United States Naval Academy Top Questions

The best advice that I could give to myself as a high school senior is to make decisions based on what I personally value and what makes me happiest. There are so many outside pressures that come into play when picking a college and then on to pick a major and so on and so forth. It is always important to keep in mind what I personally want, not what others want for me. If you make decisions to make someone else happy you will be unhappy yourself and then become stuff between a rock and hard place. These decisions will form the rest of your life past what you are living now. They will form who you become friends with, what kind of job you'll have and everything else that comes along with living in the real world. Your values are the most important when making decisions that will impact your entire life.

These will definitely be the happiest four years of your life. Unfortunately, these will also be some of the hardest, most arduous, years of your life too. In college you will feel on top of the world and utterly defeated (sometimes in the same day). Remember that you’re not doing anything wrong if you’re having a hard time. And before you jump to any conclusions about how much happier everyone else is, and how much more fun they’re having than you, go sit down and talk to a friend. You’d be surprised by how many people feel lost and directionless at least some point in their college careers.

College is not easy. For the first time students are thrust from their home into a world where every meal is not made for them, their laundry is not magically clean every morning, and their friends and family are not there to help them with difficult situations. My greatest discovery at college was how you never really know how much you enjoy something until it is not there to enjoy. With that knowledge, I would tell myself as a high school senior to not take for granted anything that I had. I would tell myself to squeeze tighter and hold on longer during every hug; to laugh a little harder and a little louder with my friends; to roll on the floor with my dogs and give them an extra belly-rub; to slow-down and cherish the home cooked meals; to thank my parents and listen to them more; and to spend an extra hour under the stars talking about nothing with my girlfriend. College is new, exciting, and different. But there are no dogs to rub against you after school, no home-cooked meals to engorge yourself with, and no mom or dad to say I love you.

I've waited over ten years to attend this college. Sometime life can get in the way of your goals. With hard work, determination and patience, I am finally attending the school of my dreams. You just have to have a passion for what you believe in and never give up!

Beyond a fantastic education, the Naval Academy has assisted me in becoming a well rounded individual. I am not only involved in academics but the Naval Academy has given me the oppertunity to start the first academy women's golf team. While my experience at the Academy taught me disipline, respect for authority and an understanding of the improtance of team work, I was forced to leave the academy after my sophmore year. This is due to an injury that I sustained during physical training at the Academy. While at my new institution, my experiences at the Naval Academy have transformed me into a strong student that is able quickly addapt. Since transfering, I have been at the College of William and Mary for one semester and I am a leader in three extracuricular activities and I have a GPA of 3.8. The greatest advantage that the academy gave me was the confidence and the skill set to succede regardless of my surroundings.

I have gained knowledge in just my first semester in college that I had never attained before in my life, and that is in the departments of photojournalism and astro-physics. Even after being a photographer years prior to my first semester, I have already learned information and technique that has shed a whole new light on what I do for a living. It showed me that photography isn't just a beautiful picture, it's a beautiful moment accompanied by an amazing story that may have never been told before. Astro-physics, on the other hand, completely blew my mind. I gained an unbelievable amount of insight about our universe, and it put such a raw interest in my heart for science that had never been there before. Ever since, i have been truly obsessed with the cosmos and astronomy science and I can really say that it has had one of the most mentally and educationally inspiring influences on my life today.

With all honesty, the beginning of my college career has been a very rocky and very unsure road. Coming into the "new world," I was truly unaware of the responsibilites attached to this pursuit of higher education. I was unfamiliar of the life, the responsibilites, and lastly, I was unfamiliar with my true self and what I wanted to pursue in life. Throughout my journey, though with a rough start and many changes in what I wanted to focus on, I finally found my true life's motive. My college experience allowed me to explore an unfamilar atmosphere, interect with others and ultimately discover myself. If the college experience does anything, it's allows students to find who they are, no matter how long it takes and what obsticles they faced to get a hold of their place in life. It also matures undergraduates as they face the real life responsibilties that are placed upon their shoulders. Attending college opened my eyes, guided me, broke me down then made me stronger. This is why I value my college career and I'm proud to say that I am currently a Computer Information Systems major with many goals ahead.

