Possible Transfer to The Citadel

B

Bluewater

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I'll start by giving everyone a little background information. My name is Brian and I will be 22 years old Monday. I've wanted to attend The Citadel for awhile now. Currently I am attending Cleveland State Comm. College to try and raise my overall GPA. I bounced around a couple of colleges my freshman year and ended up at a tech school for two years studying for my Microsoft Certified Systems Engineering degree. I passed a few of the courses for the MCSE but, ultimately I wasn't happy with the school and felt like I was settling for second best by being there. In Feb. of this year I was convicted of a DUI. Since then I have became really focused on my goals and what it will take to achieve them. First, I know my age is a factor from what I've read 23 is pretty much the cut off for entrance into The Citadel. Second, I have been browsing some of the threads and it seems like many who are applying for next year have sent in an application already. I was planning to complete one semester at CSCC then submit an application showing my improvement. This would also give me time to re-take the ACT. Would this be too long to wait to send in an application? I also read that the dead line for the Army ROTC scholarship is Dec. 1. Is this true? Also if I paid for the first year out of pocket would I be eligible for the Army ROTC scholarship as a sophomore or is it strictly a 4 year scholarship? Given just the brief description what do you think my chances are? I will be able to pull at least a 3.0 GPA and I currently have a 19 on the ACT. I'm no high school scholar but my dedication to succeed at The Citadel will make up for my immature decisions from the past. Also as far as references are concerned what are some examples? Should I go as far as state reps or congressmen? Thanks for any help you can give me. I know alot of this information can be found on The Citadel website. So I will continue to search out answers there as well.
 
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Bluewater said:
I'll start by giving everyone a little background information. My name is Brian and I will be 22 years old Monday. I've wanted to attend The Citadel for awhile now. Currently I am attending Cleveland State Comm. College to try and raise my overall GPA. I bounced around a couple of colleges my freshman year and ended up at a tech school for two years studying for my Microsoft Certified Systems Engineering degree. I passed a few of the courses for the MCSE but, ultimately I wasn't happy with the school and felt like I was settling for second best by being there. In Feb. of this year I was convicted of a DUI. Since then I have became really focused on my goals and what it will take to achieve them. First, I know my age is a factor from what I've read 23 is pretty much the cut off for entrance into The Citadel. Second, I have been browsing some of the threads and it seems like many who are applying for next year have sent in an application already. I was planning to complete one semester at CSCC then submit an application showing my improvement. This would also give me time to re-take the ACT. Would this be too long to wait to send in an application? I also read that the dead line for the Army ROTC scholarship is Dec. 1. Is this true? Also if I paid for the first year out of pocket would I be eligible for the Army ROTC scholarship as a sophomore or is it strictly a 4 year scholarship? Given just the brief description what do you think my chances are? I will be able to pull at least a 3.0 GPA and I currently have a 19 on the ACT. I'm no high school scholar but my dedication to succeed at The Citadel will make up for my immature decisions from the past. Also as far as references are concerned what are some examples? Should I go as far as state reps or congressmen? Thanks for any help you can give me. I know alot of this information can be found on The Citadel website. So I will continue to search out answers there as well.
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I can say that the bouncing around schools will probably not be looked at positively in that it shows you may not have a will to commit. The Citadel has rolling admissions, so if you do decide to take a semester of school, send you app and transcript in IMMEDIATELY after the semester is complete. I would strive for at least a 3.5, the average GPA of Class of '12 was a 3.35 so you will want to try for high especially as a transfer student. You will be eligible for a 3.5 year scholarship if you are a great candidate that can maintain a good GPA during the first semester of knob year. In regard to references, you should go as far as you can, including state reps and congressmen.

Prepare now, best of luck.
 
