NROTC Advice Needed

Kmomnrotc

5-Year Member
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Jan 26, 2013
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I have followed this forum over the past 1 1/2 years, and it has been tremendously valuable for us and our DS as he has navigated his way through the USNA and NROTC process, but this is my first post. Usually I can get answers and advice by reading other posts, but I have some specific questions relating to my DS's NROTC scholarship application. I would be grateful for any guidance. I'm a little cautious about posting specific identifying info, but I'll try to provide as much info as I can.

Here are his stats:
GPA: > 4.0
SAT: Almost perfect score
Classes: Numerous AP's completed through junior year; A's in all; taking several more AP's this year, plus math course at a local university (A's in all so far)
Athletics: all 4 years (spring and fall), 3 years varsity, captain of his team this year
Other: Elected Vice President of his school; extremely involved in music (leadership role in school band); summer job as a sailing instructor
Applied for a Tier I major in his scholarship app
Teacher recs: same math rec. for both NROTC and USNA; used different teacher for the second NROTC rec., but rec. was stellar
Interview: Recruiter said that his BGO interviewer could also cover interview requirement for NROTC; did not see write-up, but the interview went great

DS received an LOA from the USNA in October, and an offer of appointment in November. He submitted his NROTC scholarship application in September. His status page has reflected that all required materials have been submitted and "No decision has been made on your application" since October. DS has been accepted early action to one of the top universities in the country. Although he absolutely loves the Naval Academy (he did NASS and throughly enjoyed it), he has decided that he would rather do NROTC at the university he was accepted to. The problem is that he still has not heard anything from NROTC. He has clearly been passed over by the Board, since many posters on this forum who submitted their applications after DS have received scholarships. I completely understand how competitive NROTC is, and realize that an appointment to USNA does not mean that he should automoatically get a scholarship. But his credentials are truly top-notch, and I am concerned that there might be some technical glitch or other adminstrative error with his scholarship application. Is there anything we should be doing, or do we just have to continue waiting and hope for the best? I realize that denial of the scholarship is not the end of the road and that he can enter NROTC through the college program, but with budget cuts on the horizon, it would be nice to have the certainty of a scholarship before he starts school.
 
Quite recently, there was a post describing how XROTC slots are filled. It was in the past 7-10 days.

I can't remember if the elites were filled first or last compared to the other units. I can only imagine they are markedly different.

In our situation, DS received AROTC 4YR to GA Tech, but he wanted a Big 10 out of state instead. He requested a transfer and contacted the admissions folks at Big 10 U, where he had been accepted with a decent scholarship. He was out of the country at that time. Shortly thereafter, I received a call from his preferred AROTC unit and the Lt. said, "The University of X really must want your kid?"

My point is there are varying degrees of communication between admissions departments and XROTC units. They have a common interest in enrolling students who will succeed.

Go find that thread and it wouldn't hurt to communicate with the admissions department at DS's preferred school and visit the unit if you haven't already.

Also, remember DS may be a superstar at his High School or even in your city. Chances are the Freshman class at his preferred school and the XROTC unit could fill themselves several times over with superstar applicants. I am not trying to discourage you, but this is the lay of the land.

Best of Luck to DS. He has obviously worked hard.
 
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I just wanted to congratulate you on your ds' accomplishments. I've been reading these threads for a few years now too and have really enjoyed reading about so many elite youngsters desiring to serve our country! gives me great hope for the future. Kudos to you, his parent, for all the excellent parenting you've provided for him. represents a lot of time and love and effort. :thumb: Best of Luck to him!
 
To add to cb's post, SAs are also geo-centric. Noms are a factor. ROTC is a national platform and for NROTC the scholarship is tied to the school.

Most SA candidates apply for a ROTC scholarship as plan B, but the same cannot be said for ROTC candidates applying to SAa as their plan B. The pool is different.
 
I have followed this forum over the past 1 1/2 years, and it has been tremendously valuable for us and our DS as he has navigated his way through the USNA and NROTC process, but this is my first post. Usually I can get answers and advice by reading other posts, but I have some specific questions relating to my DS's NROTC scholarship application. I would be grateful for any guidance. I'm a little cautious about posting specific identifying info, but I'll try to provide as much info as I can.

Here are his stats:
GPA: > 4.0
SAT: Almost perfect score
Classes: Numerous AP's completed through junior year; A's in all; taking several more AP's this year, plus math course at a local university (A's in all so far)
Athletics: all 4 years (spring and fall), 3 years varsity, captain of his team this year
Other: Elected Vice President of his school; extremely involved in music (leadership role in school band); summer job as a sailing instructor
Applied for a Tier I major in his scholarship app
Teacher recs: same math rec. for both NROTC and USNA; used different teacher for the second NROTC rec., but rec. was stellar
Interview: Recruiter said that his BGO interviewer could also cover interview requirement for NROTC; did not see write-up, but the interview went great