From my college experience, I have learned that you can't always do what you want to do. Being in college is a whole new world and in order to succeed, you have to put aside some personal things and do the school work and learn to manage your time wisely. Life will be like that in the business world and learning to do it in college will make tings easier to do once you have your degree. Lessons learned here, such as time management and deciding between what you want to do and what you need to do are some things of great value I've gained since being a college student at The United States Naval Academy.

i have received a lot from the little college that I have already had. The classes are great and the teachers are better. The teachers here actually care about how you do in your classes and want you to go on to do great things in our lives. I really enjoy the campus life here on the campus. There are so many people here and all of them of different backgrounds. It really has been a great experience so far to be attending college. It is so different from high school, but at the same time, i feel the comfort of being in a safe environment. I love the college I am attending at the time and I am happy that I made the choice to come to college. Without college, I would be struggling with bills and all kinds of different problems. However, I am working hard here at Victoria College to get a better education to get a better future.

During my two and a half years here, I have learned that the academic aspect of school is only part of the experience. Having different leadership postitions has afforded me the opportunity to develop myself mentally and emotionally for my future in the military world. I have learned a great deal about how to relate to people on a more personal level in order to motivate them at their jobs. I have also learned that rules, although purposeful, have situations where they can and must be broken in order to do the "right" thing. When put in a situation where I must chose between breaking the rules while helping someone and obeying the rules and ignoring someone else's misfortune, I know for a fact that I will do whatever I can to help that person, even if it means getting myself in trouble. Selflessness is the ingredient that our society today lacks. If this virtue is reinstated as an important value once more, society would begin to make the changes that are necessary to solve communal, national, and even as far reaching as international issues. The opportunity to cultivate this virtue in myself is what college has given me.

I would tell myself to keep doing exactly what you are doing. Making good grades and keeping my head in school. Do not let outside problems effect your studies. No matter how bad your life seems or how frustrating juggling school, job, family, and boyfriend all together is, do not give up! Going to college is not as hard as you may think. The first day, not really sure where to go and not knowing who anyone is scary but not near as bad as you think it will be. Do not be afraid to ask questions. That is what the staff is there for. Do not assume that you are the only person in class that does not have a clue what you are doing. Believe me you are not the only one. Keep up the good work and keep your head on straight.

Live life for the moment before it's gone. Make the best decisions you can make based on your instinct and advice from your friends. Live, laugh, and love and try to live without regrets. Make close friends and keep them near your heart as they will help you make it through the rought times in life. Enjoy what you have, make wise decisions that you can always live with and never lower your standards for anyone. Stand up for what you believe in because there are probably others out there with the same idea that are too afraid to speak up for what they believe is right. Learn how to love yourself.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would tell myself to learn how to study and concentrate. In college, your parents are no longer there to motivate you or force you to study. Instead, you have to take it upon yourself to do what needs to be done, which is difficult considering the multitude of distractions that college presents. In high school, it is possible to get an A in a class simply by doing the homework and listening when the teacher talks. In college however, extra studying is necessary for any grade above a C. Class is no longer a reiteration of the materials covered by the homework, but a whole mess of new information. While note taking helps you remember the information, if one doesn't study those notes it becomes almost impossible to truly learn the material.

What would tell myself would be to make up your mind if you want to go to college in the the 10 grade, because it really does matter . What you do after high school. Life is about choice ,but as time goes on they become less of a priority and in todays world you need school more then you would ever know . To make it .

I'd warn myself that things will never be the same as high school. Old friends move on and you'll have to as well. Go in with an open mind, participate in multiple ECA's, and take a break to have some fun once in a while

Read and apply the principles presented in Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The advice and strategies for identifying the most important things and arranging the schedule to maintain focus on those things.

Run more, get in better shape.

Work out more. Learn to manage time a bit better.

