Awarded Scholarship ... BUT

Thompson

PSU 2017
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2012
Messages
808
So, as some are aware, I have received two 3-year scholarships from Cadet Command:
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University - ACCEPTED
University of Maryland - NOT ACCEPTED

I am sure some are even aware of the dilemma with this, I am attending neither schools, and am already committed to Penn State.

Having been hearing the term "transfer" floating around the forum a bit here and there - and was wondering if someone could elaborate upon this process. Is this something that I would go to CC to? PSU Bn Cadre? both? Scholarship school cadre?

Also, I am presented with another dilemma. I am most likely inclined to serve in the AF - as a career; 75-80% likely to do AFROTC because of this. All signs point to AF (literally, everyone I've spoken to [to include Soldiers] have all literally said "go AF" - amongst the reasons).

Which makes me hesitant to initiate some sort of transfer process, when in all likelihood, I would just be taking up someone's scholarship/wasting the time and resources of the cadre/CC.

Would like some opinions ... especially you OPs out there!

Thanks in advance.
 
So, as some are aware, I have received two 3-year scholarships from Cadet Command:
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University - ACCEPTED
University of Maryland - NOT ACCEPTED

I am sure some are even aware of the dilemma with this, I am attending neither schools, and am already committed to Penn State.

Having been hearing the term "transfer" floating around the forum a bit here and there - and was wondering if someone could elaborate upon this process. Is this something that I would go to CC to? PSU Bn Cadre? both? Scholarship school cadre?

Also, I am presented with another dilemma. I am most likely inclined to serve in the AF - as a career; 75-80% likely to do AFROTC because of this. All signs point to AF (literally, everyone I've spoken to [to include Soldiers] have all literally said "go AF" - amongst the reasons).

Which makes me hesitant to initiate some sort of transfer process, when in all likelihood, I would just be taking up someone's scholarship/wasting the time and resources of the cadre/CC.

Would like some opinions ... especially you OPs out there!

Thanks in advance.

I'm a little confused. I didn't think PSU had a binding Early Decision admissions. How exactly are you committed to PSU?

That being said, if you are dead set on attending PSU, you can request a scholarship transfer in April. The details should be in the communication you receive from CC. There is no guarantee that you will receive the transfer, but here are some things I've remember being posted regarding transferring scholarships. I'm sure some local cadre on this forum will correct/update me as necessary:

1) The easiest transfer is between campuses in the Battalion. The PMS can do this if the budget allows without too much trouble.

2) The next easiest is within the Brigade. CC balances out scholarships across the country, so they don't want everyone taking their scholarships to the same part of the country. Unfortunately PSU is in the 2nd brigade and neither of your scholarship offers are in the 2nd brigade.

3) The most difficult is between brigades. CC has to balance out transfers between brigades to keep the balance across the country. That being said, ERAU is one of the more desired scholarships (although PSU is also up there).

That being said, we hear stories of successful transfers between brigades every year. Don't fret. Just accept the scholarship to one of the schools and put in the transfer paperwork this spring.

And if you have an AFROTC scholarship in your hand, by all means decline the AROTC scholarship and let someone else get it in the 3rd board. If you don't have the AF scholarship, stop counting your chickens and accept the darn scholarship.
 
I'm a little confused. I didn't think PSU had a binding Early Decision admissions. How exactly are you committed to PSU?

And if you have an AFROTC scholarship in your hand, by all means decline the AROTC scholarship and let someone else get it in the 3rd board. If you don't have the AF scholarship, stop counting your chickens and accept the darn scholarship.
Sorry ... guess I should have said, something like "I will be going to PSU in the fall." Apologies for the confusion.

Well, if the latter is the case, as much as I would like to accept it - I am a bit hesitant; I have heard many things that has led me to lean AF ....
 
Sorry ... guess I should have said, something like "I will be going to PSU in the fall." Apologies for the confusion.

Well, if the latter is the case, as much as I would like to accept it - I am a bit hesitant; I have heard many things that has led me to lean AF ....

You can accept the scholarship now, and if AF comes through, you can decline it later. But as soon as you decide to decline you need to let cadet command know, so they can reuse it if there is still another board.
 
Sorry ... guess I should have said, something like "I will be going to PSU in the fall." Apologies for the confusion.

Well, if the latter is the case, as much as I would like to accept it - I am a bit hesitant; I have heard many things that has led me to lean AF ....
The acceptance is not binding. Accept the AROTC scholarship with it being your plan B if your plan A (AF scholarship) does not come through. Once you have plan A in hand you can release the plan B AROTC scholarship.
 
So, I should accept now BUT not start any sort of transfer process until I hear back from AF ROTC?
 
I am a bit hesitant; I have heard many things that has led me to lean AF ....

(literally, everyone I've spoken to [to include Soldiers] have all literally said "go AF" - amongst the reasons).


Ok I'll ask...What kind of things have you heard that makes you steer away from the Army and toward the Air Force. Both are great services with great opportunities, I was just curious.

I would also agree with the previous posters, if you do not have an AFROTC Scholarship in hand then accept the AROTC Scholarsip for now then you will have some time to make your decision.
 
Ok I'll ask...What kind of things have you heard that makes you steer away from the Army and toward the Air Force. Both are great services with great opportunities, I was just curious.
I completely agree with you - and will extend it to all branches; they are all great services!

Well, I will say, that a biggest chunk of influence to my passion to Serve America, is my Uncle (Army O-4). And I have spent a decent amount time talking with him about "Serving". And one of things he pointed out to me, is that life is better in the AF ... and out of ALL the Soldiers I have asked, they have all said that I should join the AF over the Army.

I have also heard this from an AF (enlisted & ROTC) recruiter and my uncle - when they all said that concurred with the idea that in the Army - you are a Soldier first, and you will meet the needs of the Army. Whereas in the AF, if you have a specialty/skill set, you will be using your specialty.

Another point (not trying to bash on any of the Services) that I liked was the idea of the sense of "education" in the AF. I have seen that the AF has a bigger push towards education, service-wide.

Additionally, and personally appealing, both my uncle & AF ROTC interviewer said that the AF is the most "family-friendly"

This is the bulk of reason off of the top of my head at the moment.

.. if any of the above, you deem wrong, please feel free to correct me - I am sure there is a bit of bias in these answers. All opinions are welcomed!
 
Well, the Air Force does have better Golf Courses.

This made me chuckle.

As the previous posters said, it would be wise to accept it so as to have your Plan B in place.

Congrats! Be thankful you have options. You earned the scholarship, enjoy that and hold on to it until AFROTC comes through.
 
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