Our son had gotten waitlisted at Virginia Tech (which had been his first choice) so we had all wrapped our heads around him going to Norwich. He really likes Norwich and they offered him an amazing financial package, so we put a deposit down assuming that he wouldn’t hear anything from VA Tech until at least mid-May at the earliest. Today, he was unexpectedly accepted into Virginia Tech and its Corp of Cadets (unexpected because the May 1 deadline is still weeks away). He now faces choosing a school he really likes and is affordable (Norwich) versus a school he loves but might require coming out with loans (Virginia Tech). I’m curious to read people’s insights on Virginia Tech and find out what people view are its pros and cons. We know it’s a great school and loved our visit there, but we would like to hear some other insights on it as we make a decision.
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Virginia Tech
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Money is really important. Also, what does your kid want? VTCC is like you dropped one of the small SMCs into the middle of a large university environment. The cadet experience is probably similar. The overall four year school environment is likely apples and oranges.
What is most important to him is coming out of his 4 year experience well-prepared for a career in the Army. Assuming all of the SMCs are roughly equal on that front, the money will be a big factor. As for the intangibles, I think he likes the fact that Norwich is primarily focused on the military, but also likes the idea of being at a school that has more going on than just the Corps. I think what we’re looking for is some insights on what others feel are pros and cons of VA Tech and what experiences they have had there.Money is really important. Also, what does your kid want? VTCC is like you dropped one of the small SMCs into the middle of a large university environment. The cadet experience is probably similar. The overall four year school environment is likely apples and oranges.
Almost all pros from what I know. Passionate alumni and parents. Beautiful setting. Blacksburg is a great college town. VTCC is in the prime location on campus. Nice climate (but winter is cold). Football game days are a blast and VTCC is a centerpiece. Basketball team just won the ACC! Diverse extracurricular opportunities after first year. Your first year cadet can “escape” the Corps four a while four class, church, a spring baseball game, etc. They can make friends with civilian students.
That’s not to suggest cons, necessarily, for Norwich, VMI, or Citadel. Unless those things are important.
Outside of the Corps and future military officer opportunities, a relatively equal playing field, I’m not sure they are comparable. 3000 vs 30000 (and growing) undergrads.
One consideration - if a first year VTCC cadet decides early on that the Corps life is not for them (it happens a lot because it is REALLY HARD mentally and physically), they can melt into the VT civilian student population and keep on trucking. That change of mind would be much more disruptive at a small SMC.
What kind of experience do they want?
That’s not to suggest cons, necessarily, for Norwich, VMI, or Citadel. Unless those things are important.
Outside of the Corps and future military officer opportunities, a relatively equal playing field, I’m not sure they are comparable. 3000 vs 30000 (and growing) undergrads.
One consideration - if a first year VTCC cadet decides early on that the Corps life is not for them (it happens a lot because it is REALLY HARD mentally and physically), they can melt into the VT civilian student population and keep on trucking. That change of mind would be much more disruptive at a small SMC.
What kind of experience do they want?
Thanks for that feedback. Every single thing you mentioned are on the same list of “pros” we are coming up with. There are certainly things we love about Norwich (cost; close to home; a lot of great extracurricular opportunities; etc . . .) but if we take cost out of the equation, VA Tech wins for him in a landslide mainly for the reasons you suggested.Almost all pros from what I know. Passionate alumni and parents. Beautiful setting. Blacksburg is a great college town. VTCC is in the prime location on campus. Nice climate (but winter is cold). Football game days are a blast and VTCC is a centerpiece. Basketball team just won the ACC! Diverse extracurricular opportunities after first year. Your first year cadet can “escape” the Corps four a while four class, church, a spring baseball game, etc. They can make friends with civilian students.
That’s not to suggest cons, necessarily, for Norwich, VMI, or Citadel. Unless those things are important.