I would have told myself to really spend a lot more time evaluating what college would be a good fit for me. Take time and do some soul searching to figure out if how others view you might be more accurate than how you view yourself. I would have told myself to visit more campuses and see if the school i choose has values that are in line with my own, and that if my values were to change, if the school i choose has room to accomidate and facilitate my personal growth.

I would better prepare myself in sports in order to be more competitive on the high school level, I have no other regrets.

DO YOUR RESEARCH!! Just because it sounds good at the time, doesn't necessarily make it so. Being naive is part of being young; but when you're talking about your future, you want to be as informed as you possibly can. Those college reps that come to your high school get paid to make it sound like their school "is everything you've ever been looking for". That's their job and they get paid because they're good at it! So do your homework. Research the program, the school, the instructors. Learn everything you possibly can and make the decision that feels right for you!

Stay focused. Going ROTC would be easier than this but you wouldn't have the same satisfaction. Its worth it.

Take high school classes more seriously and learn as much as you can, because college is no cake walk! But don't take high school life too seriously, enjoy it while you can, because you will grow up and things will change. Being an adult is usually not as much fun as being a kid!

Before graduation, I would focus on finding myself and becoming confident that I can do anything I put myself up against. At the Naval Academy, you have no time to waver and be vulnerable because the upperclass are constantly throwing many changes, rules, and regulations at you trying to influence you. Even though it is a military school, the Naval Academy is a place where people have to be individuals and still obey the military codes. My overall advice would be to find yourself before you enroll here so that you can be strong to accept the changes of becoming a service member but still be a real person inside.

Do not pick the school you will attend based on prestige or financial restrictions. The most important aspect of choosing the college that is right for you is focusing on a school that will maximize your potential to succeed both while you attend the university and after you graduate. The future is a very uncertain thing. The best way to prepare for it is to attend a school that will challenge you significantly, but also one that allows for even greater levels of achievement should you choose to push yourself to those new heights. Despite what you may think, no matter how challenging a university may appear to be you will be able to slide by without much effort if you choose to. What you need to look for in a school is a place where you will be able to push yourself to maximize your potential, not a school that will try to do this for you. Do not sell yourself short by going to a school that will ask little of you and to which you will give little in return. In short, you only have a short time to prepare for tomorrow. Don?t waste it.

Don't expect it to be easy, BUT know that you can do it. Every year almost 1000 people finish their four years at USNA and recieve commissions. It is completely doable. Don't be worried about water polo or swimming owning your life, it is very possible to succeed academically while competing to at the highest levels for your school. Enjoy the little things in life, because you will be so busy at times that those are the only things you'll get. While other times you'll get to experience some really unique things that the Navy does. Be open to making friends immediately. From I-Day onwards, your classmates will be your path to success. The friends you make here and the bonds you form will be the strongest ones in your life and will last forever. That said, if you have found the right person already and they are willing to spend time away from you, it is possible to keep a significant other all four years. Its called the 2{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} club, its hard, but like anything here, its possible. That phrase sums up the Naval Academy: if you want it enough, anything is possible here.

Students need to pick the college best fit for them. It shouldn't matter where a student's parents want him to go, it should be up to the student. If the parents pick for him, the student will always be asking what if and never be truly happy. Once a student gets to college, he needs to find his niche and stick with it. Regardless of whether the student is attending a party school or a military school, life is definitely going to be different than anything he has ever experienced. The student needs to not get caught up in all of college's extracurricular activities. Sure he should be able to go out and have fun, but he should always remember the reason he is attending college, to get an education.

Finding the ?right college? is a clandestine term; for some right may mean affordable and for others it may mean carrying on a family legacy. I offer my advice coming from someone who made their own decision against their parents. I attend the United States Naval Academy and chose to transfer from another university. My parents enjoyed the fact that I was close to home and relatively safe. My dream, ever since I was in 8th grade, was to attend the Naval Academy. I was denied the first time I applied, but I chose to reapply my freshman year in college in 2007. I was accepted in 2008 and finished my first year in 2009. Coming from a very liberal family, the military holds a negative stigma in my house. My parents were unsure as to why I made this decision and disagreed, but I have never felt better about myself. Following my own heart and mind was the best thing I ever did and I would suggest that to any student. To the parents: let your children decide for themselves, it is the first major step in their lives and they should make it on their own.

