Tips for getting a scholarship in college

ilanag3

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Messages
14
I didn't apply for the army ROTC scholarships before the deadline, so would really love to get one next year when I start college. However, I want to make it clear that it is my dream to be a soldier so regardless if I get one or not, I am still doing ROTC. Anyways, here are my stats: incoming freshman at Dickinson college, female, 30 ACT. My APFT scores are not up to par yet but I assure you that I have been working my ass off ever since I decided I wanted to do this, so I WILL pass when I step onto campus in the fall. When I talked to a senior cadet on an admitted students day, she told me that if I can pass the APFT, I show up for all classes and PT, and the fact that I am female will make it likely that I could get a scholarship. She also said that she received one 2nd semester freshman year, but it was a 4 year retroactive scholarship.

So what are some things I should know/do to increase my chances? And yes, I am FULLY aware that scholarship recipients have an obligation to the army. Thanks!
 
I get this question often and the answer is simple. You are evaluated by your attitude and effort. Your attitude is evaluated first by your attendance. Attendance is the single largest indication of your attitude toward being in ROTC. Your attitudes is also evaluated by your involvement within the corps of Cadets and participation in ROTC specific activities. Your effort is best evaluated by the results of your APFT and your GPA. All in all if you are serious about becoming an Army leader then ROTC will be easy. I always add that if you are looking for a way to pay for college there are much easier ways to pay.
 
Bama is spot on. Same in our program....physical fitness (APFT score), grades, and participation are what sets Cadets apart. Right after the first PT test of the semester, about the time mid term grades come out is when I schedule our first campus board. When a cadet comes in the room and all the board members know who he or she is, and they have seen that cadet working hard at PT then that cadet will do well on the board and be high on the OML.

Remember the big school vs small school dynamic too. It's going to be harder to get notices at Penn State then it is at Clarkson.

And I'm with Bama on the money thing. Army ROTC is not a social service. We are making Army Officers, not helping kids pay for college. It's nice that that is a byproduct, but that's not why we are here.
 
It is this simple.....

1. Good Grades (The best you can get)
2. Effort put into ROTC (What your commander thinks of you)
3. Great Physical Fitness
4. Luck

There's nothing more to know and there's no secret.
 
Bama is spot on. Same in our program....physical fitness (APFT score), grades, and participation are what sets Cadets apart. Right after the first PT test of the semester, about the time mid term grades come out is when I schedule our first campus board. When a cadet comes in the room and all the board members know who he or she is, and they have seen that cadet working hard at PT then that cadet will do well on the board and be high on the OML.

Remember the big school vs small school dynamic too. It's going to be harder to get notices at Penn State then it is at Clarkson.

And I'm with Bama on the money thing. Army ROTC is not a social service. We are making Army Officers, not helping kids pay for college. It's nice that that is a byproduct, but that's not why we are here.

Your last paragraph is so helpful in this sometimes long and confusing process. Becoming an officer should be the focus, not the scholarship, however, yes the scholarship part is nice too. My daughter's second college visit had us setting across the desk of the ROO of that school and he asked her, "Tell me, what is the purpose of ROTC, what do we do?" My daughter hesitantly answered, "Make Army Officers?" And the ROO got a big smile and said, "You have no idea how often that question is answered incorrectly, you are right, that is what we do."I think that has helped her to stay focused, and take each step seriously, including staying in shape. If you focus on the scholarship and not the end result it is easy to let the details slip, which is a bad idea.
 
Thank you for the information. However I tried to make it clear that I am not doing ROTC for the scholarship, and I would do it regardless if I got a scholarship or not. And I am going to put in all of the effort regardless as well. I simply wanted to know tips for getting one because the possibility exists, and I didn't know if there were additional things I should do besides attitude/effort
 
Thank you for the information. However I tried to make it clear that I am not doing ROTC for the scholarship, and I would do it regardless if I got a scholarship or not. And I am going to put in all of the effort regardless as well. I simply wanted to know tips for getting one because the possibility exists, and I didn't know if there were additional things I should do besides attitude/effort

Totally understand, and was really not picking on you at all. To make it clearer, focusing on why you are doing it keeps you on track to do the things for getting the scholarship. Both BAMA ROTC and Clarksonarmy are actual ROOs, and so their advice is very valid. I would re-read their posts as they both gave you solid criteria for how you would get one if you were in their program, probably very typical. My response was simply in response to Clarksonarmy's comments having hit home with my daughters experience, not necessarily directed at you, so I apologize if it came off that way.

Just do what is expected of you and do it well, and you will have a shot at a scholarship. Good luck on your endeavors, there are a lot of success stories on this board that took the same path you are. And it seems like you are very driven toward that path.
 
No one was accusing you of looking for the money. The point taken should be don't show up reminding us about how much a scholarship would help your life, show us how much you want to lead soldiers.

Here are some things you don't need to do. You don't need to spend the summer reading Clausewitz and Sun Tzu and memorizing the ranger handbook. You don't need to join a gun club, buy an AR15, and work on your off hand shooting. You don't need to hike the Appalachian trail with an Army issue ruck sack to prepare for road marching.

Relax this summer. Develop a reasonable fitness routine. Get mentally prepared for college and stay out of trouble and you'll be competitive.
 
Back
Top