Chances for army ROTC scholarship at UF?

E

Escapist

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2013
Messages
29
Hello

I wanted to ask how my chances are for an ROTC scholarship for the University of Florida. I would like a full 4 year scholarship (i mean who wouldn't) but getting a 3 year one would be great too. If i were to apply i would apply to all branches to get a better chance. I want to see what you guys and gals think my chances are for this scholarship. Here is my general profile:

1.Academics
-3.5uw and 5.4 wgpa (im going to get that 3.5 higher this year and next and my wgpa will go up to a 6 at least according to my guidance counselor)
-Top 1% of the class
-currently in IB
-have taken 4 AP classes (calc, human geo, environmental sciences, and macroeconomics) in my first two years and taking 5 more this year (Gov,Language, US history, Biology, and Chemistry)
-I think im in all honors (I have no idea what IB calls their classes, just IB biology or IB "the class name") (If you guys know how IB does it i take: HL English, History, Bio and SL math, chem and span)
-I havent taken the official SAT yet but i got 2000-2200 in the practice ones ive taken.
2. Athletics:
-2 years tennis (preparing for tournaments in the spring and summer)
-Black belt in To-Shin-Do
-Track and Field since last year (will most likely get varsity letter for it)
-Will join a club soccer league over the summer
-I am in good physical shape and can crank out 50+ push ups, over 80 crunches, and 11 chin-ups and my one mile is in the low 6 minutes.
3. Clubs and EC
-in NHS (cant run for officer until im a senior)
-FBLA and going to states for that
-Debate club
-in a cricket club
-UNICEF club
-I will most likely get officer positions in FBLA, NHS, Cricket and UNICEF
-I also plan on going to boys state

I live in state and plan to major in engineering.

If anyone could tell me how im doing and leave feedback that can help my chances I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank You

P.S. I have asked before about my chances for West Point but i want to know about my chances for this too
 
Escapist said:
Hello

I wanted to ask how my chances are for an ROTC scholarship for the University of Florida. I would like a full 4 year scholarship (i mean who wouldn't) but getting a 3 year one would be great too. If i were to apply i would apply to all branches to get a better chance. I want to see what you guys and gals think my chances are for this scholarship. Here is my general profile:

1.Academics
-3.5uw and 5.4 wgpa (im going to get that 3.5 higher this year and next and my wgpa will go up to a 6 at least according to my guidance counselor)
-Top 1% of the class
-currently in IB
-have taken 4 AP classes (calc, human geo, environmental sciences, and macroeconomics) in my first two years and taking 5 more this year (Gov,Language, US history, Biology, and Chemistry)
-I think im in all honors (I have no idea what IB calls their classes, just IB biology or IB "the class name") (If you guys know how IB does it i take: HL English, History, Bio and SL math, chem and span)
-I havent taken the official SAT yet but i got 2000-2200 in the practice ones ive taken.
2. Athletics:
-2 years tennis (preparing for tournaments in the spring and summer)
-Black belt in To-Shin-Do
-Track and Field since last year (will most likely get varsity letter for it)
-Will join a club soccer league over the summer
-I am in good physical shape and can crank out 50+ push ups, over 80 crunches, and 11 chin-ups and my one mile is in the low 6 minutes.
3. Clubs and EC
-in NHS (cant run for officer until im a senior)
-FBLA and going to states for that
-Debate club
-in a cricket club
-UNICEF club
-I will most likely get officer positions in FBLA, NHS, Cricket and UNICEF
-I also plan on going to boys state

I live in state and plan to major in engineering.

If anyone could tell me how im doing and leave feedback that can help my chances I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank You

P.S. I have asked before about my chances for West Point but i want to know about my chances for this too
Click to expand...

Army ROTC and USMA are both looking for Scholar, Athlete, Leader characteristics.

Here are my takeaways from your posting:

Take both the SAT/ACT. Like USMA, this carries lot of weight
Class Rank - Excellent
Course work - Very good. My DD graduated IB, big time commitment and challenging curriculum. Not sure if ROTC understands, you might want to inquire during your interview.
Athletics - both USMA and ROTC put more weight on School athletics, varsity letters, team captain, district and state championships. Earning varsity letters and becoming a team captain are within your control.

Other EC's - Need to lock in a couple of key leadership positions, Student Government/Class President are at the top tier.

Have you spoken with the Scholarship officer yet at UF? this might be a next step, as the ROTC application process for the Class of 2019 will be opening up soon (I believe April). Good Luck.
 
WIT84 said:
My DD graduated IB, big time commitment and challenging curriculum. Not sure if ROTC understands, you might want to inquire during your interview.
Click to expand...

My DS was also enrolled in IB for his freshman/sophomore years and then switched gears to Dual Enrollment/AP/Honors classes for junior/senior years. He had his ROTC interview at UF and, although the university itself LOVES IB, the PMS conducting the interview wasn't familiar with it. During the interview he asked DS questions about the program so that he could become more familiar with it. So, I would definitely bring it up in the interview for each branch so that they understand the workload you were able to juggle.
 
