Doesn't even make sense...

Kaiserstephan

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2014
Messages
15
Had many PMS's call me saying they would love to me on their program, had great stats that were similar to many others on this forum and wasn't awarded a scholarship. Doesnt even make sense how people with similar and worse stats than me got scholarships to top tier colleges while i couldnt even get one from a state school sorry if this sounds like a rant just feeling pretty down right now :frown:
 
Had many PMS's call me saying they would love to me on their program, had great stats that were similar to many others on this forum and wasn't awarded a scholarship. Doesnt even make sense how people with similar and worse stats than me got scholarships to top tier colleges while i couldnt even get one from a state school sorry if this sounds like a rant just feeling pretty down right now :frown:

Chin up, Kaiserstephan! I completely know how you are feeling. My DS (and his folks) felt the exact same way. I honestly believe there is no "figuring this system out." Keep the faith. My DS didn't get anything from the first board (although I know people who did, who didn't appear to have as strong of stats- I honestly believe the PMS at his 1st choice was shocked as well; he thought he was "in."), and he got a 4-year this board. There are so many variables in the process...

You can only control what you can control (which unfortunately, ain't much). I wish you all the best in this board and the next!:thumb:
 
Chin up, Kaiserstephan! I completely know how you are feeling. My DS (and his folks) felt the exact same way. I honestly believe there is no "figuring this system out." Keep the faith. My DS didn't get anything from the first board (although I know people who did who didn't appear to have as strong of stats), and he got a 4-year this board. I honestly believe the PMS at his 1st choice was shocked as well. He thought he was "in." There are so many variables in the process...

You can only control what you can control (which unfortunately, ain't much). I wish you all the best in this board and the next!:thumb:

Thank you undead poet really appreciate that and I didn't make the first board either so this time is especially frustrating just looks like im gonna have to wait longer
 
Had many PMS's call me saying they would love to me on their program, had great stats that were similar to many others on this forum and wasn't awarded a scholarship. Doesnt even make sense how people with similar and worse stats than me got scholarships to top tier colleges while i couldnt even get one from a state school sorry if this sounds like a rant just feeling pretty down right now :frown:

I agree that it sometimes doesn't make sense. But, when you think about all the various aspects of the application (grades, test scores, athletics, leadership, PFT, extra-curriculars, volunteering, personal statement, interview, school selection, goals for the Army, and govt. budget issues), I can't wrap my head around how they EVER come to a decision on all those files! Just try and keep things in perspective: #1 We don't know if they're done posting for this board, #2 There's still another board remaining, #3 There's still a chance after the final board before your fall semester starts, and #4 There's still the campus-based scholarships.

This is far from over for you, Kaiserstephan, and everyone else that is in the same boat as you. Don't get too discouraged. I'm sending a great big mom hug your way! Hang in there -- we are ALL rooting for you out here!
 
I agree that it sometimes doesn't make sense. But, when you think about all the various aspects of the application (grades, test scores, athletics, leadership, PFT, extra-curriculars, volunteering, personal statement, interview, school selection, goals for the Army, and govt. budget issues), I can't wrap my head around how they EVER come to a decision on all those files! Just try and keep things in perspective: #1 We don't know if they're done posting for this board, #2 There's still another board remaining, #3 There's still a chance after the final board before your fall semester starts, and #4 There's still the campus-based scholarships.

This is far from over for you, Kaiserstephan, and everyone else that is in the same boat as you. Don't get too discouraged. I'm sending a great big mom hug your way! Hang in there -- we are ALL rooting for you out here!

thank you Future2LTmom reallys means allot specially cause my parents arent very supportive of me and going to college this really my only option for me to go to university which I have worked so hard to get into all these years of highschool:smile:
 
I think the entire national board process is nonsense actually. I think the battalions should decide who gets their scholarship (which is the case with most of their scholarships anyhow).

IMO is should be: let kids apply to the schools, after they get in they should apply for the ROTC scholarship and last accept the school.
 
I think the entire national board process is nonsense actually. I think the battalions should decide who gets their scholarship (which is the case with most of their scholarships anyhow).

IMO is should be: let kids apply to the schools, after they get in they should apply for the ROTC scholarship and last accept the school.

Or another idea is the board can offer a scholarship to a student and they can use it at whatever school they want to attend (and get into).
 
Hang tough Kaiserstephan. My DS is in the same boat. Doesn't make any sense and he's feeling down too. His scores are better than a lot posted here that received scholarships this round yet he's been passed over twice. Still hoping for March but it's difficult.
 
dont worry Kaiserstephan, I'm in the same boat as you, this is my second board being denied, all we can do is hope to God we get in on that last one.
 
Kaiserstephan,
You are not alone in your boat. My DS had his complete NROTC application fully completed by Mid August 2013. We check his status every other day. For 5 months, this is all we have for feedback:

The NSTC Selection/Placement Office has received your application.

