VMI, Citadel, Norwich

Jondolar

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I see a lot of post about VMI and the Citadel. I see very few posts relating to Norwich. Right now, Norwich is on my DD's short list (something about trees and 1st ROTC).

What is it about Norwich that precludes it from getting any love on this site :)
I was thinking that maybe there is another site that draws that crowd or it just doesn't have as many candidates. Any thoughts on why the other schools get more "action"?
 
Possibly three reasons:
  1. The Citadel and VMI are both cadet focused institutions. VMI is cadet only. El Cid has a small night and continuation prorgram but is focused on The Corps of Cadets. Norwich and the other SMC's have sizable and in the case of V-Tech and TAMU, huge non-cadet populations.
  2. VMI and The Citadel are both public colleges, with in-state students having favorable treatment. Norwich is the only private SMC.
  3. We have an assortment of folks on this site that live to create havoc regarding the age old rivalry between the schools. Norwich is very well respected but just not mentioned on the forum as much because it isn't embroiled in as much debate and controversy.
ALL the SMC's are highly regarded and tough to get through. Those two just seem to be the best known.

Just my two cents....

Full disclosure: my DS visited both VMI and El Cid and ended applying only to The Citadel after spending a week at VMI soccer camp. Ultimately he chose to attend a public college out west, close to home, preferring the "whole college experience." He did not visit Norwich or the other SMC's.
 
I don't think there is any lack of love for Norwich, I think as was posted above because it is not Cadet only, it falls off the radar for some. Norwich was my son's #1 choice until he went to a VMI open house. He felt drawn to the Corp of Cadets and history \ traditions at VMI vs have civilian students as well. That, and he decided Vermont was too cold .
 
+1 @turtlerunnernc - Norwich just flies somewhat under the radar. I don't think anyone questions its reputation as an SMC. One other thing is that Norwich is not as well known in the Western U.S. (heck, even the service academies get a blank stare out here on the left coast).
 
I know of a few people (mainly children of friends) who have gone to Norwich and they speak highly of the school. It is a good school and if that is where your DD chooses I would not worry about any "lack of love on this site". My DS was seriously considering Norwich. His first choice was USNA, but did not get in. Of the 5 schools he listed on his ROTC scholarship it came down to Norwich and VMI. He liked Norwich but ultimately chose VMI for many of the reasons listed in the previous posts.
 
Possibly three reasons:
  1. The Citadel and VMI are both cadet focused institutions. VMI is cadet only. El Cid has a small night and continuation prorgram but is focused on The Corps of Cadets. Norwich and the other SMC's have sizable and in the case of V-Tech and TAMU, huge non-cadet populations.
  2. VMI and The Citadel are both public colleges, with in-state students having favorable treatment. Norwich is the only private SMC.
  3. We have an assortment of folks on this site that live to create havoc regarding the age old rivalry between the schools. Norwich is very well respected but just not mentioned on the forum as much because it isn't embroiled in as much debate and controversy.
ALL the SMC's are highly regarded and tough to get through. Those two just seem to be the best known.

Just my two cents....

Full disclosure: my DS visited both VMI and El Cid and ended applying only to The Citadel after spending a week at VMI soccer camp. Ultimately he chose to attend a public college out west, close to home, preferring the "whole college experience." He did not visit Norwich or the other SMC's.
I see a lot of post about VMI and the Citadel. I see very few posts relating to Norwich. Right now, Norwich is on my DD's short list (something about trees and 1st ROTC).

What is it about Norwich that precludes it from getting any love on this site :)
I was thinking that maybe there is another site that draws that crowd or it just doesn't have as many candidates. Any thoughts on why the other schools get more "action"?

I worked at a Fortune 50 Corporation and had several colleagues whe were graduates of Norwich University - top notch engineers and chemists. If your son or daughter likes the cold weather would be the only issue. I recall my oldest daughter visiting Colgate and hearing about the winter temperatures.....she went south to Penn State.
 
I don't think there is any lack of love for Norwich, I think as was posted above because it is not Cadet only, it falls off the radar for some. Norwich was my son's #1 choice until he went to a VMI open house. He felt drawn to the Corp of Cadets and history \ traditions at VMI vs have civilian students as well. That, and he decided Vermont was too cold .
Well said--no lack of love for Norwich here, its a great school. In terms of numbers, it's very similar to Citadel but it is a private school. Perhaps that's why it "flies a bit under the radar."
Great school with great traditions.
 
Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts. My DD thinks she will like the cold/snow. We live in Phoenix now so I doubt it will be a shock :) It's good to hear positive info about Norwich as well as the other SMCs.
 
I lack love for Norwich.

Care to elaborate?

Interested as well...

My best guess since LITS is an OLD Grad. ;) USCGA and Norwich University used to be rivals for sports until conferences were changed...there is still a slight rivalry between the Rugby teams and I heard a rumor that the conferences were being reorganized in a way that puts USCGA and Norwich in the same division again. Right now, that rivalry for CGA is cemented with USMMA.

Outside opinion, I had a 4 year NROTC scholarship to Norwich but ultimately decided to attend CGA. I absolutely loved what I saw at the school. Yes, it's very much in the middle of nowhere and it can get really cold but I loved how I felt when I stepped on campus. There was a feeling of camaraderie and everyone I talked to was very welcoming and willing to answer questions. I have a friend from high school who is currently a senior at Norwich on a Marine Corps scholarship...he loves it. Yes, it is the forgotten SMC at times but that doesn't make it any less appealing then VMI or the Citadel. To be honest, I found Norwich much more appealing.
 
Correct. We used to play them. My "wonderful" experience came my 4/c year when we had to travel up there. There was a small "fight" which I wasn't involved in, their drum beat was hard to march to, and some Norwich dad, who was angry because I think Norwich lost yelled at us as we were leaving.

To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what Norwich was before that experience but it didn't leave a good taste in my mouth. I didn't even realize they viewed us as a rival (USMMA was a clear, declared rival, from the start).

A few Norwich cadets had come down to steal stuff (to exchange at the game) but cut the halyard to the tune of a $1,000 of damage) and took OCS stuff (which we were happy for them to keep).

A year later my classmates waited in lower field to intercept any Norwich cadets. My classmates had air soft guns. The academy police didn't know who they were and actually drew their weapons (this wasn't long after 9/11/01).

All of that said, Norwich is in a nice area.
 
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I visited Norwich several times for business over the years, doing presentations for ROTC cadets and midshipmen. I enjoyed the campus and culture, side excursions to Ben & Jerry's, Cabot Creamery outlet and New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier. I was faintly dismayed I needed to keep an ice scraper and snow brush in my car through the end of April.
 
I actually enjoyed the general "fight".

I think it was the father's comments that did it for me. He came up to us and yelled something to the effect of "you're a bunch of Naval Academy rejects" without understanding 1. I got into USNA and 2. CGA was far more selective than Norwich.

Didn't really have an issue with the cadets, I guess, and at that point in my life I was a traumatized 4/c, it was just nice to be away from New London.

So maybe my lack of love, based mainly on that experience with a pathetic father, isn't entirely fair to the school.
 
I actually enjoyed the general "fight".

I think it was the father's comments that did it for me. He came up to us and yelled something to the effect of "you're a bunch of Naval Academy rejects" without understanding 1. I got into USNA and 2. CGA was far more selective than Norwich.

Didn't really have an issue with the cadets, I guess, and at that point in my life I was a traumatized 4/c, it was just nice to be away from New London.

So maybe my lack of love, based mainly on that experience with a pathetic father, isn't entirely fair to the school.

I appreciate that you took the time to clarify your original comment.
Thank you.
 
The hijab-controversy student, Kimberly Keelor, chose both Norwich and Citadel (she was not accepted at VMI). Ultimately, she chose to go to Norwich so she could wear her hijab and be a cadet enrolled in ROTC. Comparing these two schools, which certainly have similarities, it seems Norwich chose a more "progressive" approach on this issue than Citadel.
Personal views aside, it will be interesting to see a hijab in parades.
 
Agree, it will be interesting to see a hijab in parade and if the press covers it--If so, we may be hearing a lot more about Norwich! Sounds like she had back-up plans to her back-up plans, either way she was suing somebody!
Although very different, great schools all three!
 
has she filed suit?
i saw her interviewed on cnn.
seems like she just wants to be a naval officer.
 
I believe she filed suit against the Citadel which would not allow the hijab.
 
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