Struggling with safety choices

[Anonymous]

he will have plenty of options - off the top of my head some standouts based on tier w/ high level ROTC

Fordham
Gettysburg College
Drew U
Northeastern
Adelphi
Washington and Jefferson
Quinnipiac

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CSU Maritime.

Nope: mandatory Corps of Cadets.

Sure, but OP is looking for safety schools. It seems foolish to write off a program like Maritime just because of Corps of Cadets.

Hi, OP here. He 100% will not entertain something like that - he considers it playing military and doesn't have much in common with the people who choose it. I get it, DH supports his choice, and we will not push. I'm just glad he's willing to consider NROTC now (though I get why it's a distant choice, too - Navy isn't his first choice).

I get not pushing, but this is a bizarre stance and a sweeping stereotype. Didn't you say in the old thread that your kid wants West Point or Annapolis? That is "playing military" moreso than the Corps of Cadets. Schools with "military slants" are typically the Service Academies or Corps of Cadet programs. ROTC programs run the gamut and some are bigger than others, but outside SAs or CoC programs, ROTC programs don't impact the culture of a school enough to give it a "military slant". Each program will have a military slant and most schools have some sort of (N)ROTC program either shared or designated to that school.

In his defense, an academy or ROTC leads to a commission. It's the real world, with real consequences. A Corps of Cadets program is for college students who want the trappings of the military without the commitment or sacrifice. So, yeah. It's playing military.

That’s not wholly true. The Corps of Cadet programs I’m familiar with have a civilian program alongside an ROTC program for students who plan to enlist, and those lead to commissions.

It depends. CSU Maritime, for example, requires participation in the Corps of Cadets but not all students are ROTC midshipmen/cadets. At places like Texas A&M, Corps of Cadets is not required, but most who participate are not in a commissioning program as well.

Exactly, it depends on the program. OP’s DS is wholly dismissing schools based on faulty information (not to mention sweeping judgment of its participants). Schools that might actually be a good fit. VT has a civilian leadership and an ROTC track in their Corps and I’m pretty sure VMI is the same, not sure about the Citadel b/c my ROTC kid didn’t look into that program.

Unless it leads to a commission, it's just gross, offensive play-acting. Who wants to be around that?

If this is the OP, wow, good luck to you. One undercurrent that has been embedded in each of the 2-3 threads you've started about your kid is his limiting, judgmental views and it's pretty clear where they're coming from. West Point or bust. (And even students in the service academies drop out before enlisting so he'd be stuck around those "gross, offensive play-acting" peers too, how will he survive?)

[Anonymous]

You should look at Clarkson. It has a strong engineering and ROTC program. Lots of on campus research is directed to DOD projects with Ft Drum.

[Anonymous]

Her kid wants Coast Guard, which is totally different from Navy or Army. I have no idea why people are suggesting ROTC or West Point. He should apply to the USCGA (where he might be accepted) and the USMMA (where he probably will and from which he can commission into the Coast Guard) and a couple of civilian safeties (where the presence or absence of ROTC shouldn't be a factor because he's not interested).

[Anonymous]

My neighbor’s son had a great experience with ROTC at Coastal Carolina.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CSU Maritime.

Nope: mandatory Corps of Cadets.

Sure, but OP is looking for safety schools. It seems foolish to write off a program like Maritime just because of Corps of Cadets.

Hi, OP here. He 100% will not entertain something like that - he considers it playing military and doesn't have much in common with the people who choose it. I get it, DH supports his choice, and we will not push. I'm just glad he's willing to consider NROTC now (though I get why it's a distant choice, too - Navy isn't his first choice).

I get not pushing, but this is a bizarre stance and a sweeping stereotype. Didn't you say in the old thread that your kid wants West Point or Annapolis? That is "playing military" moreso than the Corps of Cadets. Schools with "military slants" are typically the Service Academies or Corps of Cadet programs. ROTC programs run the gamut and some are bigger than others, but outside SAs or CoC programs, ROTC programs don't impact the culture of a school enough to give it a "military slant". Each program will have a military slant and most schools have some sort of (N)ROTC program either shared or designated to that school.

In his defense, an academy or ROTC leads to a commission. It's the real world, with real consequences. A Corps of Cadets program is for college students who want the trappings of the military without the commitment or sacrifice. So, yeah. It's playing military.

That’s not wholly true. The Corps of Cadet programs I’m familiar with have a civilian program alongside an ROTC program for students who plan to enlist, and those lead to commissions.

It depends. CSU Maritime, for example, requires participation in the Corps of Cadets but not all students are ROTC midshipmen/cadets. At places like Texas A&M, Corps of Cadets is not required, but most who participate are not in a commissioning program as well.

Exactly, it depends on the program. OP’s DS is wholly dismissing schools based on faulty information (not to mention sweeping judgment of its participants). Schools that might actually be a good fit. VT has a civilian leadership and an ROTC track in their Corps and I’m pretty sure VMI is the same, not sure about the Citadel b/c my ROTC kid didn’t look into that program.

Unless it leads to a commission, it's just gross, offensive play-acting. Who wants to be around that?

