Parents don't want me to go...

SteezyMug
Tue, 01 Mar 2016 01:39:19 +0000

Let me start out by mentioning that I am 18 years old and will be accepting my appointment whether my parents approve or not. I was just wondering how other people dealt with disapproving parents, especially when they have been accepted.

For one, I have been accepted to a highly ranked university already, which would set me up nicely for a pre-med or pre-law degree (my Dad is a doctor and is upset that I don’t want med school). Also, my Dad wanted to go to an academy when he was a kid, did boy scouts, etc., but was dqed for colorblindness. So maybe some bitterness to the military?

I mentioned that USMA was my top choice at dinner tonight, which was apparently surprising because up until now I had mainly focused on USNA. What followed was a diatribe about how my room was always dirty, I didn’t belong there…followed by a quiz on military history. I’m gonna be honest, I don’t know much military history - perhaps embarrassingly little. But in my mind, West Point accepted me for reasons other than basic info that can be learned. I don’t feel like I should have to prove to my Dad that I belong at an academy (and I strongly believe I do) when the academy itself has already decided I am fit to attend.

If you read the long post, thanks. Any tips to make med-school focused parents change their mind?