What is the difference between ROTC and OCS?
ROTC is a 4 year college program designed to commission officers. Many, not all U.S. colleges offer Army, AF, Navy and Navy/Marine Option ROTC programs. Some, not all cadets/midshipmen earn 4, 3 or 2 year scholarships for these programs.
OCS or Officer Candidate School (also OTS for some branches) is a post college program for candidates who have a four year college degree and wish to commission.
Generally, the Service Academies are the fill the first 20% of officer slots. ROTC fills the remainder. If ROTC does not provide enough officers, then OCS is used to "top off" the number that are needed. In other words, OCS, is usually the
least certain of commissioning methods, depending on the needs of the Pentagon.
What makes Citadel different from one of the more selective/difficult military schools like West Point
The Citadel and VMI are dominated by a military atmosphere similar to West Point and other SA's. They are less selective than WP, and USNA, or USAFA, but still very challenging. The other SMC's have a Corps of Cadets but are part of a larger student body.
Here are links to VMI and The Citadel:
http://www.vmi.edu/
http://www.citadel.edu/root/
I can't seem to find my BGO at my school, how do I find out?
Remember, BGO's are local volunteer representatives to facilitate interviews and provide admissions information on behalf of the US Naval Academy. They are not (always) "assigned" to a particular school, but (possibly) by geographic region of the U.S.
Here is a link to find your local BGO if you are interested in attending USNA.
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/BGO/index.php