DS received an LOA from the USNA in October, and an offer of appointment in November. He submitted his NROTC scholarship application in September. His status page has reflected that all required materials have been submitted and "No decision has been made on your application" since October. DS has been accepted early action to one of the top universities in the country. Although he absolutely loves the Naval Academy (he did NASS and throughly enjoyed it), he has decided that he would rather do NROTC at the university he was accepted to. The problem is that he still has not heard anything from NROTC. He has clearly been passed over by the Board, since many posters on this forum who submitted their applications after DS have received scholarships. I completely understand how competitive NROTC is, and realize that an appointment to USNA does not mean that he should automoatically get a scholarship. But his credentials are truly top-notch, and I am concerned that there might be some technical glitch or other adminstrative error with his scholarship application. Is there anything we should be doing, or do we just have to continue waiting and hope for the best? I realize that denial of the scholarship is not the end of the road and that he can enter NROTC through the college program, but with budget cuts on the horizon, it would be nice to have the certainty of a scholarship before he starts school.

Not sure if you should be taking any steps to see if there is a glitch. As I recall your son's status is normal and everything is in hand. But there is contact info on the NROTC website for scholarship questions, so you might try there.

Everyone is impatient and I certainly understand this. I just want to point out that you have plenty of time. I'm assuming your son's preferred school has a May 1 deadline on acceptance. So you have month's ahead of you before you need to make any final decision. In the meantime accept any scholarships and appointments that come your way just in case his NROTC dream at his favorite school doesn't come through.

Finally, your son does sound stellar but one can never foresee how the boards will work. It's even possible that the schools he listed are all full. Or perhaps they're very expensive and that is hurting his chances. No one here can tell. Just be patient, take deep breaths, and wait. We didn't make a final decision on college plans until April 23. As long as the backup plans are in place it's easy to pull the trigger in time at that point. OK, exhale... breathe.... exhale..:thumb:
 
Thanks everyone for your comments (and thank you rudyinok for the kind words!). DS is in the process of scheduling a visit to the unit at the college he was accepted to, which is one of those schools that "never fills up" because the admissions are so selective. It is expensive, as were the other schools on his list, but there have been a number of posters who have been awarded scholarships to expensive schools this year. My understanding (based on previous forum posts) is that for NROTC, the school assignment process is completely separate from the scholarship selection process. In other words, the Boards decide who they want to award a scholarship to, and then the school assignment is made separately, after the scholarship selection. Maybe I am mistaken. cb7893 -- Interesting idea about contacting admissions. We'll give that one some thought. We'll also continue to remain patient and hopeful. Regardless of the outcome, we are very grateful and proud of his appointment to USNA and his admission to the university, and he will work toward his goal of becoming a Naval Officer whether he recieves a NROTC scholarship this year or not.
 
cb7893 -- Interesting idea about contacting admissions. We'll give that one some thought.

It may or may not help. Some admissions departments and xROTC units seem to maintain a Chinese wall between themselves, but some, like DS's school do not. In his case, it helped because the AROTC enrollment officer told my son that there was an institutional bias against giving out-of-staters a scholarship. That may of even been his personal bias. We'll never know, but DS he was unable to actually visit since he was overseas during the whole process of transferring the scholarship.

And he couldn't be happier with the outcome.
 
Current NROTC Marine option mom - USNA Reject 2016

Last year at this time we were waiting, we started our long wait in October for NROTC and USNA. Did not hear from NROTC Marine option till late March 2012, scholarship notice but not which school. USNA made DS wait for first decision till May, when he was wait listed. Did not get in from wait list late May. So we had to pay huge fees ( admissions & housing) to all son's school on May 1 because we did not know what school NROTC would pick for him from his list of 5 or if he was going to USNA. Here are DS stats: Son of active duty Marine - 5 combat tours in EOD. Stats: 2000 SAT for all 3 categories. 4.07 weighted GPA. (AP test scores : 5 English Lit , 5 US Govt. , 4 English Composition, 4 US History, 3 Calculus BC). Class ranking 11 of 615. High school JROTC Platoon Commander, NHS member. Scholar/athlete award 4 years in a row for wrestling team. Wrestling team Captain. Came in 2nd at California high school wrestling championship CIF div 2 in February 2012. Carnegie hero medal winner and Extremely rare Boy Scout Cross Palms (hero) medal winner. He received these from the the boy scouts and Carnegie for saving 3 teenagers last July 2011 from drowning while they were being swept out to sea from a rip tide current. Everybody we knew said he was a shoe in for the Naval Academy. After getting rejected by USNA. He was by the grace of God awarded an NROTC Marine option scholarship to the University of Southern California, his first choice school.
PS: DS had 3 nominations to the USNA : Congressman Issa, JROTC and Presidential. He attended summer seminar and was also invited to the CVW. While he was on a plane to the CVW, we received his wait list letter in the mail. You tube link to Cross Palms hero ceremony. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y9rzUGFXaA

Hope this helps. Trying daily to keep the faith in God's choices for us.
 
