Hello from West Texas

Hello everyone. I am a mom to a 6th grade girl. She wants to major in engineer/CS. Things I am doing now to help facilitate this:
She is going to Mathnasium 4 times a week for grade acceleration in math. She has to take the Texas Tech ISD Credit by Exam 7th A, 7th B and 8th A and 8th B in order to bypass 7th grade pre-AP math next year. The reason we are doing this so she will not have to double up on Algebra II and geometry in 9th grade in order to take precal in 10th grade, AP Calculus AB in 11th grade and AP Calculus BC in 12th grade.

Also, she will be applying for acceptance in TEXPREP which is a math/engineering program that starts the summer between 6th grade and 7th grade. It is every summer for 4 summers (6 weeks duration).

She does not have an athletic bone in her body.

She does not do any other ECs.

I am wanting to know what we should be doing for preparation for ROTC scholarship.

There is a high school in our town that has JROTC.
Also we are going to start getting into shape.
Any other suggestions?

Oh my. JMHO, this seems a little over the top to me. She's in the 6th grade. My kids had no idea what they wanted to be in the 6th grade and just concentrated on being good students, being involved in church activities, and Scouts or baseball.

JMHO, of course.

Welcome to the page---you will find a lot of helpful information here.

SIXTH GRADE??? She's 11?

Please, read through what's here and call back in five years, after she grows that athletic bone.

VAnurseprac said:

She does not have an athletic bone in her body.

She does not do any other ECs.

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Applicants for an AROTC Scholarship are judged on a Whole Person basis, Academics/Athletics/Leadership.

Even if your daughter has excellent academics, having no athletics and no other EC's where she would be in leadership positions will hurt her chances of receiving any scholarship.

I really wouldn't worry too much about this for a few years, ROTC goes through changes every year, start looking into the program when she gets into high school.

VAnurseprac: I want to offer another perspective...

I would encourage your daughter to focus on doing her very best in school, participate in extracurricular activities (seeking leadership positions) and work on her physical fitness. She should build and strengthen her character through church, work, scouting, clubs, and other interactions. Regardless of the goal (ROTC, Academy, elite level university, state university, community college, or whatever) she will benefit for the rest of her life if she focuses on strengthening all aspects of her person.

Jcleppe said:

Applicants for an AROTC Scholarship are judged on a Whole Person basis, Academics/Athletics/Leadership.

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Jcleppe is right. But I would add that strengthening the whole person will benefit her no matter what she pursues later in life.

Focus on her personal development rather than the military - let that interest develop over time.

Best wishes

Fencing, karate, softball, horseback riding, swimming, FENCING, basketball...

if she is 11 or 12 and has NO ATHLETICS now... how is she going to pass the fitness assessment? run, push ups, sit ups, etc.

So, are you looking for free college?

And the Big Picture - the ROTC scholarship is merely the means to the end of investing several years of life into active duty service as a military officer. That is the key question down the road - willingness and interest in becoming a warrior, a leader, a fit and active adult serving her country, 24/7 and likely far from home. If she develops an interest in and attraction to being a military officer, then plot the path to ROTC or Service Academy. In the meantime, nurturing STEM interests, encouraging physical fitness, trying different sports, trying community involvement, encouraging personal growth, instilling self-confidence and initiative, is great preparation for any path in life.




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Capt MJ said:

And the Big Picture - the ROTC scholarship is merely the means to the end of investing several years of life into active duty service as a military officer. That is the key question down the road - willingness and interest in becoming a warrior, a leader, a fit and active adult serving her country, 24/7 and likely far from home. If she develops an interest in and attraction to being a military officer, then plot the path to ROTC or Service Academy. In the meantime, nurturing STEM interests, encouraging physical fitness, trying different sports, trying community involvement, encouraging personal growth, instilling self-confidence and initiative, is great preparation for any path in life.

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Great post and perfectly said!