Struggling with safety choices

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. How big a deal is being "excited" about a college, anyway? Anyone's child end up loving a school they only grudgingly attended? Looking for some hope here.

I think there's a pretty big gap between being "excited" and going "grudgingly."

I was a bit concerned because DD didn't seem really excited about any of her options, at any point in the process. It's not like she had a dream school she didn't get into, she had a lot of options, and she's ready to go to college. As we talked about it recently she shared that she's not really expecting college to be this amazing, life peak experience because through her summer camp job she's spent a lot of time with older staff who are already well into college. They generally like their schools but have given her a very realistic view of what college is like. Sure, it's a good next step in life and she's satisfied with her choice, a place that meets most of the things on the pretty long list of what she wanted and it will be fine. That's probably a healthy mindset to have vs over-the-moon-excited which probably has unrealistic expectations.

Going grudgingly, however, seems like a really bad mindset to start off with.

That's pretty much how I felt about college, even in the middle of it. It was just that natural next step, you know? I suppose I just figure if he could get excited about something else, anywhere else, the rejection won't sting as much.

I think when a kid has latched on to one a stand out dream school, it's unlikely they will get excited about something else at this point in the process. So you come at it logically. Put the best app together that you can for dream school, get really clear on the factors that are important to you and put together a list of alternatives that can meet most of the needs. If they don't get into dream school you cope with the rejection then and focus on the options you have. At that point he may be able to see them more clearly.

Will do. Applications open tomorrow (I think - I'm trying to stay out of it), and he's applying EA, so at least this won't be dragged out forever.

[Anonymous]

Get ROTC applications as soon as possible to be considered for first round. It does help with admissions sometimes. DC at Ivy on ROTC scholarship was accepted to academy too. Had very high stats 1580 SAT/35 ACT all As in advanced courses. But do not totally rule out academies either. Be realistic but if interested apply. NC State and Univ of South Carolina good Army ROTC. Many of the big state schools have strong programs as do smaller schools. As someone mentioned before, it shows a willingness to serve and work hard academically and otherwise. ROTC not easy. Have to do PT several mornings a week, extra class, and some weekend and summer trainings on top of regular commitments. Honestly helps my kid stay structured and on top of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get ROTC applications as soon as possible to be considered for first round. It does help with admissions sometimes. DC at Ivy on ROTC scholarship was accepted to academy too. Had very high stats 1580 SAT/35 ACT all As in advanced courses. But do not totally rule out academies either. Be realistic but if interested apply. NC State and Univ of South Carolina good Army ROTC. Many of the big state schools have strong programs as do smaller schools. As someone mentioned before, it shows a willingness to serve and work hard academically and otherwise. ROTC not easy. Have to do PT several mornings a week, extra class, and some weekend and summer trainings on top of regular commitments. Honestly helps my kid stay structured and on top of things.

So before the academy application? EA is due in October.

[Anonymous]

Yes do ROTC application as soon as possible. Academy too.

[Anonymous]

university of Arizona is far away and large, but has a ROTC program for sure. And tremendous merit aid for that GPA. Also rolling admissions and a robust honors program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her kid wants Coast Guard, which is totally different from Navy or Army. I have no idea why people are suggesting ROTC or West Point. He should apply to the USCGA (where he might be accepted) and the USMMA (where he probably will and from which he can commission into the Coast Guard) and a couple of civilian safeties (where the presence or absence of ROTC shouldn't be a factor because he's not interested).

USMMA acceptance rate is only a tad higher than the USCGA, and you commission into the USNR, not USCG or USCGR. I wouldn't consider this a backup plan.

Wrong in every respect.

The USMMA is pretty transparent with its application data (at least for a service academy). It's here: https://www.usmma.edu/class-profile . For the class of 2026, 444 applicants completed their applications, were academically qualified, and were medically qualified (i.e., the "Met Selection Criteria" row). Of those, 419 (94.4%) were offered appointments. Acceptance rates were lower in previous years, but always north of 72%.

More USMMA graduates join the Navy than the other armed forces, but they can join any (including both NOAA and the USPHS as well as the Coast Guard) to fulfill their service obligation through active service. https://www.usmma.edu/after-graduation/obligation-compliance . The Class of 2023 had 57 grads enter active service (rather than the reserves): "10 graduates were commissioned into the Army, 23 were commissioned into the Navy, 3 were commissioned into the Air Force, 11 were commissioned into the Marine Corps, and 10 were commissioned into the Coast Guard." https://www.usmma.edu/about/communications/us-merchant-marine-academy-graduates-212-officers-class-2023

A kid with his heart set on the USCG absolutely should apply to the USMMA as a backup option to the USCGA. And the ignorant posters on this chain should just stop.

[Anonymous]

UVa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He'd like small, with a close-knit, driven community, preferably with a military slant and/or ROTC. Preferably not in the DMV. Nothing Corps of Cadet-like like VMI or Texas

Where should we be looking, and what programs? He would like engineering but is ok with something non-STEM (government, maybe) for the right cultural fit. He has the GI Bill, but we still need to be reasonable with costs.

I have no idea which schools might be true safety schools, but maybe look into CNU. Some STEM options, more non-STEM options, is smaller, with a well knit student community, and at least one ROTC option. Years ago, when first spun out from W&M, it was a commuter school, but now it has many FT students from out of the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH sneered at Mass Maritome. Is he just being petty?

