Citadel Questions

Airborne1

10-Year Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
35
I'll be attending The Citadel in the fall, and i was just curious of a couple things. How much ruck marching will i be doing, and should i prepare and start doing some on my own? Any other advice on matriculating and things related to preparation? thanks
 
Unless you're on scholarship with the Army or Marine Corps, you'll never ruck march, ever lol. And even then it'd only be a few times per semester, if that, especially as an MS1.
Just run alot and study The Guidon. Do you intend on commissioning?
 
Unless you're on scholarship with the Army or Marine Corps, you'll never ruck march, ever lol. And even then it'd only be a few times per semester, if that, especially as an MS1.
Just run alot and study The Guidon. Do you intend on commissioning?

Yeah, I got a 4 year from the army, I was curious to see if it was gonna be an every weekend type deal, thanks for the input.
 
KyleMullins: if you are not from the south - you will need to prepare for a lot of running in the heat and humidity of August and early September. It can be draining so if you are from up North or out West, etc., try to do some running each day in the afternoon heat of summer vs the mornings.
 
Anytime, and I would follow glen's advice to. It was never a big deal for me since I'm from FL, but I've seen kids from out west suffocate during the Hell Week PT runs.
Just to clear things up, aside from inspection and FTX weekends which are only a few times per semester, weekends aren't to different from regular college. You party and hang out with friends like everyone else, and do your best to stay out of trouble.

PS: I am also an Army cadet, so PM me with any questions about Citadel life or AROTC.
 
Another incoming AROTC

I have lurked on this forum for some time and thought it was about time I posted. Father of DS who is having very similar path as you, Full Metal. Received TWE from West point about a month ago and the very next day received the WINNER notice for 4-year AROTC to Citadel. He was also asked to be a member of the Honors Program and accepted. He is pumped to say the least.

Question...were you able to pass APFT and contract to avoid 1st semester tuition out of pocket? As we are out of state, tuition is a big number and he has a twin sister going to NC State. Just trying to get finances straight in my foggy head.

Any other advice? Thanks.
 
Sesbennett,

Your son was actually one step ahead of me when I was at that point: I didn't even have an AROTC scholarship when I matriculated to The Citadel. I regret not applying to any ROTC programs, but I was able to earn an on-campus 4-year scholarship (aren't many of those around anymore unfortunately). I took out loans for the first semester, but those were paid off by the scholarship. I passed my APFT first try with like a 250 that first time, and, coming from someone who was always on the heavy side, it isn't too hard to pass. Being out of state and having many friends who are, I know the concern of tuition at a 50k per year school.
But just keep running and have your son study the guidon, and he'll be fine. That and don't be like me and be a smartass on matriculation day.
Any other questions feel free to PM me or post on here.
 
FullMetal - you mentioned in your note: "I know the concern of tuition at a 50k per year school." I have seen others mention this high number for out of state Cadets. However, as I do volunteer to speak to high school students, parents and counselers, I try to stay in close touch with the Finance and Admissions Office on tuition, room and board, fees etc. The stated full cost is about $44,000 without any discounts. Would be interested in knowing where the $50,000 number comes from. Thanks

PS - for comparison - a comparable small college experience in PA Muhlenburg College - $54,000 a year. NYU (daughter just gradutated $62,000 a year - and her first year classes in biology, English, etc - 50 + students taught by a grad student.
 
Well according to The Citadel web site- costs this year were as listed below (this is from the cost comparison form that they provide for prospective student to compare costs there vs the cost of other colleges): http://www.citadel.edu/root/financial-aid-cadets/167-financial-aid/2632




The Citadel The Citadel
(resident of SC) (non-resident)
Tuition and fees $10,838 $29,639
Double room $2,745 $2,745
Board $3,520 $3,520
Books/Clothing $6,940 $6,940
Activities Fees $350 $350
Recreation Fees Included Included
Student Tickets Included Included
Laundry $535 $535
Dry Cleaning Included Included
Infirmary $514 $514
Parking N/A N/A
Off-Campus Rent N/A N/A
Electric Included Included
Water/Trash Included Included
TOTAL $25,442 $44,243


$44k annually is a lot of dough for certain and certainly no one on here can assess an individual family's financial circumstances. But those costs are pretty much in line with the costs of virtually every other out of state public college education anywhere, so why so much surprise?
 
He was also asked to be a member of the Honors Program and accepted. He is pumped to say the least.

My DS will be in the Honors Program too - Class of 2018, at The Citadel. He is very excited too. Is your DS going to CSI? We've applied for the second session.
 
Citadel costs

Agree with Bruno - costs today are very high for almost any residence college with quality. For small college experience where you are taught in classes of 20 or less students, by full professors, and develop connections for a life time, outside of the Ivy Leagues - paying $60,000 plus is currently fact of life. Even in the Ivys, unless you qualify for financial aid, plan on $60 grand a year. Colleges like VMI and The Citadel offer one of the few small public college experiences available below the $60 grand a year cost. But you need to plan for the pay back on loans.

Face it - unless you are planning on majoring in one of the STEM majors (engineer, scientist, or other technical skill), you will not recover the investment in short order. If your are determined to pursue the traditional liberal arts degree - you need a good plan on how you intend to earn the pay back of large loans. Unless your parents are passing on their business, or Dad or Mom is a partner in the law firm, a graduate or professional degree could be a money pit that you will never recover from. I know of lots of history and language majors who have gone onto medical school, as well as law school. But these are extremely expensive time intensive options. A good plan for liberal arts majors is committing to military service and especailly in the health sciences, have the military pay for your graduate school. Earning the GI Bill used to be the ticket - but anymore it will only cover the fraction of a law or medical school. Plan on spending $200 grand for undergrad unless you get some grants, plus another $150 grand on professional schools. And steel yourself for a long pay back period on the loans.
 
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