NROTC Scholarship Essay

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The decision to attend North Carolina State University was not a simplistic process. Many variables needed to be assessed and evaluated in order to make a sound and confident choice on my advanced education. I initiated this process through narrowing down schools by my academic major. With this limitation, the number of colleges on the playing field was significantly reduced, as there are roughly one dozen universities offering a nuclear engineering major. I then placed another restricting factor on my search: my ideal university must have a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Unit. This was significant as I was concurrently applying for the National NROTC Scholarship, which must be applied to a school hosting an NROTC Unit. The Scholarship …show more content…

At square one of my journey, I faced hundreds of potential choices, but I was able to reduce that daunting number by adding stipulations and conditions that I viewed as necessary. After realizing those actions were not enough to reduce the number of choices, I reverted to personally experiencing each choice, allowing me to fully develop a large picture and accurate depiction of the remaining options. It was only after a final, careful analysis of my top choices did I realize the best selection to pursue in the event my ultimate first choice—USNA—did not occur. This process also reinforced the need to take risks; I confirmed my admission at NC State by leaving a non-refundable deposit, knowing I would select USNA if accepted. Disregarding how I desired to attend USNA, I realized the need to secure a concrete secondary route in the event my first and ideal selection did not materialize. When my first selection did not come through, the overall college admissions process reminded me that the top and ideal option will not always work, no matter the situation. This process proved that sound alternatives are a must, and although they may take someone a different route, they have the potential leading to equivalent or more successful end

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