Bluewater said:
I have been browsing some of the threads and it seems like many who are applying for next year have sent in an application already. I was planning to complete one semester at CSCC then submit an application showing my improvement. This would also give me time to re-take the ACT. Would this be too long to wait to send in an application?
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If you are going to literally wait until the end of this semester (December, I presume) and submit your application then, I would say you're cutting it kind of close. I'm also applying to The Citadel and I read on a few other Websites that last year's class was pretty much all accepted by mid-to-late March. The Citadel utilizes rolling admissions, which generally means that the earlier you apply, the better your chances are.


Bluewater said:
I also read that the dead line for the Army ROTC scholarship is Dec. 1. Is this true? Also if I paid for the first year out of pocket would I be eligible for the Army ROTC scholarship as a sophomore or is it strictly a 4 year scholarship?
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Yes, the deadline for the 4-year scholarship is December 1st. There is a two-year scholarship available as well, and I've heard that The Citadel is typically fairly generous with financial aid and scholarships.


Bluewater said:
Given just the brief description what do you think my chances are? I will be able to pull at least a 3.0 GPA and I currently have a 19 on the ACT.
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I don't know the statistics for incoming Citadel transfer students, but I know that a good chunk of the class of 2012 (at least 20%) consisted of folks with High School GPAs between 3.0 and 3.24. Yes, the average incoming freshman had a 3.35 but if you look at the breakdown, a lot of students had GPAs of 3.75 or higher and quite a few had GPAs between 3.0 and 3.24. I can't speculate as to why that is.

Bluewater said:
As far as references are concerned what are some examples? Should I go as far as state reps or congressmen?
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Well, last week I e-mailed with the Director of Admissions and was asked a series of questions that indicated the Admissions Board did not read my letters of recommendation, despite the fact that I was informed that my decision has been made and I should receive it in the mail by the 17th. (:eek:) If you call and ask them directly, they'll tell you that letters of recommendation constitute a very minor portion of their admissions decision, so honestly I would not go that high. If you'd like you can call them and ask for yourself; they're very helpful. (Any information I have offered or will offer in this post comes from talking to them directly.)

A big factor in their admissions decisions is your level of interest in attending The Citadel. So if you can find a way to express that (by responding quickly to their e-mails; by stating it outright; however it may be), you will improve your chances.

In the end none of us can really give you a straight yes or no answer; just apply and see what comes of it. Worst case scenario, you're rejected - it's really not the end of the world. Have you thought about applying to another senior military college as a "safety?" There are, after all, 6 of them. :)

Best of luck!!!
 
Bluewater said:
My name is Brian and I will be 22 years old Monday. I've wanted to attend The Citadel for awhile now. Currently I am attending Cleveland State Comm. College to try and raise my overall GPA. In Feb. of this year I was convicted of a DUI....
Since then I have became really focused on my goals and what it will take to achieve them. First, I know my age is a factor from what I've read 23 is pretty much the cut off for entrance into The Citadel. I also read that the dead line for the Army ROTC scholarship is Dec. 1. Is this true?...
Also if I paid for the first year out of pocket would I be eligible for the Army ROTC scholarship as a sophomore or is it strictly a 4 year scholarship? Given just the brief description what do you think my chances are? QUOTE]

While I subscribe to the "you're never out until you are out " theory - I think that you have posed some tough issues here. First while I suspect that being over 23 is a show stopper- it doesn't sound like you will be over 23 if you are talking about admission next summer, so that should not stop you. However, it doesn't sound like you have a very strong academic record if you are below 3.0 in your college career to date with multiple course changes- and combined with your act scores- you might have a tough sell on that front- again however- it sounds like you exceed the minimum requirement of 2.5 so you shouldn't count yourself out. Finally, there are 2 and 3 year scholarships available in addition to the 4 year scholarship- but I would not hold out a lot of hope for an Army ROTC scholarship with a DUI conviction on your record. There is a waiver for everything, but DUI is almost one of the cardinal sins for an officer- one strike and you are out, so I suspect that a similar philosophy is going to apply to an ROTC scholarship.
I wouldn't lose all hope- but I suspect that you won't be as straight forward a decision as some others might be. My advice is - contact the Citadel admissions office and pose your questions about your academic record and then contact the PMS at the Citadel
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I appreciate everyone’s responses. As far as applying to any other senior military schools, well that’s pretty much out of the question. I have my heart set on The Citadel and won't settle for anything else. I have a few friends currently attending The Citadel so I will ask some of the questions I have posted here to see what their thoughts are. My ultimate goal is to go to Ranger School and serve in a Ranger battalion. I know this would be difficult going through ROTC and being a commissioned officer mainly because officers can’t go through RIP. So it's a catch 22. I really want the education and military training The Citadel has to offer but if I don’t get accepted I will end up having to enlist as a DEP with an 11x opt. 40. Again thanks for the responses and we will see what happens. Good luck to all those other applicants, with luck meaning preparedness meeting opportunity. Never, never quit.
 
