NROTC at Florida State vs Texas A&M

Dkr626

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I'm a rising high school senior who will be applying for the Marine Option NROTC scholarship this fall. I'm looking at some colleges, particularly Florida State and Texas A&M, and I'm trying to decide which of the two would be better for me.

Florida State
Pros
-Closer to home (I live in Georgia, about a 6 hour drive away)
-More freedom to fully experience college (not restricted by the Corps of Cadets)
Cons
-I would have to take NROTC at Florida A&M (not the best of schools and probably not a great NROTC unit)
-Not as much preparation for OCS and the Marine Corps
-Not as highly ranked in Political Science and Economics, although Florida State is still pretty good in those areas

Texas A&M
Pros
-Corps of Cadets will provide good preparation for OCS and the Marine Corps
-I feel like the Corps would provide a really rewarding experience in general
-Higher ranked in Political Science and Economics
-I really like the traditions and pride at A&M
-I can still afford the school even if I don't get the scholarship
Cons
-A plane flight or a two day drive from home
-Not as much freedom because of the Corps of Cadets

What do you guys think is the better option? I plan on visiting both schools at some point.
 
I may be biased, but I would definitely go A&M. There is nothing like it anywhere else. I'll be going there in the fall, and consider myself knowledgeable about the school and the Corps. I'll be a Poli Sci major too:thumb:

Feel free to PM me with ANY questions you may have. I would be more than happy to help you make the best choice you will ever make ( going to a&m)
 
The bigger issue you need to concern yourself with iz NROTC places emphasis on majors for scholarships. Non tech majors are insanely competitive, I would assume A&M even more so. Thus, the question you should investigate is what if you do not get the scholarship? Will these colleges remain on the list?
 
If you are asking which is better; to attend a Senior Military College
or a regular ROTC program, that is something only you can decide.
Definite pros and cons to both, neither is 'better' - just different.

The question as you asked it, makes me wonder if you have considered
Auburn, Georgia Tech, The Citadel etc.,

Can you explain your thinking in a little more detail?
 
If you are asking which is better; to attend a Senior Military College
or a regular ROTC program, that is something only you can decide.
Definite pros and cons to both, neither is 'better' - just different.

The question as you asked it, makes me wonder if you have considered
Auburn, Georgia Tech, The Citadel etc.,

Can you explain your thinking in a little more detail?
I'm mainly looking at schools that are good in polisci and econ that also have nrotc in my area, like florida state, university of florida, and possibly some schools like unc and vandy if I can get in. Texas A&M is a bit farther away, but it is very good in both programs and has the corps of cadets as well.


And Pima: I probably wouldn't be able to afford florida state if I didn't get the scholarship, but A&M finds a way for everyone in the corps of cadets to pay in-state tuition.
 
Political Science + Economics + Marines = Political Ambitions?
What's your plan/goal?
 
Political Science + Economics + Marines = Political Ambitions?

If your plan is to be a politician or to get into politics like gojack has hypothesized, I like it:thumb: (I'd like to be in politics someday, too.) UNC has a great poly sci program, as does A&M.

I'd say go for A&M if you can afford it and like it. Im a fan of SMC's, and A&M is certainly a very unique place. The Corps at A&M is different in that it is a small(ish) corps in a very large school. Good luck.
 
College Station is a very nice place. Everyone at A&M and the whole town is insanely supportive of their Cadets. Plus, instead of going home, have the family come to Dallas, Austin, or Houston - all less than two hours away (you have no idea how big of a deal that is to someone in West Texas)!

But, of course, go for both. If you really want to go to Florida (even though you sound like me - you feel that you should have to normal college experience, even if it isn't all that much what you want or relevant to your goals), put it first on your list of schools. A&M won't mind, and you can always join the Corps of Cadets without the scholarship.
 
dkr,

ROTC scholarships are so competitive most recipients also get merit money from the colleges. It is common that they get merit, but not the ROTC scholarship, especially NROTC, thus, don't necessarily bank on if you don't get the ROTC scholarship you won't be able to afford attending that school. I should add especially for Poli Sci majors since 85% of NROTC scholarships go to tech majors, which means it is even more competitive for them. Colleges don't use the same system as ROTC, thus, many times they will get merit from the school.
 
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Pima said:
Non tech majors are insanely comptetitive

If I remember correctly, the Marine Option NROTC scholarship does not care about your intended major. It is the Navy Option scholarship that has the 85% Engineering + Math + Science quota.
 
If I remember correctly, the Marine Option NROTC scholarship does not care about your intended major. It is the Navy Option scholarship that has the 85% Engineering + Math + Science quota.
Yes, I was also worried about that, but my OSO assured me that any major in the Marine Corps is equally competitive. They get little enough as it is, can't expect a bunch of engineers!
 
DKR--by any chance are you an Eagle Scout? If so, go to one of A&M's Eagle weekends (one if fall, one in spring). You get an automatic scholarship handed to you that will qualify you for in-state tuition. You are also considered for other scholarships. My son got in-state tuition and one or two other scholarships which made it affordable without ROTC scholarship. He really liked A&M, but ended up elsewhere.

If you aren't an Eagle Scout, sign up for one of the other Corps overnights. I bet they explain the scholarship opportunities and you will be on their radar for sending information on scholarships.
 
That is correct on majors for marines - my son is majoring in history. If you are looking at Texas for corps - why not check out Virginia Tech?!
 
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