Outside of the Corps and future military officer opportunities, a relatively equal playing field, I’m not sure they are comparable. 3000 vs 30000 (and growing) undergrads.
One consideration - if a first year VTCC cadet decides early on that the Corps life is not for them (it happens a lot because it is REALLY HARD mentally and physically), they can melt into the VT civilian student population and keep on trucking. That change of mind would be much more disruptive at a small SMC.
What kind of experience do they want?
Some thoughts: Sure money is always an issue. But too many folks focus on ROTC when college should be about #1 education. In four years he may well decide Army is not for him, be medically disqualified or DOD decide to reduce accessions. What does your son intend to study - and will he do well in a large university or is better suited to small classes with instructors he can get to know and learn from. Va Tech is a big university - but not too large to be comfortable for those who can deal with large classes and finding their way. It has an amazing choice of majors and minors and great national reputation as a research university. I served on active duty with VT grad who was my BN XO and super individual and Army Officer. I don’t know a lot about Norwich, but had a good friend who graduated and he was an outstanding business leader. Small school with more intimate classroom experience.
I'm a little different on the money side of things. It depends how much money we're talking about. What sounds like a lot of debt today might not be that significant when he's older and has money of his own. You only get to do college once, it would stink to regret your choice, within reason, over college debt. It also would depend on major and return on investment. Some colleges are expensive but worth it. Here's a list to ponder. I like to break it down by state because I think it's more meaningful. https://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report/best-schools-by-state
You can see the Va Tech grads make more money on average than Norwich grads. Of course majors are a big part of that.
You can see the Va Tech grads make more money on average than Norwich grads. Of course majors are a big part of that.
NovaDriver
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DS is a freshman cadet in the VTCC. Not surprisingly, it's intense and challenging (and rewarding). Not surprisingly, there is not much free time, which is and was to be expected, as a new cadet. The Upper Quad, where the majority of cadets are housed in fairly new dorms, continues to develop with the construction of additional dorms and an impressive (when looking at plans) Corps Leadership and Military Science Building. Having said this, the rest of campus is amazing and DS appreciates those times when he can walk into town, with its "main street" very close to Upper Quad. DS will often take advantage of the library, which is also next door. As with all SMCs, one key skill that is emphasized is time management. With on average 17 credits a semester, on top of Corps and ROTC obligations, staying on top of academics is a priority and can be challenging. PT is a close second in importance. My impression is that the cadets have a wealth of resources (if you know how and where to ask) in the Corps as well as throughout the university, including academic advisors who seem engaged (at least DS's seemed so). His Buds are his family but he has made a few "civilian" friends as well since the majority of classes are open to all. DS really likes the military science classes and labs thus far. There are threads in this forum about the commission rates (comparing SMCs) and the excellent food at VT--these should be in the "pros" column. DS is changing majors after having sampled some non-major classes through VT's innovative "Pathways to General Education" curriculum (that are in addition to one's major's requirements), and there seem to be excellent academic resources, ROTC support, and general information on managing important things like this during his college career. Something you or your DS may have done--visit each school. Our April '21 visit to VT (we are from PA) sealed the deal. Best of luck with the opportunities presented, there is no bad choice to be made!
Thanks for all of the feedback! It’s great to hear insights from people who have or currently going through this. Once we hear back on the VA Tech financials, we’ll at least know what we’re working with. As parents, we love both schools and will be thrilled with either.
My Son had the same decision. Son was Scholarship winner. ROTC scholarship does not pay for room and board so it was still I guess around 12K+ a year vs Norwich covered Room and Board for Scholarship winner. He also received a VTCC scholarship that each year was about 3K that went towards R&B as well. But as someone said its a huge Night and Day difference. If your son wants big school, what some may say an experience those at Norwich can only dream of with VT football, much better weather that Norwich, amazing cadet quad dorms , excellent education and facilities etc it get easier to decide. If your have to foot the VT bill your talking almost 45K if out of state per year it can be complicated.
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