Pros and Cons of Veteran-friendly colleges?

My older sister is currently serving in the military, and she's advised me to keep an eye out for 'veteran-friendly colleges' because some have great ROTC programs or benefits if I decided to follow that route. Is the veteran support at these schools only really beneficial for veterans, or could high school students seeking to join the military eventually also benefit? I'm particularly interested in schools in California, Texas, and Virginia. Any input would be appreciated!

High school students who plan to eventually join the military can also benefit from attending a veteran-friendly college. Here are some ways this might be helpful:

Pros:

1. Many veteran-friendly schools offer ROTC programs, providing leadership training and a direct pathway to a military career. These programs also often come with scholarships that cover tuition, fees, and books, and provide a monthly allowance.

2. These schools usually have a supportive community and resources specifically geared towards military members and veterans, and you would be able to tap into this network even as a future service member.

3. A veteran-friendly school is likely to have established relationships with the military, leading to better job placement and opportunities after graduation.

As for cons, there are a couple, but still worth noting:

1. The school's focus may be heavily skewed towards military-related programs and careers. If you change your mind about joining the military, the school may not be as strong in other areas or offer the breadth of majors you might find at a more general institution.

2. The student body at these schools can be heavily comprised of current service members and veterans. As a high school graduate without military experience, you may initially feel out of place, though this could also be seen as an opportunity to learn from those with experience.

Some well-known veteran-friendly universities in the states you mentioned include the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, and the University of Southern California, which all have strong ROTC programs. In Virginia, you might consider the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech. Furthermore, these schools offer robust academic programs across many fields, so you would have options if your plans change.

These are just some broad pros and cons. Your personal experience will greatly depend on the specific school and your circumstances. As always, make sure to do thorough research on each school you are considering and, if possible, reach out to current students or faculty in the ROTC programs to get a better understanding of what it would be like if you choose to go down this path!