & Computer science. He ended up at Oxford studying the same thing. What major did your DD apply for?
 
Hi 8th Wing! Wow! Oxford sounds very cool! Is he enjoying himself?
My daughter applied for Mechanical Engineering. I think there are so many options in different areas of engineering and with the technological advances...it’s a dynamic field to study.
 
As a recent USNA grad currently doing IGEP at MIT, it was only after coming to MIT that I began to realize the value of USNA, particularly as it pertains to "the little things" like accountability, etiquette, and professionalism (all the things we constantly groan about as Mids). I'll be the first one to say that there are countless peers here who are more intelligent than I am, but there is a certain element of professionalism and accountability (e.g. showing up to class on time) that sets the SA people apart, and professors notice this. Academically, it is certainly more involved/rigorous, but there are no responsibilities outside of school so I am actually far more rested than I ever was at USNA.
 
MABlue said:
As a recent USNA grad currently doing IGEP at MIT, it was only after coming to MIT that I began to realize the value of USNA, particularly as it pertains to "the little things" like accountability, etiquette, and professionalism (all the things we constantly groan about as Mids). I'll be the first one to say that there are countless peers here who are more intelligent than I am, but there is a certain element of professionalism and accountability (e.g. showing up to class on time) that sets the SA people apart, and professors notice this. Academically, it is certainly more involved/rigorous, but there are no responsibilities outside of school so I am actually far more rested than I ever was at USNA.
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MABlue,

That’s great to hear! Any shot I can get your contact information to ask some questions about your process as the grad school applications are right around the corner? I still have to get my messages up to 10 to unlock the private messaging, so this reply will help, but I’d love to hear more about your situation. Thanks!
 
Hi Toserve2025,

It would be great if our DD's could speak with one another! Does yours have a timeframe for making a decision? I don't know if it's protocol to ask from which area of the country you live. We are on the West Coast.
 
My nephew faced the same options and chose MIT, though he went NROTC Marine Aviation.
Do not think you have to major in aeronautical type of engineering to achieve your goals. Nephew majored in nano robotics engineering (or something like that) with a minor in Chinese. I know, not your typical Marine.
The major thing he liked about MIT where the outside study opportunities. He spent a semester in China, then went back for some time after graduation before OTS. These opportunities are available at SAs, but are very competitive.
He is finishing his doctorate in engineering right now.
 
Hi GISG,
Yes, I do think our DD’s should talk...It’s a great way for them to become friends ahead of wherever they decide to go. My DD told me she knows what she wants to do in her gut. I am 99% sure it’s USNA but I am trying not to influence her in any way and will wait for her to announce her decision. We are in the Midwest.
 
Hi UHBLackhawk,
Thank you for your comment. Your nephew sounds like he had amazing opportunities. My DD is definitely looking for opportunities to spend time abroad. We believe exposure to the world beyond our borders is so important.
 
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