Why did you choose your college?

Well, the letter from the Air Force said you have been accepted you are going to Arizona State Univ. And, since they were paying the bills ........

I was reckless as a teen. No trouble with the law, just trying hard to win the Darwin Award by "adventure". My father sat down with me at the end of my Sophomore year in High School and told me that unlike my older brother and sister, he had serious doubts that I would live to be 25. Because of those concerns, he would not pay for my college until I had "proven" that I was not a "dead man walking." So I talked to a Navy recruiter.

I always had good grades and a fairly impressive resume in sports, extracurriculars, and community organizations. Next thing I know a Navy "Blue and Gold" officer is helping me fill out applications for NROTC and USNA then similar assistance arrived for USMA, and USAFA. I was accepted at USNA and several other Universities. I knew I was going to need a disciplined environment. USNA just seemed like the best fit to me.

I wanted an online college with a good reputation and everyone I knew had a bad taste for CTC. Phoenix didn't have a reputation but AMU had a great one from what I heard and read.

My undergrad and Masters were primarily based on the the programs offered and if the school accepted TA and TA rates. My doctorate program based solely on the program the college offered and the reputation of the college. I do plan on attending college when I exit out of the military. Location, proximity, costs, and reputation are going to play a major part in my decision-making process.

For my undergraduate I chose my college because it is affiliated with the Church I went to (Linfield College, Oregon).

For my Master's it was because the tuition was cheaper than in state tuition at a State University and it was started by a retired Colonel for veterans and service members. At the time I was trying to get back in the service (in vain) and wanted a college with a flexible schedule (American Military University).

I opted for Excelsior (Bachelors) based on their liberal arts program in management. I am with Liberty for my Masters because their human services programs are respected and their theological teachings align with my personal beliefs. The tuition for their Masters is also the same as their Bachelors which works perfect with TA, no out of pocket expenses besides rental books.

Reed College for undergrad because I liked the philosophy of the school (teaching broadly) and Rice University for grad school because the housing in Houston is cheap and I could afford an apartment on grad student pay.

I attended UNCW ... primarily because of its proximity to Camp Lejeune.

Locale and access. CONUS/OCONUS.

It was free... sort of !!! USNA '97