Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets vs Texas A&M Corps of Cadets

Jeepman said:
I have heard that those who go to A&M and join the Corp with the intention of reapplying to a service academy don't end up leaving even if they get into a service academy. That says something right there IMHO.
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I don't doubt that, but I would have left for an Academy, if offered.
 
TexasAggie204 said:
Nothing better than at a football game or when stepping off from the quad when the band plays the first few notes of the Aggie War Hymn. Still makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
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Still gives me chills too when I hear those first few notes.
 
Question for the Aggies...my son was accepted into the ENG program at A&M and also received the Brown Foundation Scholarship. He is also waiting to hear about MO NROTC scholarship. If he receives the MO scholarship and chooses to attend A&M, is participation in the Corps mandatory? We're from out of state, but will be moving to Austin this summer. I don't know much about A&M other than its strong reputation in ENG as well as the loyalty of the alumni. We have a few friends from our Navy days who attended A&M and their love of school reminded me of Notre Dame alums. We're planning a tour of the campus through the Brown Scholars next month when we go down for house hunting and I am anxious to see the school and learn more about it.
 
MegND95 said:
If he receives the MO scholarship and chooses to attend A&M, is participation in the Corps mandatory?
We have a few friends from our Navy days who attended A&M and their love of school reminded me of Notre Dame alums.
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Yes to both. To think of it as a Venn diagram, ROTC is a smaller circle subsumed within the larger Corps circle. All ROTC = Corps, but not all Corps = ROTC.
As to the ND comparison, coming from the ND side, it very much is. When I was interviewing for my first job in TX in '08, the interviewer (not an A&M or ND guy) made it a point to tell me that A&M alums were "thick as thieves," just like ND alums.
BTW, if you were '95, then we drank some of the same water. I was in Law School during that era. My son will likely be at A&M next Fall also. (Still waiting to hear definitively from a SA.)
 
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franknd said:
Yes to both. To think of it as a Venn diagram, ROTC is a smaller circle subsumed within the larger Corps circle. All ROTC = Corps, but not all Corps = ROTC.
As to the ND comparison, coming from the ND side, it very much is. When I was interviewing for my first job in TX in '08, the interviewer (not an A&M or ND guy) made it a point to tell me that A&M alums were "thick as thieves," just like ND alums.
BTW, if you were '95, then we drank some of the same water. I was in Law School during that era. My son will likely be at A&M next Fall also. (Still waiting to hear definitively from a SA.)
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Thanks for the info! Good to know. And yes, both my husband and I were at ND and graduated in '95. He did NROTC and eventually joined the fleet as a SWO. My son also got into ND, so he has some decisions to make this spring. Best of luck to your son! My husband did two years of shore duty teaching at the Academy and two of my three kids were born while we lived in Annapolis. I was bummed when my son opted not to pursue that route.
 
Jeepman said:
I have heard that those who go to A&M and join the Corp with the intention of reapplying to a service academy don't end up leaving even if they get into a service academy. That says something right there IMHO.
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Not an appointment, but a Congressperson's office called my daughter with an offer of a nomination to a SA. She politely declined, stating she would prefer to stay at A&M. She got a four-year NROTC scholarship there. She's still waiting to hear from the USCGA but even it it's good news from them, I'm not 100% sure the answer wouldn't be same.
 
Bash On said:
Not an appointment, but a Congressperson's office called my daughter with an offer of a nomination to a SA. She politely declined, stating she would prefer to stay at A&M. She got a four-year NROTC scholarship there. She's still waiting to hear from the USCGA but even it it's good news from them, I'm not 100% sure the answer wouldn't be same.
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Gig ‘em
 
