Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets V Texas A&M Corps of Cadet

[Pegasussquadronwindownix]

I am a service academy applicant for the class of 2027. I had a quick question in regards to the SMC's. In the case that the service academy option does not work out, as a backup option I am considering Texas A&M and Virginia Tech amongst other SMC's because of the corps of cadet programs offered within a larger civilian university. I wanted to know what other people thought about the two options. How do they compare to each other? If we have any alumni in the forum, I want to know ya'lls personal experience / opinion about the two schools corps of cadet program. If I do happen to attend one of these two universities, it would be through ROTC if that factors into the comparison.

Thank ya'll so much in advance.

 

[Peter2025]

I am a service academy applicant for the class of 2027. I had a quick question in regards to the SMC's. In the case that the service academy option does not work out, as a backup option I am considering Texas A&M and Virginia Tech amongst other SMC's because of the corps of cadet programs offered within a larger civilian university. I wanted to know what other people thought about the two options. How do they compare to each other? If we have any alumni in the forum, I want to know ya'lls personal experience / opinion about the two schools corps of cadet program. If I do happen to attend one of these two universities, it would be through ROTC if that factors into the comparison.

Thank ya'll so much in advance.

I have two buddies who attend/attended the Citadel. I know they, as you might expect, did not enjoy it too much the first year, but after that I think they are both happy to go/have gone there. Can't say much more than that, sorry!

 

[franknd]

I think they are really pretty similar. If you are not in-state for either, one difference might be that A&M has made a concerted effort to make A&M affordable for out-of-state Corps students, as in, getting in-state Texas tuition and the Patriot Scholarship, which covers room and board. Not sure about VT in that regard.

 

[Bushrod]

I think they are really pretty similar. If you are not in-state for either, one difference might be that A&M has made a concerted effort to make A&M affordable for out-of-state Corps students, as in, getting in-state Texas tuition and the Patriot Scholarship, which covers room and board. Not sure about VT in that regard.

VT does not cover room and board and gives little to no merit scholarships. Room and board is looking like around 12k this year so not bad if tuition is covered.

 

[glen]

This is a very broad question. What are you really interested in knowing? TAMU and VaTech are large research universities. If you are applying to a federal academy, consider their student bodies are ~ 4,500 vs TAMU has ~56,000 undergrad students. Va Tech has ~ 30,000 undergraduates. So consider what your freshman and sophomore academic class size might be vs an academy, or one of the smaller SMCs like VMI or Citadel, with undergrad student bodies ~ 1,800-2,300. Are you asking about academics, campus experience, or financial benefits?

 

[PaigeM]

VT does not cover room and board and gives little to no merit scholarships. Room and board is looking like around 12k this year so not bad if tuition is covered.

If you live out of state, go to VT CC, you are eligable to join the VA National Guard and are then able to get for in-state tuition with minimal obligations to VA Nat Guard while attending VT. Something else to consider, if you truly have the grades, board scores, PT scores, activities, etc for serious consideration into one of the service academies, then why aren't you completing to the ROTC Scholarship Apps? If you truly are close to a service academy appointment, then a 4 yr ROTC scholarship would be a no-brainier. If you are awarded a 4 yr ROTC scholarship and don't want to pay anything for school (like an SA), then you should also consider Norwich University which offers to cover EVERYTHING else.

I have done PILES of research on the SMCs. Norwich Offers the most financial incentives of all the SMCs

Scholarships, Awards & Military Benefits

www.norwich.edu

 

[palmettoag]

Howdy,

Texas A&M has traditions like none other. They call us a "cult" for a reason. You will not experience traditions like midnight yell, silver taps, muster, wildcatting, some "secret" traditions and etc anywhere else.The Corps here is central to the university, not just some other student organization on campus. Texas A&M whether you are a civilian or a cadet would not be Texas A&M without the Corps. The ROTC programs are the best in the country. We have a SEAL Platoon, Rudders Rangers, AF Spec Ops unit, Marine Recon, Corps sports teams, Marksmanship team, and so many other Special Units in the Corps. Also there is 1000 plus student orgs on campus. Some of these orgs include SCONA, the Student Conference on National Affairs committee which provides you many opportunities to gain more connections with high ranking military and civilian personnel including some speakers last year like the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Admiral McRaven. No one regrets their time here, I've met people that have transferred from other SMC's and SA's to come here. Not knocking any other school but that shows Texas A&M is something unique. If you would like to talk to me more, DM me.

