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Probably not a bad idea to talk to as many cadets as you can.
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<p>lp; I would add to that the recommendation you speak to recent graduates if at all possible as well. Or at the very least upper class members with a few years under their belt. When my son went through a visitation weekend at VMI he was disappointed about being paired up with Rats; their name for freshmen. For the most part the Rats were completely focused on their current situation and could offer little advice beyond survival tactics for their Rat year and obviously could not relate any experiences about life after freshman year. We mentioned this to the admissions group as we left. </p>
<p>I think both VMI and the Citadel have a family tradition of attendance that both helps and hurts those institutions; and is reflected in their lower rate of matriculation, there are more than a few kids the go there because daddy did and don't have their heart in it. I was very impressed with the percentage of kids that enter and make it through the Naval Academy, especially when you consider there really is no "5 year plan..(or 6 for that matter). </p>
<p>Outside the service academies there are a number of choices to consider, while my son used VMI as one of his fall back colleges, he also added some others with strong ROTC programs. I would encourage you to look at some of the 'in-betweens" like Virginia Tech as well as Texas A&M, that have a Corps of Cadets program. I don't know much about Texas A&M, but we did spend a lot of time looking into VT, it probably has the strongest Engineering program of the group and certainly the greatest number of choices in Engineering Curriculum, if that is of interest to you.
If you want to get some idea about class profiles and how they might compare college to college as well as against your son, log onto Princeton review. Good luck to you both.</p>
<p>Since my quoted statements were from another thread but on a similar topic, you may have missed the other poster who said that your interaction with freshman/plebes/rats....(whatever their name at the various institutions) is to provide a more sobering view of how very challenging the program is so you are totally committed if accepted (couldn't find his exact quote, but you get the idea).</p>
<p>Talking to all class years and some recent graduates gives you an excellent cross-section of the total experiences in order to make the right decision for yourself.</p>
<p>If you ONLY attend because your dad (or mom) went there, you might be lacking in the commitment department.</p>
<p>Since this particular thread talks about the Citadel and instances of inappropriate behavior, hopefully the administration is taking the necessary steps to resolve that.</p>
<p>Arrrggg. That monotone dialog got me again. No, Time2, I was directing MY post at lpinckard. Your quote is the best advice ever & I'm agreeing with you 100%.When I read it over there, it stuck with me. Sorry if I offended by copying it here. I wanted lp to realize that two cadets posting don't give the entire picture & then to use your advice. Good stuff that applies everywhere. Put lpinckard's name at the beginning of my post then re-read. Sorry. Should have done that in the beginning.</p>
<p>As far as inappropriate behavior, I'm not in "the know" on how they handle issues of hazing. I'd be interested to know what the two posters considered hazing & hear the whole story.</p>
<p>No apology necessary, I think you misunderstood, ......I was not offended at all.......Actually honored/flattered that you enjoyed my post so much......:)</p>
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Your quote is the best advice ever....
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<p>(OK, now I have a big head!!!!)</p>
<p>I certainly don't think you took it out of context at all.</p>
<p>I only started posting recently, but certainly enjoy all the lively discussions. These sites work better if more people jump into the mix and offer their opinions and thoughts.</p>
<p>Bill, I swear that when I was typing that last foot in mouth post, I was wondering where you were.... No one has tormented me in a long while. Its not been much fun really. If you'll just move a little closer to your screen so I can see you better..... Thats right. Stay there. <em>Poke</em> I really must get to reading the back log on what you've been up to lately. </p>
<p>Time2, it really was great advice and especially good for The Citadel.</p>
<p>lpinckard, its a good college. Truly. Don't let a few posts from cadets scare you off looking into it.</p>
<p>I'm still waiting to get a sexy picture of a grandma . . . </p>
<p>Oh, yeah, guess we were talking about he Citadel. How is this for a second-hand, twice-removed opinion: Every person my son has met who went to the Citadel hated it. All two of them.</p>
<p>Now . . . did that convince you to not attend?</p>
<p>Bill, where do you come up with this stuff? Its too early for happy hour yet so I'm just askin'. :D</p>
<p>Talked with 4 grads recently. I picked up on that universal phrase, "Its a great place to be from but sucks while you're there". Knob year? Yep, its pretty bad but they said it gets better as an upperclass. Was being a Plebe at KP bad? Yep. It got better when they became upperclass. Just my observation.</p>
<p>When I was thinking of sexy grandmas, I was thinking of the one Rebecca DeMornay plays on a new HBO series. . . .now THAT is one sexy grandma.</p>
<p>Okay, I'll go back to resting; or, as I said to a group last week: you put a bunch of ol' men in a cool, dark presentation room after lunch and you should plan on half the room nodding out.</p>
<p>Billlll! Stop posting random "Grinch" thoughts in here. Hey, I was reading back to see what youve been doin & all. I was reminded of something funny VP Dan Quayle said once .</p>
<p>"Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things." :D :D :D</p>
<p>Bill, dang it, I'm in SC not NC. You've got the wrong Carolina again and you know I'm locked & loaded. :D</p>
<p>We need to focus here people. Focus on The Citadel thread. This IS the Citadel thread. Stop goofing around. I'm going to start a thread called "random & other bizarre thoughts". Meet ya'll in there....</p>
<h2>Sorry, Bill. Jamzmom is right. We're in the right Carolina. She's in the left, er.. wrong, er,,, other Carolina. <thwack>. Now looky what you made me do Bill, I'm in trouble w/Jamzmom. ;)</thwack></h2>
<p>The Citadel has a ferociously loyal alumni network. As Zaphod once wrote, any institution is going to turn out both diamonds and turds. (Colorful, but accurate). I've met many types of Citadel graduates, and been impressed by many of them.</p>