USNA vs. UPenn (Wharton) NROTC

[JShawshank]

ascothink -

Others have mentioned that $100k - $125k in NYC isn't really 'bank' given how expensive life is here. I would think the amount that you can save doing 5 in the military isn't much different than what you would save living here directly out of undergrad. Check out this simple cost of living comparison tool to give you an idea:
http://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/cost-of-living/

One other thing to note in favor of going to Wharton now - there is a big push for banks to retain analysts (fresh from undergrad) and promote them up to associates (fresh from MBA equivalent) in greater numbers now. Not sure if it will gain traction but the MBA hiring class sizes are stagnant or shrinking (normalizing for bad/good economy) - so, don't underestimate the difficulty in getting a job on Wall Street from the Navy post-MBA (or any other career, for that matter). It's always easier to keep the seat you have than to try to get a new one.....

 

[kinnem]

Man, you guys are really digging into this kid. Anyway to answer the OP's question, I am in a similar situation. I am 3Q'D and have noms to USMA and USNA and I was accepted to Princeton SCEA. To be honest this really a question that only you can answer for yourself. Try to think about what you are really passionate about. Do you spend your days the WSJ and planning out a career in finance, or are you the kind of kid who loves Tom Clancy and devours military history? If you find that your heart is truly with business than you can still make the Navy a part of your life through NROTC and the reserves. If not, if you are truly passionate about the military and the military lifestyle, than the academy might just be for you .

Almost right, but everyone who does NROTC Navy Option and successfully completes the program does 5 years Active Duty.

 

[Taylor714]

Your initial post speaks volumes. Go Wharton and skip NROTC, and don't count your chickens before they're hatched. You haven't received the scholarship yet. Have a plan C.

 

[GoBlue1984]

What I told my DD: The real reason to attend a service academy is to become an officer. That's what you're there for. That's what they're there for. If it's only for a "free" education, it's not the right place for you.

So, only you can answer that question.

+1

I told my son the same thing. As a taxpayer - I'm biased.

 

[aja95]

Goblue1984, I agree with you 100% . My son received his appointment in Novemeber and its an honor to attend USNA.

Proud dad in NJ.

 

[COmom]

@LineInTheSand
I mean, my cousin went there... and two of my closest friends go there and we talk on Facebook pretty much every night. They tell me how it is from a youngster/2nd class's perspective.

Hmmm--Vista didn't even mention all of the plebe "inconveniences" that make plebe year such a challenge--simply mentioned a few items that apply to all of the mids. From what I've observed, if you want to be highly successful at USNA, you won't be on FB every night chatting. You've had a lot of good advice from multiple points of view and people who have experience in the career you're ultimately interested in. I suggest you reread this thread carefully and investigate more fully what life is like at USNA--it is not even close to lax and no where near a civilian college experience. (Mom of daughter who went to an Ivy League on a NROTC scholarship and a son who's a youngster at USNA.)

 

[Cobaltgum5]

Based on what your original post states, you should probably just go to wharton and not do NROTC (unless you want to do it for strictly the scholarship). If you are dead set on becoming an officer then you should make that decision after college (go to OCS).

The whole "want to look good on paper by being an officer" is a good idea but if you work for 5 years for a certain company instead of serving for those 5 years, you'll be giving yourself a pretty big head start which will be better than the officer-civilian route.

It's also going to be pretty frustrating for you to be making around 40k a year right out of college when your friends are making 70k.. just a thought.

 

[trini1066]

Take Penn

I would say take Penn. My DS was in the same situation. Accepted to Penn and the Naval Academy. One difference is he has wanted to be a Marine Officer since I think 5 years old. Penn and Wharton are very prestigious. He says there are some Midshipmen say five and dive. My DS asked me why they would do that? I told him I am not sure. I did tell him if you are going to be an officer because you want to serve, take the Naval Academy. Anything short of that , I think you would regret going. If you want "Bank" take Penn.

 

[ayp]

reading through this whole thread, I really, really think you should go to Penn.

 

[bearhunter66]

Response is directed to the OP based on your quote: "To be honest, my goal in life is to make bank."

I would encourage you attend Wharton using the financial aid you referenced.

If you had said something along the lines of "my goal in life is serve others and possibly lead our nation's men and women into harms way as I protect and defend the United States", I would have recommended you attend the USNA or look at NROTC.

For the record, I have absolutely zero issue with your desire to "make bank". I think Wharton is an excellent/exceptional means to that end.

I would not, however, try to reach that goal through academic programs (USNA, NROTC) whose purpose is "to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government."

That could be a disaster for you and the others that would be impacted as their mission and your goal are clearly misaligned.

