AROTC Decision: Texas A&M vs VMI

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Heat_Miser

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Basically the title, does anybody have any experiences of knowledge they can share with me to help me make an informed decision about where to accept my ROTC scholarship to? I appreciate your time. Thank you.
 
This is pretty straightforward, and backed by just about everyone who’s been exposed to ROTC: Pick the school, not the ROTC unit. The school will affect your short-term wellbeing and long-term military aspirations more than the ROTC unit. If you’re not happy with the school, the ROTC unit won’t compensate for it.
 
Heat_Miser said:
Basically the title, does anybody have any experiences of knowledge they can share with me to help me make an informed decision about where to accept my ROTC scholarship to? I appreciate your time. Thank you.
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Have you already been awarded the scholarship?

Love your screen name. One of my favorite songs by Massive Attack.
 
Heat_Miser said:
Basically the title, does anybody have any experiences of knowledge they can share with me to help me make an informed decision about where to accept my ROTC scholarship to? I appreciate your time. Thank you.
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Definitely do a SNWC at TAMU if they still have some available. You'll find it to be a great experience and that may help you with your decision. I know a lot of people in the Corps and no one has had anything bad to say about it, and cstat is a great place with a lot of friendly people!
 
Heat_Miser said:
Basically the title, does anybody have any experiences of knowledge they can share with me to help me make an informed decision about where to accept my ROTC scholarship to? I appreciate your time. Thank you.
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VERY different schools. TAMU is the best of both worlds while VMI is very spartan and more singular focused. Agree with the above, go visit schools. There are active alumni from both schools who are regular posters. @Landy91, @VMI2017+3 and @vmi1991fromva are a few VMI alumni.

Congrats on your scholarship - VMI and TAMU are 2 of the finest SMC's - no bad choice between the 2.
 
cb7893 said:
Have you already been awarded the scholarship?

Love your screen name. One of my favorite songs by Massive Attack.
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Lol. I think a lot of us think of this guy when you say Heat Miser. He’s, Mister Heat Miser…
 

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vienneda23 said:
Definitely do a SNWC at TAMU if they still have some available. You'll find it to be a great experience and that may help you with your decision. I know a lot of people in the Corps and no one has had anything bad to say about it, and cstat is a great place with a lot of friendly people!
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I did a SNWC and absolutely loved it. Loved cstat and the college itself. The Corps there was sharp and made good relations with some cadets from SQ-21 I still keep in contact with through the admissions process. Texas A&M went from my #4 school(behind usafa, usna, usmma) to the #1 spot on my college list. Hopefully I get accepted. But you obv need to see it for yourself to make your decision. I highly recommend doing a SNWC.
 
Heat_Miser said:
Basically the title, does anybody have any experiences of knowledge they can share with me to help me make an informed decision about where to accept my ROTC scholarship to? I appreciate your time. Thank you.
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Forgot to mention TAMU will pay for Room and Board if you have a ROTC Scholarship.
 
smc2026 said:
Forgot to mention TAMU will pay for Room and Board if you have a ROTC Scholarship.
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This is what convinced my ds to withdraw his VT app. We are in TX and once TAMU announced the R&B change, he didn't have a reason to look at VT any longer. Another consideration for him is that a TAMU alum has an advantage over a VT grad with job recruiting in our area and if he settles in TX after serving that would be good for him. He has several friends in the TAMU Corps already so that is another plus, as well.

The one possible downside to TAMU is that there is no direct-entry to specific engineering majors. You have to get a 3.75 freshman year to guarantee your first choice. DS isn't worried about it so not a problem for him, but that could be a problem for someone set on CS or MechEngr.
 
I have a Rat at VMI on a Navy scholarship. He loves it there. It's everything he expected and more. They have a unique mentoring program where every rat is assigned a senior mentor ( dyke) As parents, we cut the cord and have let our son handle 99.99% of everything he does in college. We are basically here for support and guidance-if asked. I can say that without a doubt, that his senior mentor has made a huge impact on him already and that he would not be doing as well as he is without that support. This is just one of many reasons why I am such a huge fan of VMI. Yes, we pick up room and board, but it's an expense we gladly pay in order for him to be there. We live in Texas. My son was born and raised here. I have lots of friends that are Texas A&M grads. All wonderful people. Lots of factors to consider. VMI is a VERY small school when compared to A&M. Just depends on what you like. The spartan lifestyle, the rat line, the small classes, small town, etc...are all reasons my son loves it there.
If you have narrowed your school choices down to these two, although very different, I don't think you can make a bad choice.
Good luck and thank you for your willingness to serve this great country.
 
Threesons said:
I have a Rat at VMI on a Navy scholarship. He loves it there. It's everything he expected and more. They have a unique mentoring program where every rat is assigned a senior mentor ( dyke) As parents, we cut the cord and have let our son handle 99.99% of everything he does in college. We are basically here for support and guidance-if asked. I can say that without a doubt, that his senior mentor has made a huge impact on him already and that he would not be doing as well as he is without that support. This is just one of many reasons why I am such a huge fan of VMI. Yes, we pick up room and board, but it's an expense we gladly pay in order for him to be there. We live in Texas. My son was born and raised here. I have lots of friends that are Texas A&M grads. All wonderful people. Lots of factors to consider. VMI is a VERY small school when compared to A&M. Just depends on what you like. The spartan lifestyle, the rat line, the small classes, small town, etc...are all reasons my son loves it there.
If you have narrowed your school choices down to these two, although very different, I don't think you can make a bad choice.
Good luck and thank you for your willingness to serve this great country.
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Wow, thanks for such am insightful answer. Good luck to your son.
 
There are additional scholarships that you can apply for at VMI that would pay for room and board. They're competitive but it sounds like you're a good candidate. My son has loved his time there, he's a first who will be graduating and commissioning in May. If you have any questions about Lexington or VMI please don't hesitate to ask. As much as people on the Internet like to have rivals I think you'll be happy no matter where you end up. VMI is a place you'll have to want to go.
 
Hello,

I’d like some more info on TAMU. I had an interview with a Corps recruiter, he wasn’t that helpful, actually I didn’t really like interview. I told him I had an LOA from USNA and then it turned into a “why TAMU better vs being informative. I am fortunate to have been granted an NROTC scholarship. No mention of room & board? I have not visited yet. I think I need another POC or cadet to talk to.
Thank you for any feedback.
 
today.tamu.edu

Texas A&M Commits $50 Million To Full Rides For ROTC Scholarship Recipients

The new 'Patriot scholarship' will cover room and board for students whose ROTC Scholarships already cover all tuition and fees, providing a full ride for more than 700 cadets.
today.tamu.edu today.tamu.edu

The recruiter may have thought he or she was being informative by highlighting positive aspects of attending TAMU in direct response to your bringing up LOA to USNA (not quite sure why you did that), in a reflexive kind of way. In these kinds of situations where a conversation or any interview doesn’t go well, it is often worthwhile to reflect on the communications, and how each participant could have done better. Were your questions clear and neutral? Did you actively listen to understand? Was it all them or possibly a bit you? This is all rhetorical, of course.

The link above popped up with a Google search on “does TAMU offer room and board to ROTC scholarship recipients.”

You are sitting in a good position with a USNA LOA and NROTC scholarship. Visits help a great deal. Have you visited USNA yet?
 
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