AROTC Scholarship decisions

[Pima]

I gave up calling my kids yrs ago because I heard the same as you kinnem. I just wait for them to call me now.

I believe no news is good news, when I see their # on caller i.d. my mind floats to:
Is this going to be a GOOD phone call or a BAD phone call?

Done in the voice from the Wizard of Oz. Are you a good witch or a Bad witch?
Sad, but true.

 

[paradoxer]

Best $10/month spent

I gave up calling my kids yrs ago because I heard the same as you kinnem. I just wait for them to call me now.

I believe no news is good news, when I see their # on caller i.d. my mind floats to:
Is this going to be a GOOD phone call or a BAD phone call?

Done in the voice from the Wizard of Oz. Are you a good witch or a Bad witch?
Sad, but true.

Last month my family of 4 sent almost 15,000 texts. Phone minutes non existent. Great way to "talk" to very busy college students.

 

[Vista123]

my son at USNA will text me how his sponsor parent's other midkid games the entire wkend while there. He also texted me about another ....
."

Notice how I wrote texted instead of told...

 

[txpotato]

You mean you can actually talk on a phone?

 

[Packer]

So true. ANd that doesn't even factor in girlfriends or boyfriends. Most times when I call DS I get, "I can only talk for a minute Dad, I'm in the middle of... or I'm about to start... or I'm on my way to...". I believe him. Even my kid can't dislike me that much!

My son seldom answers the phone. If I need to talk to him I send him a text that says "I need to talk to you, give me a call". I hate texting but have learned that if I want to comunicate with my kids it is required.

 

[soccmomer]

Pretty much only texting with all 4 of my kids. In fact random daily texts got ME through each one of them going off to college - just re-assurance that they were alive!
And by amuse, I really just meant, what do they do as a Norwich Rook on Sundays when they do have free time(as I understand it that is about the only time they have it)? These are college kids, they obviously want to do more than laundry and homework and nap and the allowed 10 minute phone call takes...well, 10 minutes! So what do they do in the absence of TV,movies, x-box, playing airsoft with friends, and hanging out with their girl/boyfriend when said person is not also going to school there? Or do they truly want to just catch up on sleep?

 

[afrotc16]

For DS, a major sticking point has become SMC lifestyle vs. civilian college experience. As Strength says - he is hoping the answer will just come to him. Any 17 year old has pretty limited experience in deciding on that choice if they have never lived it. Fortunately my older 3 have been happy with their college choices, and the choice seemed to be obvious to them at the time....unfortunately, this choice seems to be a whole lot harder!

Well, I was in this same position two years ago. I originally wanted to go to USAFA, but I was not accepted; however, I received an AFROTC scholarship to Norwich. I thought that doing ROTC at a SMC would be the next best thing to going to a SA. So I went to Norwich, but, for various reasons, I transferred after a semester to WPI. This was mainly for academic reasons; not because I was doing badly, but because I wanted more of an academic challenge. I was lucky enough to be able to transfer my scholarship also, and I'm really happy here. The engineering program here is amazing, and there are many more opportunities for study abroad, projects, specialization and hands-on work than there were at Norwich. The AFROTC program is definitely more active here than it was at Norwich and I've gotten many more opportunities to have a Wing Job and do more in the detachment because of smaller detachment size and no SMC commitments. Surprisingly, I find myself busier than I was before because I'm able to join more groups (and have a variety of friends) and well, yes, I have harder classes! If you have any questions about SMC vs. Civilian college ROTC feel free to ask! I'd say make sure to remember that college's #1 reason is for academics, and base your decision off of that.

 

[afrotc16]

And by amuse, I really just meant, what do they do as a Norwich Rook on Sundays when they do have free time(as I understand it that is about the only time they have it)? These are college kids, they obviously want to do more than laundry and homework and nap and the allowed 10 minute phone call takes...well, 10 minutes! So what do they do in the absence of TV,movies, x-box, playing airsoft with friends, and hanging out with their girl/boyfriend when said person is not also going to school there? Or do they truly want to just catch up on sleep?

