Info on FAMU's NROTC Unit?

NavyBound

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Sep 4, 2012
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Does anyone know anything about this unit? Im going to attend FSU, but I've applied to FAMU's college program.

One thing I do know, their staff is not very professional. I call and call, no one answers. They do not reply to any emails, and when they DO finally answer their phone, they rush you off the line and they don't answer your questions. This is starting to seriously anger me, because I've applied to other units, so I need to narrow down my list of colleges asap. (I'm graduating from community college in a month!!)
 
Does anyone know anything about this unit? Im going to attend FSU, but I've applied to FAMU's college program.

One thing I do know, their staff is not very professional. I call and call, no one answers. They do not reply to any emails, and when they DO finally answer their phone, they rush you off the line and they don't answer your questions. This is starting to seriously anger me, because I've applied to other units, so I need to narrow down my list of colleges asap. (I'm graduating from community college in a month!!)

Actually, perhaps with the exception of rushing you off the line, this sounds normal to me. We often had trouble connecting with someone at any of the units we tried to contact and had difficulty contacting folks via email. On the other hand, once we established contact they tended to stay in touch when we needed them. My wife even got a response from an officer over the summer while he was on duty in Afghanistan which impressed the hell out of all of us. Keep in mind these folks are teaching classes, handling studies of their own, along with the rest of their job with the unit and the Navy in general. They are very busy. This is not to say you shouldn't keep responsiveness in mind as part of your selection process if you have choices.

If you cannot reach anyone, enrolling in the Navy Science, Navy Lab and PT courses should start you on the normal correspondence path, at least this is the case at my son's school. Enrollment in the classes started the snail mail flowing with information on getting his physical, when to report, and what to bring, etc. It's best to talk with them prior if you can though as they can provide detailed info on which specific classes to enroll in at your school. There is also an application process at some schools but I've never heard of anyone healthy being turned away. It's more a formality as far as I can tell but there could be limits due to class sizes, equipment availability, etc. which they need to stay within.
 
There is also an application process at some schools but I've never heard of anyone healthy being turned away. It's more a formality as far as I can tell but there could be limits due to class sizes, equipment availability, etc. which they need to stay within.


You have no idea how happy I am to hear this. In my mind, I'm thinking that becoming a college programmer is as competitive as the national scholarship. I guess I shouldn't be too worried about it. And yes you are right, the 2 units I'm applying to are FAMU (FSU) and JU (UNF), both have a formal application process. But it's through email, so I don't know how anyone can call that formal. Anyway, I am going to submit my "email" packet to both schools and I hope they let me know BEFORE I pay my non refundable tuition deposit.
 
You have no idea how happy I am to hear this. In my mind, I'm thinking that becoming a college programmer is as competitive as the national scholarship. I guess I shouldn't be too worried about it. And yes you are right, the 2 units I'm applying to are FAMU (FSU) and JU (UNF), both have a formal application process. But it's through email, so I don't know how anyone can call that formal. Anyway, I am going to submit my "email" packet to both schools and I hope they let me know BEFORE I pay my non refundable tuition deposit.

First, you probably won't hear from them until some time in the summer. They won't feel a need to address it until then as they'll be focused on assigning new billets, getting grades out, final PFA testing, commissioning, getting summer training squared away, etc. Since their deadline to get you squared away will be mid to late August it will definitely be less pressing to them. YMMV and I suppose you might hear prior to sending in a deposit.

If you're able to visit the units between now and May 1 that might help. There will normally be someone around, even if its just a midshipman... and you should be able to speak with someone. In any case, keep working the phone. Try every phone number for the unit that you can find and leave messages. Perhaps once your application is in they'll be more responsive, recognizing the name, and that you're serious.

Perhaps not during the application time frame, but certainly once you report, being a college programmer is very competitive. I'm sure you realize this, but by your rising Junior year you must achieve Advanced Standing, which says you've submitted a formal application to a national board during your sophomore spring semester and they have approved you to continue in the program. This entitles you to the monthly stipend. There will also be a few opportunities before then to apply for an in-school scholarship which is also a national competition for NROTC. Trust me. Although it is a friendly competition and one always tries to help their shipmates, every midshipman will be competing intensely.

Oh yeah, freshman orientation is changing for some NROTC units, but if these units are following the old model this is the initial weeding out process. At DS's college almost 50% dropped NROTC during Freshman Orientation, including people on scholarship. Be prepared to:
1. Wow them right out of the gate by being in shape
2. Question if this is really what you want to do. Everyone asks themselves this during freshman orientation, so don't think it's just you. It's designed (or was designed) to make you ask yourself this question.
This is a formidable path, but if you're determined it is definitely doable.
 
At DS's college almost 50% dropped NROTC during Freshman Orientation, including people on scholarship.

Wow, that is quite a high attrition rate :eek:! DS 4/C class started with 30+ and has had 6 drop to-date. I believe 2-3 dropped within 1st 2 weeks of 1st semester and remainder dropped between semesters. There were 6 college programmers and I think most of those who dropped were the college programmers.
 
Wow, that is quite a high attrition rate :eek:! DS 4/C class started with 30+ and has had 6 drop to-date. I believe 2-3 dropped within 1st 2 weeks of 1st semester and remainder dropped between semesters. There were 6 college programmers and I think most of those who dropped were the college programmers.

Yeah, I think they had an exceptionally high rate last year because there was an extraordinary number of freshman (70) starting out. I think the year before it was more like 25% when there was only about 40-45 who initially entered. Of course more have dropped, or been dropped, since then and the sophomore class is now down to around 20.

This has to be something you want, otherwise the demands on time and energy will not seem worth the effort.
 
Can you PM me? I have considerable knowledge of this Unit.
 
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