Army ROTC or AFROTC 4 Year Scholarship Chances

warrior15

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
14
I am a Senior and I am currently finalizing my application for both AF and Army ROTC and I would like to have an idea if I have a chance to get a 4 year scholarship to either of them. My projected major is Political Science (I would like to become a lawyer or work in criminal justice) so I know AFROTC isn't likely, but how about Army ROTC? Every year my grades have been mostly straight A's with 2 AP classes junior year. My GPA is 3.8 unweighted and 4.17 weighted on a 4.0 scale. My class rank is 18 of 287. For extra curricular's I have Baseball (no letters, long story); Mentor to Middle Schoolers; National Honors Society [Vice President]; Honor Flight Guardian (Helping War Veterans); Mentor to 2nd graders; and Youth at the Booth. My SAT scores are 690 CR, 630 M, 680 W, 2000 Total. I haven't taken my PFT yet but my scores might be a bit low. Colleges I am considering include Ohio State, UNC, South Carolina, and Toledo. I know it is hard to give me chances, but I thank you for trying. If there is any suggestions for how I can approve my chances please tell me. Thanks!
 
Without a technical major it would be tough, but I'm no expert on AFROTC. I think you've got a really good shot for the Army scholarship, though. Your grades and test scores are good, but no Varsity letters could hurt.

Also, your college choices are probably pretty popular among applicants. OSU, UNC, and USC are pretty big name schools with a lot of national attention, so that probably makes them harder to get a scholarship to (more good candidates want to go to those schools than they have scholarships for).
 
In light of some recent posts, make sure you can afford the tuition at the schools you are hoping to attend. It could be a awhile before you see any scholarship money even if you are awarded a scholarship.
 
I am a Senior and I am currently finalizing my application for both AF and Army ROTC and I would like to have an idea if I have a chance to get a 4 year scholarship to either of them. My projected major is Political Science (I would like to become a lawyer or work in criminal justice) so I know AFROTC isn't likely, but how about Army ROTC? Every year my grades have been mostly straight A's with 2 AP classes junior year. My GPA is 3.8 unweighted and 4.17 weighted on a 4.0 scale. My class rank is 18 of 287. For extra curricular's I have Baseball (no letters, long story); Mentor to Middle Schoolers; National Honors Society [Vice President]; Honor Flight Guardian (Helping War Veterans); Mentor to 2nd graders; and Youth at the Booth. My SAT scores are 690 CR, 630 M, 680 W, 2000 Total. I haven't taken my PFT yet but my scores might be a bit low. Colleges I am considering include Ohio State, UNC, South Carolina, and Toledo. I know it is hard to give me chances, but I thank you for trying. If there is any suggestions for how I can approve my chances please tell me. Thanks!

I think you have a shot. I also think you have a fair chance of being accepted at University of South Carolina. Assuming you don't live in NC then UNC is probably a stretch. Can't speak to the other schools. The ROTC detachments are popular at SC, but you can't get it if you don't apply. Check out the Woodrow scholarship at SC. It might provide a way to attend there as a college programmer.
 
You won't know if you don't try.

My son is a AROTC national scholarship cadet in his MSI year. When we went to family orientation for his AROTC unit this summer, we met another family who's son did not get a scholarship, but is participating in the program.

Both of our sons where white male (if it makes a difference).
Their son was stronger academically. He was two points higher on the ACT. He had better class rank. He had a higher GPA. He had varsity letters in athletics. He was lacking some in leadership.

My son had good but not great academics. He had a 3.8 unweighted GPA, 24 ACT, top 20% of his class. Honors graduate but not National Honor Society. He was a good athlete, but again not a standout. He received varsity letters in Football and Track, but was not a regional/state competitor. My son had strong leadership.. he was XO and S3-Operations officer of his JROTC unit, and winner of the Superior Cadet Award. He is an Eagle Scout. He did well on the PT test because he had been doing PT with the Ranger Challenge team in his JROTC unit.

At the time my son applied he was afraid he wasn't strong enough academically or athletically. But it turned out that being well balanced paid off for him. He found out later that he knocked the interview out of the park. During the parents meeting their instructors stressed that they look at the whole package. The other family kind of made a stink out of it to them.. they felt their son was 'more qualified' because of his stronger grades/ACT. The LTC talking put it bluntly to them. They are looking for young men and women who will be successful officers, and that requires a balance of all 3. Athlete, Scholar, Leader.

