When I began the college search during Junior year of high school, I gravitated towards the small liberal arts colleges in the South. By senior year, I had created a list of schools and started working on my applications. As most seniors do, I received a million flyers and letters from random colleges in the mail all telling me reasons to attend their school. One day a very distinct pamphlet came across my growing stack of letters.
The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina. I had never heard of any kind of military colleges and had very little idea what it would be like. My mother sat with me and said she thought I would benefit from the kind of environment a military college would offer and that I should give an overnight visit a shot.
A month later I drove myself the four hours to Charleston, South Carolina, a city I'd never visited before. Nervous and slightly terrified, I walked into the admissions building, checked in, and was ushered down a hallway to a room filled with other high schoolers, predominantly male. I had never considered the stark difference in ratio of girls to guys until I was looking around the room and only saw two other girls.
I was paired with a female freshman (also referred to as a "knob") who showed me the behind the scenes of life at a military college that civilians don't see. I spent the night in the barracks and spent the next day attending classes and speaking with other freshmen about their time at such a unique school.
By the end of my visit, I was hooked on the long standing traditions and rich history of this school and I knew there was no where else for me.
When asked "why military college?" I always find myself struggling to explain because for me, the decision was a no brainer, which to most people seems crazy.
I like the order and structure. I knew I needed a school the was going to hold me accountable for missing class, or else I just wouldn't go. I also like the fact that there are rules in place, so when you do something wrong, you're disciplined accordingly. Every person is brought down to the basics, no matter what level of prior military knowledge, and taught how to be a follower during the first year. Every year after they are taught how to be a leader, whether in the military or civilian sectors.
Many people in high school knew me as the cheerleader with a bubbly personality, so my college decision came as quite a shock. I loved my unique college experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
