Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC, USA

Reviews

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

george from Athens, GA

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It's one of the most challenging places. If you want to make something of yourself and actually learn something come to the Citadel, but be it takes some thick skin to excel. It's a great school with an amazing alumni network. If you want a different experience than the stereotypical college,( you will NOT get a degree in beer pong, one night stands, or pot smoking here) this college is not for you.
Tips for prospective students
Be fit, ready to learn, okay with taking orders and being humble for a whole 9 months.
Be ready to be challenged physically, mentally and spiritually.

Everything is worth it. You'll feel yourself become a more confident, reliable, and productive person because the Citadel equips you for life outside.
Academic Rigor
Hard classes, they will challenge you.
Take the major that you are interested in.
Dorm Life
We live in barracks. Knobs year you will be assigned a roommate, after that you may pick who you room with. civilians not allowed in barracks. You will create the strongest bonds with highly intelligent, and motivated students. you will wonder how you went on with life without knowing some of the people you meet here.
Food and Dining
The mess hall is improving. Vegetarian style food is served for those that need and want it. The mess is mostly family style
What to do for fun
Charleston.....number one destination in america at the time.
Bang for the buck
Best value college in the south. Also the number one public college in the south for the past 5 years.
Great for these types of students
Those that want something more out of life. Something extraordinary
Campus Safety
You can trust that everyone is going to respect you and you are perfectly safe. I feel so confident in the safety that I would let my little sister walk around her at night by herself and not think twice.

Citadel Cadet

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Depending on your major here especially the Civil Engineering major but there are plenty of people to help, and keep you on course with your studies whatever they be
Am enjoying being here
Freshmen will have a different experience but after that experince you will truly enjoy being at The Citadel
Bang for the buck
As a freshman you may not truly see it but in the long-term you will
Tips for prospective students
Be ready for a completely different experience, and be physically and mentally fit for both the college academics, and the military elements of The Citadel
Great for these types of students
People who wont to stand out from their peers in both college experiences, be instilled with discipline, and have a edge in both the civilian and military career fields.

Miles from Mount Pleasant, SC

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The leadership qualities and discipline that I learned at this college will go beyond college. I have learned hard work and determination. This school strives itself on academics and making sure each student attends classes.
Academic Rigor
We are required to go to every class. The teaches actually care about your success. They take their time to help you out and go over old material.
Dorm Life
The barracks create bonds between everyone around you that will last a lifetime.
Food and Dining
The food at the Citadel is the equivalent to food in the military. Don't expect a home cooked meal.
Bang for the buck
The Citadel does a good job of lining up jobs for students who graduate from here.

Frederick from Charleston, SC

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
A school that upholds tradition in ways such as all cadets must uphold the Honor Code, A cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. All cadets are trained during their freshman year as knobs who learn to live by the core values of honor, duty, and respect. No one person knows why they choose to come to live the life they go through when going through knob year, and maintaining that discipline until they graduate, but they all learn it as they go: the fact that this institution molds you into a principled leader that this world needs more and more.
Tips for prospective students
If you decide to come to this institution, you will learn as you progress through your career as a Citadel cadet why it is the most important decision that you ever made; you just have to find the strength within yourself to stay strong and be resilient going through your freshman year as a knob.
Academic Rigor
This school has a wide array of majors to choose from, each presenting its own challenges and benefits along the way.
Dorm Life
You live in barracks just as you would in the real military. You share a room with a fellow cadet of the same academic year and they are constantly being maintained by maintenance workers to make sure conditions exceed acceptability. The rooms also stay clean with Morning Room Inspections or Saturday Morning Inspections conducted by TAC Officers that are retired military officers. These inspections make sure the rooms are being taken care of by the cadets that live in them.
Food and Dining
The meals aren't the best when it comes to quality, but you will get the nutrition necessary when you need to fuel your body for the rigorous physical activity you go through as a cadet.
What to do for fun
Charleston is a wonderful place to leave campus for an afternoon run, as well as on the weekends there are many things to do such as visit the Old Citadel on Marion Square. Every week different cadet companies compete in intramural sports. Daes Hall has a gym and various places for physical activity such as racquetball courts and basketball courts.
Bang for the buck
Upon graduation from The Citadel, you become part of a network of alumni that support each other and are able to help you with anything such as helping you start your career.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The school itself was involved in a number of battles during the Civil War and the Mexican-American war. Every Friday the school holds a Parade which features a Pass and Review for tourists to visit and observe a little bit of what life is like for cadets and the military discipline they are trained with.
Great for these types of students
Students looking to go into the military, or virtually any other career path. Students that want a challenge. Knob year is supposed to be the toughest year of your life.
Clubs and Activities
The Citadel has intramural sports where cadets compete against each other. The largest club it features is The Citadel Republican Society. Many majors, especially business, have individual clubs such as the Supply Chain Management Club. The school also has its own Rotaract Club, which I myself am joining because I enjoy community service with my peers.
Greek Life
The Citadel is unique in that it mainly has companies just as the military does, although it does have academic fraternities: one for business majors and one for engineering majors.
Campus Safety
The Citadel has its own public safety sector that patrols the school and the surrounding vicinity. TAC Officers keep watch over the cadets to maintain proper discipline and behavior.