One note.. based on advice we got here last year, when my son's ACT scores where lower than he hoped, he re-targeted to schools that he would be a good candidate for. UNC was one of his top choices until his ACT/SAT scores would have made him less competitive there. NC has some great regional public colleges with awesome ROTC programs in them.

I wish you luck on the first steps of your long, sometimes painful, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding journey.
 
I agree with kinnem regarding UNCCH. Remember UNCCH is considered one of the top 5 Public Universities in the nation. It is commonly called a Public Ivy, mainly because their stats match up with Ivy league schools. However, for AFROTC the scholarship is tied to the cadet and their intended major, not to the college, unlike AROTC.

As far as AFROTC goes, I would say that if your SAT score is best sitting, you probably have a good chance for a Type 7 scholarship. If it is a superscored than you have to look back at your old SAT scores to figure out which test was your best sitting because that is what they will use.

I would also hope you look into how to become an attorney in the AF. It is not an easy path. Statistically you have a better chance to become a fighter pilot than a JAG.:eek: It is about a 2% chance.
~ There are several paths with no guarantee.
~~~If you go ED (law school) right after graduation, you will most likely have to pay for it out of pocket, and than compete for a slot as a JAG.
~~~ If you want them to pick up the tab, you will have to serve ADAF for 2 yrs. You will than compete for a law school slot. Once you pass the bar you are automatically guaranteed a slot n JAG.

As others have said before you make your school selection, talk to your folks about how you will pay for college. AF scholarships only pay for tuition, whereas, AROTC will allow you to choose between tuition or R & B. Also in the fine print in the AF scholarship for Type 2 and 7 there are some key words.
~ Type 7 will only pay for the amount it would cost to attend In State. If you live in Ohio and you decide to go to UNC, but they will charge OOS. You will have to convert the 4 yr Type 7 to a Type 2 for 3 yrs. You will have to pay for your freshmen yr.
~ Type 2 will pay UP TO 18K for tuition. Some candidates assume that it is a flat 18K check because they never see the words UP TO. If the tuition is 15K, they will not place 3 K towards your R &B or cut you a check.

You also need to understand for AFROTC you must attend SFT after your sophomore yr. If not selected they can dis-enroll you from ROTC, and you will now be on the hook for your last 2 yrs of college.

You should also realize that most colleges on avg, jump about 10% for costs every yr. So again, if you go Type 2, and currently tuition is 15K, in all likelihood by the time you graduate in 5 yrs., the 18K will not be enough to cover the tuition bill. EX: Our DS (OOS) started in 08, his total bill was 28K, 4 yrs later, his sr. yr. the bill was 43K. Our DD entered IS in 10, her bill was under 15K, it is now over 22K.

Finally, if for some reason they decide not to commission you, they can come after you for the entire scholarship. It is their decision whether to let you serve out the debt as enlisted. There have been posters here that found out @ 6 weeks prior to graduation that the branch would not commission them. They were handed the bill, one was handed a bill for 143K, I believe the other was handed a bill for @90+. They were not offered the enlistment option.

Hope that helps. I didn't mean to get you concerned just making sure you were totally informed on the OMG what if situation.
 
Last edited:
I agree with kinnem regarding UNCCH. Remember UNCCH is considered one of the top 5 Public Universities in the nation. It is commonly called a Public Ivy, mainly because their stats match up with Ivy league schools. However, for AFROTC the scholarship is tied to the cadet and their intended major, not to the college, unlike AROTC.

As far as AFROTC goes, I would say that if your SAT score is best sitting, you probably have a good chance for a Type 7 scholarship. If it is a superscored than you have to look back at your old SAT scores to figure out which test was your best sitting because that is what they will use.

I would also hope you look into how to become an attorney in the AF. It is not an easy path. Statistically you have a better chance to become a fighter pilot than a JAG.:eek: It is about a 2% chance.
~ There are several paths with no guarantee.
~~~If you go ED (law school) right after graduation, you will most likely have to pay for it out of pocket, and than compete for a slot as a JAG.
~~~ If you want them to pick up the tab, you will have to serve ADAF for 2 yrs. You will than compete for a law school slot. Once you pass the bar you are automatically guaranteed a slot n JAG.

