The Citadel's CSI (Citadel Success Institute)

Curyea

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Jul 28, 2015
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Just curious if any of you or your kids have experience attending CSI.
Glad you went or do you wish you had more of a real "first day" experience?
Do you feel it really prepared you? Do you think you had an advantage over those who didn't go?
Was it worth losing that last month at home with your family?

Thank you!
 
Curyea, DS1 (a/k/a thing one) attended CSI back in the summer of 2010. Today, DS1 agrees that CSI was worth the investment of time and money. DS1 attended the first session, which meant he left for The Citadel two days after his high school graduation ceremony.

The nice folks at The Citadel promised that CSI would not be the start of the fourth class system. Ha. A rising first class cadet met DS1 at the airport. She immediately gave DS1 a hard time about not wearing a belt. Then, when DS1 apologized, she corrected him for not addressing her as m'am. We laugh about it now, but DS1 told DH and me later that he almost turned around and got back on the plane.

CSI was a nice transition into cadet and college life. DS1 scored really low (maybe even failed) his first history test during CSI. When DS1 wrote his final exam at the end of CSI, he scored the highest in his class. The class was a good introduction to college courses and how to write a successful college exam.

DS1 is from the frozen tundra so he had to acclimate to participating in PT during the peak of summer in the Deep South. He was glad that he experienced the charming Charleston heat and humidity prior to Marticulation Day.

As I wrote in a previous post, DS1 was never the model Citadel cadet, but he made it through CSI, the fourth class system and graduated from El Cid. Today, he is enjoying his experience as a young Army officer.

I don't know whether CSI has changed since 2010, I suspect the folks at The Citadel have made some changes. That said, if you can afford the extra cost and time, CSI is a good introduction to Citadel cadet life.
 
I would recommend going. My DS went in the summer of 2014, took pre-calculus. It really gets them acclimatized to SC, Charleston and El Cid. Those credits will really help if he needs to drop a class during first or second semester his freshman year.
 
We just signed DS up for it. Getting college credit, adjusted to college life, Citadel life, Charleston, and the PT training made total sense to us and to DS.Besides, 1900.00 for an almost four week experience (room,food,personal trainers, college course) in a gorgeous southern city seems like a bargain.

Walking into the Citadel to report in August will be far less stressful when he recognizes a few faces from CSI.
 
I'm sending in all my info for CSI now. Should the medical information be sent to the CSI address or to the citadel infirmary address?
 
Not doubting you because you probably know better, but wouldn't it make sense to send it to the CSI office because they require it? Or is it sent to the infirmary because they use the same medical information for when you actually matriculate? Just wondering. Just don't want to botch it and send it to wrong spot
 
Call up the infirmary for clarification. Your child must be medically cleared with the Citadel to attend The Citadel and or attend CSI. If the Citadel already has your medical information, you won't need to resend,
 
This isn't a Ds Or DD. I'm posting on my own behalf.i understand I need the information to be cleared but who would I send to? Infirmary or CSI office? Because I'm signing up for CSI but it's medical so I'm not sure
 
All medical records are sent to the infirmary address for clearance for anything at The Citadel. If you are academically accepted, the infirmary is looking for medical records for medical clearance. If you are medically cleared for The Citadel, you are medically cleared for CSI is what I was told

Your CSI payment form is sent to the CSI address. This is the only time we used the seperate CSI address. The simple application for CSI is done online.

Again, call the main number and ask for the infirmary. The nurse is very nice and will answer any questions you have.The Citadel itself is the best source to answer your questions about The Citadel.

Also, the main admission number is great about answering questions. We've used it plenty. And if your time is constrained by school, they will give you the right email address.

Good Luck. :)
 
Last edited:
Glen,
While it is a good idea to submit the CSI info as a Plan B, I believe that 34King18 is headed for Colorado Springs. :cool:
 
My son attended CSI during summer 2014. He says it was worth the money. I think it put his mind at ease living with someone new and making the leap from high school classes to college classes. Mostly, I think it calmed nerves of the unknown. Getting acclimated to campus and getting some mentoring from an upperclassman was valuable. My son is still great friends with his CSI classmates even though they are all in different companies.
 
Can scholarships be used to cover CSI cost? Also, I see everywhere from $1900 to $3500 for cost. The school does not yet have cost or much info posted for CSI but my DD wants to go.
 
Can scholarships be used to cover CSI cost? Also, I see everywhere from $1900 to $3500 for cost. The school does not yet have cost or much info posted for CSI but my DD wants to go.
Thread from 2016 - CSI costs cannot be paid for by ROTC Scholarships. I suggest a call to the Financial Aid office to discuss options.
 
I understand this is an old thread. I was hoping for info regarding other payment options that people have used in path. She has been awarded other scholarships for college, not just ROTC
 
I understand this is an old thread. I was hoping for info regarding other payment options that people have used in path. She has been awarded other scholarships for college, not just ROTC
Hi - Admissions advises scholarships awarded for the regular college year, do not apply to the CSI program. They expect to list current year CSI tuition and costs shortly, but don’t expect significant increases. I would look at CSI as a good investment in both acclimating the student to college level study, as well as campus life and the Charleston climate especially.
 
This is kind of a tangent question about CSI but can anyone tell me what time it ends on the last day? My son is trying to figure out CSI and NSI and if it is possible to fly out of Charleson and make it to Chicago on time on the same day.
 
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