United States Naval Academy Top Questions

Visit as many colleges as possible - reading pamphlets and web sites is not enough! If possible, schedule an overnight visit at your top choices, and talk to students in your prospective major. As far as the actual college experience, take risks and get involved, and try new activities- the worst that can happen is that you don't like something, and best case scenario you find something you're passionate about and make friends who share the sentiment.

don't fuck up

Choose a college that has what you want and you feel will be the best place for you to fit in.

If you aren't happy change schools. Have fun and take part in whatever social, extracurricular and/or sport activities you want to but always keep in mind why you are at the institution- to learn...and set yourself up for a job afterwards. Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something- never limit yourself. Set goals and achieve them. Do not rule out service to your country, whether it be in the military or otherwise. Often college students lose a sense of direction and purpose because colleges do not promote those things (they would rather that you wander lost and spend more money that you do not have to waste your time with them) but service to something greater than self will help you regain that.

Before making the decision to attend a certain college make sure you talk with someone who has already attended that college. The next four years of your life will be affected by your decision. Try to figure out what you want to study or at least what kind of job you want to go into before choosing your school. Decide what is more important to you; academic success or social activity. Balance your work time and you play time and don't get too caught up in either one. Social development in my opinion is just as important as academic development when leading other people. You must learn how to deal with others.

I don't need this scholarship. I just did the survey to help prospective students decide if the US Naval Academy was right for them.

Go see as many schools as you can and talk to as many people as you can. You can never have enough information about a school.

Start early. Start asking questions at age 10, even 8. Life long learning and achievement begins with curiousity and knowing what you would want to be--whatever and however many they are.

Choose a school that focuses on what you are most interested in doing after college, but also one that allows for other options if you change your mind. If you do not know what you want to do after college, choose one with a move balanced curriculum that exposes you to your different choices.

There is a mad rush to get everything done the "right" way. Hurry with the application process and get everything turned in on time, but take the time to visit different kinds of colleges prior to submitting applications: large, small, greek-life driven, etc...; however, remember that all the research in the world is just research - you're personal integration and experience with the college will come with time. Don't get to wound-up about the process because it's going to work out and if you chose the right place, you'll have a good time. The right place is the student's decision and ease in deliberation is a factor of how much time was spent in research. I chose on a whim, at the last moment, for a whole slew of reasons, but that doesn't mean that my decision was rushed or uninformed. Maybe you'll get this gut feeling and remember that when you do, run with it.