Moody 1

Cayla Moody
Mr. Gresham/Ms. Weikert
English 12A
November 14, 2014
The Journey Ahead
As a senior in high school I have to make so many big decision that will change my
future forever. One decision that I can't make mind up on is either going to college or going to
the Navy. There are a lot of different factors that influence my decision such as cost, experience,
and the payoff in the long run. I plan to attend Western Kentucky University next fall, or either
go to the navy, and my dream school is Norfolk State.
Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which is like an
hour and forty-five minutes away from Evansville, Indiana. WKU is consider in -state for
Indiana residents, so it will be a lot cheaper than others coming from out of state. The current
tuition for in-state is $9,140 per year. Depending on what meal plan I would like to have, will
determine the cost a year; it will run from $2,274-3,340 per year (this is only if I stay on
campus). Also, for the room and board, it the choice of where I will stay on campus that
determines the pricing. This cost runs between $4,090- 4,500 yearly any time I stay on campus.
My last mandatory cost is my books. For a whole year, I will spend around $1000. This cost
could vary and be cheaper if I pick my resources and bargain wisely. Overall, my grand total for
attending Western Kentucky University my first year is $16,505-17,980 (WKU A Leading
American University with International Reach).
In addition, while attending WKU, I plan to major in criminology and maintain a GPA of
30+. To get into the criminology program, I will have to complete 34 credit hours of

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prerequisites (such as, intro to criminal justice, criminology, and social deviance). After I have
the completed the classes that are required I want to try go to get into the Master of Arts in
Criminology. This curriculum is comprised of 11 three-credit hour courses (total of 33 credit
hours). The MA in Criminology curriculum is comprised of 4 required courses (12 credit hours),
6 elective courses (18 credit hours), and 1 research tool course (3 credit hours) (College of
Education and Behavioral Sciences).
The other decision is going to serve in the Navy Reserve, but i feel like I will not make
through basic training because I am very fit. I will have undergo a lots of training in basic and
that prefer to start working on your body 6 months in advance. Physical training (PT) occurs
every morning and is comprised of aerobic or strength and conditioning exercises. I will be
required to complete a baseline Physical Readiness Test (PRT) at both the beginning and end of
my training. Upon completion of the course, I will be given a Personal Fitness Assessment (PFA)
to determine my fitness level (Americans Navy Reserve). Also I will be required to complete
swim test which have different requirements. The first test is module one which I will be
required to jump off a deep water abandon ship approximately 10 feet. Then I must swim 50
yards using only a stroke, then I must 5 minute prone float.
After completing the basic training I want to pursue my career in the navy doing the
business & legal which I want to be in the human resources department. If I do pursue a career
in business and legal I will look into the human resources side of it. Which includes providing
counseling related to Navy occupations; opportunities for general education; and job training,
promotion, rights and benefits(Americas Navy Reserve). Also since I dont have prior Navy
experience I will have to undergo basic training and also receive on the job training on and
frormal navy schooling for my duties in the navy human resources community. Also with all this

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training the benfits of that is everything will be paid for , and also I could get extra money to live
on. Since I want to pursue the human resources department I will need a college degree in human
resources or a related business field is required.
Norfolk State University is my dream school and I plan to attend graduate school there if
possible, and if I dont pursue a career in the navy. The hourly rate for a part-time graduate
student out of state is $1,187(Norfolk State University). Also there is a graduate application fee
of $30. Also I am not sure if I am able to live on campus or not, if not I plan to stay with my
family that lives there.
In addition to attending Norfolk State University I plan to enroll in Master of Social work
program. I will have to meet the following guidelines and requirements completed graduate
school application, three references on the form provided, two copies of transcripts from all
universities attended, the personal statement following the supplemental guidelines that are
provided, the academic summary form detailing the completion of all prerequisite requirements,
and a current resume that details work, volunteer, and academic experiences. Also according to
the website the graduate program only accepts advanced standing students. Im not really sure
what the GPA requirement would be, but I assume a 3.0 -4.0(Norfolk State Programs).
Choosing for the future is one the most hardest things I am doing, because I know what I
want to do but then again Im sure. Leaving high school will be a big eye opener for me because
it is the real world and college is not cheap, and anything that you play around with. After I
attend a year at Western Kentucky I will choose either the Navy or college. Honestly the navy
has so many benefits that come with it, and also it is a life changing experience. After highs cool
I plan to attend Western Kentucky University and see where that path takes me.

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Work Cited
"America's Navy Reserve." Careers & Jobs: NavyReserve.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov.
2014.
"America's Navy Reserve." Never Served : Ways to Join: NavyReserve.com. N.p., n.d.
Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
"College of Education and Behavioral Sciences." - WKU. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
Norfolk State Gradate Programs. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2014.
Norfolk State University. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2014.
"WKU - A Leading American University with International Reach." WKU - A Leading
American University with International Reach. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.