How competitive are AROTC scholarships?

Sutter93

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I posted a "chances" thread a while ago. It is here if anyone is interested in checking it out, http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=10362

I was surprised to find a poster replied saying that she believes my chances of an AROTC scholarship was 100% to any school I applied to. Exactly how competitive are the AROTC scholarships? I understand that it is far less competitive than AFROTC or NROTC, since the AF and Navy are downsizing on junior officers. However, I was talking to someone and they said that the standards for earning an AROTC scholarship was laughable. Is army not as popular a branch to go into or something? Are there any other reasons why AROTC scholarships might be easier to earn than a AFROTC or NROTC scholarship?
 
Total Number of People in each branch. (according to wikipedia)

Army 1,090,000+
Navy 332,000
Marine 203,000 active 40,000 reserve
Air Force 327,452

Part of it may be that the Army has more than three times the number of slots to fill.



Service 2010 Budget request
Army $225.2 billion
Navy/Marine Corps $171.7 billion
Air Force $160.5 billion
Defense Wide $106.4 billion


And more money.
 
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I posted a "chances" thread a while ago. It is here if anyone is interested in checking it out, http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=10362

I was surprised to find a poster replied saying that she believes my chances of an AROTC scholarship was 100% to any school I applied to. Exactly how competitive are the AROTC scholarships? I understand that it is far less competitive than AFROTC or NROTC, since the AF and Navy are downsizing on junior officers. However, I was talking to someone and they said that the standards for earning an AROTC scholarship was laughable. Is army not as popular a branch to go into or something? Are there any other reasons why AROTC scholarships might be easier to earn than a AFROTC or NROTC scholarship?

First, I looked over your previous post. Your academic stats are very competitive, although class rank is not reflective of the GPA and test scores. Captain of a varsity team is plenty in the athletics department. Working on leadership roles going forward will solidify your application. Of course the interview and APFT are still ahead.

That being said, your characterization of your chances at 100% for and AROTC school is definitely not true. There are several members on this board this year who didn't get the top schools on their list with stronger stats than yours. There are some who didn't any schools at all - just a generic you've got a scholarship, but all of your schools are full letter (go find another school).

I would suggest that you have a great deal of flexibility in where you are willing to attend school and have at least 5 schools that you'd be happy to attend with the scholarship. And at the schools you wish to apply to, I highly recommend you get to know the ROO and let them know your interest in their unit and the school. You should also ask him/her how your application stacks up against who they took in this year. Many schools have ROTC scholarship awardees who are in the top quarter of their entering class.

As to your question about why Army is "less competitive", I would suggest that many young people get caught up in flying or being at sea, which are better supported by the other services. Untimately, most officers will have a variety of experiences in any service they enter. The focus should be on service to country, not on the excitement of one part of your career. This will ensure a more satisfactory experience.

Good Luck.
 
Speaking for Army ROTC - I would say your chances are 100% to any school you get accepted to. Apply with confidence and pick your schools carefully.
I was surprised to find a poster replied saying that she believes my chances of an AROTC scholarship was 100% to any school I applied to.
That being said, your characterization of your chances at 100% for and AROTC school is definitely not true.
Goaliedad: I do not believe the OP characterized her chances for an AROTC scholarship as 100%.

Suuer93: Please note that Just_A_Mom was giving you her opinion about your chances at the schools you were accepted to, not those that you applied.

You were given some good advice in the other thread about the AROTC process. While your "numbers" may look good the Army has clearly reduced the availability of scholarships THIS year and none of us know what next year may bring. Keep in mind that there are no guarantees.
Is army not as popular a branch to go into or something? Are there any other reasons why AROTC scholarships might be easier to earn than a AFROTC or NROTC scholarship?
The US is currently engaged in two land wars and the Army is bearing the brunt of that effort (and the casualties). In addition, the Army's need for officers is much greater than the other branches because of the total size of the Army.
 
Goaliedad: I do not believe the OP characterized her chances for an AROTC scholarship as 100%.

Suuer93: Please note that Just_A_Mom was giving you her opinion about your chances at the schools you were accepted to, not those that you applied.

You were given some good advice in the other thread about the AROTC process. While your "numbers" may look good the Army has clearly reduced the availability of scholarships THIS year and none of us know what next year may bring. Keep in mind that there are no guarantees.

The US is currently engaged in two land wars and the Army is bearing the brunt of that effort (and the casualties). In addition, the Army's need for officers is much greater than the other branches because of the total size of the Army.

I stand corrected. I misread the post as to who characterized the chances to which schools as 100%.

Bottom line, nobody is 100% certain of anything in this process as many of us are learning this year. Being flexible about your opportunities is the best way to assure that you will have the most options.
 
Sutter93 - that was me!!

I am going to stand by my post - sort of.
Here is my logic:
You appear, on paper, to be highly qualified. You exhibit the attributes of a scholar/leader/athlete that the Army is looking for in an officer. You also appear on paper to be well qualified for an appointment to West Point. Have you considered West Point?

The Army, unlike Navy and Air Force is still expanding forces. Any time they add troops they need to add junior officers. The Army is still seriously short of Majors and Captains from the fallout of the Iraq war. Hence many junior officers are being rapidly promoted further increasing the need. Last year, for the first time the Army offered all candidates to West Point who were fully qualified, not selected a ROTC scholarship to the college of their choice.

A couple of years ago they could not give away enough AROTC scholarships. Between the economy crash and the pull out from Iraq, the Moms and Dads have started allowing and encouraging their children to apply for a scholarship and applications have soared. There are also some budget constraints that have the Army questioning the best use of their recruiting dollars - giving scholarships to a bunch of kids who drop out of the program ties up money.

All of that considered - I stand by my comments - maybe to be conservative I might change it to 99% - if you nail the interview, do well on the fitness test and pass the medical.
Are you a high school junior this year? If so then I would encourage you to apply early - this summer or at least as soon as you get back to school in the fall.
 
Hello,

I hate to jump in on someone elses post but I thought I would throw my situation into the mix. I am a Junior in High School and looking to apply for the AROTC Scholarship. My older brother is currently a MSII on scholarship. My brother was selected on the first board he went through, I know thisg are more competitive now and the process has changed a bit since he was accepted. Here is a quick look at my stats, it would be great if someone could give me an idea if I would have a chance.

GPA 3.52 unweighted
SAT's I have not taken them yet
NHS Member
Eagle Scout
Captain of Cross Country Team
Captain of the Track Team
Debate Team
Marching Band
Stage Band 2 years
City Youth Court, 2 years, One year as head juror
2 years as Senator in the High School YMCA Youth in Government
300 hours community service
3 Mission trips to Mexico through a Youth Group
Counselor for a 6th grade school camp
Push ups and sit ups are in good shape
2 mile run in 10:40
Scuba diver, both open water and advanced course

These stats only include up to the current date.
Thank you for any comments or advise you have.

Thank you
 
Total Number of People in each branch. (according to wikipedia)

Army 1,090,000+
Navy 332,000
Marine 203,000 active 40,000 reserve
Air Force 327,452

Part of it may be that the Army has more than three times the number of slots to fill.



Service 2010 Budget request
Army $225.2 billion
Navy/Marine Corps $171.7 billion
Air Force $160.5 billion
Defense Wide $106.4 billion


And more money.

Thank you for posting this ! Very interesting!
 
Jcleppe, your stats are outstanding (I'm assuming you'll do fine on the ACT/SAT). You should be a very competitive candidate!
 
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