Norwich University (NU) is located in Northfield, Vermont, in the United States. It is the oldest private military college in the country, and is recognised by the United States Department of Defense as being the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC): A group of college-based, commissioned, officer training programs.

Corps Of Cadets

Norwich University aims to build leaders out of all its students – they instil discipline, integrity, confidence, loyalty, and honour through a wide variety of classes and learning opportunities.

The Corps of Cadets prepares students for their futures through a structured military lifestyle, and rigorous academics. Cadets pursue commissions in all four branches of the US Department of Defense: Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force. The US Marine Corps and the US Coast Guard do not have their own Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs, however, students can enter these departments though a special program called Direct Commission Selected Schools, or by attending Officer Candidate School after graduation. Cadets who have graduated from Norwich have not only joined the military, but many have also gone on to become leaders in business and government.

Civilian Students

Military colleges are not solely for students interested in pursuing military careers. In fact, Norwich University’s civilian student population benefit just as much from the school’s high academic standards, champion athletic programs, and student organisations, as their cadet counterparts. The underlying values, and the structure provided by the institute, attract many students from around the US and 20 other countries.

Cadets and civilians attend the same classes, and are part of the same student groups and clubs. They work together in all aspects of life at Norwich University, with the only exception being that civilians do not undergo military training, and the two groups have separate on-campus residences.

Leading to Launch

Acquiring leadership skills is integral to Norwich University’s philosophy and principles. In order to be a great leader, one must both understand their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as, consistently practice their leadership skills.

At NU, strong leadership is taught through lectures, practical exercises, teamwork, and lessons in self-awareness. Students are offered many opportunities to tap into their leadership potential – they can lead in the Corps of Cadets, university residence halls, student government positions, school clubs, and Youth Mentoring Programs. Additionally, Norwich University has a Leader and Character Development Program that can be completed within a student’s undergraduate years.

Wise Campus Center

The Wise Campus Center (WCC) is a 71,000 square foot building that is the social hub of Norwich’s campus. The WCC is decked out with a recreation area, dining facilities, restaurants, a bookstore, and the faculty and student lounges. This is where students go to grab a coffee, read a book, or play a quick game of Frisbee – it is the nucleus of the community. The glass-box building also boasts beautiful views of the campus, and the surrounding Northfield mountains.

Norwich University aims to build leaders out of all its students – they instil discipline, integrity, confidence, loyalty, and honour through a wide variety of classes and learning opportunities.

Rankings, Statistics, And Achievements

Norwich University provides academic excellence to all its students: The U.S. News & World Report ranked the school as one of the “Top 100 Regional Universities in the North”. In 2014, HP and Ponemon Institute ranked Norwich as #2 on their "Best School for Cybersecurity" list. Furthermore, the United States' National Security Agency (NSA), and Department of Homeland Security have designated Norwich University as a “Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education”. With all these accolades, it’s no wonder Norwich graduates are valued by employers – the school boasts a 96% job placement rate for its graduated students.

Financial Planning

Last year alone, 95% of NU students shared in $65 million of financial assistance. The university’s Student Financial Planning Department are on hand to make the task of applying for, and receiving aid, much easier to grasp by addressing all questions, and familiarising students with the necessary forms and deadlines. The department helps students understand the financial planning options available to them, ensuring that all financial avenues have been considered, from grants and scholarships, to loans, and work-study options.

Welcome To The Green Mountains

Northfield is a small town that lies in a valley, in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains. With a population of just over 6,000 residents, it is a quaint and quiet area, with a close-knit community. Norwich University is home to 2,300 cadets, civilian residents, and commuters. The campus is considered extremely safe, not only due to Vermont’s low crime rate, but also because of the military presence, and the university’s own security team.    

For those who wish to escape the small town life every once in a while, the state capital of Montpelier is a half-hour drive from NU’s campus, and the metropolitan cities of Boston, New York, and Montreal (Canada) are only a few hours away by car.

To learn more about Norwich University’s programs, visit their profile, and apply now with SchoolApply!