Army ROTC questions:

[T_Bordeau13]

I am currently a senior in high school. I am applying for an Army ROTC scholarship to continue my education and be a PA (physician assistant) and eventually become a physician. I was accepted into ETSU (East Tennessee State University) this summer on early admission. I am wondering what my chances are of getting a scholarship. My stats are as followed:

GPA: 3.67 w/3.48 uw (mostly honors/ AP classes since sophomore year)

ACT: 25 (am retaking this October and aiming for a 29 or higher)

Sports: 4-year varsity tennis player. Captain of tennis team junior and senior year. Won districts my sophomore year, 2nd place in districts my junior year, and went to state sophomore and junior year.

Extracurriculars: Youth leadership program (junior year) and I am currently serving on the Youth leadership board. I was chosen to be on the Environmental Quality Advisory Board by the city to serve as a high school representative on a 2 year term. 70 hours volunteering this summer at the Childrens Museum. National Honor Society. Chosen to be an intern at my local hospital for my senior year. 300+ hours volunteering for my neighbor, freshman-senior years during the summer. Made it to Senior Airman in Civil Air Patrol before having to leave my position to focus on schoolwork. Other Extracurriculars, but cannot remember some at the moment

I am able to do 55 pushups and 61 situps in a minute, and my mile time is 6:15.

What are my chances? Please be brutally honest so I know what I have to work on in order to guarantee a scholarship. I am looking at making the military my lifelong career. I know for a fact I want to do this for the rest of my life. Thanks for anyone who comments!

 

[JakeFromWisco]

I'd say you have a good shot. Remember, nothing is guaranteed though. Keep working hard, try and gain more leadership positions, get a higher ACT score, get the application done before the second board, and keep in contact with the ROTC department at the university you wish to attend. You're on the right track. Keep it up!

 

[T_Bordeau13]

Thank you so much, sir! Im hoping all this work will pay off!

 

[sheriff3]

I think you have a very good shot at earning at least a 3Yr. scholarship. Jake gave you good advice. Good luck.

 

[AROTC Parent]

I am currently a senior in high school. I am applying for an Army ROTC scholarship to continue my education and be a PA (physician assistant) and eventually become a physician. I was accepted into ETSU (East Tennessee State University) this summer on early admission. I am wondering what my chances are of getting a scholarship. My stats are as followed:

What are my chances? Please be brutally honest so I know what I have to work on in order to guarantee a scholarship. I am looking at making the military my lifelong career. I know for a fact I want to do this for the rest of my life. Thanks for anyone who comments!

T_B -
Check with an experienced Recruiting Operations Officer regarding PA School after Army ROTC. It may no longer be an Active Duty path from ROTC. You might have to take a Reserve Commission and apply to PA school as a reservist or complete your commitment on AD then apply to PA school. You should also research the Army's PA school to see if they take ROTC cadets currently.

You do realize you would be adding years of schooling and military commitment if you choose PA to Med School? Best case with an AD route if ROTC to PA is even an option - Commission in 2020, PA in 2022, AD commitment 2026/2027?, graduate Med School 2030/31, residency 2033/34...........WOW.

My recommendation - see how well you are doing academically in Medical Prerequisites your first two years of undergrad. Make a choice to pursue either PA or MD but be prepared to complete your military commitment as a reservist or on AD but not in the Medical Corp.

 

[AROTC Parent]

I am currently a senior in high school. I am applying for an Army ROTC scholarship to continue my education and be a PA (physician assistant) and eventually become a physician. I was accepted into ETSU (East Tennessee State University) this summer on early admission. I am wondering what my chances are of getting a scholarship. My stats are as followed:

What are my chances? Please be brutally honest so I know what I have to work on in order to guarantee a scholarship. I am looking at making the military my lifelong career. I know for a fact I want to do this for the rest of my life. Thanks for anyone who comments!