Missing Items
All required items have been processed.

Selection Status
No decision has been made on your application.

Although neither of you have received a scholarship, neither of you has been rejected for one either.... Keep the faith. The door remains open.
 
national scholarship

Most of the MSIs you will meet next year (if you're awarded a scholarship or if you enroll as a non-scholarship cadet) will not have a national scholarship. There are many ways to become an Army officer and being denied at the first turn although disappointing is not always a bad thing. My DS is on plan D and very happy.
 
Most of the MSIs you will meet next year (if you're awarded a scholarship or if you enroll as a non-scholarship cadet) will not have a national scholarship. There are many ways to become an Army officer and being denied at the first turn although disappointing is not always a bad thing. My DS is on plan D and very happy.

Very true! Your state's ARNG has scholarship programs that often go unapplied for because people don't realize the ARNG is actually the US Army.
 
Kaiserstephan: I acknowledge your honesty and decision to write what others may be feeling. However, don't stay in that dark place for long.

None of the scholarship routes are closed yet. If, eventually, that door closes, go through another (college programmer, OCS, etc) If those doors close, make you own. There is more than one way to a commissioning. Frankly, there are other ways to pay for school if that is your goal. Either way, find a way!

Center on a can-do, find-a-way attitude. Don't define yourself by this process. Don't compare yourself to others who have received scholarships. It is both illogical and unfair. As Future2LtMom notes there are grades, test scores, athletics, extracurricular activities, applications, personal statements, interviews, physical fitness, and probably some other things that go to define each applicant. In the end, there is no way to measure one applicant versus the other from where you sit. None of us have any idea how the boards make their decision but it probably isn't a straight line, logical, systemic, simple approach.

Take a moment, be disappointed, mad, frustrated, angry, etc. Then pick yourself up and focus on what you can control. Do well in school, keep in shape, explore other options. Build your plans A, B, C and D.

Good luck!
 
Or another idea is the board can offer a scholarship to a student and they can use it at whatever school they want to attend (and get into).

The only problem with that is the board has a set amount of money the can appropriate. If you give an ROTC scholarship to a student, with no money strings attached, then that kid can pick whatever school he may want from a SUNY school with a $6,000 tuition, to a private academy with a $40,000 tuition. They do this so they can price manage and offer as many scholarships as they want to.
 
Kaiserstephan: The fight is far, far from over!!! You still have one more board. Most importantly please keep in mind you will be able to compete for a scholarship once enrolled in school. At my DS school the cadre awarded several scholarships to cadets who busted their butt. At semester some cadets who had no schorlarships were awarded 3 or 3.5 year scholarships. Cadets that had 3 year scholarships were upgraded to 3.5. Stay focused. I predict if you max your first PFT, be the first in and last out, show a good GPA good things will come your way. Hang tough. :thumb:
 
FutureltMom:
How was your libation last night? What you said to Kaiserstephan was sweet and so true. All of these kids have worked hard. I tell my DSS and his ROTC cohorts all the time that while many teens are sleeping in on the weekends, they are rising at 3:30 am for Drill competitions and while the other students are sleeping on the weekdays, they are at school for ROTC Drill or PT practice daily at 6:4a.m. They are out volunteering their time. And they do all of this while maintaining a terrific GPA and class rank. The application process for the academies and scholarships and the Congressional nomination process is way more work intensive than most kids their age will ever have to do. The fact that they have experienced a Congressional interview (panel) or ROTC interview, will prepare them for job interviews later in life. So kudos to all of the young people on this site and a big hoorah for all of the parents and loved ones cheering them on. Scholarship or not, all of you will do great things with your lives!!!Don't ever give up!!! Just pray and God will show you the way!!
 
I think the entire national board process is nonsense actually. I think the battalions should decide who gets their scholarship (which is the case with most of their scholarships anyhow).

IMO is should be: let kids apply to the schools, after they get in they should apply for the ROTC scholarship and last accept the school.

I've had two sons go through this whole process.

What you suggest above is how the process worked for my older son, the scholarships were awarded by the Battalions. What happened the year following my son getting his scholarship is probably ended that system. The Battalions gave out so many scholarships that they went way over their budget, the Army honored all the scholarship but the following year Cadet Command took over the award process.

Since then there have been a few articles written about how they are now giving Battalions the opportunity to award scholarships on campus to new cadets along with still having a National Scholarship Program. The process has given more flexibility to the Battalions that have open slots to fill them with cadets they can observe before making an offer.

As some have said in this thread, start the year strong, have a good GPA and a Good APFT during the first semester and you'll put yourself in a position to be offered a campus scholarship. Don't show up out of shape, pass the APFT the first time with a respectable score, stay fully involved and hit the books hard, basically make your self valuable to the Battalion and good things can happen.
 
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