When is best time to apply for ROTC?

Thunderbolt462

10-Year Member
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Feb 15, 2012
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147
Hello,

I saw on the Army ROTC site that applications are now open for scholarships. I know applying early is a good thing, but the application asks for senior year information as well as junior year. Will applying now without senior year info hurt my chances of getting a scholarship? Should I wait until the summer after Junior year or apply now and update the app periodically?

Thanks
 
Hello,

I saw on the Army ROTC site that applications are now open for scholarships. I know applying early is a good thing, but the application asks for senior year information as well as junior year. Will applying now without senior year info hurt my chances of getting a scholarship? Should I wait until the summer after Junior year or apply now and update the app periodically?

Thanks

I would say start soon but don't submit it until late Aug. or early Sept. for the first boards. This way you can be working on those things that you can do now, like teacher reqs, etc. However, it also leaves you time for "updates" from the remainder of your junior year.
 
I would say start soon but don't submit it until late Aug. or early Sept. for the first boards. This way you can be working on those things that you can do now, like teacher reqs, etc. However, it also leaves you time for "updates" from the remainder of your junior year.

My DS created his account over the weekend so he could start the application process. However, once he entered the application area, he ran into a problem right off the bat. The second question pertained to the school year he was applying for (in his case it is Fall 2014). The application provided a drop-down menu from which to choose the applicable school year. The only one available in the drop-down was Fall 2013, which was the application period that just ended. Did he answer a question incorrectly in the initial setup for his account, or do you think there's a problem with the portal?
 
My DS created his account over the weekend so he could start the application process. However, once he entered the application area, he ran into a problem right off the bat. The second question pertained to the school year he was applying for (in his case it is Fall 2014). The application provided a drop-down menu from which to choose the applicable school year. The only one available in the drop-down was Fall 2013, which was the application period that just ended. Did he answer a question incorrectly in the initial setup for his account, or do you think there's a problem with the portal?

I haven't seen the questions he had to answer but doubt that would be it. Sounds more like a portal problem, or more accurately, it sounds like the application process really isn't open yet for class of 2018.
 
The application provided a drop-down menu from which to choose the applicable school year. The only one available in the drop-down was Fall 2013, which was the application period that just ended. Did he answer a question incorrectly in the initial setup for his account, or do you think there's a problem with the portal?
From what it sounds like, it seems like he is doing everything correctly. I want to point out one technical issue I ran into over the course of this past year filling out my AROTC application.

One of the "funny" things about the portal, is that it is not compatible with all internet browsers, as say the AF's website. If you look closely, somewhere on the portal, it specifically states that using Mozilla Firefox is not 100% compatible (... somewhere). The portal does not work well with Mozilla Firefox (ie: sometimes drop down menus do not display properly, information appears to run down beyond the point of read-ability, etc etc). So, if you are using Firefox by chance, I would recommend switching over to something like Internet Explorer (which worked fine for me). Hopefully this is the issue, and nothing far worse.

Best wishes to your son on his way to some this great!
 
I know applying early is a good thing,

How do you know applying early is a good thing?? It is actually not a good thing. You won't need to complete your file until October to be considered by the first board, so if you wait until you have taken your SAT/ACTs, found out what leadership positions you will have in the fall, and know what grades you got in your junior year your file will be accurate and won't need to be updated. August or September is fine to start and complete the application. Being too early can be almost as much of a problem as being late. Just be aware of the deadlines and plan accordingly.
 
How do you know applying early is a good thing?? It is actually not a good thing. You won't need to complete your file until October to be considered by the first board, so if you wait until you have taken your SAT/ACTs, found out what leadership positions you will have in the fall, and know what grades you got in your junior year your file will be accurate and won't need to be updated. August or September is fine to start and complete the application. Being too early can be almost as much of a problem as being late. Just be aware of the deadlines and plan accordingly.

Not to mention in the next 6 months, you can probably increase your score on the PFT. Last I checked, most young folks keep getting bigger/faster/stronger.
 
I haven't seen the questions he had to answer but doubt that would be it. Sounds more like a portal problem, or more accurately, it sounds like the application process really isn't open yet for class of 2018.

We are getting into the C/O of 2018 now? Man, I am starting to feel old. :frown:
 
@Thompson

One of the "funny" things about the portal, is that it is not compatible with all internet browsers, as say the AF's website. If you look closely, somewhere on the portal, it specifically states that using Mozilla Firefox is not 100% compatible (... somewhere). The portal does not work well with Mozilla Firefox (ie: sometimes drop down menus do not display properly, information appears to run down beyond the point of read-ability, etc etc). So, if you are using Firefox by chance, I would recommend switching over to something like Internet Explorer (which worked fine for me). Hopefully this is the issue, and nothing far worse.

I remember when our DS was creating his account it indicated the compatible browsers. I think we use Internet Explorer (version 8 or 9). I specifically asked my son if our version was compatible and he said yes. However, I will have him double-check it tonight just to be sure. Thanks for your input!
 
We are getting into the C/O of 2018 now? Man, I am starting to feel old. :frown:
You're feeling old?!?!?! DS is class of 2016 and I'm 40 years older than him! If I had known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself! :shake:
 
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