How to decide on an ROTC program?

Rachtak

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
5
Hi,

I am currently waiting for the results for the Army ROTC scholarship, which I have been told will come in ~2weeks. I have been accepted into USC, UCLA, and UC Berkeley and am currently deliberating on which university to attend. Since I am still very unsure about my academic preference I want to find out more about each school's respective ROTC program to help me make a decision
Is there anywhere that the ROTC programs for these schools can be compared against each other?
 
Hi,

I am currently waiting for the results for the Army ROTC scholarship, which I have been told will come in ~2weeks. I have been accepted into USC, UCLA, and UC Berkeley and am currently deliberating on which university to attend. Since I am still very unsure about my academic preference I want to find out more about each school's respective ROTC program to help me make a decision
Is there anywhere that the ROTC programs for these schools can be compared against each other?

There is no national comparison documents that I can think of.

The first step would be to look at each programs website, look at what activities each program has.

Do they participate in outside activities.
How many cadets are in the program.
How does the batallion do at LDAC on an average.
How are the MS classes graded.
Do they combine MS, MS Lab, and PT into one class or are they graded seperatly.
Is Ranger Challenge and Color Guard a graded class or are they just extra credit towards the MS classes.
Do the MS classes count toward your degree, are they given credit as electives.
What is the perception of cadets wearing their uniform on campus at least one day per week.
How many cadets usually get leadership positions during the four years.
What is the average PT scores in the batallion.

These are just a few questions you might want to ask. Get in touch with the ROO from each school and see if you can get the name of some cadets you can talk to and get a feeling for each batallion.

Good luck with the scholarship, be prepared that the trend seems to be awarding just one school, if that happens you would need to look into a transfer as soon as possibe if you wish to attend a different school then is offered.
 
Rachtak- this is an opinion question so I'll give an opinion answer- Others might differ. But from my perspective- making a decision on what University to attend based on their ROTC program is really a case of the tail wagging the dog. Honestly- Good universities will have good ROTC programs- they all offer the same commissioning and summer training programs and when you get into the Army- there is no one who will look at you and say you are from the "Wild Dog" ROTC Battalion or the "Banana Slug" Battalion (mythical names - you get the idea), rather you will be known as a USC or Stanford or UCLA etc.. graduate who commissioned thru ROTC. Pick the University that offers the best academic program and reputation in the major that you are looking for that offers ROTC. Obviously if you get offered an ROTC scholarship to one but not the other - then it will be a major consideration on where to go. But all else being equal- go to the best school that fits you and don't worry about the reputation of the ROTC program.
 
Last edited:
^ I agree.

DD has discussed 3 yr. scholarships with three universities, pending the outcome of the 4 yr. scholarship awards to come out sometime before Apr. 15. Two private Universities, one Public Flagship.

All three PMS have said repeatedly that it is a mistake to pick a college based on ROTC program. 1) PMS will likely be gone in a year or two, 2) funding fluctuates, so the # of cadets will fluctuate as well, 3) ROTC is only about 15% of the college experience. It makes no more sense to pick a college based on ROTC program than it does to do so based on how good the 12 hour per week job is... Think of ROTC as a 12 hr. per week job.
 
Last edited:
Hoping for an ROTC scholarship to USC here.

And 2 more weeks...? I thought the results were coming out today.
 
Bruno and Dunninla hit the nail on the head. I neglected to add that bit of info in my post.

Every PMS and ROO said the same thing, pick the University first, ROTC second. All stressed the importance of being happy where you are attending school and picking the school that is the best fit for you. If you happy at your school, you will succeed at everything else.

Both my sons chose their school based on this advice and couldn't be happier.
 
Back
Top