Norwich vs The Citadel

This is to Faulconner - posting false information on a college on this board not only shows poor judgement, but could mislead a student into making a poor decision. your comment that the "Math Department" lost its accredation is not true. The Head of the Math Department at The Citadel is a classmate of mine and I asked him to respond. Here is what he had to say:

"Glen:
The college is accredited by SACS, the “true” accreditation body for colleges in the south, and one of about eight or so regional college/university accreditation agencies, grants accreditation to colleges and universities in the region. (Moderator note:SACS is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). Departments as such are not separately accredited. There are some academic programs (programs, not departments) that are separately accredited by separate organizations; examples at The Citadel are Business, Education, Guidance Counseling (for the graduate program), Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Computer Science. All these programs at The Citadel have their own separate accreditation, and are accredited by those separate organizations, including the Computer Science program which is under the Math Department. The B.S. in Computer Science at The Citadel is accredited by ABET, the same parent organization that accredits the college's engineering programs. Similar to most academic programs at The Citadel, there does not exist a separate
accreditation for mathematics programs beyond the accreditation by SACS for the college as a whole. Regards, John Moore '70"
 
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Fuji said:
As was stated in an earlier reply - LOCATION.

I graduated from Norwich. I fear if I had gone to the Citadel - I would not have graduated. Why? Location. Charleston - is beautiful. I would have had far more distractions if I had gone to SC as opposed to VT.

Both institutions are good. You can't go wrong with either choice.

Where you can go wrong - and this is me typing as an admissions counselor as opposed to a Norwich grad - is by making a choice of college based on academic majors. You may have an interest in a particular area - but, we college admission people know - you academic interests - will change.

At the college I work at now - we accept into the college - not by major - because we know most of the students who come into our college - are completely undecided academically (I happen to think that those students who "say" the know what they want to major in are actually lying to themselves - they just don't know it, yet.)

I am glad someone else had posted the fact that they changed majors - many college freshmen do.

Lheck out the academic offerings offered by both colleges - but, I highly recommend making your decision based on;

Location
Clubs
Activities
Sports

While you "may" have an interest in a particular academic area...my hope is that their are some clubs, activities, sports that you know for sure that you would like to do.

I wish you well with your college choice (although I do hope you choose Norwich!)

Fuji
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Love to catch up with you somehow to talk more about Norwich/Citadel as I am accepted at both.
 
Steve D said:
Love to catch up with you somehow to talk more about Norwich/Citadel as I am accepted at both.
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FYI - This post is over 10 years old. Not sure if the OP is still on. There are plenty of threads on Norwich and The Citadel and many members of the forum who have extensive experience with both. Congrats on your acceptances.
 
While this is an old post, understand how it could be useful to potential students. Despite what previous posters have said, today, The Citadel and Norwich are very similar and have become more similar over the past decade. Aside from private v public, etc., the schools have a great deal in common. For example, overall size of the schools to include Cadets, non-Cadets, and online students are very similar. Both are fine schools. Both offer undergrad, grad, and online degree formats and both have fiercely loyal alumni. As others have posted here, the biggest difference between them would be location, location, location!
 
omfg its jeremy said:
i did an overnight visit at norwich and am hopefully doing one soon at the citadel, but im trying to figure out when a 17 hour car ride one way would work for me.
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Flights to Charleston are very cheap. It's worth visiting if you can't decide otherwise. Also look to the total tuition after all financial aid, that may help you to decide. If all things are equal pick the cheaper school.
 
I can't speak to Citadel in terms of scholarship offers but our DS received a very generous merit scholarship to partner with his NROTC from Norwich. They were also very easy to deal with in terms of application, scholarship, and were great in terms of communication. It was his plan B and he would have attended were it not for an appointment to USNA. True that travel to Norwich is less efficient and it is not a buzzing hub of a town. The weather would also be a factor for some. Norwich has live webcams on the campus and you can pop on and look to see what is going on weather-wise and what the campus looks like. He was able to watch the units doing some parade and drill work via the cameras.
 
Fun Fact: Norwich founded by ex superintendent of USMA. Tried his darndest to get USMA shut down by the powers that be..to no avail.
 
JCSDVM1 said:
Fun Fact: Norwich founded by ex superintendent of USMA. Tried his darndest to get USMA shut down by the powers that be..to no avail.
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Alden Patridge - A great Patriot and an educational visionary. In my opinion, he was the father of the Citizen Soldier concept. So much great history at Norwich.
 
