Proud dad of twin boys here posting on decisions. Actually writing this in Charleston, SC having completed our tours!
First, my boys are far different. One wants to serve in the Peace Corps and one, the Marine Corps. One DS will be attending UGA (following in my footsteps) and his decision was easy. He's always been a Bulldog fan! With other DS, it's a far different journey! We are a Marine Corps family and the elder-brother (by just over 2 minutes) has always wanted to be a Marine. Stories of USMC legends like "Chesty" Puller and the "greatest leatherneck of all" General LeJeune, always led him to VMI. But we wanted to visit and consider all options before making a final decision. I've known several grads from most schools here, but I kept my opinions/preferences to myself because in the end, it had to be his call.
VMI was his plan A and we were not disappointed. The place is beautiful (in a fortress kinda way). Cadets were very sharp and fit and the buildings were very clean. We were there for a reunion weekend and it was impressive. He was hook, line, and sinker at that point. Professors were very approachable and he was impressed with the physics department faculty, staff, and resources. Also impressed with the Engineering Departments.(Overall, was easy to see why VMI is known as "WestPoint of the South.")
Same story for Texas A&M, but on a much larger scale. The Corps was very impressive and something we both noticed between TAMU and VT was that the Corps felt very much at the center of the school, while at VT the Corps was on the periphery. Hard to describe, but Texas A&M seems to be built around the Corps while at VT, the Corps was there, but not as central to the school. Both VT and TAMU were impressive and had plenty of resources for students, but Texas A&M won out. Now, TAMU seems to be his Plan A! Sort of a great military college within a great university.
Norwich and The Citadel were also great; We drove thru both schools and we were able to chat up a couple cadets at both schools. Overall, the cadets at Norwich appeared focused and professional and the school seemed to be more aligned with DS' goals. Something we noticed at The Citadel was a cadet pointed out an old missile on the parade field. According to the cadets, the missile is pointed at VMI. During the course of our visit to The Citadel, we noticed several cadets and staff talked about VMI.(Not once at VMI did anyone make mention of The Citadel...) Also hard to describe in our visits to Norwich and The Citadel, but Norwich cadets seemed more military oriented and physically prepared, just an observation.
In the end, and for a variety of reasons, DS narrowed down his choices to VMI, Texas A&M, and Norwich. I think he's made up his mind but tomorrow he will make it official!
First, my boys are far different. One wants to serve in the Peace Corps and one, the Marine Corps. One DS will be attending UGA (following in my footsteps) and his decision was easy. He's always been a Bulldog fan! With other DS, it's a far different journey! We are a Marine Corps family and the elder-brother (by just over 2 minutes) has always wanted to be a Marine. Stories of USMC legends like "Chesty" Puller and the "greatest leatherneck of all" General LeJeune, always led him to VMI. But we wanted to visit and consider all options before making a final decision. I've known several grads from most schools here, but I kept my opinions/preferences to myself because in the end, it had to be his call.
VMI was his plan A and we were not disappointed. The place is beautiful (in a fortress kinda way). Cadets were very sharp and fit and the buildings were very clean. We were there for a reunion weekend and it was impressive. He was hook, line, and sinker at that point. Professors were very approachable and he was impressed with the physics department faculty, staff, and resources. Also impressed with the Engineering Departments.(Overall, was easy to see why VMI is known as "WestPoint of the South.")
Same story for Texas A&M, but on a much larger scale. The Corps was very impressive and something we both noticed between TAMU and VT was that the Corps felt very much at the center of the school, while at VT the Corps was on the periphery. Hard to describe, but Texas A&M seems to be built around the Corps while at VT, the Corps was there, but not as central to the school. Both VT and TAMU were impressive and had plenty of resources for students, but Texas A&M won out. Now, TAMU seems to be his Plan A! Sort of a great military college within a great university.
Norwich and The Citadel were also great; We drove thru both schools and we were able to chat up a couple cadets at both schools. Overall, the cadets at Norwich appeared focused and professional and the school seemed to be more aligned with DS' goals. Something we noticed at The Citadel was a cadet pointed out an old missile on the parade field. According to the cadets, the missile is pointed at VMI. During the course of our visit to The Citadel, we noticed several cadets and staff talked about VMI.(Not once at VMI did anyone make mention of The Citadel...) Also hard to describe in our visits to Norwich and The Citadel, but Norwich cadets seemed more military oriented and physically prepared, just an observation.
In the end, and for a variety of reasons, DS narrowed down his choices to VMI, Texas A&M, and Norwich. I think he's made up his mind but tomorrow he will make it official!