 

[MDRDV]

I have done PILES of research on the SMCs. Norwich Offers the most financial incentives of all the SMCs

Scholarships, Awards & Military Benefits

www.norwich.edu

Norwich does offer many merit scholarships, visitation credits, and more. Starting at almost $60k / yr for tuition is steep! I'm finding the bottom line after all the financial incentives is about equal or more than totals I am coming up with for A&M.

 

[MDRDV]

Howdy,

Texas A&M has traditions like none other. They call us a "cult" for a reason. You will not experience traditions like midnight yell, silver taps, muster, wildcatting, some "secret" traditions and etc anywhere else.The Corps here is central to the university, not just some other student organization on campus. Texas A&M whether you are a civilian or a cadet would not be Texas A&M without the Corps. The ROTC programs are the best in the country. We have a SEAL Platoon, Rudders Rangers, AF Spec Ops unit, Marine Recon, Corps sports teams, Marksmanship team, and so many other Special Units in the Corps. Also there is 1000 plus student orgs on campus. Some of these orgs include SCONA, the Student Conference on National Affairs committee which provides you many opportunities to gain more connections with high ranking military and civilian personnel including some speakers last year like the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Admiral McRaven. No one regrets their time here, I've met people that have transferred from other SMC's and SA's to come here. Not knocking any other school but that shows Texas A&M is something unique. If you would like to talk to me more, DM me.

Marksmanship? Did air rifle/small bore team re-form, or is this a bunch of cadets that like guns setting up a club to plink around the range with assault rifles and pistols?
I honestly would like to know. I compete in 3P air rifle. I haven't found active info on a current team.

 

[PaigeM]

Howdy,

Texas A&M has traditions like none other. They call us a "cult" for a reason. You will not experience traditions like midnight yell, silver taps, muster, wildcatting, some "secret" traditions and etc anywhere else.The Corps here is central to the university, not just some other student organization on campus. Texas A&M whether you are a civilian or a cadet would not be Texas A&M without the Corps. The ROTC programs are the best in the country. We have a SEAL Platoon, Rudders Rangers, AF Spec Ops unit, Marine Recon, Corps sports teams, Marksmanship team, and so many other Special Units in the Corps. Also there is 1000 plus student orgs on campus. Some of these orgs include SCONA, the Student Conference on National Affairs committee which provides you many opportunities to gain more connections with high ranking military and civilian personnel including some speakers last year like the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Admiral McRaven. No one regrets their time here, I've met people that have transferred from other SMC's and SA's to come here. Not knocking any other school but that shows Texas A&M is something unique. If you would like to talk to me more, DM me.

I agree, but my only comment with respect to Norwich, was you can attend for FREE with any 4yr ROTC scholarship. I don't think any of the SMC's make that kind of a offer.

Norwich does offer many merit scholarships, visitation credits, and more. Starting at almost $60k / yr for tuition is steep! I'm finding the bottom line after all the financial incentives is about equal or more than totals I am coming up with for A&M.

Does Texas A&M offer to pay for EVERYTHING else if you are awarded a 4yr ROTC Scholarship, like Norwich does? If so that would be news to me!

 

[MDRDV]

I agree, but my only comment with respect to Norwich, was you can attend for FREE with any 4yr ROTC scholarship. I don't think any of the SMC's make that kind of a offer.

Does Texas A&M offer to pay for EVERYTHING else if you are awarded a 4yr ROTC Scholarship, like Norwich does? If so that would be news to me!

Texas A&M Commits $50 Million To Full Rides For ROTC Scholarship Recipients

The new 'Patriot scholarship' will cover room and board for students whose ROTC Scholarships already cover all tuition and fees, providing a full ride for more than 700 cadets.

today.tamu.edu

 

[palmettoag]

I agree, but my only comment with respect to Norwich, was you can attend for FREE with any 4yr ROTC scholarship. I don't think any of the SMC's make that kind of a offer.

Does Texas A&M offer to pay for EVERYTHING else if you are awarded a 4yr ROTC Scholarship, like Norwich does? If so that would be news to me!

Like stated above: The Patriot scholarship provides room and board for ROTC scholarship winners, so yes it's essentially free.

 

[palmettoag]

Marksmanship? Did air rifle/small bore team re-form, or is this a bunch of cadets that like guns setting up a club to plink around the range with assault rifles and pistols?
I honestly would like to know. I compete in 3P air rifle. I haven't found active info on a current team.

