Hello,
Since decision day is right around the corner, I am seeking advice for a very important decision. I am seeking input from experienced people as to which school would be better for me: USNA or AFROTC at MIT. Let me start by describing my situation, career goals, and potential options.
I have always wanted to serve my country and ever since 7th grade I have wanted to attend USNA. Coming into high school, I worked tirelessly towards achieving this goal. I received an LOA in September and an appointment in February. I also applied early action to MIT. I was accepted. To give you background, however, MIT was the only civilian school I applied to (I figured with the engineering reputation of MIT, it is the only school that would make me second guess going to USNA). The other schools were all of the service academies. I was accepted to all but I narrowed it down to USNA, USAFA, and MIT, with preference towards USNA (out of the academies). I have also received an AFROTC Scholarship to attend MIT, so I will only have to pay room and board.
As for my career goals, I would like to major in aerospace engineering and become a fighter pilot (F-35). I would then like to become a test pilot and eventually an astronaut. USNA has produced the most astronauts, but part of that seems to be a result of the initial astronauts as naval aviators. In recent years, it seems like MIT has produced more (MIT is 3rd on the list overall).
For potential options/opportunities, both offer great possibilities down the road. After speaking to the AFROTC detachment, possibilities at MIT include a nearly garunteed 5th year masters degree (paid for by Air Force), a near perfect pilot selection percentage, the likelihood of attending Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot training, and summer training possibilities like jump school, etc. With open summers, I could intern at places like SpaceX to gain valuable experience. With USNA, I am seeking someone who is a little more familiar with the graduate school process. I would like to try to get a masters from MIT following graduation (because I think I would benefit from both schools). I realize summer training is mandatory at the academy, so obviously I will have that opportunity, but what about internships?
As a part of this process, I have spoke with various former officers and military personnel. Many say that MIT would be better in the sense that you have to quickly learn how to function independently, which translates time management and essential skills once you reach active duty. Additionally, I have heard that the Academy breeds a more procedure-type thinking (not really out of the box thinking) when compared to other academies. I am wondering if anyone from the academy can speak to these claims. Additionally, what experiences do you get at the academy that would give a strong foundation for anything in life (vs experiences that you wouldn’t get at a standard college).
I have been to both campuses multiple times. From these visits, I certainly feel more at home with the Midshipmen who are quite like minded and driven as I am. I believe the ideal route for me would be USNA undergrad, MIT grad school. But with a nearly garunteed masters at MIT through AFROTC, I am hesitant to gamble and not be accepted later down the road. That is why I am seeking someone who may be familiar with the grad school route immediately after USNA. I read on USNAs webpage but it only says a small percentage go on to do this. What is the process to be able to do this?
If you respond, could you also provide some of you background information? Thank you for all of the help!
Since decision day is right around the corner, I am seeking advice for a very important decision. I am seeking input from experienced people as to which school would be better for me: USNA or AFROTC at MIT. Let me start by describing my situation, career goals, and potential options.
I have always wanted to serve my country and ever since 7th grade I have wanted to attend USNA. Coming into high school, I worked tirelessly towards achieving this goal. I received an LOA in September and an appointment in February. I also applied early action to MIT. I was accepted. To give you background, however, MIT was the only civilian school I applied to (I figured with the engineering reputation of MIT, it is the only school that would make me second guess going to USNA). The other schools were all of the service academies. I was accepted to all but I narrowed it down to USNA, USAFA, and MIT, with preference towards USNA (out of the academies). I have also received an AFROTC Scholarship to attend MIT, so I will only have to pay room and board.
As for my career goals, I would like to major in aerospace engineering and become a fighter pilot (F-35). I would then like to become a test pilot and eventually an astronaut. USNA has produced the most astronauts, but part of that seems to be a result of the initial astronauts as naval aviators. In recent years, it seems like MIT has produced more (MIT is 3rd on the list overall).
For potential options/opportunities, both offer great possibilities down the road. After speaking to the AFROTC detachment, possibilities at MIT include a nearly garunteed 5th year masters degree (paid for by Air Force), a near perfect pilot selection percentage, the likelihood of attending Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot training, and summer training possibilities like jump school, etc. With open summers, I could intern at places like SpaceX to gain valuable experience. With USNA, I am seeking someone who is a little more familiar with the graduate school process. I would like to try to get a masters from MIT following graduation (because I think I would benefit from both schools). I realize summer training is mandatory at the academy, so obviously I will have that opportunity, but what about internships?
As a part of this process, I have spoke with various former officers and military personnel. Many say that MIT would be better in the sense that you have to quickly learn how to function independently, which translates time management and essential skills once you reach active duty. Additionally, I have heard that the Academy breeds a more procedure-type thinking (not really out of the box thinking) when compared to other academies. I am wondering if anyone from the academy can speak to these claims. Additionally, what experiences do you get at the academy that would give a strong foundation for anything in life (vs experiences that you wouldn’t get at a standard college).
I have been to both campuses multiple times. From these visits, I certainly feel more at home with the Midshipmen who are quite like minded and driven as I am. I believe the ideal route for me would be USNA undergrad, MIT grad school. But with a nearly garunteed masters at MIT through AFROTC, I am hesitant to gamble and not be accepted later down the road. That is why I am seeking someone who may be familiar with the grad school route immediately after USNA. I read on USNAs webpage but it only says a small percentage go on to do this. What is the process to be able to do this?
If you respond, could you also provide some of you background information? Thank you for all of the help!