sabes said:
If you call and ask them directly, they'll tell you that letters of recommendation constitute a very minor portion of their admissions decision
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recommednation letters must have been something new in 2013. i don't remember even a place to put letters of recommendations when i put in my app for 2012. maybe i accidently left them out. but it ended up not hurting me for admissions.
 
You have to call admissions and ask where to send "Letters of Recommendation" They are not publicized but are accepted and do have some value.
 
Update.

I pulled a 3.5 after fall Semester at my local Community College and put in several hours of community service. I sent in my application in late December. March 9th I took a trip to visit The Citadel and spoke with my admissions counselor and went on a campus tour. After writing a letter of disposition for the DUI and having my application reviewed by the disciplinary committee I was accepted to the class of 2013. Granted I still must send in medical forms and my deposit but other than that it looks like I have been given the opportunity of a life time. Hard work pays off. Thank you all for your help and I cant wait to get the chance to prove I belong at The Citadel.
 
Congrats! By the way, I just returned from the Citadel today and

I can tell you that the Army ROTC (Col Townes) is the man you need to talk to. Go find him. Call him, email him, meet him when you can.

He has TONS of flexibility with his scholarships. He said he can even give 3.5 yr, scholarships.

So, sign up for AROTC class first semester (as opposed to Air Force or Navy) and make sure you talk to him in person as soon as you are able.

The Citadel sees your potential as a principaled leader or else you would not have been accepted.

If you want to lead soldiers in the Army, you must meet and convey that to COL Townes. You must take the lead... and you know how to do that. You cleaned up your mess. You learned. You are better for it.

Thanks for remembering to update your accomplishment here on the forums. It is great to read success stories!

Blessings!
 
WOOT

I'm glad to hear everything worked out for you.

Cant wait to you see guys in August.
 
mwbluebeard thanks for the great information and kind words. I plan on visiting The Citadel again after school gets out. I will definitely take your advice and speak with Col Townes.
SF49ers and Sedrider thanks for the kind words. I'll see you guys in a couple of months.
 
Congratulations

I was reading this post - getting somewhat depressed. I understand how you feel about the CItadel - and no other. My son is like that.

You have a new start - starting right now. Clean slate - I think you know this already - but I'll say it anyway- you are headed down a tough path - work hard, make the right choices and put your past behind you.

Good Luck
 
Just a Question

If you went to a College your freshman year and then decided to transfer to the Citadel would you be qualified as a Sophomore or would you have to start over as a freshman?
 
EPendergrass said:
If you went to a College your freshman year and then decided to transfer to the Citadel would you be qualified as a Sophomore or would you have to start over as a freshman?
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While I'm not a Citadel cadet, i'm fairly familiar with the school. Everyone starts out as a knob regardless of transfer status, credits, etc. I remember when looking into whether i'd be put into a high academic class if I selected class I found that unless you have a had a "traditional" fourth class/plebe/doolie/rat year you would have to participate in knob year for the duration of the entire school year. Now if you're transferring from USMA,USNA,USAFA, or VMI I believe were the only acceptable four; you must participate in a semesters worth of knob year and then you upon your decision could be given cadet over knob status. If I am in anyway wrong someone please feel free to correct or add on to my post.
 
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