United States Naval Academy

If you want to succeed and you actually put for the effort to do so, you will succeed. If you expect this place to change you like magic, it won't. Only those who have it within themselves to grow and develop will truly see the value of this institution. In the end, there is no doubt that we are proud of saying that we attend the Academy. It's all about the people with whom you live. As for academics, how many other students can say that they can walk in at 2100 go to the lab, and ask the professor for help. The good thing is that the professors are here to teach, not to do their own work. Now that is a learning environment. As for social life, sure we can't go out during the week (if you aren't a senior) but we "work hard, play hard." It's so great being in the middle of downtown Annapolis. Urban city, col

3rd Year Male -- Class 2014

Education Quality: A+, Individual Value: D

I went to Navy unsure of whether the Navy would be my career or a place to get started. I went to a public high school in a blue collar town and during my plebe year I wasn't sure I was going to survive the barrage of academics, military responsibilities and a very harsh military environment. It wasn't much fun. At some point along the way, around my junior year, I started to realize that I just might graduate. Upon graduation, I spent five years serving aboard two ships and then left the Navy to attend graduate school for an MBA and ultimately to pursue a business career. Twenty five years later, I have an appreciation for what this institution did for me and what it does for our country. My classmates are in many walks of life. Astronauts, hedge fund managers, CEOs, social workers and ministers. Even a former NBA player who now runs and investment fund and overseas an inner city school for disadvantaged youth. If you have a chance to go here and you are willing to skip the usual college experience, and you feel a sense of duty and service, this is the place for you. But don't come here for someone else or because of the school's prestige. I saw many who did this who didn't make it. You really have to want it, but if you do, it is am amazing place that will unlock opportunities that you would never have dreamed of.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Though many people complain about their service academy experience (especially the dropouts, in some perhaps effort to self-validate their decision), it is a hard-but-strongly positive life altering experience to go there, succeed, and graduate. The Upper classmen can be jerks, and creativity is not found here in droves (I came from a creative world of artists and authors), but if "you never quit you will never fail", and this includes finding creative venues, and means to serve in a way each midshipman can best do. I left with improving grades in a math major but nothing stellar,, and early in my life I always felt USNA helped me develop alot of social "baggage". But in the life picture now looking back, and as I stand 3 decades later, with a PhD (I learned the discipline to obtain it from USNA), decades of difficult aviation under pressure, the vast opportunities to be in the middle of countless superb leadership trials, the chance to command and rund large intitutions of a complexity more than most CEOs, I can tell you, I owe a vast debt of gratitude to my USNA experience. IMHO, you do not have to be severely extroverted, conservative, hostile to the creative juices, to succeed at USNA -- where foremost you learn to succeed under great pressure, juggling emotional, professional and academic challenges few 18 year olds would know before entry. Whether or not one makes a career of the Navy after USNA, the experience will make you a "quiet" force unlike few other experiences can, no matter your makeup. Not unlike the transformation crossing the finish line of one's first marathon race, it can give you inner and outer tools that will help for life, not to mention school recognition and networking utility (which I have found extremely positive, and tends to give my Harvard buds a run for their money )... In any case, be careful about buying my, or anyone's strong advice on any academy without first researching closely, if it's for you. You should look at as much of the concerns as the cool hype. Those who tend to wrankle at their USNA experience often never overcame their hurt about not completing such a hard regimen. If you have a faint heart, don't go unless your goal is to improve your fortitude, and tackle your personal "Mount Everest". I had many issues with the place, I did not to supergreat, and my creative background made it VERY heard while I was there... but man, I got life tools you cannot get except perhaps in battle (or something like SERE school) itself. I would recommend the place, scars and all. Decades later I remain successful in life - and completely owe that to USNA.

4th Year Male -- Class 1983

Collaboration/Competitive: A+, Innovation: C-