College ROTC and future acceptance

anne99

Parent, Class of 2021 USNA
5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2015
Messages
196
I'm sure this has been asked and answered before, I just can't find where.

Does participation in ROTC at college (in this case Texas A&M Corps of Cadets) help with application to USNA? This is my son's option if he doesn't receive an appointment this year (he is a high school senior). He would try again during his freshman college year.
 
ROTC is not a bad thing to do while re-applying, and succeeding at ROTC potentially gives a kid another nomination source. However, with college re-applicants, service academies really want to see that the person can handle a course load equivalent to plebe courses: calculus, chemistry with a lab, history/government, English composition. That is why USNA does not even consider re-applicants out of college until they get first-semester grades. You don't have to take my word for this. If you search threads for re-applying/re-applicants, you'll see that everyone emphasizes academic success over sports or military success as a college re-applicant. It makes sense. The purpose of USNA is to graduate students, in four (not 4.5 or 5 or 6) years, with both a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the USN, and that takes serious academic chops. They can teach almost anyone the military skillset, but academic success is really up to individuals.
 
Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. Since Corps of Cadets stresses academics above everything else, I figure it can only help in that respect. I believe the structure of NROTC will contribute heavily to academic success.
 
This has not been asked but it can be a big thing. Going through TWO tough Plebe Years is really asking a lot out of your morale. Going through one does not make the second any easier.....it is just more pain learning what you already know. One Plebe year is enough for anyone.
 
My DS is now USNA '19- transferring from college after a year in college in which he was a college programmer for NROTC. There is no question that grades ARE #1 consideration, but I would believe that NROTC can help with that= during my son's 6-week basic training- there was forced study hall- the structured environment I think contributed to his good academic performance. and yes, two plebe summers are not great- but it was not two plebe summers, it was a 3-day intense program plus the much less intense basic training period. He was better prepared for plebe summer and for plebe year because of his NROTC experience- there is no question in my mind about that. So I think there are alot of positives to consider as well.
 
I agree that a year of NROTC can help in a number of ways but to compare the summer of an NROTC freshman at a state university to the incredible stress of a Plebe summer/year and an Aggie fish summer/year is an apple and oranges thing. To go through the mental and physical stress of a fish year and at the moment of relief and promotion willingly put on a different uniform and go through the Navy's version is almost incomprehensible. I would not be surprised if USNA is quickly forgotten if the OP's son does go to A&M. As a real physical example of how much a Plebe wants to flush the past year behind him, watch the agony of the Herndon Monument climb at graduation. No Plebe gets promoted to 3/C until that hat gets put on top. That "ceremony" is not for fun or the tourists.
 
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