If this is the OP, wow, good luck to you. One undercurrent that has been embedded in each of the 2-3 threads you've started about your kid is his limiting, judgmental views and it's pretty clear where they're coming from. West Point or bust. (And even students in the service academies drop out before enlisting so he'd be stuck around those "gross, offensive play-acting" peers too, how will he survive?)

NP with an honest question, though: why pretend to the be in the military when you have no intentions of actually joining?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CSU Maritime.

Nope: mandatory Corps of Cadets.

Sure, but OP is looking for safety schools. It seems foolish to write off a program like Maritime just because of Corps of Cadets.

Hi, OP here. He 100% will not entertain something like that - he considers it playing military and doesn't have much in common with the people who choose it. I get it, DH supports his choice, and we will not push. I'm just glad he's willing to consider NROTC now (though I get why it's a distant choice, too - Navy isn't his first choice).

I get not pushing, but this is a bizarre stance and a sweeping stereotype. Didn't you say in the old thread that your kid wants West Point or Annapolis? That is "playing military" moreso than the Corps of Cadets. Schools with "military slants" are typically the Service Academies or Corps of Cadet programs. ROTC programs run the gamut and some are bigger than others, but outside SAs or CoC programs, ROTC programs don't impact the culture of a school enough to give it a "military slant". Each program will have a military slant and most schools have some sort of (N)ROTC program either shared or designated to that school.

In his defense, an academy or ROTC leads to a commission. It's the real world, with real consequences. A Corps of Cadets program is for college students who want the trappings of the military without the commitment or sacrifice. So, yeah. It's playing military.

That’s not wholly true. The Corps of Cadet programs I’m familiar with have a civilian program alongside an ROTC program for students who plan to enlist, and those lead to commissions.

It depends. CSU Maritime, for example, requires participation in the Corps of Cadets but not all students are ROTC midshipmen/cadets. At places like Texas A&M, Corps of Cadets is not required, but most who participate are not in a commissioning program as well.

Exactly, it depends on the program. OP’s DS is wholly dismissing schools based on faulty information (not to mention sweeping judgment of its participants). Schools that might actually be a good fit. VT has a civilian leadership and an ROTC track in their Corps and I’m pretty sure VMI is the same, not sure about the Citadel b/c my ROTC kid didn’t look into that program.

Unless it leads to a commission, it's just gross, offensive play-acting. Who wants to be around that?

If this is the OP, wow, good luck to you. One undercurrent that has been embedded in each of the 2-3 threads you've started about your kid is his limiting, judgmental views and it's pretty clear where they're coming from. West Point or bust. (And even students in the service academies drop out before enlisting so he'd be stuck around those "gross, offensive play-acting" peers too, how will he survive?)

NP with an honest question, though: why pretend to the be in the military when you have no intentions of actually joining?

Have a commissioned track DC so I don't get questions like this. But for those like you who don't, this should help. The VT regimental commander last year came in via the Cadet Citizen-Leadership track. The non military corp. Service and leadership, even non military is a big drive in kids who choose these programs from the beginning.

[Anonymous]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CsBXvTsASlm/

Forgot to include the link to the Insta post about her. So inspiring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CSU Maritime.

Nope: mandatory Corps of Cadets.

Sure, but OP is looking for safety schools. It seems foolish to write off a program like Maritime just because of Corps of Cadets.

Hi, OP here. He 100% will not entertain something like that - he considers it playing military and doesn't have much in common with the people who choose it. I get it, DH supports his choice, and we will not push. I'm just glad he's willing to consider NROTC now (though I get why it's a distant choice, too - Navy isn't his first choice).

I get not pushing, but this is a bizarre stance and a sweeping stereotype. Didn't you say in the old thread that your kid wants West Point or Annapolis? That is "playing military" moreso than the Corps of Cadets. Schools with "military slants" are typically the Service Academies or Corps of Cadet programs. ROTC programs run the gamut and some are bigger than others, but outside SAs or CoC programs, ROTC programs don't impact the culture of a school enough to give it a "military slant". Each program will have a military slant and most schools have some sort of (N)ROTC program either shared or designated to that school.

In his defense, an academy or ROTC leads to a commission. It's the real world, with real consequences. A Corps of Cadets program is for college students who want the trappings of the military without the commitment or sacrifice. So, yeah. It's playing military.

That’s not wholly true. The Corps of Cadet programs I’m familiar with have a civilian program alongside an ROTC program for students who plan to enlist, and those lead to commissions.

It depends. CSU Maritime, for example, requires participation in the Corps of Cadets but not all students are ROTC midshipmen/cadets. At places like Texas A&M, Corps of Cadets is not required, but most who participate are not in a commissioning program as well.

Exactly, it depends on the program. OP’s DS is wholly dismissing schools based on faulty information (not to mention sweeping judgment of its participants). Schools that might actually be a good fit. VT has a civilian leadership and an ROTC track in their Corps and I’m pretty sure VMI is the same, not sure about the Citadel b/c my ROTC kid didn’t look into that program.