I can get letters in Track and Field. I also have a good chance of getting a class office position and will get leadership in clubs in senior year.
Future2LtMom: did your son get the scholarship? If he did Congrats to him! What was his profile like?
 
Escapist said:
I can get letters in Track and Field. I also have a good chance of getting a class office position and will get leadership in clubs in senior year.
Future2LtMom: did your son get the scholarship? If he did Congrats to him! What was his profile like?
Click to expand...

He hasn't been awarded a scholarship yet. We're hoping he'll hear something good in the next week or two. If not, he waits a little longer until the 3rd board. To give you an idea of how competitive these scholarships have gotten, the PMS that interviewed him was very impressed with both his application and interview and told him he would be surprised if he didn't receive a scholarship on the first board. As with most PMS's, he was a LTC, so my son's application and interview weren't exactly his first gig at the rodeo. Regardless, DS didn't receive a scholarship on the first board. I personally didn't think he was necessarily a shoe-in for a scholarship award on the first board (based on the stats I'd seen posted on this forum), but I thought he stood a pretty decent chance. His stats were on par with some (not all) of the students that received a scholarship the first go-around. The budget cuts have just made it so competitive. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter for my DS. He's going to college with or without a scholarship and he's enrolling in Army ROTC with or without a scholarship. It then just becomes a matter of how we pay for it. The scholarship would just be icing on the cake!

Our son was where you are about a year ago. This is a long and sometimes frustrating process. Do EVERYTHING in your power to be well-rounded in the eyes of ROTC (scholar, leader, athlete). It's my perception that they particularly like to see the leader/athlete. In the past, there have been kids who have been awarded scholarships without the highest GPA's & test scores in the world. But they were very strong in terms of leader/athlete traits. Granted, that was a year or two ago. For all I know, they REALLY want the complete package now. Just do the best you can and that's all you can do! :smile:
 
Thank you Future2LtMom! I will be trying everything i can to get those leadership and athletic sides built up. The only thing worrying me is my 3.5 gpa. i want to know if they consider what kind of courses you did instead of just looking at the GPA.
 
Escapist said:
Thank you Future2LtMom! I will be trying everything i can to get those leadership and athletic sides built up. The only thing worrying me is my 3.5 gpa. i want to know if they consider what kind of courses you did instead of just looking at the GPA.
Click to expand...

It's my understanding that they use information provided by your guidance counselor to assess the rigor of the coursework at your school. They will know if your school hands out A's like they're candy, or if you really have to work for your grades. For instance, they will know what percentage of your high school's graduates went to Ivy's, privates, publics, tech schools, or no college at all.
 
That's good because our school has had a lot of students go to ivy league and other very good private schools. Is one varsity letter okay? i mean do i need more than one? I can get it for track but im not too sure about tennis.

Oh yeah, does my major affect my chances? I've heard that the military looks for more engineering majors but im not too sure.
 
Escapist said:
That's good because our school has had a lot of students go to ivy league and other very good private schools. Is one varsity letter okay? i mean do i need more than one? I can get it for track but im not too sure about tennis.

Oh yeah, does my major affect my chances? I've heard that the military looks for more engineering majors but im not too sure.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be able to say whether one letter would be enough. Just get as many letters as you can. It's good that you are involved in more than one sport, though. Any sports leadership positions (i.e. team captain)? My advice to you about your major is to major in what makes you happy, not what you think a scholarship board wants to see. If you major in engineering (which is a very challenging curriculum with a high attrition rate) and your heart's not in it or it just doesn't fit well with your skill set, you stand a high chance of losing your scholarship because of a low GPA. Students with a STEM major are not given any extra weight in their GPA for the purposes of AROTC. An A in engineering is exactly the same as an A in underwater basket weaving. That being said, the Army has started talking about making changes to the ROTC program down the road where they will place more emphasis on recruiting cadets that want a STEM major. But unless that's really where your lies, major in what is going to make you happy and fulfilled.
 
No i Don't have any team captain positions. I'm not too sure that i will get one next year either. But would having leadership in some clubs (not all president but positions like VP, historian, secretary, etc.) help out? I might be able to grap a spot on the class gvt too. And i definitely want to go into engineering. I know how hard it is going to be (my dad told me about his college days and he showed me some of the work) but i think i can pull through it :).
 
Escapist said:
No i Don't have any team captain positions. I'm not too sure that i will get one next year either. But would having leadership in some clubs (not all president but positions like VP, historian, secretary, etc.) help out? I might be able to grap a spot on the class gvt too. And i definitely want to go into engineering. I know how hard it is going to be (my dad told me about his college days and he showed me some of the work) but i think i can pull through it :).
Click to expand...

EVERYTHING will help! You have everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose by throwing everything at them but the kitchen sink. Now is not the time to be timid or modest about showing your accomplishments (no matter how small or insignificant you think they may be). Just be confident, yet humble. I've seen the term "quiet confidence" used out here on the forum and I just love that!
 
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