App State, NC State or UNC Charlotte AROTC

D

dadinnc

Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2020
Messages
107
If my DS does not get a 3 year AROTC scholarship from the 3rd board, his dream school - VMI - is out due to the out of state tuition. Plan B is AROTC at Appalachian State, NC State or UNC Charlotte. His goal is an active duty commission. Please share if you have knowledge of or experience with these programs. In terms of the ROTC programs, what should he be considering? Thanks!
 
The general advice here is not to pick a school based on its ROTC program. ROTC is a relatively small — if very significant — part of the college experience and will not overshadow the larger school scene. A program’s culture is often the product of the officers running it, and they rotate every couple years. Pick the school for the school, because if the cadet/mid doesn’t like the school, it won’t matter how good (or bad) the ROTC program is.

Certainly learn all you can. Just don’t let it drive the school-choice decision.
 
MidCakePa said:
The general advice here is not to pick a school based on its ROTC program. ROTC is a relatively small — if very significant — part of the college experience and will not overshadow the larger school scene. A program’s culture is often the product of the officers running it, and they rotate every couple years. Pick the school for the school, because if the cadet/mid doesn’t like the school, it won’t matter how good (or bad) the ROTC program is.

Certainly learn all you can. Just don’t let it drive the school-choice decision.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice.
 
What is DS' intended major? NCSU and UNC-Charlotte are more on the engineering side, while App State isn't. I would pick the school based on which has the best program for the major.
 
billyb said:
What is DS' intended major? NCSU and UNC-Charlotte are more on the engineering side, while App State isn't. I would pick the school based on which has the best program for the major.
Click to expand...
Great question. Thanks. Economics. I'd rank the schools 1) NCSU, 2) App State, and 3) UNCC both generically and for economics specifically, but probably not THE deciding factor. I'll suggest to him that his major could change so unless very specific like engineering, don't choose (as much) based on major.
 
Those 3 schools are pretty different environments. With Covid, not sure if your DS got to see them all in person, but I'd consider at least taking a day and walking around the campuses, even without a formal tour. App State is only for those who love snow and cold weather because majority of the school year, that's what it will be. App State is also doing a major overhaul on many of their dorms. Lots of new ones opening over the next few years. UNCC actually recently surpassed NC State as the state's largest university, but keep in mind that only about 6000 students live on campus, which leaves it feeling like a smaller school than it is. They have an ROTC living community where both AF and Army ROTC cadets can live together in the dorm near the ROTC building. I haven't researched NC State as much, although I have toured there and had many students attend there. It's campus is must larger, spread out, and integrated throughout a city.

I know that's not really what you asked, but thought I'd share what I've learned from a counselors perspective and research I've done for my own son.
 
milmomsomeday said:
Those 3 schools are pretty different environments. With Covid, not sure if your DS got to see them all in person, but I'd consider at least taking a day and walking around the campuses, even without a formal tour. App State is only for those who love snow and cold weather because majority of the school year, that's what it will be. App State is also doing a major overhaul on many of their dorms. Lots of new ones opening over the next few years. UNCC actually recently surpassed NC State as the state's largest university, but keep in mind that only about 6000 students live on campus, which leaves it feeling like a smaller school than it is. They have an ROTC living community where both AF and Army ROTC cadets can live together in the dorm near the ROTC building. I haven't researched NC State as much, although I have toured there and had many students attend there. It's campus is must larger, spread out, and integrated throughout a city.

I know that's not really what you asked, but thought I'd share what I've learned from a counselors perspective and research I've done for my own son.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I appreciate the intelligence. Good thoughts.
 
dadinnc said:
If my DS does not get a 3 year AROTC scholarship from the 3rd board, his dream school - VMI - is out due to the out of state tuition. Plan B is AROTC at Appalachian State, NC State or UNC Charlotte. His goal is an active duty commission. Please share if you have knowledge of or experience with these programs. In terms of the ROTC programs, what should he be considering? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Noting all the NC schools - nice selection - I always like to put in a plug for Wake Forest, my alma mater. The high quality of my education there has stood me in good stead. They have all kinds of merit-based aid, for which I remain grateful. The undergraduate body size was just right for me, and I liked the central NC location. Head west to mountains, head east to beach.
 
Capt MJ said:
Noting all the NC schools - nice selection - I always like to put in a plug for Wake Forest, my alma mater. The high quality of my education there has stood me in good stead. They have all kinds of merit-based aid, for which I remain grateful. The undergraduate body size was just right for me, and I liked the central NC location. Head west to mountains, head east to beach.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Good feedback. Yes, Wake Forest is a great school.
 
dadinnc said:
If my DS does not get a 3 year AROTC scholarship from the 3rd board, his dream school - VMI - is out due to the out of state tuition. Plan B is AROTC at Appalachian State, NC State or UNC Charlotte. His goal is an active duty commission. Please share if you have knowledge of or experience with these programs. In terms of the ROTC programs, what should he be considering? Thanks!
Click to expand...
PMS at UNC-C is awesome!!!
 
dadinnc said:
If my DS does not get a 3 year AROTC scholarship from the 3rd board, his dream school - VMI - is out due to the out of state tuition. Plan B is AROTC at Appalachian State, NC State or UNC Charlotte. His goal is an active duty commission. Please share if you have knowledge of or experience with these programs. In terms of the ROTC programs, what should he be considering? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have a previous post on not picking schools based on ROTC programs.

As far as the three schools are concerned, NCSU is the best of the three. I’m a NC resident from Raleigh, so many of my friends have gone to all three. Even if your DS isn’t big into Econ, NCSU has many engineering and sciences majors to choose from. Plus it’s Raleigh, which is probably the best of the three locations for a young college student. My NCSU friends tend to have more robust goals and motivation (if you know what I mean) than my friends at App State or UNCC.

Just my hot take before I go back underground for 3 weeks.
 
BossIsland0 said:
LTC Hurd is a pretty awesome guy.
Click to expand...
Amazing! Made all the conversations about her and what will be the best fit for her. Even took the time to discuss SA vs AROTC and how she should not feel pressured to make any decisions based on what others think. But all the ROOs she has spoken to have been that way. It really makes a parent feel comfortable that these are the type of people your child will be surrounded by.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top