VMI vs. The Citadel dilemma

[RBI90VMI]

Citadel vs VMI

Blackheart: you do not know your facts at all. In 2011 The Citadel commissioned 191, VMI had 122; you can check the school websites for verification. Funny how VMI routinely tries to make themselves look good by making stuff up, like the longstanding myth about being the only school whose entire student body fought in a battle.

2011???

Army ROTC - Army ROTC - Virginia Military Institute

www.vmi.edu

VMI boasts the largest ROTC program in the country where each year approximately 800 cadets enroll in Army ROTC. Additionally, VMI commissions more 2nd Lieutenants than any other senior military college.

The Citadel Army ROTC - The Citadel Army ROTC

The Citadel Army ROTC (AROTC) program, or Palmetto Battalion, is the second largest Army ROTC program across United State Army Cadet Command

www.citadel.edu

Our Army ROTC program, known as Palmetto Battalion, prides itself on being one of the best ROTC programs in the United States. The program consists of cadets from The Citadel, College of Charleston and Charleston Southern University. Our Palmetto Battalion is currently the second largest Army ROTC program of 275 across United States Army Cadet Command. Members live by the high standards and values of the Army to become principled leaders.

 

[EEBTTF]

Both schools are great, produce excellent citizen soldiers and produce excellent military officers.

I know tons of Alums from both schools.

The differences between the two are personal preference in my opinion.

I'm from Charleston, SC and I choose VMI because for me being home and in Charleston would have created too many distractions.

I think you can't go wrong with either choice. It's a matter of where can you see yourself for the next 4 years.

Rah Virginia Mil!

'90 and parent to '26

Spoken like most all the high class VMI alums I am close friends to. It takes a special person to resurrect a 11 year old thread to cast shade on a school. They are both wonderful schools and how great is it that the VMIs and The Citadels of the world still exist to train our next generation of warfighters.

@RBI90VMI - the 2011-12 reference Is how old this thread was when
@Tac-p21 dug it...all if his posts are Citadel bashing. @Landy - how is the weather in Charleston?

 

[Tac-p21]

Texas A&M?

Good point.
One school, while smaller, has much more in common with Texas A&M. Both have a student body, varied routes to degrees, and a unique corps of cadets at the school. All SMCs started out as small military schools which have expanded their degree options and student body, with the exception of VMI, which remains 100% corps of cadets, 1,700 strong! Those differences may matter to potential students
All SMCs are different and unique in their own way. Best advice to students is to learn all the facts regarding these schools long before making a decision.

 

[Willothewhisp]

Good point.
One school, while smaller, has much more in common with Texas A&M. Both have a student body, varied routes to degrees, and a unique corps of cadets at the school. All SMCs started out as small military schools which have expanded their degree options and student body, with the exception of VMI, which remains 100% corps of cadets, 1,700 strong! Those differences may matter to potential students
All SMCs are different and unique in their own way. Best advice to students is to learn all the facts regarding these schools long before making a decision.

Agree 100%.

DS is NWL W/LOE from West Point, ready for the Air Force Academy and the Coast Guard Academy to call also. He was invited to summer programs at 2 of 3.

He also landed a 4-yr Type 1 ROTC scholarship from both the Army and Air Force. His "backup plan" is basically Univ of TN. They've reached out and offered $50K-$60K in academic scholarships if he wants to attend as a STEM student. He was also accepted into VMI and The Citadel...those two have failed in comparison in reaching out to our DS when compared to Univ of TN ROTC programs. They have gone "all out" to recruit him as a STEM student and into their ROTC program. VMI and The Citadel? Very little effort on their part up to this point. Univ of TN and the ROTC programs are running circles around them in their efforts...that says a lot about VMI and The Citadel to me (and him).

It all starts locally. I am a firm believer in representing those that have helped you "get there". I am sure VMI, The Citadel, etc would be great programs...but please consider local, they helped get you there. Your leadership potential was developed locally. Did VMI or Virginia help? The Citadel? Or did your local community?

Univ of TN has outstanding STEM offerings and an outstanding ROTC program. As prior Army and Iraq combat vet? Realize who helped "get you there" and please consider staying close to home, supporting your local colleges, and having those educational dollars stay within your very own community. An investment in the future. They NEED you.

DS considered Texas A&M as his "backup plan" but backed out of applying once he realized the potential at Univ of TN and the opportunities that are available to him there.

Leaders are formed locally. Always consider your community. It all starts locally.

I was surprised to see someone from Texas not even mention Texas A&M. Was it even considered? If we were residents of Texas? Texas A&M would be replacing UTK (U of TN Knoxville) as the "backup plan".

 

[Tac-p21]

Agree 100%.

DS is NWL W/LOE from West Point, ready for the Air Force Academy and the Coast Guard Academy to call also. He was invited to summer programs at 2 of 3.

