SA Nominations at an SMC

[crymsonwynters]

Received the non-select letter from USAFA and USNA this year... I'm considering two different colleges to attend while reapplying, hoping to get in on my second round.
Big question is: how many cadets at SMC's apply to service academies every year? If there's less competition for a nomination at Texas A&M than there is at CU Boulder in Colorado, then it would be a big point on the pros and cons list for both schools (granted, Texas A&M College Station has about 700 AFROTC cadets whereas CU Boulder has about 150).
Does anyone know?

 

[GAPOPS]

My DS was rejected by the USCGA this year. He is hoping to Self Prep next year and reapply during RA for class of 2025. He was accepted into Georgia Tech, Tulane, Citadel (was being recruited for Rifle Team), VMI, Norwich & North Georgia..

He basically choose Georgia Tech after speaking to the Admission officer at USCGA about his rejection letter and reapplying options. (The goal was to see what would make him more competitive for next year) After that call he decided to Self Prep at Georgia Tech over the Citadel.

Have you reached out to the USAFA & USNA Admissions officer to see about re apply options? As far as how many SMC apply to service acadmies every year, I think the number is low based on my DS research. The reason for this is becuase SMC and service academies both have challenging first-year experiences and usually the folks at the SMC do not want to repeat that.

As far as Texas A&M and Colorado, you can apply for Non Scholarship ROTC for both AF & Navy....By the end of your sophmore year if you have not been selected into a service academy you will have to commit to whatever ROTC unit you are in and finish your Jr & Sr years with that detachment.

Good Luck

 

[phil61526]

While it has happened there are notable examples from the past - but I suspect one of two things will happen if you go to a SMC , especially more spartan ones like VMI and Citadel

1. you will dislike the corps of cadets atmosphere and not be interested in a federal school
2. you will bond to your classmates and your school and not be interested in a federal school

ymmv

 

[conrack]

once upon a time it was very common for SMC cadets to seek acceptances to the FSAs because for many years it was about the only way to get a commission; I know of at least 2 people who graduated from The Citadel then spent another 4 years at West Point so they could get an Army commission. It does still happen but its fairly uncommon since you have to spend 4 years at the academies and most aren't willing to start over again after having spent a year or 2 at the Cid or VMI; again the biggest motivator is money since some who don't have the money to pay their way through college are happy to accept the free education.

 

[CatDog99]

You could try the George S. Patton program:
Complete first year (as a Rat) at VMI -- then head to West Point and endure Plebe Year not once, but twice! Now that was dedication... I heard it was easier back then....

 

[Bash On]

My DD was denied from USNA and USCGA last year. This year, she attended Texas A&M Maritime Academy as a non-scholarship student (she did not apply for any ROTC last year) and, after the first semester, she got both a national (4-year) NROTC scholarship and a USCGA appointment (she did not reapply to USNA). She doesn't mind repeating the first year at the USCGA, and has lots of college credits to transfer so that she can get a head start on her major.

DD knew of one other Maritime Academy freshman who reapplied to a SA; he got a USNA appointment (but was denied a NROTC scholarship--something to ponder). For a SA nomination, you go to your home state Senators and Representative so for that purpose you are competing against first-time and re-applicants from home, not your school. Regardless, my suggestion would be to pick the school where you might like spending four years--you might just decide to stay there. Best of luck!