I just found out that I received a 3 year scholarship for Army ROTC, my academic discipline being Nursing. But it's at a school that I have hardly looked at. My parents are also worried that I would accept it and not like that college or that I'm doing it for the money and that I am too young to make a decision like this. I feel very strongly against this and I am sure this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Can anyone that went through the ROTC program share any advice or experience they've had in the program? Thanks!
You will want to hear from Aglahad on things AROTC nursing, but as to the school choice and ROTC decision and dealing with parents not on the same page, here are some thoughts...
1) I'm assuming here that they don't have a problem with your going into nursing. If there is a problem (they are worried about your not making it through the program because of high levels of washout), the best argument is that 100% of students who don't enroll in nursing don't get nursing degrees.
2) Given that nursing is OK, and ROTC is an issue (i.e. they aren't wild about you going into the Army), the thoughts you want to stress are:
a) While you will be trained as a soldier, your assignments will generally be out of harm's way, if their concern is about safety
b) Yes, you will have to be stationed in places not necessarily close to home, but young folks like me do this all the time and it is a part of growing up. (in case the issue is separation)
c) Army nursing is a great first job for the nursing profession (Aglahad can tell you more about this).
3) If the school is the issue here are some thoughts...
a) If it is distance from home, stress that students like me do this all the time and grow up just fine. (exude confidence in yourself!)
b) If the issue is large impersonal school, stress that students like me do this all the time and grow up just fine. (exude confidence in yourself) - Are you seeing a pattern here?
c) If it is a price issue, it is a bit more complicated, but understand that once you pay that first year, tuition increases are not your problem unlike other schools.
d) If they think you are in over your head at this school, you will need some data from the school (this information can be found online using google) regarding how your GPA/test scores compare to your peers entering the school. You might also want to call the nursing school to get the specific statistics for the nursing school as well. If you stack up well (significantly above average), use that information to bolster your position. If you really are in the bottom 1/4 of the nursing class, I might consider having a frank conversation with an advisor before proceeding to commit to this program.
The most important thing is to maintain a sense of confidence and to present some facts (especially when talking ROTC/Army issues).
I would also recommend contacting the ROO (recruiting operations officer) at the school where you received the scholarship and explain your situation. Generally, these folks are your friend in selling the program to your parents.
Hope this addresses some of your concerns. Best of luck and keep asking questions.