He also landed a 4-yr Type 1 ROTC scholarship from both the Army and Air Force. His "backup plan" is basically Univ of TN. They've reached out and offered $50K-$60K in academic scholarships if he wants to attend as a STEM student. He was also accepted into VMI and The Citadel...those two have failed in comparison in reaching out to our DS when compared to Univ of TN ROTC programs. They have gone "all out" to recruit him as a STEM student and into their ROTC program. VMI and The Citadel? Very little effort on their part up to this point. Univ of TN and the ROTC programs are running circles around them in their efforts...that says a lot about VMI and The Citadel to me (and him).

It all starts locally. I am a firm believer in representing those that have helped you "get there". I am sure VMI, The Citadel, etc would be great programs...but please consider local, they helped get you there. Your leadership potential was developed locally. Did VMI or Virginia help? The Citadel? Or did your local community?

Univ of TN has outstanding STEM offerings and an outstanding ROTC program. As prior Army and Iraq combat vet? Realize who helped "get you there" and please consider staying close to home, supporting your local colleges, and having those educational dollars stay within your very own community. An investment in the future. They NEED you.

DS considered Texas A&M as his "backup plan" but backed out of applying once he realized the potential at Univ of TN and the opportunities that are available to him there.

Leaders are formed locally. Always consider your community. It all starts locally.

I was surprised to see someone from Texas not even mention Texas A&M. Was it even considered? If we were residents of Texas? Texas A&M would be replacing UTK (U of TN Knoxville) as the "backup plan".

Great points—really agree with considering local, but other non-local avenues may appeal to some…
DS wanted all-military, cadet only schools, so he applied only to VMI and Academies.
Ended up coming down to VMI and USAFA… both out of state.
Great points about strongly leaning towards local to start!

 

[banjoppd]

Agree 100%.

DS is NWL W/LOE from West Point, ready for the Air Force Academy and the Coast Guard Academy to call also. He was invited to summer programs at 2 of 3.

He also landed a 4-yr Type 1 ROTC scholarship from both the Army and Air Force. His "backup plan" is basically Univ of TN. They've reached out and offered $50K-$60K in academic scholarships if he wants to attend as a STEM student. He was also accepted into VMI and The Citadel...those two have failed in comparison in reaching out to our DS when compared to Univ of TN ROTC programs. They have gone "all out" to recruit him as a STEM student and into their ROTC program. VMI and The Citadel? Very little effort on their part up to this point. Univ of TN and the ROTC programs are running circles around them in their efforts...that says a lot about VMI and The Citadel to me (and him).

It all starts locally. I am a firm believer in representing those that have helped you "get there". I am sure VMI, The Citadel, etc would be great programs...but please consider local, they helped get you there. Your leadership potential was developed locally. Did VMI or Virginia help? The Citadel? Or did your local community?

Univ of TN has outstanding STEM offerings and an outstanding ROTC program. As prior Army and Iraq combat vet? Realize who helped "get you there" and please consider staying close to home, supporting your local colleges, and having those educational dollars stay within your very own community. An investment in the future. They NEED you.

DS considered Texas A&M as his "backup plan" but backed out of applying once he realized the potential at Univ of TN and the opportunities that are available to him there.

Leaders are formed locally. Always consider your community. It all starts locally.

I was surprised to see someone from Texas not even mention Texas A&M. Was it even considered? If we were residents of Texas? Texas A&M would be replacing UTK (U of TN Knoxville) as the "backup plan".

TAMU is the best school in TX, every HS kid is trying to get into TAMU.
With that said, the campus is huge 80K with a C of C of around 2500. The campus doesn't revovle around the Corps anymore, football is what drives the school in all it does.
Almost zero financial aid other than loans for non-ROTC scholarship cadets., every kid in Texas is trying to get into this school so TAMU doesn't need to attract anyone with money. We have known several families that pay full price for kids who graduate #1 or #2 from Texas 6A HS. 30k a year for Texas residents in the Corp non-scholarship. BONUS : ROTC scholarship cadets are awarded Room and Board as of last year so this makes it a full ride for ROCT scholarships. I suspect they figured out they were loosing many to other schools for Room and Board money.
The campus is huge larger than many small towns.
Freeshman English and Math may have 300 students in the room.
The Network is HUGE, An AGGIE can get a job ANYWHERE.
VMI, Citadel, and Norwich may be better options for the true SMC college experience.
An Aggie Dad with a Norwich Son

 

[Tac-p21]

TAMU is the best school in TX, every HS kid is trying to get into TAMU.
VMI, Citadel, and Norwich may be better options for the true SMC college experience.
An Aggie Dad with a Norwich Son

Folks in Austin might have something to say about that! But agree that Texas A&M is giant compared to the other SMCs. Closest in size is Virginia Tech. I’ve always thought Texas A&M and Virginia Tech have much in common while Norwich and Citadel also have much in common.
Aggies love their school! And they are proud of their boots and rings!

 

[Tac-p21]

Difference between schools caught in a picture at todays baseball game during the National Anthem:

VMI = military cadet athletes rendering salute.

Citadel = mix of students and cadets, so a salute is not authorized.

Citadel did win the game though.