My son has been accepted to both the Citadel and VMI. We just heard from VMI this week, Citadel we have known for about a month. He did the overnight open house at VMI last winter and we visited the campus and took a tour of the Citadel while we were on vacation in Hilton Head this summer. The tour of the Citadel did convince him to apply there as he was unsure before he visited. He loved VMI right off the bat. He is also applying to USMA. I feel he will get an appointment, but that in no way guarantees admission. He is also applying for the ROTC scholarship. He has passed fitness tests and is taking having his physical this week.
I have many questions but here are a few
1. ROTC scholarship, when do you find out about these?This will factor into the decision as we are out of state for both schools and they are very expensive. I hate to say this but I do not want to pay that kind of tuition for my son to then commission into the service. That seems unwise financially. I will not allow my kids to take out loans because we can swing college without that, but there are limits. I feel he will get some scholarship from the Citadel as they told him the offered money to those with an ACT of 30 and he currently has that. He is taking it again this weekend to get the score higher for the SA application And potential scholarships. I do not think he will get any academic scholarship from VMI unless he gets a higher ACT ( fingers crossed )
2. He also has been admitted to Ole Miss, U of Arkansas and U of Tennessee. Ole miss has already offered him a nice scholarship not factoring in any ROTC. They do have an impressive ROTC program. Many of his friends are going there and there is an appeal of having a more typical college experience. Speaking with a recent USMA grad a few weeks ago, it seems most of these kids all end up in similar places when the commission. Meaning this young man was in officer training with graduates from ROTC programs from all over, not just military academies and there appeared to be no advantage or disadvantage . I realize that graduating from a SA or military college has prestige, I am just wondering what other advantage there is to justify the extra cost if there is no scholarship. I am in no way demeaning these institutions just taking a pragmatic approach. The alumni connection may be a huge advantage, just wanting feedback.
I have many more questions but I think this will be a great start. I really appreciate any feedback as I know everyone’s time is valuable.
I have many questions but here are a few
1. ROTC scholarship, when do you find out about these?This will factor into the decision as we are out of state for both schools and they are very expensive. I hate to say this but I do not want to pay that kind of tuition for my son to then commission into the service. That seems unwise financially. I will not allow my kids to take out loans because we can swing college without that, but there are limits. I feel he will get some scholarship from the Citadel as they told him the offered money to those with an ACT of 30 and he currently has that. He is taking it again this weekend to get the score higher for the SA application And potential scholarships. I do not think he will get any academic scholarship from VMI unless he gets a higher ACT ( fingers crossed )
2. He also has been admitted to Ole Miss, U of Arkansas and U of Tennessee. Ole miss has already offered him a nice scholarship not factoring in any ROTC. They do have an impressive ROTC program. Many of his friends are going there and there is an appeal of having a more typical college experience. Speaking with a recent USMA grad a few weeks ago, it seems most of these kids all end up in similar places when the commission. Meaning this young man was in officer training with graduates from ROTC programs from all over, not just military academies and there appeared to be no advantage or disadvantage . I realize that graduating from a SA or military college has prestige, I am just wondering what other advantage there is to justify the extra cost if there is no scholarship. I am in no way demeaning these institutions just taking a pragmatic approach. The alumni connection may be a huge advantage, just wanting feedback.
I have many more questions but I think this will be a great start. I really appreciate any feedback as I know everyone’s time is valuable.