The OP is already a consumer of the SA forum, but she is correct that the herd over there is less impartial than the crowd here.
Lots of good thoughts have been posted so far, but I do scratch my head a bit over this indecision lasting months when the two choices could not be more different. Both lead to a commission if that’s the main goal, but the college experiences are worlds apart, and I can’t imagine anyone drawn to one being equally drawn to the other. @STF4717’s comment about USNA (any academy) being “uncollege” is an apt description. Navy even sells tee-shirts that say “NOT College.”
Personally, other than cost, I don’t see the attraction to the academies. If officership is the goal, the ROTC programs get the same job done with much less pain and a better college experience. And even the current and former officers who moderate over on the SA forums admit and have posted links to data showing that academy grads in this century no longer have any military career advantage over ROTC officers. And, of course, former USNA professor Bruce Fleming has been vocal in his opinion of the academies for years:
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/opinion/21fleming.html?emc=eta1
@C1nj: The “future officer” in your son will end up with a commission from either source, but he needs to decide if he wants 24x7 military immersion while earning it or a normal college experience. Both can provide him the academic and intellectual challenge he seeks though he may need to find his peers initially and advocate for himself among the faculty brain trust at USNA. But don’t be misled — USNA absolutely can deliver on the intellectual front.
As others, including me, have said upthread, if your son truly is still conflicted, he can try USNA commitment-free for two years and still have Ivy transfer prospects, assuming he retains top academic status amid the relentless physical and military requirements at the academy. If he stays and graduates in the top half of his class, he will also have fine prospects for a top-notch grad program also at government expense.
TLDR: Your son really can’t go wrong either way. He will be intellectually satisfied and a Naval officer regardless of his choice. He just needs to decide which college experience he prefers.