Army ROTC nomination to WP - hosed or not?

sean007

5-Year Member
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Nov 15, 2011
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Just received a nomination, Form 5-497, to West Point from my ROTC commanding officer. On it he had made what I feel were several evaluation errors.

1. He had me marked as an "Solid average student, possibly honors" - I am currently an electrical engineering student at a top 20 university, ACT composite was 34 (not superscored), national AP scholar with distinction, I have actually applied to the engineering honors program and will most likely be accepted.

2. For athletics, I was marked as a "high school varsity participant, average ability" - I was the captain of my cross country team, 3 year letter winner, was a top 25 all-time runner for my high school, won the highest athletic/academic award my school offered, got a few letters from "small colleges" asking me to visit.

3. For extracurricular activities, I was graded "good citizen, interested and active" - I was H.S. class officer, H.S. club officer, featured speaker at my H.S. graduation, volunteered at the local VA hospital where I won 2 leadership awards, worked in the re-election campaign for my local congressman.

While my overall evaluation was "strong contender" - I really felt he just "phoned this one in." If anyone has any advice on how I should proceed, I would surely appreciate the input.
 
You should be okay.

What's important block 3 and his signature, with those you now have a ROTC nomination.

The second page of the form is similar to the candidate interview form. There is a check and balance as assuming your application reflects your accomplishment, the admissions committee will see your commanding officer having a high standard (i.e. "high school varsity participant, average ability" but your admissions file should reflect your varisty letter and awards) As a field force member, I would have you marked you higher on at least two categories than your PMS.

If you want to make sure this interview doesn't hurt you, contact your local field force member and ask for an interview. You can have more than one interview and when interivews disagree, the admissions office pay more attention and do more research.

Good luck.
 
MemberLG thank you for your reply. Of course you are correct that the best thing I can take from this is that I have a ROTC nomination. Just to inform you I have also posted this issue in the ROTC forum seeking their feedback.

Some additional information:

I am not the only ROTC nom at my battalion - to the best of my knowledge there is one maybe two others. Neither one are STEM majors.

I am a freshman, my first semester grades are not in yet. My midterm grades, in total, are roughly 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. My battalion is one of the largest in the country - approx. 70 to 80 in my class. My APTF score was 285. I am a 4 year scholarship winner. Since starting school I have pledged and have completed the extra training to be accepted to Scabbard and Blade / I have also worked on the re-election campaign for my local congressman thru November of this year. Generally I have volunteered for everything my ROTC battalion has to offer.

I should also note that I applied to WP during my senior year in HS. I actually received a congressional nomination for WP last year(2016 class). I fully expect to receive one for this year also (see re-election work noted above). Last year I was DQ due to a medical issue. I have since asked for and received a medical waiver.

I would also like to note that thru this entire process, the battalion commander that signed my nomination, never sat down to interview me for this position. That is why my comment "phoned this one in" was made.
 
. . . I am not the only ROTC nom at my battalion - to the best of my knowledge there is one maybe two others. Neither one are STEM majors.

My advice to you is just stay focus and don't get distracted. From my perspective, getting an appointment to West Point involves some luck. The reality is that the appointment offer is not made to top 1300 applicants, rather fully qualified applicants that are top in their nomination category.

According the information provided by the Admissions Office to the West Point Board of Visitor in June 12, it appears that there were 266 applicants with ROTC nomination, of 206 were competitive, 16 offers were made and 14 accepted (see link below). West Point is authorized up to 20 ROTC related appointments and many of ROTC nominees more than likely had other nominations too. An applicant I worked with had ROTC, Reserve Component, and Congressional. So more nominations increase your chances. So I wouldn't worry too much about other nominees from your Battalion. Yes they are your competitors but not sure if they will compet against you exclusive for the ROTC appointments.

http://www.usma.edu/bov/SiteAssets/Meeting Minutes/Signed Meeting Minutes 20120614.pdf
 
Where on that link did it say 266 ROTC nominations were given out? Then why did they only give 16 offers?
 
MemberLG - thank you for your reply. Quick question though - is the "local field force member" the same as the liaison officer. Because, if so, I've already met with him this year.

Thanks in advance
 
MemberLG – I would like to thank you for your thoughtful and well-reasoned response. You have helped me reach a decision on how I will proceed.

I have already made an appointment to speak with the PMS concerning this matter … and I plan to keep that appointment. I will walk into his office, and instead of asking him to clarify, re-review and argue the positions he took concerning my evaluations. I will humbly thank him for taking the time to nominate me for a position at WP and ask him how I can best wring all the experience I can from my time at ROTC.
 
Where on that link did it say 266 ROTC nominations were given out? Then why did they only give 16 offers?

A table in the one of last pages, I said "appears" as I wasn't sure what AA meant, but the number 266 seems to in the ball park.

Several ways only why 16

after matching fully qualified candidates with vacancies, only 16 fully qualified candidates with ROTC nomination couldn't be matched with vacancies

or

simple the law is up to 20, so with a smaller class size ROTC appointments are an area where the admissions office could appoint less.
 
MemberLG – I would like to thank you for your thoughtful and well-reasoned response. You have helped me reach a decision on how I will proceed.

I have already made an appointment to speak with the PMS concerning this matter … and I plan to keep that appointment. I will walk into his office, and instead of asking him to clarify, re-review and argue the positions he took concerning my evaluations. I will humbly thank him for taking the time to nominate me for a position at WP and ask him how I can best wring all the experience I can from my time at ROTC.

If I may, put a positive spin duirng the meeting that since your ultimate goal is to become a good Army officer, going to West Point is something [insert your own reason], at it you don't get into West Point you will drive on in the ROTC program.

Good luck.
 
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