cadet

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It is a challenging school were self discipline and time management are key. The campus is great with a multitude of activities if you keep an open mind. People are every where and making new friends and meting new people is beyond simple.
Tips for prospective students
To do well at this institution you have to be motivated and be ready to work. Keep a clear objective of what you want and staying active in school events and activities. Managing you time is key as it takes more to be a Cadet then to be a student
Academic Rigor
The Academics here are not too difficult, but at anytime you feel pressured there are many resources to help. there are many teachers willing to help and work with student schedules, in addition to the Academic Support Center which is readily available to help with all questions and subjects.
Dorm Life
Living in the barracks can get kind of boring but there is always something going on. with the amount of people inside of each company you can find always find something to do in your down time
Food and Dining
You get three meals a day although it may not always be the best quality food but considering that it has to be made for a lot of people and that it is free. I would say it is alright considering the circumstances,
What to do for fun
Being in Charleston SC and only a mile away from downtown there is always plenty to do on the weekends and during the week when you are finished with all your duties

Citadel Knob

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Honor, Duty and Respect....those three words are now ingrained in my mind, and I'm becoming a better person all around from having only been a part of The Citadel since August 13, 2011. The work is challenging, but not impossible if you put your mind to it.
Am enjoying being here
Even though it's been tough, I know I have taken the road less traveled and am enjoying the Citadel experience as a freshman (Knob as we are called). The company I'm in is one of hardest and very demanding, but all the cadets are great and support each other.
Bang for the buck
The Citadel was recently ranked as the number 1 public college in the South and put education as their main priority. The professors, staff and Academic Support Center are interested in helping students and have been available to me anytime I've asked for assistance.
Tips for prospective students
Once accepted, The Citadel sends you information on how to prepare yourself physically. There is also a parent association which will answer any and all questions you or your parents may have. Citadel has an informative website and several different Facebook pages to check out. The freshman Citadel experience is one of mental and physical challenges, and you learn to manage your time well.
Great for these types of students
The Citadel is great for any male or female who is not afraid of hard work. You will see a change in yourself after being there for two months, and will continue to change for the better as you progress and grow. If you want a good education and do better with structure in your life, you will do very well at The Citadel.

Female Knob

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This college is setup so that you are not only informed of every resource at your fingertips but they are actually accessible to you. The good thing about attending a smaller college is that your teachers actually have time for you and so do the tutors. Also, every professor I have had has been more than qualified in their given subjects and is very approachable. But The Citadel does not solely offer knowledge towards your major. It teaches you life skills and other many important messages. I can honestly say that I have learned what is important and how to prioritize my time.
Am enjoying being here
Well, if you know anything about The Citadel already, you might know that freshman year presents a lot of challenges that you would not otherwise find at many other schools. However, I do not believe that I could have made tighter relationships at any other school. The situations you are forced to go through propel you to cling to your classmates for support. I am not going to lie and say it is all “blue skies and rainbows” but it is one of the most motivating and amazing experiences. You will have so many stories to tell at the end of the day. The laughs, smiles, and inside jokes that you will have made make everything worth it.
Bang for the buck
Freshman year can definitely hit a family hard—especially out-of-state tuition and uniform fees. However, in the long term it is all worth it because of the successful graduation rate in four years. I think the number is between 70-75%. With other schools, the majority of students end up attending another year or two which can tip the balance when it comes to costs.
Tips for prospective students
If you are indeed coming here, start memorizing your knob knowledge, break in and start shining your shoes early, and, when you are there, just take things a day at a time. Just know that the upperclassmen have gone through a lot to prepare for your arrival. Sometimes it can feel like they do not understand or care but it is just the opposite. They are also there to help you. Also, remember that it is a college and that your academics come first. How shiny your shoes are does not matter if you do not have a high enough GPA to stick around for the next one. Maintain a good relationship with your professors by doing what they ask of you, do everything in your power not to fall asleep, be present, do not be late, and notify them of any circumstances that may be in conflict with the class, and always ask for help when you need it or take advantage of tutoring (it is free). For your knob duties, get close with your classmates early on because they can help you. Get your things ready the night before and always utilize ESP (Evening Study Period) for school, even to just get ahead.
Great for these types of students
These are some qualities that would make your time here easier but do not be discouraged if you do not have them. Be good at memorizing, be obedient, be a good time manager, having some knowledge of military drills would have helped me. However, if you do not enter with these qualities, you will leave with them and, if you already possess them, they will be perfected.

