DS's ALO did the interview and it counted for both AFA and AFROTC.
I would agree with kevster's point. Some dets have scholarships at their discretion. This is not to be confused with the AFROTCHQ HSSP. The reason why is the AFROTCHQ is not tied to the det, it is tied to the cadet. The scholarship kevster is talking about IS TIED TO THE DET. Think of it like a merit scholarship from the college, but in this case AFROTC Det.
Another reason why when you do school visits, take the time and visit the det too.
One other thing to understand is that AFROTC dets get to see the list of candidates selected for scholarships. Sometimes colleges will have a ROTC CoC sit on their admissions board. Don't be surprised if you receive mail from schools that he didn't apply for with a direct admission.
DS got this offered to him from UNCCH and NYU Sterns. They didn't ask for us to pay the application fee, or anything else financially. All they asked was him to sign a 1 page form that he accepted their admission...this was binding. These letters popped up in the mail after admissions had closed for applications, and at the same time they were making offers for admissions to students that did apply.
We thought it was weird, and a scam, so I called the school admissions dept. for verification. They informed me that it was because he was offered an AFROTC scholarship, and the AFROTC liaison to the board requested a direct admit (his stats were above the median for the college).
It happens sometimes if the cadre is proactive regarding recruiting cadets.
Finally, one last reason to visit the det.
~ We all know the AFA will still be very cut throat this yr regarding appointments. Visiting the det., and being up front about wanting to attend the AFA will work to your advantage if you don't get the appointment. Most CoC's respect that honesty, and when you arrive in Aug/Sept. they will keep an eye out for you to guide you in becoming the most competitive AFROTC nom that you can be.
Our DS opted to go AFROTC over the AFA for multiple reasons. He actually pulled his packet in Feb. before the board closed, and he had 4 noms. One of those reasons was the visit.
The O6 told him, if next fall you want to try for the AFA, you will have my full support as long as you do well in the program. With that knowledge his fate was sealed. When he left in Aug. he had some lingering doubts if he made the right choice. Sept rolled around and the O6 called him into his office ---scary for a C100. He asked do you want to apply for the AFA? He said NO.
The CoC remembered, not only that, but when there are 100 new faces, he was not just a face, but a name with a face.
DS was not offered an AFROTC det scholarship because he already had the AFROTCHQ and college merit in hand. I only post that so people don't think dets are going to hand over more money knowing you have one in hand already.