Unless it leads to a commission, it's just gross, offensive play-acting. Who wants to be around that?

If this is the OP, wow, good luck to you. One undercurrent that has been embedded in each of the 2-3 threads you've started about your kid is his limiting, judgmental views and it's pretty clear where they're coming from. West Point or bust. (And even students in the service academies drop out before enlisting so he'd be stuck around those "gross, offensive play-acting" peers too, how will he survive?)

NP with an honest question, though: why pretend to the be in the military when you have no intentions of actually joining?

Have a commissioned track DC so I don't get questions like this. But for those like you who don't, this should help. The VT regimental commander last year came in via the Cadet Citizen-Leadership track. The non military corp. Service and leadership, even non military is a big drive in kids who choose these programs from the beginning.

It's not service, though? It's dress-up.

[Anonymous]

OP again. How big a deal is being "excited" about a college, anyway? Anyone's child end up loving a school they only grudgingly attended? Looking for some hope here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Norwich in VT?
Maritime schools (Mass Maritime, Maine Maritime, there is a SUNY as well?)

Yes, SUNY Maritime College. Additionally, CSU Maritime Academy.

Unfortunately, his stats are too low for Webb Institute, an extremely small Marine Engineering-focused college.

His ACT score is a 33; that’s about average for that school. It’s a tiny school though, so averages might not mean much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Her kid wants Coast Guard, which is totally different from Navy or Army. I have no idea why people are suggesting ROTC or West Point. He should apply to the USCGA (where he might be accepted) and the USMMA (where he probably will and from which he can commission into the Coast Guard) and a couple of civilian safeties (where the presence or absence of ROTC shouldn't be a factor because he's not interested).

USMMA acceptance rate is only a tad higher than the USCGA, and you commission into the USNR, not USCG or USCGR. I wouldn't consider this a backup plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. How big a deal is being "excited" about a college, anyway? Anyone's child end up loving a school they only grudgingly attended? Looking for some hope here.

I think there's a pretty big gap between being "excited" and going "grudgingly."

I was a bit concerned because DD didn't seem really excited about any of her options, at any point in the process. It's not like she had a dream school she didn't get into, she had a lot of options, and she's ready to go to college. As we talked about it recently she shared that she's not really expecting college to be this amazing, life peak experience because through her summer camp job she's spent a lot of time with older staff who are already well into college. They generally like their schools but have given her a very realistic view of what college is like. Sure, it's a good next step in life and she's satisfied with her choice, a place that meets most of the things on the pretty long list of what she wanted and it will be fine. That's probably a healthy mindset to have vs over-the-moon-excited which probably has unrealistic expectations.

Going grudgingly, however, seems like a really bad mindset to start off with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. How big a deal is being "excited" about a college, anyway? Anyone's child end up loving a school they only grudgingly attended? Looking for some hope here.

I think there's a pretty big gap between being "excited" and going "grudgingly."

I was a bit concerned because DD didn't seem really excited about any of her options, at any point in the process. It's not like she had a dream school she didn't get into, she had a lot of options, and she's ready to go to college. As we talked about it recently she shared that she's not really expecting college to be this amazing, life peak experience because through her summer camp job she's spent a lot of time with older staff who are already well into college. They generally like their schools but have given her a very realistic view of what college is like. Sure, it's a good next step in life and she's satisfied with her choice, a place that meets most of the things on the pretty long list of what she wanted and it will be fine. That's probably a healthy mindset to have vs over-the-moon-excited which probably has unrealistic expectations.

Going grudgingly, however, seems like a really bad mindset to start off with.

That's pretty much how I felt about college, even in the middle of it. It was just that natural next step, you know? I suppose I just figure if he could get excited about something else, anywhere else, the rejection won't sting as much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. How big a deal is being "excited" about a college, anyway? Anyone's child end up loving a school they only grudgingly attended? Looking for some hope here.

I think there's a pretty big gap between being "excited" and going "grudgingly."

I was a bit concerned because DD didn't seem really excited about any of her options, at any point in the process. It's not like she had a dream school she didn't get into, she had a lot of options, and she's ready to go to college. As we talked about it recently she shared that she's not really expecting college to be this amazing, life peak experience because through her summer camp job she's spent a lot of time with older staff who are already well into college. They generally like their schools but have given her a very realistic view of what college is like. Sure, it's a good next step in life and she's satisfied with her choice, a place that meets most of the things on the pretty long list of what she wanted and it will be fine. That's probably a healthy mindset to have vs over-the-moon-excited which probably has unrealistic expectations.

Going grudgingly, however, seems like a really bad mindset to start off with.

That's pretty much how I felt about college, even in the middle of it. It was just that natural next step, you know? I suppose I just figure if he could get excited about something else, anywhere else, the rejection won't sting as much.

I think when a kid has latched on to one a stand out dream school, it's unlikely they will get excited about something else at this point in the process. So you come at it logically. Put the best app together that you can for dream school, get really clear on the factors that are important to you and put together a list of alternatives that can meet most of the needs. If they don't get into dream school you cope with the rejection then and focus on the options you have. At that point he may be able to see them more clearly.