Marine Option NROTC Tips?

Griff94

5-Year Member
Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
4
I know you guys probably hate chances threads but I kinda need some advice. First off I want to serve my country possibly for 20 years. Ever since I made this decision the Marine Corps has always been most influential branch. And when i watch the commercials they always make me feel a strong calling, it's like a religion to me. I have a brilliant mind as my parents say and they feel I should attend college. The only problem is: My family is broke. I figured if I could snag a Marine Option NROTC scholarship I would be set. Unfortunately I don't feel very competitive compared to most of the guys on this forum. Below I will list my stats. I would like any tips possible to help me achieve my goal. Thanks. BTW I am a junior in high school

SAT:
-Reading: 530
-Writing: 550
-Math: 490
-Composite: 1570

GPA Unweighted: 3.0

Weighted: 3.4

Honors: English II, English III, American History, Marine Biology, World History.

PFT: Just shy of 200
(I know I suck. I'm working my butt off for a higher goal of 264)

Extracurriculars:

- Very close to earning the Billy Mitchell Award in the Civil Air Patrol. Been in for 2+ years. Been to many leadership schools. And I hold a NCO leadership position.

- Member of the National Honor Society.

- 50+ hours of community service.

- Working part time at Mcdonalds.

- Advanced Open Water Diver with 40+ dives under my belt and multiple specialties.

*Lots of my family members have been Marines and Soldiers. Not sure if that matters.
 
Take an SAT/ACT prep course. I have friends that have taken it and improved their scores greatly. Have you though about trying out for a sport at your school? PFT needs A LOT of work, but you can get to your goal as long as you really put forth an effort. Good job with CAP, keep working toward that Billy Mitchell Award. A leadership position in a club such as NHS would also look good.

The most important thing for you do to is put every little thing down on your application. Have awesome essays, let them know this is what you really want for your life. While grades and scores are important, they aren't the only thing.

If you don't get the scholarship, that doesn't mean you can't go to college and still fulfill your dream of becoming an officer. Financial Aid is great! Fill out your FAFSA when it becomes open for your class and apply for as many scholarships as possible. I didn't get a scholarship but with a combination of (unsubsidized) loans and scholarships I've received I'm still going to be able to attend my dream college.
 
AS MorganC said, apply for NROTC, if that does not work out, is there a college near you that you could afford with FAFSA/loans? If so then the Marine PLC could work for you

There are low cost colleges out there, you have to dig a little - Berea , College of the Ozarks, Barclay.
Different states have programs for broke families - what state are you in?
 
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Thanks to both of you for responding. I know I have a ton of room to improve on pt. I just got a gym membership and am going everyday. Sports have never really interested me oddly. I know they are very important for a scholarship. But honestly I don't know where to start going into my senior year. The schools around here want sports practice everyday for about four hours. That's a huge commitment since I'm in a job and taking a heavy load of coursework. I guess I should take the SAT over but I'm a bit concerned about it. I have always been poor in math and I did some tutoring sessions before the SAT. I hoped for a better score. You mentioned financial aid idk much about that. My parents aren't helping much either. They both just got student loans. I definitely don't want that! I would also like to know if an Army Scholarship is a viable option if I don't receive a Marine scholarship. And if worse comes to worst, enlisting isn't really a horrible idea to me. It will just set me back a couple years. Anyways keep the feedback coming.

Thanks,
-Griffin
 
Thanks to both of you for responding. I know I have a ton of room to improve on pt. I just got a gym membership and am going everyday. Sports have never really interested me oddly. I know they are very important for a scholarship. But honestly I don't know where to start going into my senior year. The schools around here want sports practice everyday for about four hours. That's a huge commitment since I'm in a job and taking a heavy load of coursework. I guess I should take the SAT over but I'm a bit concerned about it. I have always been poor in math and I did some tutoring sessions before the SAT. I hoped for a better score. You mentioned financial aid idk much about that. My parents aren't helping much either. They both just got student loans. I definitely don't want that! I would also like to know if an Army Scholarship is a viable option if I don't receive a Marine scholarship. And if worse comes to worst, enlisting isn't really a horrible idea to me. It will just set me back a couple years. Anyways keep the feedback coming.

Thanks,
-Griffin

Try taking the ACT, some students find the test works better for them, it has a different approach. The ACT tests you on what you have learned rather then the apptitude approach the SAT has.

See if you can fit in something like Cross Country as a sport, they are usually a no cut sport and can be a lot of fun, plus it will get you in great shape for running, which you will do a lot.

Talk to your school advisor about the FASFA forms for student aid.

The best thing you can do is to visit a local college that has both NROTC Marine Option and Army ROTC, talk to both programs, they will be able to inform you of all your options, and there are many.

PLC for Marines is a great program, there is the option of receiving Tuition assistance as well. The nice thing about the program is that you do not participate in ROTC so you would have the time to have a part time job during school.
 
Thanks a lot for the reply Jcleppe. I have been thinking about taking the ACT who knows I might get a great score. BTW gojack, I live in the state of Florida, in Gainesville home of the Gators. It's a college town, lol. I know there is the "Bright Futures" scholarship that covers a lot of tuition, and I qualify for a "Marine 2nd Division Family Member" scholarship up to $2000. But I'm really clueless about the other scholarships and financial aid. If you could provide me with a website it would really help.

Also, some new info just came in the door from my mother. She scheduled me for an appointment with the guidance counselor to erase some F's and D's from freshman year dragging my GPA down. I will have to redo the classes senior year. And If I'm lucky it should pull my GPA up above a 3.5 unweighted. Which is awesome news!

Thanks,
-Griffin
 
Florida has many excellent Navy ROTC programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Florida A&M University
Cross-Town Affiliate:
- Florida State University
- Tallahassee Community College
Jacksonville University
Cross-Town Affiliate:
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- University of North Florida
University of Florida
University of South Florida
Cross-Town Affiliate:
- Clearwater Christian College
- University of Tampa
Florida has very cheap tuition for in-state students (Tuition $2,500-$3,500 In-state)

A 3.5 GPA and 28 ACT gets you a "Bright Future" award of $125/credit hr

If you can get a 3.5 GPA and a 28 ACT---You sound like you should get;
Pell Grant= $5500
Bright Future = $2000
Marine 2nd Division Family Member $2000

Improving your GPA and ACT are what's going to count...
SUMMER SCHOOL? Then apply for NROTC(M) and Marine PLC
 
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Thanks a lot gojack! Everyone has been loads of help and really got me motivated.

-Griffin
 
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