Comparison of Univ Penn, Tulane, Miami

[Megan]

I am totally new to all this.  My son was accepted at Drexel, Tulane and Miami University. He also received the Marine Option NROTC scholarship for what was his first choice (U of Penn - Drexel).  At this time, we can still transfer the scholarship to one of the other schools. These are all really good options academically - for him.

What we were wondering is how do the NROTC programs compare?  We know that they are very similar in terms of required classes, PT, etc.  but I'm sure there will be a different 'feel' in the different units.
- How are the NROTC students accepted on campus?
- Is this just something the students do a couple times a week with each other, or do they hang together?  He wants something more like a 'brotherhood/sisterhood' feel.
- Do the Marine Option NROTC students do anything differently than the rest of the unit or is it one big family?

Thanks!

[Megan]

Thanks for this feedback. We have heard a lot of really good things about both Drexel and the UPenn unit. Can you answer a few additional questions?
- How many Marine option folks there are there now?
- Is there a dorm that is better in terms of location for freshman to get to PT?
- I have heard at Miami, they provide tutors if needed for some of the classes. Does the UPenn unit do anything like that?

Thanks!

[CherylwithaC]

My daughter is at Tulane. She is really impressed with the ROTC unit there. She has found everyone friendly and willing to help. I have liked the fact that they consider academics to take priority over everything else. I don't know anything about the other schools, but I would certainly recommend Tulane. The marine option is "one big family", at least in the freshman year. They all train together. She is on the color guard, and it is a mix of navy and marine options, and it sounds to me like they all get along fine.

[Megan]

Cheryl - Tulane sounds good too. Do you know what the Marine training is like in a typical week? I think I've heard they do PT 3X a week. I've heard lots of running, how much swimming do they do? Also, how well did they have to be able to swim before they go to school?

You mentioned that academics take a priority over everything else. Can you elaborate? I'm really kind of clueless here on how it all works. Do they have study halls together? or tutors available?

[CherylwithaC]

regarding PT - I don't exactly know how it works for the Marines, but I know their standards are tougher than Navy option. There is lots of running! They take a swim test near the beginning of the year, and depending on how they do, they might not need to swim again. (Remember that my daughter is a freshman, so I'm not sure what happens next year).

As far as academics, all first semester freshman are required to put in 8 study hours per week in the Navy building - a study room of some sort. They set it around your students' schedules, but all are required to put in the time-it's part of one of the many obligations for the freshmen. After the first semester, it will depend on grades. If the student has at least a 3.0, they not have to put in any more study hours for that semester. Anything below a 2.0 is considered "on probation" . They will let the student know how many hours they need for study hall, depending on their GPA. There are always tutors for Calculus and Physics available in the Navy building, since both classes are required for the Navy option. There are tutors available for all other classes through the Student Center.

I would be happy to check the website to find out more about the PT for the Marines, if you like.

[Megan]

Cheryl - well I don't know how crazy this is, but my son just put in his request to change from the UPenn unit to the Tulane unit. According to the office in Pensacola, that unit has openings. LT Connor seemed to think this would not be a problem. We should know within a week.

Both Drexel and Tulane sounded awesome in terms of the NROTC program. Although the academics are similar, his main reason was based on the major he'll study at Tulane. As a Mom, I really like what you've told me about the study hours and the tutors. It sounds like they really do look out for our sons and daughters.

Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed. If they accept the request, I may be bugging you for more information. Thanks!

[Centhea]

Welcome! I don't know anything about those specific programs but here are some things to consider:
1) Transferring the scholarship is not easy or automatic. There has to be space at the school to which he wants to transfer and at this point in the year, that's unlikely 2) Generally at big campuses, NROTC (and other branch ROTC) students are a visible minority...at big campuses a very small minority unless there is a cadet corps. 3) I think by and large that the NROTC students do hang together...shared classes, experiences, life goals, physical readiness, plus summer training, etc, make for a great bond....definitely the brotherhood/sisterhood feel. Also the students all have leadership roles so that causes them to be a part of a larger team. 4) From what I've heard, by and large the Marine Option folks do the same except that they have tougher, more physical training, separate squads/units (still all together in the bigger unit) and they have some activities that are focused on the Marine Corps...but all the students do Marine Week in CORTRAMID and they all learn Marine Corps history, etc.). Hopes this helps. :D

[Megan]

Centhea - thanks for the welcome. This looks like an extremely informative forum. You bring up some excellent points. We did confirm that both Tulane and Miami have openings. Actually, I was surprised that so many have Marine Option openings. There's a list on the Service Academy forum, and it looks like most have openings (of the Marine Option). However, there is paperwork, and approvals, etc. and we are getting close to May 1st.
I like what you said about the brotherhood/sisterhood feel.
It sounds like both Drexel and Tulane have that - probably most units will. They are going through an experience together.
In terms of what the Marine Option folks do, your answer is helpful. If a unit has just 1 or 2 of those folks that would be a totally different experience than if it had 12.
Thanks!

[Megan]

Wow! We just heard back from LT Connor, my son's request was approved. They have switched his scholarship from Drexel (UPenn) to Tulane.
I bet you are right, it's different for Marine Option. He had sent in the request on Friday, so that's really fast. May 1st is approaching, I hope your request goes through as well.

Needless to say, we are very excited!

[Centhea]

Congratulations! So glad it worked out for him. He's going to have a big adventure being so far from home.

[CherylwithaC]

Congratulations! If you need any info about Tulane, let me know.

[Megan]

Thanks!

I definitely will. I'll send you a separate message so I don't clutter this discussion.

[NavymomBarb]

You are asking about tutors. My daughter does not go to one of the schools you mention, but at her school there are tutors available to the mids and marine option kids for science and math. It is paid for by the unit and they meet twice a week at her school and twice a week at the other affiliate. She can attend any or all sessions. And at her school, if you go to the tutor (there is a sign-in sheet) and you receive a bad grade on a test, it isn't counted against you with the unit because you got the extra help. They really want these kids to do well academically. Also, her unit is pretty close...about 250 of them with 4 schools and including MESEPS(previously enlisted marines) and OC(Navy officer candidates). She has some friends in all groups and I expect that to increase as the years pass.