Jackdiddly said:
Man...any current VT Hokies Corp Cadets or graduates with opinions on their experience?
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Am neither, but took a tour at VT last summer, while my DS was being interviewed by an officer. VT is a civilian college of about 20,000 plus with a Corps of Cadets of 1,100. So I think VT's Corps of Cadets may be smaller in proportion to the Corps at Texas A&M. It was the middle of summer, so no major activity was going on, and almost no cadets were on campus. However, the staff welcomed us (about a group of 7, some parents and prospective students). We had a Q&A session with a recently graduated cadet who was now an Air Force 2nd Lt, waiting on his school report date, then were walked through the barracks by a 3rd Class cadet, who I think was AFROTC. I think everybody was professional and made a positive impression. We got honest answers to a wide range of questions. For example, someone asked about attrition, so the Lt thought hard and used the example of his class in his company and came up with about 50% over four years. Or someone else said he was planning to study aeronautical engineering in order to be a pilot, the answer was, while recognizing that the Air Force is a technical service, "Don't confuse being a pilot with having to design the plane." Don't major in something you're not committed to finish.

The staff were in Lane Barracks, the old historical building. The cadets live in two recently constructed barracks, with air conditioning. (Not all dorms at VT have air conditioning). Cadets are in three or two man rooms. Rooms are spartan (what else would you expect in a barracks?), with a common sink and mirror. The beds are lofted, with your desk underneath, and each cadet has a wardrobe. The cadets drill with demilitarized M1917 Enfields, so while it's cool to handle rifles made for WWI, the manual of arms will not be the same as that for the M16 or M4 (only matters if you are infantry or Marine).

It's a small sample size, but I was in a brigade in Germany where the tank battalion XO and the support battalion commander were both VT grads. I served in the support battalion. Our LTC was demanding, but fair, and not without a sense of humor. I was in a division where the Commanding General was an Aggie. He was tough, had been a Ranger battalion commander, did not suffer fools lightly, but generally fair, and not without a Texan's sense of humor.

Sorry for the long response that may not be that helpful. I saw no red flags, however. Think your ideas of your DS doing a "spend the night" would be best so he can make his own decision if he is a fit..
 
benMendel06 said:
Am neither, but took a tour at VT last summer, while my DS was being interviewed by an officer. VT is a civilian college of about 20,000 plus with a Corps of Cadets of 1,100. So I think VT's Corps of Cadets may be smaller in proportion to the Corps at Texas A&M. It was the middle of summer, so no major activity was going on, and almost no cadets were on campus. However, the staff welcomed us (about a group of 7, some parents and prospective students). We had a Q&A session with a recently graduated cadet who was now an Air Force 2nd Lt, waiting on his school report date, then were walked through the barracks by a 3rd Class cadet, who I think was AFROTC. I think everybody was professional and made a positive impression. We got honest answers to a wide range of questions. For example, someone asked about attrition, so the Lt thought hard and used the example of his class in his company and came up with about 50% over four years. Or someone else said he was planning to study aeronautical engineering in order to be a pilot, the answer was, while recognizing that the Air Force is a technical service, "Don't confuse being a pilot with having to design the plane." Don't major in something you're not committed to finish.

The staff were in Lane Barracks, the old historical building. The cadets live in two recently constructed barracks, with air conditioning. (Not all dorms at VT have air conditioning). Cadets are in three or two man rooms. Rooms are spartan (what else would you expect in a barracks?), with a common sink and mirror. The beds are lofted, with your desk underneath, and each cadet has a wardrobe. The cadets drill with demilitarized M1917 Enfields, so while it's cool to handle rifles made for WWI, the manual of arms will not be the same as that for the M16 or M4 (only matters if you are infantry or Marine).

It's a small sample size, but I was in a brigade in Germany where the tank battalion XO and the support battalion commander were both VT grads. I served in the support battalion. Our LTC was demanding, but fair, and not without a sense of humor. I was in a division where the Commanding General was an Aggie. He was tough, had been a Ranger battalion commander, did not suffer fools lightly, but generally fair, and not without a Texan's sense of humor.

Sorry for the long response that may not be that helpful. I saw no red flags, however. Think your ideas of your DS doing a "spend the night" would be best so he can make his own decision if he is a fit..
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Really appreciate the insight. What did your DS think about the place? Thanks!
 
