JustAMomOf4

Army ROTC - see post #6:
College Program ROTC Rankings?

Now, even though Cadet Command does not "rank" ROTC programs - that does not preclude you from asking questions.

Some questions might be:
How do your cadets do at LDAC?
How many cadets get their 1st and 2nd choice of branch selection?
What do their cadets do for summer training?

The LDAC (leadership development and assessement course) is key. This is the course taken the summer before the senior year at Ft Lewis, WA and is used to rank cadets for branch selection.
Branch selection is done by order of merit - score at LDAC, gpa. All cadets in ROTC are ranked and compete against each other. If a unit gets a high number of cadets their first or second choice of branch that is a good sign.

boulderhikermom

Thanks, JAM. The system makes sense and your list of questions should be an indicator of the quality of the program. I'm also hoping that the academic reputation of the university is somewhat correlated to the strength of its Army ROTC program.

JustAMomOf4

You are welcome - remember the exact same curriculae is taught at in all ROTC programs. The "personalities" of program may differ.

There are many fine ROTC programs at lesser well known colleges and universities. My oldest was in ROTC for a couple of years at a tiny LAC in rural MD - not considered a prestigious school but a good one. Their ROTC battalion consistently had cadets get their first choice.
A small or lesser known school does not indicate a "deficient" program by any means.
With the war - many ROTC staff are there because they are "between" deployments or finishing grad school. ROTC officers are not career ROTC - they are most often these days combat veterans who bring a wealth of experience to the program. The Army is in need of officers and good ones. They have not met their ROTC goals recently. The Army wants every unit to be a "top" unit.

Carroll

What about Ga Tech i'm considering going there on army rotc scholsrship, i'm a senior this year and trying to pick between this and west point...any comments and thoughts would be greatly appreciated

momoftwins

Georgia Tech is a great school. West Point is a great service academy. You'd have completely different experiences leading to the same place. Carroll, you really need to focus on which experience you want. Have you been to both for visits? Have you met with the ROTC folks at Tech? Have you stayed overnight at WP? If you only attended SLS or gone there for a day visit and tour, you may want to consider the overnight. You'll get a different perspective that may help you in making your decision.

You have 2 wonderful options on the table. Best of luck to you and let us know what you decide.

wpmom2011

Carroll,

I have been to both GA Tech and WP and they are two totally different schools and environments.

I took my oldest son to GA Tech in 2001 for a college visit. The campus is in the heart of Atlanta, right off the interstate. If you stand in the middle of campus and look around, you see all the skyscapers surrounding the campus. When I asked the guide about grocery stores, Walmart, etc., and how close to campus these were, the answer I received was, "Well, not very close." At that time, there was very little, if any, public transportation to these stores. And to top it off there's limited parking.

WP is tucked away from major cities, with a small community, Highland Falls, outside the gates. The nearest malls, Walmart, etc., I found is in Fishkill, about 1/2 hour away. There is one grocery store and one drug store in Highland Falls.

I can not speak about the ROTC program at GA Tech, but I agree with MOT - you definitely need to visit each school before you decide.

usservicemom

Carroll, I am hearing from one or two of this years' GT freshmen about the academics and social life. The courses required and their difficulty sound very simlar to WP's plebe year. The social life is different...but then I do not know a GT ROTC student.

Visiting both schools would be an excellent way to see the difference for yourself. Have you visited? GT has a great "Connect with Tech" overnight program. You are welcome to contact me by private message - I may be able to put you in contact with a GT freshman.

timely

A note about Texas A&M's ROTC program....

My S is a junior there. As you probably know, Texas A&M has a huge Corps of Cadets/ROTC program (I think about 1700 cadets). Since S was in a fairly high leadership position this year, he was invited to take a special leadership course taught by the Commandant of the Corps. This general took these cadets under his wing and taught them how to represent their organization in front of groups. He scheduled etiquette dinners for them. He has shared his personal experiences and his leadership philosophy and spends time answering their questions. S thinks the general is brilliant. He feels like the learning and opportunities he is getting are amazing.

Additionally, because the Corps is so large, the leadership challenges can be large. That's a good thing.

All in all, I can't imagine him getting any better of an ROTC experience than he is getting at Texas A&M.

NavyKidsMom

My son just received word that he has the scholarship, and despite the fact that he has been accepted to 2 schools and waitlisted to 2 schools, he has no school as of now because there are no NROTC seats available at any of his schools. Georgia Tech is his first choice. Is anyone currently accepted to GT on NROTC, but will be turning down GT for an academy appointment this year? Son needs a seat at GT. There are only five waiting for a seat at GT verses 30 for Texas A&M or Auburn.

CGAMOM2012

NavyKidsMom -- My daughter just turned down an NROTC seat at NC State University. I don't know what the 'wait' is there.

NavyKidsMom

CGAMOM2012 --That's great info, thanks. I'm afraid that school was not one of the schools he applied to. GT is his #1 with only five on the waiting list. All the other schools he applied to have much longer lists. Our other option at this point would be to apply to schools with rolling admissions in hopes of finding a seat. I guess I will put down the deposit at GT in hopes that a seat opens up. I already put down the deposit at his "sure thing" school months ago, just in case, but GT is by far a much better school, however, expensive without the scholarship.

mom3boys

I'm assuming you're not in state, getting HOPE? You should talk to profmom...I think she works at tech...or else her husband does.

NavyKidsMom

No, not in state, we're in NJ where there is no hope, land of the bankrupt and home of the insane. Thanks so much for the advice.

PackMom

NavyKidsMom, Don't discount NCSU. With a scholarship in hand, the chances might be pretty good. S is currently on NROTC scholarship at NCSU and has been very happy with both the school and the NROTC program.

NavyKidsMom

Today we got great news. I called and was told that a seat opened at Georgia Tech and son is in. Now I guess we can relax and enjoy the summer. My advice to anyone in the same position, call each week to check on openings. Worked for us. Thanks all.