Fact or fiction at the Citadel

[Josh]

Hello all,
I'm currently a junior in highschool in Maine, and am considering applying to the Citadel. Have a few questions, but the one I can think of right now is about hazing. I have heard that there is a lot of hazing, but what exactly does this consist of? I don't want to be in a school with a lot of hazing that will distract me from academics and such. Also, I heard that they are not very friendly to students from the North. Is this true? Anyways, thanks in advance!

- Josh

 

[Kernal D]

Hazing

Josh...

I'll let somebody from The Citadel answer your specific questions but would like to address the issue of hazing. Unfortunately, hazing is something that is growing in the world of education...but you will find that it is more common among athletic teams, sororities, fraternities, and other types of colleges and universities...than in the military. It is a real growing issue in middle and high schools as well. Check:

http://www.stophazing.org/

At Norwich University, like other institutions, there will always be some knuckle head who doesn't get it...until it's too late. Our rules and regs manual defines hazing as, "Hazing is generally defined as the harassment of a student or a group of students by the imposition of unreasonable disciplinary action or personal requirements whereby a student or a group of students may suffer any cruelty, injury, humiliation, or the deprivation of a right or privilege."

http://www.norwich.edu/about/policy/StudentRulesRegs.pdf

The best part is...that in the state of Vermont it is considered a Civil Offense. Cadets and/or students who commit an act of hazing face not only legal charges such as assault, but civil court as well. Then...they may even get to meet the victim's family lawyer.

The bottom line is...we don't tolerate hazing in any form...and I doubt that any of our fellow institutions do either.

Having spent twenty years in the Army I always believed in the following: "Leaders who yell, scream and use demeaning language are not using the directive style of leadership. They are simply poor leaders."
US Army FM 22-100, Leadership, OCT 1983. This includes any form of physical or mental abuse. In my world...that isn't how we take care of our soldiers, sailors, airmen or marines.

 

[glen]

Josh:

I am a Citadel graduate and I also volunteer to talk to and interview high school students interested in attending the college from the mid-atlantic area. I can tell you that "hazing" whether physical abuse or upperclass Cadets requiring 4th Classmen to perform personal services, is not tollerated today at The Citadel and is grounds for immediate expulsion. Depending on the offense, in South Carolina hazing can be a criminal mis-demeanor offense - which would cause a Cadet to lose his or her academic or ROTC scholarship and commissioning opportunity. This is not to say that the first year at The Citadel is not a challenging environment. All 4th Class Cadets participate in an "adversitive system" designed to challenge them physically and emotionally, and there is specific emphasis on the development of personal responsibility. If you are well prepared, physically and academically, you should do well as there is great emphasis on making sure each Cadet has the opportunity to succeed. The average first year Cadet GPA is typically around 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, and The Citadel has one of the highest 4 year graduation rates for all colleges.

As far as being from the North, not to worry - only about 35% of Cadets are from South Carolina, and there are many Cadets from the mid-atlantic, mid-west and west coast today. I attended the college in the 1960s and caught a little good natured ribbing, but the nature of the 4th Class System is such that you quickly bond with your classmates regardless of geography, etc.

Good luck whatever school you choose - its is an exciting time for you - enjoy it.

Regards, Glen

 

[Josh]

Thanks to all for responding. I think I will apply. When should I apply? On the Citadel website it says to apply towards the end of Junior year or something along those lines.

 

[glen]

Applying to The Citadel - when

Apply no later than Fall of your Senior year - earlier the better. While The Citadel is a state college and operates on a rolling admission schedule, consideration for both academic and military ROTC scholarships, almost requires early application. You do not have to commit to early commitment, and the application is fairly simple to complete, so if your SATs are ok and not being taken over again, apply early. Eligibility for academic scholarships where you have no military obligation is decided on in the Fall and interviews scheduled in late Fall to early January at latest. Military scholarships require a good deal of pre-planning, medical exams and other paper work, so if you have not started this by the Fall of your Senior year, you are already behind. Military ROTC 4 year scholarships are also being trimmed in the Army program - down I understand 40% from last year. Again this means early birds get a head start. Good luck

 

[SF49ers]

I always recommend applying to The Citadel in the July before your senior year. I know its really early, but they'll get you an admissions decision that much earlier (I got mine the first week of September).