When choosing the college, focus on the atmosphere. How do the students interact with each other? How are the classes structured? I like organization and structure, so I chose the Naval Academy. I like how people here depend on each other and I like how working this way will make me a better person. When at college, your attitude will determine your experience. Make the most of every opportunity and dont let yourself become frustrated with anything. I'm in an environment in which I have very little control, but I make the most of everything with a smile on my face. It is because of this that I loved my experience thus far in a college that I easily could've become cynical and unhappy with my life. Attitude is everything.

The best way for me to figure out what I thought of the campus I was visiting was to pay attention to how people interacted with each other. Admissions will give you a planned and rehearsed presentation. That is all well and good, but does not always give the true feeling of the school. Take the time to wander around campus and just observe how people treat each other, are they happy, are they talking or are they walking with their head down and Ipod in? All of these things reflect the atmosphere of the school. Lastly, Do Not go to a school to please anyone but yourself. Otherwise, you will not do well and probably wont last.

Really take the time and make the effort to visit school you want to attend. Especially if it is a service academy, take the time to ask questions and dig around. Do not just be "wowed" by the nice building and scenery. Grab an enrolled student or alumni and really get to know what's going on at the school. Take a tour or even spend the night one weekend and see if it is everything you want. As far as the student-athlete making a choice. Make sure the program is everything the coaches are selling to you. Talk to players on the team, and inquire the about their daily routine. Are they able to get an adequate amount of rest? Are they able to get their work done? Talk all this over with your parents, counselor, and maybe even your friends. Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions of your life, so make sure you make the right choice the first time.

Finding the right college is hard work and you should really and trully visit the campuses and research the schools. It's nothing like paying all this money for education but not get what you was looking for. Students and parents should take their time and know that this decision is for the next for years of their lives and they would want to make the right one. Students should know that college is definately for getting the degree for a great career , but students should take advantage of all the extracurricular activites around campus. Going to college is not just about the classroom, students should socialize and network with others, and just enjoy the college experience.

For undergraduate, building a pedigree doesn't matter. Get your 4 year college educ ation at the lowest price or with as many scholarships as you can. Then for your graduate degree, work on a prestigious place. There are so many people who waste $40k a year at these ridiculously expensive colleges just so they get a fancy piece of paper with their name on it and a pile of debt the size of Texas. Put the study hours in and you won't be let down. Use your friends as study aides. Be courteous to your roommate. Be mindful with your money, join the military (it's great), call your parents every weekend, don't drink too much, if you cheat, may you cheat death. If you steal, may you steal a woman's heart. If you fight, may you fight for a brother. And if you drink, drink to the night. Cheers! Long live college life!

First of all, before you even begin to visit colleges and take tours, sit down either by yourself or with your parents, and get a general idea of what YOU want. Do you want a small school or a large school? Are you planning on studying humanities or math and science? What do you want to do after college? Then, once you have an idea of what you want, go to colleges and ask questions! But don't really pay attention to what the tour guides have to say. Try to talk to just regular students about what life is really like at the campus. Because tour guides and the "official" image of the school only ever show you the best parts of the school. Ask about the bad parts. Every school has them, and it's important for you to know all the facts. But bottom line, go with your gut and with what you want. You are the one who has to attend the college for 4 years, not your parents or friends. Do what you want.

Find a college that mirrors the person you are and what you want in life. Don't settle for the expectations of parents, friends, and the aspects of a college that don't define you. Pick the school that you want for yourself and the school you want for the right reasons. Remember to think about your future beyond college in your decision and make, probably, the first most important decision of your life. Most of all, find a college that will develop you in the ways in which you see your future self when you look in the mirror.

