Decision on transferring to West Point

shananicole
Tue, 15 Apr 2014 05:10:59 +0000

I am in a situation at the moment and am completely torn. But first, I must explain my background and how everything came to be where it is.

First off, I was in the United States Army Reserves and just recently switched to Army National Guard and my goal is to go active duty when I get done with college; which I am currently at the University of Cincinnati. When I was at drill one day, while still in the Reserves, my Lieutenant Colonel, a West Point grad, asked if I would consider applying to West Point. Because I am already an enlisted soldier, I would not need a nomination from my congressman or senator, just from him and my Commander. After thinking about it, I decided to give it a shot, thinking there was no way I could get in anyway because I did not have the greatest ACT scores in high school, just a really good GPA. I thought it was an honor to be applying and would not hurt to give it a shot, I mean I absolutely love the military and want to make it my career anyway.

The only reason holding me back from going all out for West Point is the fact that I love my life here at UC and I am happier here than I have ever been. I have a house I am moving into next semester with my roommates, who are like my siblings; a boyfriend here; school tuition that is 100% paid for; rent paid for through my GI Bill from Basic Combat Training; a program where I will be done with my undergraduate degree within two years and able to get my masters degree in one year; a campus that I absolutely adore; and a family close by that I am super connected with.

Yet, I think of going to West Point, getting out of Ohio, which I have always wanted to do. Being in a military atmosphere, one with structure, which is what I work best in; getting a top notch education that will set me up for my future when I retire from the military; 5 years guaranteed active duty with the ability to go to Airborne School and more; being the best soldier I can be; relearning what I have forgotten in Basic Training due to the fact that I only have drill once a month; becoming the best soldier I can be; and getting once in a lifetime shot to do something that most people couldn’t do or wouldn’t be able to get to do.

All of this was in my mind, but again, I never thought I would be good enough to get in, so I pushed it to the back of my mind. What I had going for me in my application was the fact I was already an enlisted soldier, I have never had anything but a 300 score on my PT tests, and my Lieutenant Colonel and Brigadier General gave me letters of recommendation.

About a month ago, I received an email from the director of admissions asking for my college transcripts because he was deciding whether to put me in the actual Academy or the Prep School. Since then, my mind has been on constant swivel for what I really want in my life. I have not received an acceptance letter yet, but if I do, I want to be prepared…

If I do get into the prep school or the Academy, will I be able to make it through the academics? Because I am not that smart, I am just a hard worker. I have also been wondering whether I will go to the Academy or Prep School and miss the university and friends I left behind; whereas, I could remain here, get through my undergraduate and graduate degree, go to Officer Candidate School, and then go active duty. Yet, I want to be the best I can be in the military, which I feel West Point will best prepare me for.

I have supportive friends and family, who are behind me whatever I choose, which almost makes it a harder decision. I know I have not received anything yet, and might be jumping the gun; yet, I just want to be prepared because of the email I received from the director.

Thank you for reading this long discussion and I would love to hear your advice. I want to serve my country active duty when I am done with college no matter what, it is just the route that I want to go that I am trying to decide.