As others have said before you make your school selection, talk to your folks about how you will pay for college. AF scholarships only pay for tuition, whereas, AROTC will allow you to choose between tuition or R & B. Also in the fine print in the AF scholarship for Type 2 and 7 there are some key words.
~ Type 7 will only pay for the amount it would cost to attend In State. If you live in Ohio and you decide to go to UNC, but they will charge OOS. You will have to convert the 4 yr Type 7 to a Type 2 for 3 yrs. You will have to pay for your freshmen yr.
~ Type 2 will pay UP TO 18K for tuition. Some candidates assume that it is a flat 18K check because they never see the words UP TO. If the tuition is 15K, they will not place 3 K towards your R &B or cut you a check.

You also need to understand for AFROTC you must attend SFT after your sophomore yr. If not selected they can dis-enroll you from ROTC, and you will now be on the hook for your last 2 yrs of college.

You should also realize that most colleges on avg, jump about 10% for costs every yr. So again, if you go Type 2, and currently tuition is 15K, in all likelihood by the time you graduate in 5 yrs., the 18K will not be enough to cover the tuition bill. EX: Our DS (OOS) started in 08, his total bill was 28K, 4 yrs later, his sr. yr. the bill was 43K. Our DD entered IS in 10, her bill was under 15K, it is now over 22K.

Finally, if for some reason they decide not to commission you, they can come after you for the entire scholarship. It is their decision whether to let you serve out the debt as enlisted. There have been posters here that found out @ 6 weeks prior to graduation that the branch would not commission them. They were handed the bill, one was handed a bill for 143K, I believe the other was handed a bill for @90+. They were not offered the enlistment option.

Hope that helps. I didn't mean to get you concerned just making sure you were totally informed on the OMG what if situation.

This score is super-scored. My best sitting has been 1930, which is a bit lower. As far as my career goes, I would like to either work in JAG, for the Justice Department, or for the FBI. If I didn't get appointed to JAG I would like to serve as a Special Investigations Officer after ROTC. I know its not easy to get the job wanted, but that would be a goal. As far as colleges go, UNC is a reach school for me; Ohio State and Miami are my realistic schools, but Miami only has AFROTC and NROTC while OSU has all types. Paying for any is going to be tough, but Ohio schools will be easier. Also, is it a problem that I haven't submitted it yet? People on other forums tell me Sept. 1 was when I needed it in, but I haven't seen that anywhere on official sites. I don't know if you know the answer, but why would the branch choose not to commission someone from ROTC? Thanks for all your help
 
This score is super-scored. My best sitting has been 1930, which is a bit lower. As far as my career goes, I would like to either work in JAG, for the Justice Department, or for the FBI. If I didn't get appointed to JAG I would like to serve as a Special Investigations Officer after ROTC. I know its not easy to get the job wanted, but that would be a goal. As far as colleges go, UNC is a reach school for me; Ohio State and Miami are my realistic schools, but Miami only has AFROTC and NROTC while OSU has all types. Paying for any is going to be tough, but Ohio schools will be easier. Also, is it a problem that I haven't submitted it yet? People on other forums tell me Sept. 1 was when I needed it in, but I haven't seen that anywhere on official sites. I don't know if you know the answer, but why would the branch choose not to commission someone from ROTC? Thanks for all your help

The boards that award scholarships typically start meeting in Oct. In order to have your application reviewed by the first board you need to have it in early in September (practically speaking). By missing a board you may have missed an opportunity at a scholarship. There are additional boards (see schedule here: http://goldenknightbattalion.wordpress.com/category/the-scholarship-process/) so you haven't lost out, but you should submit it as soon as possible while insuring you have put together the best application package possible.

Not quite sure what you mean by why would the branch choose not to commission someone from ROTC? The branch has no say in the commission. The cadet commissions or not, and is assigned a branch based on their desires and OML standing.
 
This score is super-scored. My best sitting has been 1930, which is a bit lower. As far as my career goes, I would like to either work in JAG, for the Justice Department, or for the FBI. If I didn't get appointed to JAG I would like to serve as a Special Investigations Officer after ROTC. I know its not easy to get the job wanted, but that would be a goal. As far as colleges go, UNC is a reach school for me; Ohio State and Miami are my realistic schools, but Miami only has AFROTC and NROTC while OSU has all types. Paying for any is going to be tough, but Ohio schools will be easier. Also, is it a problem that I haven't submitted it yet? People on other forums tell me Sept. 1 was when I needed it in, but I haven't seen that anywhere on official sites. I don't know if you know the answer, but why would the branch choose not to commission someone from ROTC? Thanks for all your help

I'm going to give you a prospective from a special branch member. Where you attend undergrad doesn't matter. Shocker, I know. Your goal is to become a JAG officer right? Would you be happy as an MP officer? If you're a military lifer, I think you'll be satisfied as a regular branch officer. If it's JAG or nothing, you would be best suited to avoid ROTC and apply for one of the services legal scholarships.

