Questions about the Citadel

Jarhead1775

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2012
Messages
147
Hey everyone,
I'm an aspiring Marine officer who's looking at several military colleges including Texas A&M (I visit next month), VMI (I visit in April), USNA (NASS acceptee), and of course the Citadel.

I have not looked too far into the Citadel until I found out that it is famous and known for producing quality Marine officers in great quantity. The reason why it hasn't been top on my list is that I've heard from my cousin (who attends USMA and interacts with those who have transferred from the Citadel) that there is a lot of hazing that takes place especially during Knob year by the Cadre and other upperclassmen. Now, as a varsity football player who has played for about 10 years, I'm quite used to yelling and a bit of hazing and don't really fear it, but I hear that it's bad. My first question to you is how valid is that statement?

My second question is concerning admissions. I took the ACT for the first time this month and just received my scores a few days ago. I scored a 24 (8/12 on writing) composite but plan to take it at least two more times as I am still just a Junior. I also am signed up to take the SAT in May (I scored a 161 on my PSAT). I've seen on several semi-reliable sources here online that the average ACT scores for the Citadel are a 20-22. Obviously, applying with a 24 or above will give me a distinct edge, correct? Is the assessment of these scores accurate?

Lastly, I'd like to know more about the NROTC MO program. What makes the Marine option at the Citadel better than at VMI or TAMU? Why does it commission so many officers? What is the Summer Cruise like?

Thank you so much in advance.

-EF
 
To Jarhead 1775 question re Citadel vs TAMU etc

I am a Citadel grad, retired Army not Marine Corps, but I do volunteer to interview HS students in the mid-atlantic area interested in applying for academic and military scholarships to the college. First as to "hazing" I would be careful in listening to anyone who has transferred from a college - and instead seek out current first and second year Cadets. The college admissions office can arrange. Definitely go to the campus and interview.
As to why The Citadel "is better" than other Senior Military Colleges - this is an entirely subjective view. All Senior Military Colleges have first class ROTC programs and are superior in the overall military experience you will have. The Citadel does graduate a large number of its senior class into the Marine Corps by tradition. In part this is due to its reputation among Marines and its long history of producing Marine Corps officers dating back to WWI. You can read a bit about this history on line in the January 2011 Leatherneck Magazine. The Citadel was also the birth place of the MECEPS program in which highly regarded NCOs are selected to earn their college degrees and officer commissions while performing duty with the NROTC unit. This allows Cadets to train with and be trained by some of the Marine Corps best NCOs. Good luck to you
 
Be assured that almost all the stories of alleged hazing are either false or grossly exaggerated, many of these tall tales are circulated from freshman who drop out and use them as an excuse for why they couldnt cut it; the same is certainly true at VMI. I was a knob 37 years ago and no one ever laid a hand on me; most peoples misperceptions about The Citadel are based on what they read in Conroys books and the occasional hatchet job in newspapers.
The Citadel has been referred to as "The Military Academy of the Marine Corps", it commissions more USMC Officers than any school except USNA and currently has 7 alumni General Officers on active duty. I rest my case.
 
Thank you for the replies! Can anyone give me an answer on my admissions question?
 
I am currently looking at the Citadel for this coming fall however I would just like to tell you congrats on getting into NASS. It has grown into an extremely competitive program, or so they told us. I attended Session 2 last summer and was by far one of the best summer experiences ive had in high school.

Good luck
 
I am currently looking at the Citadel for this coming fall however I would just like to tell you congrats on getting into NASS. It has grown into an extremely competitive program, or so they told us. I attended Session 2 last summer and was by far one of the best summer experiences ive had in high school.

Good luck

Hey thanks man, I appreciate it! What ROTC branch are you looking into?
 
As a current Marine contract I will say that the Navy ROTC unit here is pretty good- at least it is second best!

In all seriousness I have a lot of Navy contract classmates who have had so many good experiences both in the unit and over the summer.

Good choice!
 
Admissions stats Class of 2016

JARHead 1775 - answer to your admissions question re The Citadel. These are basic data - if you are seeking academic or military scholarships, you will need higher GPA and SATs



Total Applications: 2,758
Total matriculated 779
Average SAT score 1100
Average high school GPA 3.5
Top 25 percent of high school class 196 (34 percent)
Top 9 states South Carolina Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California and Massachusetts.
South Carolina residents 398 (51.2 percent)
Out of state/international 379 (48.8 percent)

Most subscribed majors
Business Administration 133
Civil and environmental engineering 106
Criminal Justice 105
Political Science 70
History 67
Electrical engineering 60
Biology 59
Physical education 53
Computer science 26
 
How does one obtain a Navy contract at The Citadel? I will probably not get a scholarship and I am not in need of one. I just want to commission into the Navy. If you want to commission, is there a process you go through or do just tell the command you want a contract?
 
To US Navy 2019 - how does one get a Navy Contract

Assume you mean through NROTC? I was not in the Navy program and I am sure there are details different than Army. But generally, if you enroll at a college or university with a NROTC unit or that has a cooperative agreement with another college or university that has an NROTC unit just sign up for the program - complete the required courses and summer cruise, and most important - make sure you are enrolled in a major that the Navy needs officers and maintain the required GPA in your course.

Typically if not receiving a 4 or 3 year scholarship, you commit - sign a contract - at the beginning of your Junior year obligating you to accept a commission. I believe someone recently advised that if on a contract, but not a scholarship, you receive $500 a month stipend in your Junior and Senior year of college after signing the contract. But why if you intend to accept a commission would you not want to receive a scholarship of some portion of your education costs? Your obligation for active duty will be 4,5,6 or 8 years (if a pilot) I believe depending on the specific specialty (aviation, nuclear, surface etc) you are seeking.

Recognize that the Navy and Air Force are now granting probably the fewest commissions and certainly the active duty components are offering even less active duty to ROTC.
 
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