Community College to 4-year university with NROTC unit what options do I have?

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gabegonzalez51

5-Year Member
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I am planning my route for transferring. Right now, I am at a community college with 21 credits that are transferable with a 3.0 gpa. I had just missed the time to apply for a 4-year Nrotc scholarship because they now have applications open for next school year 2013 and I will have over 30 credits by then. I'm planning to boost my gpa with calculus and chemistry next semester and transferring to either San Diego State or University of Southern California for my major, biomedical engineering.

My main questions are what would my options be for acquiring a scholarship if I wanted to get into either of these schools? How would I be able to get a scholarship from the unit at USD, if I were to transfer to SDSU since it is a cross-town affiliate? Also I spoke to an Instructor at USC and he spoke about a sideload scholarship. What does this consist of? Lastly, how could I acquire a 2 year scholarship? Any information to help my understanding will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
 
gabegonzalez51 said:
I am planning my route for transferring. Right now, I am at a community college with 21 credits that are transferable with a 3.0 gpa. I had just missed the time to apply for a 4-year Nrotc scholarship because they now have applications open for next school year 2013 and I will have over 30 credits by then. I'm planning to boost my gpa with calculus and chemistry next semester and transferring to either San Diego State or University of Southern California for my major, biomedical engineering.

My main questions are what would my options be for acquiring a scholarship if I wanted to get into either of these schools? How would I be able to get a scholarship from the unit at USD, if I were to transfer to SDSU since it is a cross-town affiliate? Also I spoke to an Instructor at USC and he spoke about a sideload scholarship. What does this consist of? Lastly, how could I acquire a 2 year scholarship? Any information to help my understanding will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
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A sideload scholarship is just like a regular NROTC scholarship that is available to NROTC college programmers. That is, you would enroll in NROTC and start the program without a scholarship, and apply for a scholarship while in the program. Sideload scholarships are limited. NROTC looks to give 85% of its scholarships to Tier 1 and 2 majors, so your major can affect your. chances. They also have a two year scholarship program that is really aimed at people like yourself transfering from a community college. However, if you enroll in the program you would not be eligible for this.

The process to apply for a sideload scholarship will be explained to you once you enter the program. It's very different from the high school application process. Suffice it to say your SAT scores, GPA, and PFT scores will be key. So will the recommendations of the cadre.
 
kinnem said:
A sideload scholarship is just like a regular NROTC scholarship that is available to NROTC college programmers. That is, you would enroll in NROTC and start the program without a scholarship, and apply for a scholarship while in the program. Sideload scholarships are limited. NROTC looks to give 85% of its scholarships to Tier 1 and 2 majors, so your major can affect your. chances. They also have a two year scholarship program that is really aimed at people like yourself transfering from a community college. However, if you enroll in the program you would not be eligible for this.

The process to apply for a sideload scholarship will be explained to you once you enter the program. It's very different from the high school application process. Suffice it to say your SAT scores, GPA, and PFT scores will be key. So will the recommendations of the cadre.
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Thank you kinnem, but for further clarity when you mentioned the two year scholarship and said "However, if you enroll in the program you would not be eligible for this." what did you mean by "this"?
 
gabegonzalez51 said:
Thank you kinnem, but for further clarity when you mentioned the two year scholarship and said "However, if you enroll in the program you would not be eligible for this." what did you mean by "this"?
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The best example I can find for the two year scholarship application process as a civilian (someone not already enrolled in the program) is here:
http://web.mit.edu/navyrotc/prospective/scholarship2yr/howtoapply.shtml

If you're already enrolled in the the program (ie. you're a college programmer) you would follow the normal sideload scholarship application process. There is plenty of information on that here:
http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/scholarships.aspx
 
It would be a very good idea to also check directly with the engineering program regarding whether or not you will transfer in and be able to complete your program within two years if you are hoping for a two year rotc scholarship. During my son's college visit, we found that while the community college transfer students credits would indeed transfer over, they still had engineering program requirements to fullfill in order to graduate with their degree. The transfer students were told that in order to complete the engineering requirements it would require an additional year or possibly two at the university, so essentially five possibly six years of college. Hoping that is not the case in your program.
 
kinnem said:
The best example I can find for the two year scholarship application process as a civilian (someone not already enrolled in the program) is here:
http://web.mit.edu/navyrotc/prospective/scholarship2yr/howtoapply.shtml

If you're already enrolled in the the program (ie. you're a college programmer) you would follow the normal sideload scholarship application process. There is plenty of information on that here:
http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/scholarships.aspx
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Thank you for your info its been very helpful. Would this be the same process for other schools with the program? For example Would I have to ask an instructing officer of a given unit for their scholarship
 
ckwitzel said:
It would be a very good idea to also check directly with the engineering program regarding whether or not you will transfer in and be able to complete your program within two years if you are hoping for a two year rotc scholarship. During my son's college visit, we found that while the community college transfer students credits would indeed transfer over, they still had engineering program requirements to fullfill in order to graduate with their degree. The transfer students were told that in order to complete the engineering requirements it would require an additional year or possibly two at the university, so essentially five possibly six years of college. Hoping that is not the case in your program.
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Yes thank you ckwitzel i will find out. I dl know that my majolr is a total of 132 credits. I will speak with my counselor as well.
 
gabegonzalez51 said:
Thank you for your info its been very helpful. Would this be the same process for other schools with the program? For example Would I have to ask an instructing officer of a given unit for their scholarship
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Yes. The MIT site just happened to be where I was able to find the most details describing the program.
 
