Considering transferring to Texas A and M from CU Boulder

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capitalizer1212

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Hello Service Academy Forums! This is my second post here and I absolutely love the knowledgeable and friendly community here and I was hoping someone could help me with some questions.

I am currently an MS1 cadet participating in the Army ROTC program at CU Boulder. Early this year, I was honored to earn a three year scholarship from cadet command to CU Boulder. However, I am now considering transferring to TAMU due to personal reasons and the reputation the TAMU Corps of Cadets has.

I was curious what the differences are between a SMA such as Texas A and M vs. an AROTC program such as the one I am currently enrolled in are. Furthermore, is it possible to transfer my scholarship from CU Boulder to TAMU or would I have to reapply? Lastly, would I have to retake the MS1 Military Science class at TAMU if I decide to transfer or would I have to join as a compression cadet and retake the MS1 and MS2 classes?

This last question is purely out of curiosity. I have heard many conflicting responses to this question in the past and I am genuinely curious what the real answer is. If a cadet successfully completes an the army program in their respective SMA such as TAMU, are they guaranteed active duty or do they have to compete with all ROTC cadets across the country to earn an active duty positioning?

Thank you,
Capitalizer1212
 
Leave Colorado and CU to go to Texas and A&M? Did you hit your head this weekend? Have you been to Texas? Be careful what you wish for it might come true. All that being said since it is in the same battalion it should be doable. Best of luck.
 
Sorry I was so taken aback by your first question I didn't read down to the bottom. One is not guaranteed active duty simply by graduating from an SMC, they must have PMS recommendation. It may not be as "rubber stamped" as in previous years.
 
So...I do AFROTC at UCF...I had every intention of reapplying to USAFA, but realized about 3 weeks in that a "regular" college was where I was meant to be.

I have a great deal of friends at SMCs, and do not envy them one bit.

You have an awesome deal, roll with what you got, and kill it up in Colorado. At the end of the day both are very good schools, and as a mentor once told me: "If you do your best, and become the best, it doesn't matter where you're coming from". That's just my take on it, but I really would think very hard before going from regular school + ROTC to a whole 'nother world down in Texas.
 
I am also currently a Army Cadet at CU Boulder - going into my MSIV year.

I can tell you from experiencing Advanced Camp and an Army Internship this summer that your peers who attend SMCs are no better off than we are coming from CU Boulder.

They often mention there are so many cadets and the ratio between cadets/ cadre results in very generalized evaluations.

Seeing my peers from around the nation confirms the quality of our program - you will be prepared for the future and you will have a better experience attending a beautiful campus with great academia as well.
 
cdsullivan said:
I am also currently a Army Cadet at CU Boulder - going into my MSIV year.

I can tell you from experiencing Advanced Camp and an Army Internship this summer that your peers who attend SMCs are no better off than we are coming from CU Boulder.

They often mention there are so many cadets and the ratio between cadets/ cadre results in very generalized evaluations.

Seeing my peers from around the nation confirms the quality of our program - you will be prepared for the future and you will have a better experience attending a beautiful campus with great academia as well.
Click to expand...

While I appreciate all opinions, you may want to take into account that most SMC's produce numerous cadets to the various branches and to compare a much smaller public university program to that of an SMC may not be entirely "apples to apples". I was SMP at a state university in CA and there were a core group of us that were very intent on commissioning
cdsullivan said:
I am also currently a Army Cadet at CU Boulder - going into my MSIV year.

I can tell you from experiencing Advanced Camp and an Army Internship this summer that your peers who attend SMCs are no better off than we are coming from CU Boulder.

They often mention there are so many cadets and the ratio between cadets/ cadre results in very generalized evaluations.

Seeing my peers from around the nation confirms the quality of our program - you will be prepared for the future and you will have a better experience attending a beautiful campus with great academia as well.
Click to expand...

I am not sure I entirely agree because it's a skewed comparison for a variety of reasons. First, let me say that I was an SMP cadet at a Cal State University. By the time we hit MSIV, most of the "less than serious" cadets had withdrawn and were off chasing sorority girls or sleeping-in vs running PT at 0530. You do not "live" the academy lifestyle nearly 24/7 like SMC's do but again, the state university ROTC programs operate on a much smaller scale. Not a negative, just a different kind of program that has many pro's and a few con's. SMC's tend to have a mix of those seeking a commission, and often, many more who are not being are still undecided and/or simply wanting to participate in the Corps of Cadets. To balance my opinion, I have a son at A&M who is an SMP, very serious, dedicated, excelling through the robust program, but he has probably 55% of his fellow cadets that are still either on the fence or are simply wanting to be a part of that revered program with no future commitment to the military. You just do not tend to get that "mix" at a public university. My point? The SMC's with cadets that are "hard-chargers", seeking a commission, and motivated (probably much like some of the fine young men/ladies you have at CUB) have an exceptional record of performance at most if not all the national competitions (see Sandhurst results each year with A&M, UNG, etc. ranking near the top consistently), and live a daily life of immersion that has some advantages over traditional ROTC. Doesn't mean they'll necessarily be a better officer....because in the end, it's the cadet that makes the program vs the program necessarily making the cadet. I'd say the individual needs to find their "fit" at either an SMC, public university ROTC, or heck, even OCS. I am still hesitant to compare the three to the other....they're just different and if CU Boulder works for you, great. In the end..."Gig 'em"! LOL
 
FWIW I think the OP left the building a long time ago. Notice the thread date was Oct 2016 and they only have 2 posts. By this time since colleges are starting up in a few short weeks they probably have already decided whether to stay or go.
 
Agree with PIMA.
. I will say DS had some pretty amazing instructors at CU the last 4 years. Heavy on SF personnel. Also due to the close proximity to Ft. Carson and a large camp in Wyoming the training opportunities are really second to none. I beleive over 90% of those who requested AD got it with their first or second choice.
 
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