T_B -
My recommendation - see how well you are doing academically in Medical Prerequisites your first two years of undergrad. Make a choice to pursue either PA or MD but be prepared to complete your military commitment as a reservist or on AD but not in the Medical Corp.

http://www.usarec.army.mil/downloads/armypa/milper_15-257.pdf This is the relevant MILPER Message indicating ROTC Cadets can no longer apply for IPAP as a Cadet. NG is an option.
http://www.usarec.army.mil/armypa/ipap_requirements_app_info.shtml This is the IPAP program description and academic requirements to apply.

You can do it but remain flexible. My DS is now in Medical School after Army ROTC. It was very difficult to complete the medical school prerequisites (academic and EC) that were not part of her academic major and ROTC requirements.

 

[T_Bordeau13]

I am currently a senior in high school. I am applying for an Army ROTC scholarship to continue my education and be a PA (physician assistant) and eventually become a physician. I was accepted into ETSU (East Tennessee State University) this summer on early admission. I am wondering what my chances are of getting a scholarship. My stats are as followed:

What are my chances? Please be brutally honest so I know what I have to work on in order to guarantee a scholarship. I am looking at making the military my lifelong career. I know for a fact I want to do this for the rest of my life. Thanks for anyone who comments!

T_B -
My recommendation - see how well you are doing academically in Medical Prerequisites your first two years of undergrad. Make a choice to pursue either PA or MD but be prepared to complete your military commitment as a reservist or on AD but not in the Medical Corp.

You can do it but remain flexible. My DS is now in Medical School after Army ROTC. It was very difficult to complete the medical school prerequisites (academic and EC) that were not part of her academic major and ROTC requirements.

Please explain. I am very confused by what you're trying to say. Thank you for your input though! Any advice will help

 

[T_Bordeau13]

ROTC CADETS WHILE IN CADET STATUS ARE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR IPAP.

This is a quote from a link you replied. I think this means that you are not eligible if you're still attending the college and are still a cadet at the college you attend. Am I wrong?

 

[AROTC Parent]

ROTC CADETS WHILE IN CADET STATUS ARE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR IPAP.

This is a quote from a link you replied. I think this means that you are not eligible if you're still attending the college and are still a cadet at the college you attend. Am I wrong?

T_B - Correct. You can no longer apply to the IPAP program as an ROTC Cadet. ROTC cadets used to be able to apply after completing the IPAP prerequisite courses prior to their senior year and then start the IPAP course after graduation- this was similar to an educational delay.

You can go Reserve/NG and apply to civilian PA programs. Your original post did not indicate if you were considering PA/Medicine in the Army or not. Edit because of my poor reading skills - you did indicate you want to be a PA then Dr on Active Duty.

You can go onto active duty and apply but the regulations regarding completion of your service obligation apply - - If you complete BOLC you will have to complete time in that branch (Infantry, QM, Armor, Medical Service.....) and they would have to release you to attend the IPAP training. If you PCS to another duty station you would have to meet the minimum time on station.

Completing Med School or PA prerequisites while in ROTC can be difficult. If you go to a small school for example and the PA prerequisite of Anatomy and Physiology is not a required course for your major you may not be able to take the course if the only session offered conflicts with PT or LLAB.

My point is there are barriers, though none insurmountable, in the path you described in your original point. Understand and prepare for the barriers. Army ROTC is not a common path to PA or Medicine.

 

[T_Bordeau13]

What do you think would be the best way to be a PA in the Army if ROTC cadets are no longer accepted? I am applying for ROTC to pay for my college and to get a little piece of what being in the Army means. What is the best path to do this if I do not get an ROTC scholarship to pay for college?

 

[Aglahad]

Best route for PA IMO is to go reserves/guard then apply for IPAP. You get AD pay and all of your school paid for while you are attending. If you want to be a physician do pre-med and ROTC and branch reserves. If for some reason you don't get into med school you can reapply over and over again without worry of upholding your AD commitment. If you so desire at a later point it is a lot easier for healthcare providers to switch back to AD.

I have no idea why people try to fool around with trying to go AD and branch into a random area when their end goal is being a physician or PA. Go the direct route.