HILLHOUSE COLLEGE ADVISING

Naval and Marine ROTC vs. the Naval Academy: Which Path Is Right for You?

6/28/2025

by Lisa Hillhouse, Independent Educational Consultant, Hillhouse College and Career Advising, LLC

When students tell me they want to attend the Naval Academy, my first question is always: Why?
I also ask about their alternate plans, since the Academy is highly selective. Many families aren’t familiar with Naval and Marine ROTC—or may not realize it offers a fantastic pathway to becoming an officer.

What Is Naval ROTC and the Marine Corps Option?

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a leadership program offered at 66 host colleges, with additional access via crosstown schools. Midshipmen are full-time students who train part-time during the academic year and on summer cruises. ROTC has the same end goal: to commission as Naval ensigns or Marine Corps second lieutenants upon graduation.
Marine-option candidates train within the Naval ROTC battalion. After freshman year, academic courses and military training paths diverge.

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How Parents Can Support (Not Derail) the College Process

6/15/2025

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-By Lisa Hillhouse, IEC, Founder, Hillhouse College and Career Advising, LLC

If you’re reading this, you might be a parent of a teen, a professional working with young people, or perhaps both. You likely understand how influential a caring adult can be in the college search process. But even with the best intentions, parents can sometimes unintentionally get in the way.

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Naval and Marine ROTC vs. the Naval Academy: Which Path Is Right for You?

How Parents Can Support (Not Derail) the College Process

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