Matt

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Potential freshmen please understand that this is a military type school. It will be a different college experience. You will get yelled at, and worked hard mentally and physically But, if you make it through the first year, it gets much better.
Tips for prospective students
Get in top physical shape before arriving. Prepare yourself mentally as well.
Academic Rigor
Classes are tough, but the professors are amazing. show interest, and ask questions.
Dorm Life
The dorms are similar to jail cells. They are heated and cooled, but that's about it. No TVs or mini-fridges are allowed. Leave the fluff at home.
Food and Dining
The food is actually pretty good. It's cafeteria style and all you can eat.
What to do for fun
There isn't much fun in the sense of college fun to do. You will pretty much be in a uniform 24/7 your freshmen year.
Bang for the buck
The Citadel is not cheap, but as far as universities go, the experience is one of a kind, and if you ake it the full four years and get that ring, you will never walk alone.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
No can do, all traditions are top secret.
Great for these types of students
Motivated, and disciplined students will excel at El Cid.
Clubs and Activities
There are a plethora of clubs and activities for students to join, and they are not all military related.
Campus Safety
This is one of the most secure campuses nationwide, and the most secure in SC.

Ben from Charleston, SC, SC

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The Citadel is a college like no other, offering advanced training and learning experiences that have named it the #1 Public School of the South. While the first year here as a knob is absolutely miserable, the reward upon graduation is very substantial. The Citadel is a school that is a privilege to attend; it instills high ideals such as honor, uprightness, loyalty, patriotism, obedience, initiative, leadership, professional knowledge, and pride in achievement.
Tips for prospective students
Work out a lot, get used to being busy, and learn to handle stress very well.
What to do for fun
Mess with knobs.
Bang for the buck
While the Citadel is expensive, it rewards its students with many tools and opportunities to help them in life.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The entire school. Founded in 1842, this school is based off of tradition. There are many very old traditions.
Great for these types of students
Student athletes.
Clubs and Activities
There are lots of activities on campus, especially sports activities.
Greek Life
Hard to explain. There are some societies here, but basically the life in the barracks is life a sorority/fraternity. Knob year is like initiation rights on steroids for a year.
Campus Safety
The campus is very safe, especially the barracks. Gate guards 24 hours a day, seven days a week, multiple gates, and multiple locks. Also, any non-cadet sticks out by not wearing a uniform.

Wyatt from Decatur, IL

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The Citadel has been ranked #1 School in the South two years in a row. It is a institution of higher learning striving to mold the minds, morals, and bodies of the next generation of leaders. It is easy to get into but hard to stay.
Tips for prospective students
Learn how to study and manage your time!!! The Corps of Cadets seems to put a large stress on military obligations, you cannot let that get in the way of your academics.
Academic Rigor
I am an Electrical Engineering major, as a tech major you will stay busy.
Dorm Life
Crazy shenanigans are always happening. Christmas and Thanksgiving are a blast!!
Food and Dining
Institution food what can I say.
What to do for fun
I mainly hang with my friends and we do our own thing.
Bang for the buck
Great experiences
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Knob year.
Great for these types of students
Multitaskers, gungho, smart people, and people who need discipline
Clubs and Activities
There are plenty of things to do.
Greek Life
We have companies not greek.
Campus Safety
Its a military college with guards and stuff...