Transfering into the Citadel

jshrz

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2012
Messages
46
Hi everyone, I have not posted here in a little over a year but I feel that I need opinions from an outside unbiased group. Last year I was intending and all set to matriculate into the Citadel as a member of the C/O 2017 and eventually backed out in late July due to my families financial situation and being out of state. Recently my situation has changed and I have once again been re-accepted as a transfer student. I have also been accepted to Miami University, in Ohio where I am from and seeking guidance from others who may have been in a similar situation and what helped make their decision.

The biggest withhold I have is the fact that one day, maybe twenty years from now, I will likely look back at the Citadel and regret not taking the opportunity to attend such a school and to accept the challenges which would await me as a knob. I remember doing the USNA SLS two summers ago and an overnight visit at the Citadel and thinking that the regimented college experience was the true college experience I sought after.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
 
If you want to attend it so badly then do it. If it is what you truly want to do, why not do it?
 
Take the chance. In 1986, I turned down CGA to play it safe and go to a state school two hours from my parents. While I wouldn't change what I have now, I still wish I hadn't played it safe. I did go into the Navy after graduation and would make that decision again, but I will always wonder if...

Fast forward to 2014. DS said "VMI is it." It will cost more money than his second and safer choice and be 1,000 miles away, but it is his first choice. He saved money, applied for lots of scholarships and knows his family won't visit as much as we all would like.

I encouraged him to take the chance I never did. Regardless of the outcome, I hope he will never look back. Take the chance.


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If you want to attend it so badly then do it. If it is what you truly want to do, why not do it?

I suppose I am looking for reasons to pursue, or not pursue. I am looking to attempt tp reassure myself that I am right, or wrong, in my line of logic.

Take the chance. In 1986, I turned down CGA to play it safe and go to a state school two hours from my parents. While I wouldn't change what I have now, I still wish I hadn't played it safe. I did go into the Navy after graduation and would make that decision again, but I will always wonder if...

Fast forward to 2014. DS said "VMI is it." It will cost more money than his second and safer choice and be 1,000 miles away, but it is his first choice. He saved money, applied for lots of scholarships and knows his family won't visit as much as we all would like.

I encouraged him to take the chance I never did. Regardless of the outcome, I hope he will never look back. Take the chance.


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Thank you very much for your input. Your situation is the exact situation I feel as I would be put in if I were to turn down the challenge of obtaining an education at the Citadel.
 
While DS is a rising senior, and does not regret his decision to attend; the decision is of course yours. I will share some anecdotal comments that I have received. One of our vehicles has a Citadel dummy license plate in the front plate holder. Over the years I have received a number of comments from individuals who either left very early in the program or opted not to attend. To a person they have said that not attending was their number one regret. They then elaborated and said that they had let their fears/concerns influence their college decision. (Obviously, I did not hear from those who left and were happy with the decision.) Interestingly, these individuals were from all age spectrums. I did find it telling that a 50 something person clearly well past college age believes that not attending The Citadel is their number one regret.

So ultimately, make the decision based on why you want to be in a particular school (as long as the financials make sense). Do not let the fear of the unknown hold you back. Likewise, if you don't want to be challenged and pushed in ways that you never have before then don't attend a SMC. It is not for everybody, and that is ok as well.
 
Transferring to The Citadel

I am a Citadel grad so you know my bias. The Citadel for me was a great experience and the personal values and friendships I made have lasted a life time. I believe it offers a great value for college students today - who take advantage of all it has to offer, especially the academic experience only a small college can offer. You need to think through your financial means and understand the financial commitment you (and perhaps your parents) will be making. If you are seeking a math, science or engineering degree - The Citadel is a great value no matter where you might look to compare. The programs are first rate, taught only by experienced professors with the terminal degree in their specialty, and classes are small. When you graduate, you can expect good employment opportunities if you do not intend to seek a commission in one of the military services. If you plan to seek a liberal arts degree, you need to give careful thought to your future employment objectives and how you will handle the student loan debt you most likely will incur. Unless you are independently wealthy, you will have student and perhaps parent loans. If intending to go to law, medicine, business or another graduate school - consider these will likely mean more loans (typically $30 grand a year minimum). Good luck to you.
 
You should come then. I'm at The Citadel CSI program right now getting what I call an "Initiation into being a knob/cadet". Its really overwhelming (in a good way). I wouldn't say its "fun" but theres something about this place that just makes me want to be here... There's nothing like having your day busy from 5:30am-11pm Monday-Thrusday. It makes you appreciate free time so much more.
 
Take the chance. In 1986, I turned down CGA to play it safe and go to a state school two hours from my parents. While I wouldn't change what I have now, I still wish I hadn't played it safe. I did go into the Navy after graduation and would make that decision again, but I will always wonder if...

Fast forward to 2014. DS said "VMI is it." It will cost more money than his second and safer choice and be 1,000 miles away, but it is his first choice. He saved money, applied for lots of scholarships and knows his family won't visit as much as we all would like.

I encouraged him to take the chance I never did. Regardless of the outcome, I hope he will never look back. Take the chance.

Great post, and I think your son's decision to attend VMI will prove to be one of the best decisions of his life. Good Luck!
 
Great post, and I think your son's decision to attend VMI will prove to be one of the best decisions of his life. Good Luck!


I appreciate that, thank you.


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