I'm pro ROTC, but I always caution cadets and cadet hopefuls about their plan B if the stars don't align for Ed delays or grad school acceptance (especially with the over abundance of JDs out there).
 
Not quite sure what you mean by why would the branch choose not to commission someone from ROTC? The branch has no say in the commission. The cadet commissions or not, and is assigned a branch based on their desires and OML standing.

Well in the comment before Pima said that he knew of two ROTC cadets who did not receive commissions and were on hook for their scholarship amount and I was wondering why a branch would do that. Thanks for the link.
 
The reason you should get on that scholarship application now is because they work on a queue system. For both cases you will need an interview to be done by an official. It can take several weeks to get that completed. Meanwhile that queue is getting longer and longer.

ROTC has a limited pot of money. The AF will have their 1st board in Dec. They meet for a limited amount of days. It is not as if they meet until they get through all of the files for each board. That means even if you submit just before the board date they may not get to your file, yet scholarships will be awarded and the pot of money will get smaller.

For AROTC, it is tied to the school, and highly demanded units will fill up. That is the difference between AFROTC and AROTC. AFROTC does not care if one det has 100% on scholarship and another has 0%, but AROTC likes to spread the wealth across their units. The longer you wait the less slots might be available.

There are many reasons that can cause them to release you, but typically it is grades, medical. or doing something stupid. Gojira's DS was disenrolled because he was 8 lbs over his max weight 6 weeks prior to commissioning. The other cadet I believe failed a class, although their cgpa was above the min. Here's one that was not a member of the forum....falls under did something stupid...got caught up in the moment.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/27/penn-st-riot-ends-aspiring-army-officer-dream/

One thing for AFROTC is although the cgpa min to retain the scholarship is 2.5, there is almost no way to get selected for SFT at that cgpa. The avg non-tech cgpa for selection is @3.3/3.4. Every kid enters college believing that is an easy cgpa to maintain, but reality says many will not. At that point they can dis-enroll you which means they are not going to pay for your junior and senior yr. Typically they will not force you to pay back the 1st 2 yrs.

Kinnem, I said branch because he is looking at both AF and Army. In the AF you don't really say branches, you typically say career fields, so to me a branch means Army, AF, Navy, Marines, CG.

OBTW, Maybry is correct, be willing to serve as plan B or even plan C option. The fact is the statement service before is very true.
 
Last edited:
Well in the comment before Pima said that he knew of two ROTC cadets who did not receive commissions and were on hook for their scholarship amount and I was wondering why a branch would do that. Thanks for the link.

As Pima said, it could be grades, didn't meet standards in some other way, or did something stupid like a DUI, or taking a swing at a Sargent. I would also add, decided it was not for them and dropped. I know of people in all of these categories who were on scholarship and many more who were not. Of course if you were not on scholarship you've nothing to pay back. Attrition, for all the above reasons, in a typical NROTC unit runs up to 50%. Do not think you are immune. Everyone who enters the program thinks the same thing.
 
USMC,

Maybe he was multi-tasking by watching Bewitched and Dick Sargent was playing Darren!:shake:

warrior,

Kinnem is correct the attrition rate is pretty high, and can vary det. to det. I would think nationally 50% is probably on the avg.
~ It is also why as a 100 (freshmen) on scholarship can walk with no repayment penalty. In essence, a test run.

FYI, unless UMiami has changed, they give nice merit packages. UMiami was our DS's safety. He was an NC resident, so it would have been OOS. They awarded him 100K in merit in 08. Had he not received an AFROTC scholarship, he would have been able to attend UMiami because of the amount of merit he was awarded made it even less than attending IS.
~ His stats were a little bit higher. 1510 out of 1600 was his superscore. 33 or 34 ACT (can't recall) one sitting.

Many, many, many AFROTC recipients also get nice merit packages.