 

[Memphis9489]

... he has wanted to be a Marine Officer since I think 5 years old.

I'm always a little bit skeptical of candidates who have, as the genesis of their pursuit of a service academy appointment, a childhood dream. Especially when it begins at such a young age where kids say they want to grow up and be a cowboy, a train conductor, an astronaut or a super hero ... because, at those early ages, they almost never have a good reason. At those ages it is usually some kind of fantasy based on something they've seen on TV, in the movies, or somebody they've admired ... or because they think the uniform is really cool.

Of course, those childhood fantasies can always morph into something more mature and genuine; but, generally, these kind of things are not compelling when, for example, they are inserted into a Personal Statement. The academy is far more interested (and convinced) of a candidate's reasons to serve from the perspective of a young adult - even if the thought to serve in the military did not occur to them until they were a sophomore in high school.

 

[bowhunter]

"To Serve!"

Well said SuaSponte! If you do not have a passion to serve your country, do not go to the USNA. You never mentioned a desire to do this in your post. At USNA you will be surrounded by young men and women that will sacarafice everything for their country. If this is not you, you might be miserable.

 

[LineInTheSand]

At USNA you will be surrounded by young men and women that will sacarafice everything for their country. If this is not you, you might be miserable.

And he will have classmates who aren't there for that purpose.

 

[thementoringtree]

Eager to know what your decision is going to be.
I know that you have until May 1st to decide, or if you haven't yet.

 

[trini1066]

I'm always a little bit skeptical of candidates who have, as the genesis of their pursuit of a service academy appointment, a childhood dream. Especially when it begins at such a young age where kids say they want to grow up and be a cowboy, a train conductor, an astronaut or a super hero ... because, at those early ages, they almost never have a good reason. At those ages it is usually some kind of fantasy based on something they've seen on TV, in the movies, or somebody they've admired ... or because they think the uniform is really cool.

Of course, those childhood fantasies can always morph into something more mature and genuine; but, generally, these kind of things are not compelling when, for example, they are inserted into a Personal Statement. The academy is far more interested (and convinced) of a candidate's reasons to serve from the perspective of a young adult - even if the thought to serve in the military did not occur to them until they were a sophomore in high school.

Well Lets see when I was prob five of so I wanted to be a FireFighter. Thirteen years later I was became a FF. I served 25 years. Retired as a Captain. I could not see doing any other profession. Maybe that's why I am retired and never have had the need to find a job. I don't believe anything could live up too my years at the Fire Hall. I remember an old quote from a poem ." We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams"

 

[Memphis9489]

Well Lets see when I was prob five of so I wanted to be a FireFighter. Thirteen years later I was became a FF. I served 25 years. Retired as a Captain. I could not see doing any other profession. Maybe that's why I am retired and never have had the need to find a job. I don't believe anything could live up too my years at the Fire Hall. I remember an old quote from a poem ." We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams"

That's a great story but if I were interviewing you for a firefighting position, the fact that it has been your dream since you were 5 yrs old would mean nothing to me. I would be much more interested in why you want to be a firefighter NOW, as an adult.

Those childhood stories are touching - but I do not think they are compelling in a Personal Statement.

 

[trini1066]

That's a great story but if I were interviewing you for a firefighting position, the fact that it has been your dream since you were 5 yrs old would mean nothing to me. I would be much more interested in why you want to be a firefighter NOW, as an adult.

Those childhood stories are touching - but I do not think they are compelling in a Personal Statement.

Who said anything about a Personal Statement. Also I have Interviewed prospective FF many times. I would find it relevant in the oral interview process, that the prospective FF has wanted to be a FF since childhood. We are also getting way off subject here. My original point was, If your indifferent whether you should choose a SA or an Ivy league school, then maybe you should consider if you are committed to a SA. The fact that you are looking to make "Bank" tells me the commitment is not there. "Five and dive" also, commitment not there. In a previous statement you said you were "skeptical of candidates who have, as the genesis of their pursuit of a service academy appointment, a childhood dream." My contention is that having a childhood dream neither qualifies you nor disqualifies you. Its a matter of opinion. My opinion differs from yours. My opinion does hold weight however, for the fact I actually did interviews for potential FF. I am not saying your right or wrong, it's just your opinion. I also have an opinion. Insofar as my opinion meaning anything? It did many times.

 

[kracy]

I think Wharton would fit better for you. Not to say that USNA isn't academically rigorous or that the midshipmen won't "make bank", but your fellow students at Wharton would be as a group more academically inclined and oriented from the start to business. Just the nature of the school seems to lend itself to making money.