Hmmm...as a rook at Norwich we weren't allowed to sleep past 0730 on Sundays. I did homework, visited my rook buddies, read books, went to church, and sometimes went to the chapel and played the piano. Sometimes I and a few rook buddies would form study groups and go to the library or an academic building and study together. As the fall wore on, rooks in my platoon organized gym trips, hikes etc. Sports games are fun to go to also, if your cadre let you. You finally get to feel like a real person for a few hours!!

 

[ABF]

Well it's basically VMI's history and traditions vs Purdue's close to home vs USF's totally free and south Florida lifestyle! I don't know what to do!

My last bit of advice for you... You have to be "all in, all the time" if you are going to go to VMI (even for AROTC for that matter). If you don't already feel it, chances are Purdue or USF might be better... and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you plan to "test drive" VMI, you will likely not enjoy it at all. My gut tells me your heart should already be telling you something. Listen carefully to it.

 

[paradoxer]

Great Advice

My last bit of advice for you... You have to be "all in, all the time" if you are going to go to VMI (even for AROTC for that matter). If you don't already feel it, chances are Purdue or USF might be better... and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you plan to "test drive" VMI, you will likely not enjoy it at all. My gut tells me your heart should already be telling you something. Listen carefully to it.

Love this advice about being all in! This is a 168 hour per week commitment.

 

[soccmomer]

Thanks afrotc16, that is helpful information. I will pass it along to DS.

 

[Coltron]

One he applied non binding early admission and should hear back by Monday but it could easily be a deferred regular admission decision until spring.

One he also applied non binding early admission and should not hear back until 12/26 (after the deadline) but regardless this could also easily be a deferred decision until spring.

One only had binding early decision so he had to do regular decision so wont hear back from them until spring.

He does have a definite order of preference but really likes all three. We are encouraging him, if he does not get early decision to his #1 choice, to chose that school anyway, hope he gets into it on regular decision, and if he does not get in try to transfer later. so far he is not inclined to listen and wants the sure bet (should he get into early decision to #2 or #3).

Vista, I, too, would like to go with the "sure bet." I narrowed my decision down to two schools. I was accepted to my 2nd choice (IS), but the 3rd choice (OS) has an EA decision date of 12/31- well past our deadline.

So, I called and spoke with my admission rep at school #3. I informed her that I had received the AROTC 4-year scholarship to their university and also two others, but I needed to confirm my school choice with Cadet Command by Dec. 20th. I asked if there was any way that she could give me a decision on my application before then. I told her that I was highly motivated to attend their university, but I couldn't wait until 12/31. I said if I didn't have a firm acceptance/denial decision by Dec. 20th, I would have no other option than to choose another school being offered to me. I told her that I just couldn't chance losing my scholarship, if in the end their university denied me. She was very understanding and said she would speak to her director. The next day, I received an email that my application was being rushed through and I'd have their decision by 12/20.

I don't know if this could work for your DS, or if he even has time to try placing a rush on his EA decisions. Though, it may be worth a try and the schools would still have all next week to work on it....just a thought

 

[EDelahanty]

Vista, I, too, would like to go with the "sure bet." I narrowed my decision down to two schools. I was accepted to my 2nd choice (IS), but the 3rd choice (OS) has an EA decision date of 12/31- well past our deadline.

So, I called and spoke with my admission rep at school #3. I informed her that I had received the AROTC 4-year scholarship to their university and also two others, but I needed to confirm my school choice with Cadet Command by Dec. 20th. I asked if there was any way that she could give me a decision on my application before then. I told her that I was highly motivated to attend their university, but I couldn't wait until 12/31. I said if I didn't have a firm acceptance/denial decision by Dec. 20th, I would have no other option than to choose another school being offered to me. I told her that I just couldn't chance losing my scholarship, if in the end their university denied me. She was very understanding and said she would speak to her director. The next day, I received an email that my application was being rushed through and I'd have their decision by 12/20.

I don't know if this could work for your DS, or if he even has time to try placing a rush on his EA decisions. Though, it may be worth a try and the schools would still have all next week to work on it....just a thought

That was nicely done, Coltron. Whether or not you get a favorable response, you have a great future as a negotiator.