I also forgot to say in my last post another reason why you should get on the ball now is because some dets will offer a scholarship to their det. only, but usually they only have 1. The longer you wait, the higher the chance that the det. has already given away that scholarship.
~~~ The AFROTC det. has no idea you are an applicant at this point.

Remember most AFA candidates will have been pounded in their cranium to apply for an AFROTC scholarship as plan B. AFROTC does not talk to AFA regarding candidates. IOW, it is possible for a candidate to hold both and appointment and a scholarship in hand until July when they report to the AFA. Meanwhile that money in the eyes of AFROTC has been spent.
 
Kinnem - you must be multi-tasking today. Can't let you get away with it...

Sergeant not sargent

:smile:

Thanks! I knew I had that wrong, and usually spell it properly, but I chose to believe my lousy spell checker today. :biggrin:
 
I had a similar situation as you. I was good academically and leadership wise, but not the best physically. It will probably be tough to get a four year, but I say you have very good chances at getting a 3 or 3.5 year scholarship. I ended up with a 3 year scholarship. Either way it's money and it guarantees you a contracting slot.
 
We're in the same boat

I am a Senior and I am currently finalizing my application for both AF and Army ROTC and I would like to have an idea if I have a chance to get a 4 year scholarship to either of them. My projected major is Political Science (I would like to become a lawyer or work in criminal justice) so I know AFROTC isn't likely, but how about Army ROTC? Every year my grades have been mostly straight A's with 2 AP classes junior year. My GPA is 3.8 unweighted and 4.17 weighted on a 4.0 scale. My class rank is 18 of 287. For extra curricular's I have Baseball (no letters, long story); Mentor to Middle Schoolers; National Honors Society [Vice President]; Honor Flight Guardian (Helping War Veterans); Mentor to 2nd graders; and Youth at the Booth. My SAT scores are 690 CR, 630 M, 680 W, 2000 Total. I haven't taken my PFT yet but my scores might be a bit low. Colleges I am considering include Ohio State, UNC, South Carolina, and Toledo. I know it is hard to give me chances, but I thank you for trying. If there is any suggestions for how I can approve my chances please tell me. Thanks!

I, too, am a senior in with very similar stats, college choices, and major. I have a 3.8 unweighted GPA and 4.6 weighted with all honors and will graduate with 7 APs. I have lettered in football twice and wrestling once (but am currently participating as a starter right now.) I am not in NHS, but I am in Beta Club (very similar in our school- Beta club is more widely recognized in my school.) I am the president of a county-wide youth commission, which is a body of students selected by each schools counselors. I have over a hundred hours of community service. I'm also in band. SAT is 700 CR, 620M, and 770W, 2090 total. My major choice is also political science, and my school choices are App State, Tennessee (Knoxville), and UNC. Perhaps we will both receive a scholarship to UNC and meet each other soon!
 
I just got my ACT scores back and I got a 32. Do you think this will help my chances at a scholarship much?
 
I had a similar situation as you. I was good academically and leadership wise, but not the best physically. It will probably be tough to get a four year, but I say you have very good chances at getting a 3 or 3.5 year scholarship. I ended up with a 3 year scholarship. Either way it's money and it guarantees you a contracting slot.

Just to clarify one thing.

A 3yr scholarship does not guarantee you a contracting slot. The cadet has to meet all the requirements during the first year. Some battalions have more cadets then available contracts. After the first yera the PMS still has to validate the 3yr scholarship, while that has usually happened in the past there is no guarantee that it will always happen.
 
Do I have a chance?

I am interested in applying for an ROTC scholarship. I want to go to the Air Force but do not mind doing Army ROTC in college. I want to attend Texas A&M and join their corps of cadets.

I have a 3.63 uw and a 4.02 weighted.
I was chosen to attend Boy's state and was elected senator there
I was captain of the JV lacrosse team sophomore year and MVP freshman year
I play on the Varsity lacrosse team
I've been chosen to perform in my district orchestra for the past 3 years
I have over 200 hours of community service
I am president of a club and two other minor positions in other honor societies
member of 8 honor societies
i got a 1270 math/cr sat score but plan to retake it..
I am VP of a club that I co-founded called the military support club
made regionals and junior olympics for my local area team for track back in 6th grade
tutored 20+ hours for those who needed help in my school
placed 2nd in a competition for an introductory class of Geospatial information systems at a college


do i have a chance?
thank you very much for your time
 
Back
Top