My buddy is on the team. Let me reach out to him and get you more info.

 

[banjoppd]

I am a service academy applicant for the class of 2027. I had a quick question in regards to the SMC's. In the case that the service academy option does not work out, as a backup option I am considering Texas A&M and Virginia Tech amongst other SMC's because of the corps of cadet programs offered within a larger civilian university. I wanted to know what other people thought about the two options. How do they compare to each other? If we have any alumni in the forum, I want to know ya'lls personal experience / opinion about the two schools corps of cadet program. If I do happen to attend one of these two universities, it would be through ROTC if that factors into the comparison.

Thank ya'll so much in advance.

What part of the country are you currently located? Are you planning to go active duty? Are you planning to settle in Texas or the South?
Have you been to TAMU? It's huge 75K fall enrollment. The C of C is the keeper of the Spirit of Aggieland but it's just a small part of the school.
The Patriot pays for everything that ROTC doesn't pick up. TAMU is a cult. Norwich has the ID White scholarship and the Citadel has a scholarship that also pays for anything that ROTC doesn't cover. Do a visit to both campuses. Attending TAMU will not give you a similar experience that an SA will, VMI, the Citadel, and Norwich are close experiences. Look into North Georgia, large C of C with a large civilian population but not overwhelming like TAMU.

An Aggie Dad with a Norwich son.

 

[Cmac154]

I agree, but my only comment with respect to Norwich, was you can attend for FREE with any 4yr ROTC scholarship. I don't think any of the SMC's make that kind of a offer.

Does Texas A&M offer to pay for EVERYTHING else if you are awarded a 4yr ROTC Scholarship, like Norwich does? If so that would be news to me!

I thought I heard last year that Citadel was kicking in room and board beginning fall 2022 if you earned a national ROTC scholarship, and also as an added bonus covering 1 year if a 3-year scholarship was earned. That would put it financially ahead of Norwich maybe? That being said, my son chose Norwich and we are paying for the first year. He received a ton of merit $ bringing the first-year cost in line with an in-state public.

 

[EEBTTF]

I thought I heard last year that Citadel was kicking in room and board beginning fall 2022 if you earned a national ROTC scholarship, and also as an added bonus covering 1 year if a 3-year scholarship was earned. That would put it financially ahead of Norwich maybe? That being said, my son chose Norwich and we are paying for the first year. He received a ton of merit $ bringing the first-year cost in line with an in-state public.

That is correct regarding The Citadel. The big difference at Norwich is the available funds if you don't have a scholarship. The Citadel has a great program, but nothing compare to Norwich in overall funding of scholarships. Citadel and TAMU are making great strides. I am hopeful that VMI will do something similar in the coming years.

 

[nick4060]

VT grad here, but granted my experience is more than a decade old. I'll say if your goal is to commission, then it really doesn't matter which one you choose. No one on active duty is going to care where you went to college. They're both incredible schools that will give you great experiences while you pursue your end goals of a degree and a commission. If I were in your position, I'd honestly go with whichever option has the better academic program for the major you want to pursue. If you want to be an engineering major, go VT. If you want to do poli sci, go A&M. I was an international studies major at VT and it was very apparent that the liberal arts program was second fiddle to the engineering/architecture programs.

 

[Pegasussquadronwindownix]

This is a very broad question. What are you really interested in knowing? TAMU and VaTech are large research universities. If you are applying to a federal academy, consider their student bodies are ~ 4,500 vs TAMU has ~56,000 undergrad students. Va Tech has ~ 30,000 undergraduates. So consider what your freshman and sophomore academic class size might be vs an academy, or one of the smaller SMCs like VMI or Citadel, with undergrad student bodies ~ 1,800-2,300. Are you asking about academics, campus experience, or financial benefits?

I should have reworded the original question a bit better but I am mainly interested in the campus experience, corps lifestyle, and liberal art academic programs.

 

[JohnGalt78]

I should have reworded the original question a bit better but I am mainly interested in the campus experience, corps lifestyle, and liberal art academic programs.

I have two at VT and one is VTCC. I have never been to TAMU but from what I have heard is awesome too. They both have lots of schools spirit and the college experience at both is great too. If I were you, it would come to proximity to home and what you plan on studying. Here are some of Each schools US News Rankings, maybe this can help