Last year at this time we were waiting, we started our long wait in October for NROTC and USNA. Did not hear from NROTC Marine option till late March 2012, scholarship notice but not which school. USNA made DS wait for first decision till May, when he was wait listed. Did not get in from wait list late May. So we had to pay huge fees ( admissions & housing) to all son's school on May 1 because we did not know what school NROTC would pick for him from his list of 5 or if he was going to USNA. Here are DS stats: Son of active duty Marine - 5 combat tours in EOD. Stats: 2000 SAT for all 3 categories. 4.07 weighted GPA. (AP test scores : 5 English Lit , 5 US Govt. , 4 English Composition, 4 US History, 3 Calculus BC). Class ranking 11 of 615. High school JROTC Platoon Commander, NHS member. Scholar/athlete award 4 years in a row for wrestling team. Wrestling team Captain. Came in 2nd at California high school wrestling championship CIF div 2 in February 2012. Carnegie hero medal winner and Extremely rare Boy Scout Cross Palms (hero) medal winner. He received these from the the boy scouts and Carnegie for saving 3 teenagers last July 2011 from drowning while they were being swept out to sea from a rip tide current. Everybody we knew said he was a shoe in for the Naval Academy. After getting rejected by USNA. He was by the grace of God awarded an NROTC Marine option scholarship to the University of Southern California, his first choice school.
PS: DS had 3 nominations to the USNA : Congressman Issa, JROTC and Presidential. He attended summer seminar and was also invited to the CVW. While he was on a plane to the CVW, we received his wait list letter in the mail. You tube link to Cross Palms hero ceremony. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y9rzUGFXaA

Hope this helps. Trying daily to keep the faith in God's choices for us.

Thank you mom135. I think some people just don't understand the caliber of people who apply and still don't make it. (And frankly in your case I can't understand why USNA didn't come through). I'm sure your son is excelling as a NROTC MO Midshipman!
 
Mom, remember it is not a national pool. Given your Congressman, I assume you are in California.

When it comes to applying to colleges and universities, not being a URM is a huge disadvantage in California.

If your DS can get through life, maximizing the opportunities which he earned or lucked into, without resenting others for the opportunities that they may have lucked into, he'll make a great officer and a good man.

His being at USC rather than USNA is a function of demographics, but an act of man.
 
Merit - not luck

CB7893, I hope your not implying that my DS resents other candidates who have gotten into the USNA. He is a Christian like his dad and I and accepts God's plan for him and knows he is blessed to go to USC on scholarship. Rather his active duty Marine dad and I have always promoted to him "if you want something you must earn it". Getting "lucky" and being led by that person in combat is not someone I want leading my husband or in the future my son. Sorry if I'm old fashioned and want things to be earned by merit and who is the best qualified.
 
Mom, I was simply pointing out that, "democraphically", the California pool of applicants to any elite university is #1 very competitive and #2 ultra competitive for those who do not fit one of the many categories of under-represented minorities, which include everything from ethnicity and gender to educational level of parents. When it came to apportioning the spots at USNA according to congressional district, your son was asked to spell "chrysanthemum", while another kid from a congressional district in an underpopulated midwestern state was asked to spell "rose", metaphorically speaking of course.

I freely admit I am not a great writer. I had hoped to imply that it sounds like your DS does not resent others' good fortune. You and hubby can probably take great credit for that.

Accepting God's will is much easier than accepting the will of university admissions departments who play God.
 
A Little More Time

I'm a NROTC Marine Option 4-year scholarship student, and it just wanted to give you a heads up.

I remember that when I got the call from a Marine Corps Officer telling me I had officially received a Marine option scholarship, it was at least March if not April. It was in the spring for sure though. So at this time, I would say that you're going to have to wait for a little bit to find out about his status. I checked that terrible tease of a website twice a day at least to see if my status had changed when I was waiting.

The other snag was that I was awarded my scholarship to Ohio State, which was my #2 school. I was dead-set on wanting to go to Virginia Tech for the Corps of Cadets though. Once I found out, I made calls, filled out paperwork, and after requesting to speak to the head of admissions, got my acceptance taken to Virginia Tech on scholarship a couple days after their school acceptance letters were due.

The thing is, if you're waiting to hear about a ROTC scholarship (at least for Navy/Marine), you may find when/if you get it, it may not be to the school you wanted anyways. It can be hard to put all your hope in the one school when you don't know if you'll get it or not, or if they'll have a scholarship spot to transfer you in for. (I was blessed enough to have someone switch their scholarship school FROM Tech when I applied to switch there)

As for the USNA? Tell your son to do it. The name, the training, and the free, FREE, completely FREE education are hard to pass up. Yes it would be hard, as any graduate will tell you, but worth it. With my scholarship right now, I'm still paying about $6000 a year for room and board cause its not covered. I applied for USNA, had a nomination, but didn't make the final cut.

I'm beyond happy being here now. I have so much pride in the corps that I can't imagine going anywhere else now. But back then, I would've jumped on the USNA boat if I could've. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that over 20,000 young men and women dream of every year. Congrats to having such a successful son. Hope you hear as soon as possible and that your decision making goes well!
 
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