 

[Strength and Honor]

Vista, I, too, would like to go with the "sure bet." I narrowed my decision down to two schools. I was accepted to my 2nd choice (IS), but the 3rd choice (OS) has an EA decision date of 12/31- well past our deadline.

So, I called and spoke with my admission rep at school #3. I informed her that I had received the AROTC 4-year scholarship to their university and also two others, but I needed to confirm my school choice with Cadet Command by Dec. 20th. I asked if there was any way that she could give me a decision on my application before then. I told her that I was highly motivated to attend their university, but I couldn't wait until 12/31. I said if I didn't have a firm acceptance/denial decision by Dec. 20th, I would have no other option than to choose another school being offered to me. I told her that I just couldn't chance losing my scholarship, if in the end their university denied me. She was very understanding and said she would speak to her director. The next day, I received an email that my application was being rushed through and I'd have their decision by 12/20.

I don't know if this could work for your DS, or if he even has time to try placing a rush on his EA decisions. Though, it may be worth a try and the schools would still have all next week to work on it....just a thought

Amazing idea Coltron.... Amazing idea!

 

[cb7893]

One thing to remember, the metric which drives admissions departments is "yield", i.e. how many admits ultimately attend. How they do once admitted is someone else's problem.

My DS #2 was admitted to Michigan OOS, denied USC. His best buddy was admitted to Columbia but not Michigan OOS. A good friend who advises applicants said the reason they were denied those schools is that those schools did not believe they would actually attend. In such cases, if the applicant truly wants to attend the school and can prove it somehow, like having an ROTC scholarship in hand, then pursue it.

Best of Luck.

 

[Coltron]

EDelahanty & Strength and Honor, Thanks for compliments

Cb7893, Thanks for the information...it makes sense and is good to know

 

[Vista123]

Coltron, you, thus far have provided remarkably great tips. Whatever happens please keep on these boards and help out the next generation.

I will share your tips with my son this wkend.

Unfortunately the past two days we have been side tracked with brand new potentiality challenging Dodmerb issues. (Wrestling is a disgusting awful sport!!!!!) I swear I have two boys a year apart, one with all the luck in the world and one with no luck at all!

Hopefully tomorrow we will regroup and turn the focus back to college admittance. I think your suggestions are wonderful! Thank you!

 

[soccmomer]

Vista I hear you about the wrestling - my boys wrestled when they were little. so glad they turned their attentions elsewhere! I was always so worried about their necks and MERSA!

 

[kinnem]

Sorry to hear

Coltron, you, thus far have provided remarkably great tips. Whatever happens please keep on these boards and help out the next generation.

I will share your tips with my son this wkend.

Unfortunately the past two days we have been side tracked with brand new potentiality challenging Dodmerb issues. (Wrestling is a disgusting awful sport!!!!!) I swear I have two boys a year apart, one with all the luck in the world and one with no luck at all!

Hopefully tomorrow we will regroup and turn the focus back to college admittance. I think your suggestions are wonderful! Thank you!

Vista, Sorry to hear of the challenges. Hope you clear the hurdles with no additional difficulties. I understand about the wrestling as DS was a wrestler through middle school and high school. I've seen plenty of ugly injuries. If anyone can surmount the hurdles its you and your boys!

 

[cb7893]

Unfortunately the past two days we have been side tracked with brand new potentiality challenging Dodmerb issues. (Wrestling is a disgusting awful sport!!!!!)

Sorry to hear about the DoDMERB issue. At least you are hitting it early, giving plenty of time to have the issue resolved, one way or the other.

Last year, DS #2 did not receive NROTC scholarship until Mar. It took two months before he was actually DQed and we could begin the process of getting a waiver. We strung along Options B and C as long as we could but eventually had to throw in the towel.

It is critically important to get the DoDMERB taken care of ASAP, giving time to resolve issues like sports injuries, high protein in urine, etc.

Best of luck!

BTW, whatever happened to the Uber-Latina?