Citadel vs. VMI

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

JohnPaulJones

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Messages
80
Can anyone give me any insight into the differences, if any, between the Citadel and VMI?
 
Besides The Citadel being named the #1 college in the country for commissioning ROTC officers? Not much :cool:

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Sir Ernest Benn
 
Quality over Quantity :thumb:
"Give me an army of Citadel graduates and I'll win a battle, give me a handful of VMI men and I'll win a war." - Gen. George S. Patton



VMI is nationally ranked, whereas Citadel is still classified under regional rankings.

http://military-colleges.findthebes...h-Carolina-vs-Virginia-Military-Institute-VMI

Scroll down, and look at the comparisons.
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandr...ngs/national-liberal-arts-colleges/top-public
Ranked higher than the Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy.
...however, slightly behind West Point, and Annapolis.

Google Forbes rankings of where VMI stands, and where Citadel stands.
Google USNEWSWR rankings of where VMI stands, and where Citadel stands.
Google any college rankings and see for yourself :)
 
Last edited:
Full Metal Bulldog said:
Besides The Citadel being named the #1 college in the country for commissioning ROTC officers? Not much :cool:

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Sir Ernest Benn
Click to expand...

Number one how so? In sheer numbers?
 
All rivalries aside-the real differences between VMI and The Citadel are fairly minor in the scheme of things. The location is certainly different - both are in pretty nice places- just a difference of small urban versus small college town and more Winter vs more Hot. They have different traditions and life in the barracks seems to feel a little different. They offer some different majors and The Citadel offers a few more. Beyond those general things- these are very similar colleges and less a few folks here and there- the Alums tend to band together except when in direct competition with each other. What's similar?- 24 hours a day in uniform, really mentally and physically challenging, small, personal class sizes- similar academic reputations and lots of fiercely devoted alumni. This is one of those questions that is best answered by visiting each, spending a night during visitation week and getting a feel for the schools yourself.
 
HonorDutyCountry said:
Quality over Quantity :thumb:
"Give me an army of Citadel graduates and I'll win a battle, give me a handful of VMI men and I'll win a war." - Gen. George S. Patton
Click to expand...

Down here in Texas, the Aggies claim that Patton quote for themselves over USMA. Which way did Patton really say it?
 
Aglahad said:
Number one how so? In sheer numbers?
Click to expand...


Yes: last year, 40% of The Citadel's graduating class commissioned. More than any other non-SA school, both in percentages and actual number of graduates.

To 18'er's comment, I've seen that quote in regards to several schools. I've also heard it was never even actually said.

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Sir Ernest Benn
 
We are a bigger school. Not vastly bigger, but big enough to where your statistics are incorrect.

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Sir Ernest Benn
 
And counting OCS and the god-awful amounts that go SCARNG after graduation, I promise we commission more.

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Sir Ernest Benn
 
Back and fourth the rivalry goes until the end of time. Reality is the main question is where will you be happy. Which school offers the major..which school puts together the financial aid to make it affordable? Do you want the hot climate of the south or the mountains of Va. as the back drop? Do you want a civilian student body or strictly Cadets in class? Both are hard. Both offer the same opportunity to commission as long as you work your tail off so arguing which school has the percentage advantage seems futile. Both have networks that lead to a high percentage of employment for it's graduates who choose to go the civilian route. As the wise Bruno said, visit both and see. Apply to both and see where the financial aid comes out, or where the scholarships may be. I don't think you can make a bad choice either way. There are differences, but those differences don't lessen the value of the education and discipline taught at either school IMPO.
 
You guys are speaking in percentages... according to each school's website...

VMI has an enrollment of 1569 and Citadel has 2,272. According to the Citadel site it says 468 students graduated in 2013. I couldn't find (I didn't look very hard) a stat for 2013 for VMI but an article referenced "about 300." So I will use 300 for this.

40% of 468 is roughly 187 graduates who commissioned from Citadel. I am guessing Citadel probably has a certain percentage who commissions via OCS after graduating also, but that number was not given in previous threads.

60% of 300 it is 180 graduates who commissioned. An additional 5% is 15 or 6 graduates (depends on which way I do the math... 15 if 5% of total student population or 6 if only factoring in remaining grads who did not directly commission).

So based upon this... it appears each school commissions about the same number of grads. Percentage wise, VMI commissions more of its graduating class, but Citadel looks to lead the numbers once we add in the additional OCS grads. But then again none of this math is legit or based upon validated data.

As stated above... if possible visit both. The answer will work its way out. Money could also be a huge factor in selection for a school... apply and see what shakes out. Both a good options, one will just feel more like home.
 
And someone check my math... I was a Marine and ran out of fingers and toes!
 
18'er said:
Down here in Texas, the Aggies claim that Patton quote for themselves over USMA. Which way did Patton really say it?
Click to expand...

Found this on the web (makes sense with consideration that Patton actually attended VMI).