I would not say petty, but US MMA is a better option than Mass Maritime for someone who wants to go into one of the Uniformed Services, including NOAA Officer Corps, USCG, and other non-military services, in addition to the military services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her kid wants Coast Guard, which is totally different from Navy or Army. I have no idea why people are suggesting ROTC or West Point. He should apply to the USCGA (where he might be accepted) and the USMMA (where he probably will and from which he can commission into the Coast Guard) and a couple of civilian safeties (where the presence or absence of ROTC shouldn't be a factor because he's not interested).

USMMA acceptance rate is only a tad higher than the USCGA, and you commission into the USNR, not USCG or USCGR. I wouldn't consider this a backup plan.

Wrong in every respect.

The USMMA is pretty transparent with its application data (at least for a service academy). It's here: https://www.usmma.edu/class-profile . For the class of 2026, 444 applicants completed their applications, were academically qualified, and were medically qualified (i.e., the "Met Selection Criteria" row). Of those, 419 (94.4%) were offered appointments. Acceptance rates were lower in previous years, but always north of 72%.

More USMMA graduates join the Navy than the other armed forces, but they can join any (including both NOAA and the USPHS as well as the Coast Guard) to fulfill their service obligation through active service. https://www.usmma.edu/after-graduation/obligation-compliance . The Class of 2023 had 57 grads enter active service (rather than the reserves): "10 graduates were commissioned into the Army, 23 were commissioned into the Navy, 3 were commissioned into the Air Force, 11 were commissioned into the Marine Corps, and 10 were commissioned into the Coast Guard." https://www.usmma.edu/about/communications/us-merchant-marine-academy-graduates-212-officers-class-2023

A kid with his heart set on the USCG absolutely should apply to the USMMA as a backup option to the USCGA. And the ignorant posters on this chain should just stop.

Apologies. Niche says 25% to the USCGA's 19%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her kid wants Coast Guard, which is totally different from Navy or Army. I have no idea why people are suggesting ROTC or West Point. He should apply to the USCGA (where he might be accepted) and the USMMA (where he probably will and from which he can commission into the Coast Guard) and a couple of civilian safeties (where the presence or absence of ROTC shouldn't be a factor because he's not interested).

USMMA acceptance rate is only a tad higher than the USCGA, and you commission into the USNR, not USCG or USCGR. I wouldn't consider this a backup plan.

Wrong in every respect.

The USMMA is pretty transparent with its application data (at least for a service academy). It's here: https://www.usmma.edu/class-profile . For the class of 2026, 444 applicants completed their applications, were academically qualified, and were medically qualified (i.e., the "Met Selection Criteria" row). Of those, 419 (94.4%) were offered appointments. Acceptance rates were lower in previous years, but always north of 72%.

More USMMA graduates join the Navy than the other armed forces, but they can join any (including both NOAA and the USPHS as well as the Coast Guard) to fulfill their service obligation through active service. https://www.usmma.edu/after-graduation/obligation-compliance . The Class of 2023 had 57 grads enter active service (rather than the reserves): "10 graduates were commissioned into the Army, 23 were commissioned into the Navy, 3 were commissioned into the Air Force, 11 were commissioned into the Marine Corps, and 10 were commissioned into the Coast Guard." https://www.usmma.edu/about/communications/us-merchant-marine-academy-graduates-212-officers-class-2023

A kid with his heart set on the USCG absolutely should apply to the USMMA as a backup option to the USCGA. And the ignorant posters on this chain should just stop.

Apologies. Niche says 25% to the USCGA's 19%.

I thought basing admissions rates off incomplete applications and making a school look more selective than it really is wasn't allowed anymore. If I recall correctly, the USNA was one of the worst offenders, so I find it hard to believe the USMMA is doing the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her kid wants Coast Guard, which is totally different from Navy or Army. I have no idea why people are suggesting ROTC or West Point. He should apply to the USCGA (where he might be accepted) and the USMMA (where he probably will and from which he can commission into the Coast Guard) and a couple of civilian safeties (where the presence or absence of ROTC shouldn't be a factor because he's not interested).

USMMA acceptance rate is only a tad higher than the USCGA, and you commission into the USNR, not USCG or USCGR. I wouldn't consider this a backup plan.

Wrong in every respect.

The USMMA is pretty transparent with its application data (at least for a service academy). It's here: https://www.usmma.edu/class-profile . For the class of 2026, 444 applicants completed their applications, were academically qualified, and were medically qualified (i.e., the "Met Selection Criteria" row). Of those, 419 (94.4%) were offered appointments. Acceptance rates were lower in previous years, but always north of 72%.

More USMMA graduates join the Navy than the other armed forces, but they can join any (including both NOAA and the USPHS as well as the Coast Guard) to fulfill their service obligation through active service. https://www.usmma.edu/after-graduation/obligation-compliance . The Class of 2023 had 57 grads enter active service (rather than the reserves): "10 graduates were commissioned into the Army, 23 were commissioned into the Navy, 3 were commissioned into the Air Force, 11 were commissioned into the Marine Corps, and 10 were commissioned into the Coast Guard." https://www.usmma.edu/about/communications/us-merchant-marine-academy-graduates-212-officers-class-2023

A kid with his heart set on the USCG absolutely should apply to the USMMA as a backup option to the USCGA. And the ignorant posters on this chain should just stop.

OP here. Unfortunately, they don't accept presidential nominations. Our fault, of course, but we weren't prepared to need a Congressional one. Appreciate the information, though.

[Anonymous]

The Citadel
Hampton University