Heatherg21 said:
I can't speak to Citadel in terms of scholarship offers but our DS received a very generous merit scholarship to partner with his NROTC from Norwich. They were also very easy to deal with in terms of application, scholarship, and were great in terms of communication. It was his plan B and he would have attended were it not for an appointment to USNA. True that travel to Norwich is less efficient and it is not a buzzing hub of a town. The weather would also be a factor for some. Norwich has live webcams on the campus and you can pop on and look to see what is going on weather-wise and what the campus looks like. He was able to watch the units doing some parade and drill work via the cameras.
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We are out of state for the Citadel.
The FASFA package with no loans for Norwich made it as affordable for us as if in state Texas tuition. If a cadet enters school with a ROTC scholarship the ID White scholarship kicks in which pays for room and board.
The Citadel FA package was not as generous out of state would of cost us 50k a year.
 
LOL....have to laugh that someone decided to reopen this years old subject - But I think it is helpful to correct misinformation - and provide is information that is actually important and relevant for the benefit of high school students and parents looking for colleges - Cost of Attendance.

The published cost for The Citadel may appear high for a public college, ($34,400 I/S and $53,656 O/S 2019/20). See:
www.citadel.edu

Tuition and Fees - Student Business Services

Please follow the links below for a layout of tuition and fees for 2023-2024 at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.
www.citadel.edu www.citadel.edu

Realize, however, enrollment in the SC Corps of Cadets is essentially similar in size to a small private college - 2,300 cadets. There are a few active duty Marines and Naval personnel and about 40 DD214 veterans, who attend class with Cadets, but are not quartered on campus. There are about 1,200 grad and undergrad and on-line students in the separate Citadel Graduate College - a night school program for local residents.

Cost and Financial Aid:
For in-state (South Carolina residents) the school estimates a majority end up paying about half the published cost after financial aid and SC Lottery and other scholaships are factored in. SC Lottery scholarships start at $2,500/yr and go up to over $10,000/yr depending on academic credentials and major. See: https://www.sceducationlottery.com/documents/educationwins/BeneficiaryBrochure.pdf

For out-of-state cadets at The Citadel who represent about 40% of the Corps - a majority are on ROTC scholarships and/or receive additional financial aid, both merit and need based. The college does award merit aid on top of ROTC scholarships - but an applicant must have prepared themselves well for college. In 2019 Cadets at The Citadel received over $14 million in ROTC Scholarships. Overall, over $35 million was received by Cadets in all types of financial need, merit and athletic scholarships in 2019. Below is the latest publically available information on financial aid received by Cadets. Note the number of Army, Navy/MO and Air Force scholarships is based on 2018 data as 2019 breakdown data is not yet published: See Slide No. 29 of the Annual Report to the SC General Assembly: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/CommitteeInfo/Ways&MeansMeetingHandouts/HigherEducation/FY 19-20 Citadel Presentation.pdf. And here is a general breakdown of Financial Aid from the College:

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glen said:
There are about 40 DD214 veterans, who attend class with Cadets, but are not quartered on campus. There are about 1,200 grad and undergrad and on-line students in the separate Citadel Graduate College - a night school program for local residents.
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To assist with accuracy here, another resource:
This lists 1,300 non-cadets (not 1200). Also lists higher numbers of veteran students along with transient students, day students, etc.
To be fair, saying “separate” Citadel Graduate College is misleading when those same students receive Citadel diplomas, ring, and play on Citadel athletic teams... seems like they’re definitely a big part and equally proud of the school.
 
South Carolina resident here, both my son and daughter were fans of the Citadel growing up, both applied and were accepted there, and both ended up going to Norwich instead. Norwich gave them both financial packages which made attending there as affordable as in state tuition to the Citadel. Norwich is well known for being very generous with their financial package. If you enjoy being outside in the woods, Norwich has a mountain right on campus with lots of outdoor activities for students like paintball and mountain biking. The city of Northfield is small and quaint, which might not be what some college students are looking for. Citadel is located in heart of the beautiful city of Charleston, so you will have access to more amenities. If you like water sports, Citadel has access to the waterway. Our family is in agreement that Norwich has better and newer facilities, such as updated classrooms, library, dining facility and weight room. Fall in Vermont is beautiful, but then it will turn snowy and cold for months. Citadel is sunny and warm and really humid. Citadel has a Chickfila on campus, Norwich has Dunkin Donuts. Citadel is a football school, Norwich is a hockey school. Both have relatively the same majors, first year is tough at both colleges, and both are excellent schools. For my kids, it came down to lifestyle. They can answer more specific questions about the schools if you want to DM me.
 