Look at yourself and figure out your values and talents - not what your parents or your friends - and find a college that embodies those values and lets you expand on your talents and build on them. In this way, the college you find will bring out the best in you and you will be a better person for it. When you find the right college, do not hit the cruise control and just coast through. College has a lot to offer, but you will only get out of it what you put into it. Make every effort to improve yourself and take advantage of the opportunities that you are presented with.

Take the ACT/SAT as many times as possible; apply early; have a number of back-ups; really research where you want to go to school.

While applying to college, systematically list out what is most important to you (e.i., the things you want to be a part of your college experience). Examples would include academic strength, cost, location, social scene, and so on. Through reading and exploration, find a few colleges or universities that best fit this list, and then rank them according to how well each fits your list of desired attributes. This was my method for selection, and I could not be happier with how my experience has turned out. As far as "getting the most of the college experience," I would suggest that you completely immerse yourself in what your school has to offer. Creating a good experience requires action on your part - you cannot sit in your dorm room and sulk about how your school is awful. If you get out and find out what your school is all about, you will enjoy your time much more.

Look at the long run. Go somewhere that you can afford so that when you come out, you aren't crippled by your financial burdens. Also, understand that the quality of teaching at each school is always different. Some schools are primarily research institutions where teaching is on the backburner in lieu of money-making research. Always keep that in mind.

DO IT

If you want to find the right college for you, you have to go see it for yourself and even spend a few days visiting. When you visit, immerse yourself in campus life, attend classes, stay in the dorm, and eat the food. Only after experiencing the aforementioned will you be able to truly decide what college you would like to attend. Not everyone is made to be a "Division I" athlete or go to the "Big State" just because they are a legacy or all their friends are doing it. Some of the best colleges and universities across the nation are small and often secluded. The most important thing to remember is to follow your heart and follow your instincts. If you step onto a campus and suddenly feel a sense of belonging, a sense of pride, and a desire to be there, you're probably in the right place. Once you're at the right college for you, the sky is the limit.

Talk to people that are most like you and determine the college from there.

Pick what bests fits your needs and desires.

keep looking

Make sure your kid is sure he or she wants to go where she wants to.

Don't give up on your dreams. The great thing about American education is that it rewards hard work and gives you the chance to do anything you want.

All too often, students tend to base their decisions for college on assumptions. When I was a senior in high school in FL, if you didn't go to FSU, UF or Miami, people thought you "didn't get into a good school." The fact of the matter is that every college has their specific strengths and weaknesses in terms of undergraduate and graduate studies, and more likely than not, the student will probably change their major AT LEAST once. Judge a school based upon statistics and the rank of the school in the major the student is interested in - people go to the Georgia Tech to be an engineer (not an English major), just as students go to St. John's in Annapolis for philosophy. In the end, the school should best reflect what the student wants to achieve in life and not the one that parties or tailgates the most of game days.

Figure out what you want in life. Figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are and decide whether you want to play to your stengths or develop your weaknesses. Then search for schools that will help you to do what you want in life. And then narrow down your list by deciding which schools will get you there in a manner you agree with. From there, decide which school you will feel more at home with. If you follow this plan, you can't lose. Remember, no place is perfect, but some are better than others.

Look for schools that have a good academic reputation overall. It's good to look for one that is known for a certain field but how many students change their mind once or many times? Schools that have many extra curricular activities will allow students to find something they enjoy to do outside of school even if it's just intramurals. Money shouldn't be the main concern because there are many ways to pay for school you just have to look. Most states will gives grants, especially for single parents. Scholarships are easy to come by too. The point is you have to go look for it because people will not approach you. One of the most importan things I found when choosing a college was actually visiting it and seeing the day to day activities of the students. As for making the most of your experience, work hard in class because it will pay off. Teachers will help you out. They love enthusiasm but again you have to ask for it. Don't forget to get away too. Go have fun and explore the city your college is in. You need to destress.

Don't go to the Naval Academy