For further clarity, is the two year scholarship for the first two years or is for those who transfer in as for example I transfer goin into my junior year. I have been given contradicting advice so any info is appreciated.
 
From Kinnem's link:

"The following eligibility requirements must be met by all students applying for a two-year NROTC scholarship:

AGE:
Must be at least 17 and under 27 years of age by June 30 of the year you expect to complete training requirements. Must also be a citizen of the United States.

PHYSICAL:
Must meet the physical standards as listed in the NROTC College Scholarship bulletin.

MORAL:
Must have no moral obligations or personal convictions that prevent conscientious bearing of arms or support defending the Constitution of the United States.

GOVERNMENT:
Must not be receiving a disability pension or retirement from the U.S. Government. Must not be currently participating in the College Program.

EDUCATION:
Must have completed at least three semesters of college with a 2.5/4.0 GPA or better and be currently enrolled in a fourth semester. Must be accepted for matriculation as a junior at an NROTC college or university. Must have completed one year of differential and integral calculus with grades of C or better. Must be working on or have completed one year of calculus-based physics."

It appears to me that the 2 year scholarship is for students in just your situation.

However, when you follow the application link, http://web.mit.edu/navyrotc/prospective/scholarship2yr/2yr_complete.pdf , there are pages within it that are specific to MIT. I might suggest contacting the battalion's at both San Diego State and University of Southern California and asking to speak to their recruiting officer to find out if they offer a 2 year scholarship and where you might find their application.
 
ckwitzel said:
From Kinnem's link:

"The following eligibility requirements must be met by all students applying for a two-year NROTC scholarship:

AGE:
Must be at least 17 and under 27 years of age by June 30 of the year you expect to complete training requirements. Must also be a citizen of the United States.

PHYSICAL:
Must meet the physical standards as listed in the NROTC College Scholarship bulletin.

MORAL:
Must have no moral obligations or personal convictions that prevent conscientious bearing of arms or support defending the Constitution of the United States.

GOVERNMENT:
Must not be receiving a disability pension or retirement from the U.S. Government. Must not be currently participating in the College Program.

EDUCATION:
Must have completed at least three semesters of college with a 2.5/4.0 GPA or better and be currently enrolled in a fourth semester. Must be accepted for matriculation as a junior at an NROTC college or university. Must have completed one year of differential and integral calculus with grades of C or better. Must be working on or have completed one year of calculus-based physics."

It appears to me that the 2 year scholarship is for students in just your situation.

However, when you follow the application link, http://web.mit.edu/navyrotc/prospective/scholarship2yr/2yr_complete.pdf , there are pages within it that are specific to MIT. I might suggest contacting the battalion's at both San Diego State and University of Southern California and asking to speak to their recruiting officer to find out if they offer a 2 year scholarship and where you might find their application.
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I have a question, it may be just a bit off topic so i apologize.

In AROTC you can transfer from a Community College and join ROTC as a junior, you need to be accepted and attend a Summer school, LTC (Leadership Training Course) prior to starting junior year. LTC is designed to catch you up since you missed the first two years of ROTC.

Does NROTC have anything similar for cadets that join their junior year, since NROTC cadets need to be recommended for Advances Standing.

Just curious.
 
Jcleppe said:
I have a question, it may be just a bit off topic so i apologize.

In AROTC you can transfer from a Community College and join ROTC as a junior, you need to be accepted and attend a Summer school, LTC (Leadership Training Course) prior to starting junior year. LTC is designed to catch you up since you missed the first two years of ROTC.

Does NROTC have anything similar for cadets that join their junior year, since NROTC cadets need to be recommended for Advances Standing.

Just curious.
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Yes. They have a 6 1/2 week program in Newport Rhode Island.
 
Jcleppe said:
Thanks, learn something new everyday.
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Not only do *I* learn something new every day, I'm at an age where I forget something old every day as well. It all balances out. :smile:
 
Hate to bump a month old thread, but saw this and thought I'd chime in. Long story short, I wasn't selected for scholarship out of high school (class of 2011), so i reapplied in the fall of that year and now I'm transferring to USD this year on Marine Option Scholarship. Very similar situation to yours, I just applied for the scholarship like I did in high school and got selected for a "Four Year Scholarship." Not sure if they are planning on keeping me on scholarship for four years at USD when I could graduate in three more (4 total, counting my one community college year), but I guess I'll be finding out soon enough. Feel free to PM me if you want any more details or info.
 
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