Senior Military Colleges

ajwilliams96

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Are the U.S. Senior Military Colleges (North Georgia College & State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, and Norwich University) good alternatives for someone who wants a military career, but was rejected to the U.S. Service Academies?
 
Are the U.S. Senior Military Colleges (North Georgia College & State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, and Norwich University) good alternatives for someone who wants a military career, but was rejected to the U.S. Service Academies?

Absolutely.
 
Are the U.S. Senior Military Colleges (North Georgia College & State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, and Norwich University) good alternatives for someone who wants a military career, but was rejected to the U.S. Service Academies?

DS didn't apply to SA's... Probably would not have made the SAT cut anyway but decided on VMI. Wanted the similar experience, and smaller class sizes, but wanted options that the academies don't give you. He came from a graduating class of 58 kids and a classroom with 50-100 students was not appealing to him at all. Wasn't real sure of branch selection, but opted NROTC. Will be sticking with it providing he gets advanced standing and makes the cut a few years from now. You can't switch from academy to academy but the possibility of switching to different ROTC's is possible at an SMC. It doesn't happen often but it is possible. Also the civilian route is there if you change your mind totally providing you are not committed via an ROTC scholarship. He has a past of ADHD which will need waived through DoDmerb, so if there is any medical question SMC's don't dis enroll you if something goes physically wrong. He will graduate from a great school and be highly sought after in the private sector if it has to go that way, Big difference..price tag, but Norwich and VMI offered considerable financial aid packages through academic scholarships etc so us non wealthy yet not impoverished out of state parents still pay, but don't let the price tag fool you. We waited until all offers were in and then made the decision.
I would suggest taking a trip to visit as many as you can. They have over night visits scheduled throughout the year. Talk to the Rats, Rooks, upper class men and faculty in your potential major. We were very impressed with the 2 we visited in Every aspect. DS will tell you..it SUCKS at VMI(still a RAT).. but it is suppose too at this point. Asked him tonight if he wanted to change schools next fall. "Um..Hell No".. The brotherhood and sense of accomplishment that he has,I can not imagine that is would be any different or better coming from WP or Annapolis. I have to admit that I am partial to the professors that he has as well. They really know him and genuinely care. Good Luck to you as you sort it all out.
 
Are the U.S. Senior Military Colleges (North Georgia College & State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, and Norwich University) good alternatives for someone who wants a military career, but was rejected to the U.S. Service Academies?

That was me in the mid-90s. I was commissioned in the Air Force, and I know plenty of my classmates from VMI who are still active in all the branches. I'm civilian, however, as I decided that I would prefer not to remain in the service for a career.

Let's just say that a person lacking an acceptance letter to one of the the SAs, who nonetheless wants a military career, is not an endangered species at the SMCs. It's a great Plan B if that's what you want.

George Marshall was in that boat. He did alright for himself in the Army.:thumb:
 
Any idea what it is like for girls at VMI?


RahVirginiaMil is a grad of VMI and a woman. She graduated only a few years ago, so she'll have a good idea of how things are now. If you really want an in-depth answer on that question, PM her.
 
Based on my friend's stories..... pretty hard on women there. He graduated in 2006.
 
Based on my friend's stories..... pretty hard on women there. He graduated in 2006.

I was a rat when your friend was a First. I'm in a bit of a time crunch right now (just logged on here for a quick break), but I figured I'd shoot off a quick post saying that things have improved considerably in the five and a half years since your friend graduated.

Bruno, do we have a thread dedicated to this? If not, I'll start one in the next couple of days. I think it's come up before, but I don't remember a thread being dedicated to it.

As sprog mentioned, I'd be happy to respond by PM or email, too. I can't think of a whole lot I'd say in private that I wouldn't say in the forums, but I was a real spaz before matriculation, so there's no way I would have wanted to ask questions like that out in the open back then. :rolleyes:

Thanks,
-jmb-
 
A really good post for you to Read would be RahVaMil's Post from Feb 2010 -(RVM is a Female grad from 2009 and was the first class mentor to the current highest ranking female Cadet with whom she stays in pretty constant contact)- that thread gives you a great idea of how women are received and perceived at VMI from a femlale Cadet's perspective would be in this thread:
and in particular check out her post below as it sheds a ton of good info.

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showpost.php?p=96263&postcount=8
Hopefully Jackie will come up soon and add to some of her earlier masterpieces!
 
A really good post for you to Read would be RahVaMil's Post from Feb 2010 -(RVM is a Female grad from 2009 and was the first class mentor to the current highest ranking female Cadet with whom she stays in pretty constant contact)- that thread gives you a great idea of how women are received and perceived at VMI from a femlale Cadet's perspective would be in this thread:
and in particular check out her post below as it sheds a ton of good info.

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showpost.php?p=96263&postcount=8
Hopefully Jackie will come up soon and add to some of her earlier masterpieces!

It was an interesting read. I'm glad things are better.

I was a Second Classman when the first women arrived. My opinion on how women are received at the school is from that lens, so I am very happy to see that it has changed.
 
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