SMC to SA?

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wnsham96

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Nov 2, 2022
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I just recently learned about Senior Military Colleges. Had no idea they even existed. Would applying for a ROTC scholarship to one of these be a good Plan B? My son wants to go to USNA. It sounds like a good idea - but right now i know very little about these colleges. Of course we’d have to find one that’s a good fit for his choice of study. But would he be joining a pool of more competitive nominations (and lowering his chances of getting in to USNA)? Is it common for SMC students to apply to SAs? I know there are many factors to consider, just wanting to get a general idea of issues to consider before jumping into the application process. (And sorry if this is in the wrong forum - wasn’t sure if it belonged here or the Military Colleges forum.)
 
wnsham96 said:
Would applying for a ROTC scholarship to one of these be a good Plan B?
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Yes.

wnsham96 said:
But would he be joining a pool of more competitive nominations (and lowering his chances of getting in to USNA)?
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These programs are well known to the SAs, including USNA. If he excels at a SMC, he will not be lowering his chances. On the contrary, he will demonstrate an ability to succeed.
 
Does DS want to serve in the Military, attend a Military Academy ? Then yes, a SMC is a good plan B. I would think attending a SMC and doing well in a STEM curriculum would make a strong reapplication and would certainly interest and motivation (but I often question the sanity of going through two Plebe Years). Citadel and VMI were my Plan B's.....but went to NAPS instead.
 
Yes, the goal is to get a good college education with little debt and being a commissioned officer 👍
 
DS had was Army focused, had a 4 year ROTC Scholarship and was choosing between The Citadel and VMI as his plan B. He eventually received an appointment to West Point. The Citadel was generous with scholarship such that DS would have paid little to attend there for 4 years. Other SMCs are not so exclusively military focused as The Citadel and VMI, but DS wanted the full immersion into the cadet experience and considered the lifestyle at these 2 schools was most like the Service Academies. Good luck.
 
DD visited three SMC prior to getting off wait list for USNA in May . We were very impressed with VMI and she actually still keeps in touch with several students she met during visits . I would recommend visits to any he might be interested in and if possible overnights . I am not sure why the nomination would come into play , you have to apply for a nomination from his home congressional district , so other cadets from SMC won’t come into play unless they live in your district . DD had accepted her place at VMI and was content and did have plans to reapply to USNA after the Rat year , but I wanted her to be sure she could see herself at VMI for four years and she definitely could. I will also second applying for ROTC scholarships . We were out of state for VMI and The Citadel and DD did receive scholarships to both , but it was still going to be more than we could help her with . Good luck .
 
Allectus said:
DS had was Army focused, had a 4 year ROTC Scholarship and was choosing between The Citadel and VMI as his plan B. He eventually received an appointment to West Point. The Citadel was generous with scholarship such that DS would have paid little to attend there for 4 years. Other SMCs are not so exclusively military focused as The Citadel and VMI, but DS wanted the full immersion into the cadet experience and considered the lifestyle at these 2 schools was most like the Service Academies. Good luck.
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This is very helpful, thank you. Do you know if some SMCs are more focused on the Navy than others, or are they all pretty balanced between Navy, Army, and Air Force?
 
Banshee Mom said:
DD visited three SMC prior to getting off wait list for USNA in May . We were very impressed with VMI and she actually still keeps in touch with several students she met during visits . I would recommend visits to any he might be interested in and if possible overnights . I am not sure why the nomination would come into play , you have to apply for a nomination from his home congressional district , so other cadets from SMC won’t come into play unless they live in your district . DD had accepted her place at VMI and was content and did have plans to reapply to USNA after the Rat year , but I wanted her to be sure she could see herself at VMI for four years and she definitely could. I will also second applying for ROTC scholarships . We were out of state for VMI and The Citadel and DD did receive scholarships to both , but it was still going to be more than we could help her with . Good luck .
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Oh, I didn’t realize our district would still be based on our home address and not the college! Good to know!
 
I am a current UNG cadet and applying to USNA. The only reason I don't stay at UNG is that it is the only SMC that only commissions into the Army. It's a good school for future army officers though.
 
VMI and The Citadel both have Navy ROTC. The Citadel is on the coast, and there is a naval base in Charleston.
 
I would imagine getting a ROTC PNS or PMS nom at those schools would be super competitive ...... but every nom opportunity helps! (To clarify, it is not really a nomination, it is a letter of recommendation for an appointment. Only around 20 people can be charged to ROTC noms).
 
That's why I was saying it's not "really" a nom. The Academy assigns it, not the CO. Semantics. ;)
 
Plebe summer roommate came to USNA after finishing knob year at The Citadel. A true masochist! And as someone from north of the Mason-Dixon line, he wasn't exactly warmly welcomed back in 1980.
 
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