@Jackdiddly - One thing that helped my DS decide was visiting the schools when they were in session. We visited The Citadel, TAMU and VA Tech during the summer when school was not in session. Completely different feel. We then went back to the schools and participated in the Pre-Knob visit (Citadel), Spend the night with the Corps (TAMU) and he got a much better feel for the school. We did not go back to VA Tech since he just did not have a good 1st impression. Have you visited VA Tech when school is in session?
 
EEBTTF said:
@Jackdiddly - One thing that helped my DS decide was visiting the schools when they were in session. We visited The Citadel, TAMU and VA Tech during the summer when school was not in session. Completely different feel. We then went back to the schools and participated in the Pre-Knob visit (Citadel), Spend the night with the Corps (TAMU) and he got a much better feel for the school. We did not go back to VA Tech since he just did not have a good 1st impression. Have you visited VA Tech when school is in session?
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We visited VT Tech Corps a couple of summer's ago and were impressed with the new barracks and the Colonel's presentation and tour. No cadet tour or campus tour. But was impressed with the green campus and all the granite buildings...But it was summer time, so not a lot of students or cadets around. And we needed to rush off to the airport.
Last November on Veteran's Day we visited TAMU and very impressed with the Corps of Cadets and the school. An excellent tour by the Colonel-their new barracks and new Starbucks all made for a pleasant experience. We spoke to the cadets-great kids!, tremendous Esprit de corps and since it was Veteran's Day, all cadets had to dress in Class A uniforms. Very impressive. TAMU wasn't even on my DS's radar until college night and he discovered that this could be his safety school (one he knew he could get in- bc of Grades/SAT scores)...However, I wish my son was into football...because TAMU ROCKS when it comes to football evangelism! (Texans love and worship their football) and all cadets must attend the games. So, if he does decide to go there, hopefully some of that football enthusiasm will rub off on him. We had a tour of the campus afterwards and it's a huge campus with 60k student-with nearly 500k alumns! It's decent campus but personally, VT campus looks nicer. He'll be doing the overnighter with the corps cadets at VT and TAMU and then decide which he likes best...which school did your DS decide on?
 
Jackdiddly said:
Really appreciate the insight. What did your DS think about the place? Thanks!
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He was at VT for a college tour during sophomore year, as VT sponsors various high school competitions. He decided then he was applying to VT. Deciding to be a cadet came much later.
 
Jackdiddly said:
Man...any current VT Hokies Corp Cadets or graduates with opinions on their experience?
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Son's dream was the USNA. Plan B was 4yr NROTC and was accepted at UofM, VT and A&M for engineering. Chose VT and he loves it. He had planned to reapply, but withdrew his application based on the VT experience being right for him. A few of the things that he likes: Exposure and interaction with all of the ROTC branches. Great engineering program, Being in the mountains and all of the greenery/hiking. VT Football. Beautiful campus and great food. The first year is tough for many, I believe about 20% drop, which means having to leave the school if in the first semester. They don't "turn" until late March, so it is a long haul before any significant "privileges" awarded.

The ROTC program has been great.
From a parents perspective, we have been impressed, and appreciate the emphasis on academic success and concentration on leadership development from the Corp of Cadets.

Hope that helps provide some VT insight. We are from a Northern state, so we had no bias either way.
When asked how he likes VT and the Corp, he says he loves it.
 
DS just finished freshman year at VT. Loves it. It's very hard to make an accurate comparison between schools, since he hasn't been a student anywhere else. I'm having a hard time believing VT is somehow "less rigorous," but suppose everyone thinks their program is the best :) If you've visited both campuses and don't have a strong pull towards one or the other, you are now getting down to tiny differences. I would say there is much better weather in Virginia than Texas (I grew up in Houston). I would not make that the deciding factor, but of course with anything military, you will be spending a LOT of your time outdoors.
 
franknd said:
Small correction -- Va Tech is also a SMC.

To the original poster, I don't know which service you have in mind, but there are some, I think, useful numbers in these slide shows comparing various aspects of all of the SMCs, including of course A&M and Va Tech:

SENIOR MILITARY COLLEGES CONFERENCE 2019

Main Track

Conference Presentations | AMCSUS

amcsus.org amcsus.org
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Frankind - thanks much for these slides very helpful ingo
 
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