VA tech vs Citadel vs Maine Maritime

navy2016

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What are the major differences between the lifestyles of these schools?
I know the Citadel is military 24/7 like a Service Academy, but how does VA Tech and Maine Maritime work?


Also, if I needed to/wanted to re-apply to USNA, would attending a SMS be beneficial?
 
First of all it is a SMC not at SMS.

I don't know much about Main Maritime or VT. As for The Citadel, attending with the intention of going to a SA the following year wouldn't be a great idea in my opinion. Knobs, like rats and rooks, go through a very physically and mentally demanding year. The entirety of your year will be spent as a knob at The Citadel. If you want to re-apply, then I would suggest a civilian school.
 
VT has many cadets that apply for the SAs during their freshman yr.

Basically for VT you will be in your ROTC branch and the CoC. They live in a ROTC dorm with restrictions...the one I laugh about is TV. The fact is most kids today watch their programs on Hulu, so they really aren't being penalized.

You will be only a small % of the general student population so it is not going to give you the true military experience, your classes will be filled with the traditional student in your major. It is good to go there if you are not sure you are ready to live, breathe, eat 24/7 military education. It will prepare you better than say UVA, but it is not going to be like an SA regarding all of the restrictions.

Reading about the Citadel, that would be closer to an SA lifestyle than the VT. Don't infer that it will be a breeze at VT, just saying they have a life outside of ROTC and Corps.
 
So, you can apply and hopefully get accepted to a SA if you are on an AFROTC scholarship at another school (like VT)? Do you have to pay back the costs spent so far of that scholarship if you leave and go to the SA?
 
They live in a ROTC dorm with restrictions...the one I laugh about is TV. The fact is most kids today watch their programs on Hulu, so they really aren't being penalized.

Well TECHNICALLY they aren't supposed to be using their computers for anything other than academic work. But neither me nor any other upperclassman I know is going to sit there and monitor every freshman's computer
 
So, you can apply and hopefully get accepted to a SA if you are on an AFROTC scholarship at another school (like VT)? Do you have to pay back the costs spent so far of that scholarship if you leave and go to the SA?

Correct. And no you do not have to pay back the money. You're still giving the military time of your life after graduation/commissioning.
 
What are the major differences between the lifestyles of these schools?
I know the Citadel is military 24/7 like a Service Academy, but how does VA Tech and Maine Maritime work?


Also, if I needed to/wanted to re-apply to USNA, would attending a SMS be beneficial?

I don't really know whether attending The Citadel while applying to USNA would help your chances for an appointment to USNA, but I had two knob classmates at The Citadel who went to USNA after knob year.

I visited both when they were plebes during a Citadel/Navy football weekend at Annapolis. One of the guys, whose father was a USNA grad, told me that he wished he had stayed at The Citadel. They other guy told me that he was happy with his decision to leave The Citadel for USNA.

I guess it really depends on what you want and how much you want it.
 
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