"Give me an army of Citadel men [supposed reference to Gen. Mark Clark] and I'll win the battle; give me a handful of VMI men and I'll win the War." (circa 1944-45)

Supposedly said to "make points" with his boss's Boss, General George C. Marshall, a "VMI man" and author of the post-war Marshall Plan to rebuild Germany, Europe and Japan -- and the World Economy. Patton attended VMI for 1 year (The "Rat Line") before transferring to USMA, West Point. He is arguably the 3rd most famous "VMI man" after Marshall and Stonewall Jackson (not saying who is 1st, but Marshall is the only VMI graduate of the three).
 
Full Metal Bulldog said:
And counting OCS and the god-awful amounts that go SCARNG after graduation, I promise we commission more.

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Sir Ernest Benn
Click to expand...

VMI commissions more in terms of % of a graduating class.
Obviously Citadel will have more people commissioned because they have about 1,000+ more cadets at their school.

Also, straight off the Citadel website, the commissioning rate is 36%.

Academic Year Facts: Corps of Cadets


Commission rate: 36%
 
Last edited:
NavyHoops said:
You guys are speaking in percentages... according to each school's website...

VMI has an enrollment of 1569 and Citadel has 2,272. According to the Citadel site it says 468 students graduated in 2013. I couldn't find (I didn't look very hard) a stat for 2013 for VMI but an article referenced "about 300." So I will use 300 for this.

40% of 468 is roughly 187 graduates who commissioned from Citadel. I am guessing Citadel probably has a certain percentage who commissions via OCS after graduating also, but that number was not given in previous threads.

60% of 300 it is 180 graduates who commissioned. An additional 5% is 15 or 6 graduates (depends on which way I do the math... 15 if 5% of total student population or 6 if only factoring in remaining grads who did not directly commission).

So based upon this... it appears each school commissions about the same number of grads. Percentage wise, VMI commissions more of its graduating class, but Citadel looks to lead the numbers once we add in the additional OCS grads. But then again none of this math is legit or based upon validated data.

As stated above... if possible visit both. The answer will work its way out. Money could also be a huge factor in selection for a school... apply and see what shakes out. Both a good options, one will just feel more like home.
Click to expand...

not doing the math, but from additional research

VMI, "more than 135 men and women commissioned . . "

http://www2.vmi.edu/Media//multimedia/IRonline/June2013/index.html#/1/zoomed

Citadel, "158 (projected)"

"http://www.citadel.edu/root/class-of-2013-profile"

Citadel

http://www2.vmi.edu/Media//multimedia/IRonline/June2013/index.html#/1/zoomed

Citadel has a higher raw number, but a lower percentage from the graduating class, and a lower percentage of the whole student body in comparison to VMI.
 
Citadel's Acceptance Rate is: 80.4%
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/the-citadel-3423


VMI's acceptance rate is: 46%
http://www.forbes.com/colleges/virginia-military-institute/

Also, for many of the Presidents' inaugural parades, the VMI Corps of Cadets has had the privilege to march for the Commander-in-Chief. The student body, comprised of fully cadets. No evening students, no civilian students, no part-time students.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/1f2f944ccc01345508de56533e8a2750/tumblr_mh1hh8lxQY1rt6hxio1_500.jpg

Rah Mil'
 
Last edited:
Gents- It's all amusing to banter back and forth and play games with numbers-, but in my humble opinion- there is about a thimble full of real differences between the two. Both commission a lot of officers and they have very tight, well connected Alumni associations especially in the South East. The Citadel has a better football team than VMI and sadly I don't think that's gonna change when VMI returns to the Southern Conference in a year.
I agree with BJKuds and will stand by what I said in Post #6 on this thread:
All rivalries aside-the real differences between VMI and The Citadel are fairly minor in the scheme of things. The location is certainly different - both are in pretty nice places- just a difference of small urban versus small college town and more Winter vs more Hot. They have different traditions and life in the barracks seems to feel a little different. They offer some different majors and The Citadel offers a few more. Beyond those general things- these are very similar colleges and less a few folks here and there- the Alums tend to band together except when in direct competition with each other. What's similar?- 24 hours a day in uniform, really mentally and physically challenging, small, personal class sizes- similar academic reputations and lots of fiercely devoted alumni. This is one of those questions that is best answered by visiting each, spending a night during visitation week and getting a feel for the schools yourself.
Click to expand...
 
Full Metal Bulldog said:
Yes: last year, 40% of The Citadel's graduating class commissioned. More than any other non-SA school, both in percentages and actual number of graduates.

To 18'er's comment, I've seen that quote in regards to several schools. I've also heard it was never even actually said.

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Sir Ernest Benn
Click to expand...

http://www.citadel.edu/root/info
According to the right side, 36% commissioned.

I do not think that statistic is higher than VMI's commissioning rate of graduates in terms of percentage.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top