Norwich was my plan D, based purely on economics. I applied as a civilian, not doing the Corp of Cadets, participating in ROTC, etc. IDK if it's because of the no Corp designation, but the financial package they offered was incredible. After grants and scholarships the total costs were a 4-digit number per year. I had a HS classmate with a better SAT score and a lower economic situation go with the Corp of Cadets and his costs per year were in the 5-digits per year. It didn't make sense to me, unless they want some more non-corp folks to bump up those numbers for others to consider attending there.
 
nature boy said:
Norwich was my plan D, based purely on economics. I applied as a civilian, not doing the Corp of Cadets, participating in ROTC, etc. IDK if it's because of the no Corp designation, but the financial package they offered was incredible. After grants and scholarships the total costs were a 4-digit number per year. I had a HS classmate with a better SAT score and a lower economic situation go with the Corp of Cadets and his costs per year were in the 5-digits per year. It didn't make sense to me, unless they want some more non-corp folks to bump up those numbers for others to consider attending there.
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Norwich has the best financial aid package. Hoping that The Citadel/VMI and the others catch up. Coming from a Norwich Dad and a Dad of a Citadel cadet!
 
omfg its jeremy said:
I've googled and googled but I can't find a direct comparison (besides yahoo answers) between Norwich and The Citadel. I'm hoping there are some grad's here that can help me out a little on what both schools are like. I've been accepted and visited to both but now comes the decision to choose between the two. I have no ROTC scholarship (plan on trying to get a 3 1/2, Navy ROTC w/ Marine option) and I chose a Physics major but may be switching to Computer Science.
So I'm just wondering about the pro's and con's for both schools.
Thanks for any and all help everyone.
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So I have a son (Senior) at Norwich graduating in 4 months and a daughter accepted and already committed to NU (waiting on AROTC scholarship) NU has been an amazing experience for my son... He was also thinking VMI but as it turns out NU was the absolute best place for him. It's cold in the winter.... but that's expected ( he grew up mostly in florida) so the change was nice for him, but also nice to come back to FL on breaks. No matter where you attend it will be the "right" place for you. Good luck
 
One thing that concerns me when about the Citadel is the low rate that I have heard actually commission. I read that it was as low at 18% of graduates compared to 40-60% at Norwich. It seems a bit surprising, though, as I don't see how 82% of students would select a Senior Military College without choosing to actually join the military.
 
PeacockRaj said:
One thing that concerns me when about the Citadel is the low rate that I have heard actually commission. I read that it was as low at 18% of graduates compared to 40-60% at Norwich. It seems a bit surprising, though, as I don't see how 82% of students would select a Senior Military College without choosing to actually join the military.
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Hi,

My DS has received an AROTC Scholarship for The Citadel, Norwich and VMI. We have visited both Norwich and The Citadel twice and did an overnight at Norwich. VMI was in 3rd place in his mind. Like others have mentioned the location and climate are very different. The Citadel is also a D1 athletics program and Norwich D3. I am guessing that D1 athletics may draw some athletes not necessarily interested in serving in the military more than a D3 school would. In addition I have noticed many South Carolina residents choosing The Citadel, people that live nearby, its a State School. My son was impressed with both schools but has chosen The Citadel and intends on completing the program and commissioning.
 
PeacockRaj said:
One thing that concerns me when about the Citadel is the low rate that I have heard actually commission. I read that it was
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ArmyOfOne81 said:
Hi,

My DS has received an AROTC Scholarship for The Citadel, Norwich and VMI. We have visited both Norwich and The Citadel twice and did an overnight at Norwich. VMI was in 3rd place in his mind. Like others have mentioned the location and climate are very different. The Citadel is also a D1 athletics program and Norwich D3. I am guessing that D1 athletics may draw some athletes not necessarily interested in serving in the military more than a D3 school would. In addition I have noticed many South Carolina residents choosing The Citadel, people that live nearby, its a State School. My son was impressed with both schools but has chosen The Citadel and intends on completing the program and commissioning.
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Citadel is a State school. I went to Norwich and my DS is at The Citadel. Northfield vs Charleston is not really a fair comparison...both have great AROTC programs. Citadel commissions 30-35% each year whereas Norwich is 50-60 depending on the year. The lower commission rate is ( in my opinion) due to it being a State school and having D1 athletics ( scholarships)
 
EEBTTF said:
Citadel is a State school. I went to Norwich and my DS is at The Citadel. Northfield vs Charleston is not really a fair comparison...both have great AROTC programs. Citadel commissions 30-35% each year whereas Norwich is 50-60 depending on the year. The lower commission rate is ( in my opinion) due to it being a State school and having D1 athletics ( scholarships)
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Just wondering, does the commission rate take into account graduate students as well? If so, that would skew the numbers downward.

VMI '90 & DS VMI '26
 
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