January 4, 2011 AROTC Board

[goaliedad]

The next board is March 8th, no word has been given to the contrary.

The board can meet on that date to sort out the last appliants and changes (SAT scores) to existing applicants and then resort the OML. I would imagine that they cannot complete the scholarship assignments until shortly after April 1 when they have the current board's results in hand.

 

[mariner116]

Agree and disagree. The board will meet 3/8. The results will not be posted before 4/15 is my SWAG.

I think we are actually in agreement. Some of this comes down to what it means for the "board to meet". In the past the board met to finalize the OML list at that point in time and allocate to the open scholarship slots. I suppose the board can meet March 8th to finalize the OML list but can't do much to allocate until the January offers are processed. In the end, I agree that offers won't be out until mid-April.

Now, in my opinion, it is highly likely the government will shut down in March. This opens the door to an alternative strategy CC might use given this situation. It seems that the scholarships offered to date are well below the total to be offered (based on prior year counts). CC might allocate some/most of these remaining scholarships to schools even before they have the March 31 responses. This would at least get some of them out the door before a shutdown. I hope for many still waiting that might happen!

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Ohio2015Parent,

I just had a terrible thought, since it does not look like the "Views" counter goes past 99,999, I hope it does not just revert back to 0 and start over. This poor thread could get lost at the bottom of the list forever. Maybe you should ask the Moderator to close the thread before it passes that number.

Or maybe, Ohio, you can ask if they can add another digit. This likely won't be the last thread to enter outer-orbit.

And don't forget to ask them for the free SAF coffee mug!

Yep, I need a coffee mug!! Will suggest the t-shirt idea too Honestly, never thought of the zero situation, figured it would lock at 99,999 and just never count higher. Will post something on the suggestion thread, see who picks up and answers. Could care less, honestly, if this thread does get lost in the archives -- just glad it has served its purpose now.

 

[goaliedad]

I'll try and explain this, hopefully one of the "experts" will be along shortly. Anyhow, the board awards AROTC scholarships out of CC - this process you've been aware of, obviously. IF there are funds available, the funds are alloted to individual schools for various reasons to select a few(ie 1-3, not many)applicants/cadets for school specific scholarship awards. These tend to be 3 year, rather than 4 year awards and cannot be transferred to another school. Hope this gives you some idea of what it is.

Pretty good explaination (from the parent of a campus-bases scholarship recipient). The only thing I might add is that the funding for these scholarships can come from a variety of sources (not just left over money from CC at the end), so they can be awarded during the season (like right now).

All other terms and conditions (except the transferrability earlier mentioned) are exactly the same (tuition, books, stipend, committment, etc.).

One other thing, once a student accepts a campus-based scholarship, their name is removed from CC's OML, so there isn't a possibility of another CC originated offer coming in.

If you do get a campus-based scholarship offer, it says the ROO/PMS liked you a lot.

 

[NewCollegeParent]

Engineering

NewCollegeParent, your son received an Army ROTC letter stating that the scholarship was only good if he remained an engineering major? That's surprising to me. I thought that Army did not require a particular major like Navy and Air Force...

Yes,there is a line in the letter for Academic Disipline and it is "Engineering". It does not differentiate between the type of engineering. In the package that came with it under Choice of College the last sentance reads. "Additionally, Engineering winners must attend a school with an acredited Engineering Program".

It doesn;t say anything about changing majors later on, but i suspect that would have to be cleared.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

I think we are actually in agreement. Some of this comes down to what it means for the "board to meet". In the past the board met to finalize the OML list at that point in time and allocate to the open scholarship slots. I suppose the board can meet March 8th to finalize the OML list but can't do much to allocate until the January offers are processed. In the end, I agree that offers won't be out until mid-April.

Now, in my opinion, it is highly likely the government will shut down in March. This opens the door to an alternative strategy CC might use given this situation. It seems that the scholarships offered to date are well below the total to be offered (based on prior year counts). CC might allocate some/most of these remaining scholarships to schools even before they have the March 31 responses. This would at least get some of them out the door before a shutdown. I hope for many still waiting that might happen!

Yes, a lot depends on the definition of board meeting. I also think a shut down likely. However, I think it will be brief - a political move but not long enough to throw everything to hell - but the board/results shouldn't be bothered by this scenario. As long as the government reopens by 3/31. The civillians woud be back at CC in time to process the answers and then the OML converted to results and physically posted week ending 4/15...Just in time for taxes, YEAH. Not. Sorry, hate tax seaon.

If your idea of early allocation is used, they may even be able to get scholarship results out weekending 4/8 - even better.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Pretty good explaination (from the parent of a campus-bases scholarship recipient). The only thing I might add is that the funding for these scholarships can come from a variety of sources (not just left over money from CC at the end), so they can be awarded during the season (like right now).

All other terms and conditions (except the transferrability earlier mentioned) are exactly the same (tuition, books, stipend, committment, etc.).

One other thing, once a student accepts a campus-based scholarship, their name is removed from CC's OML, so there isn't a possibility of another CC originated offer coming in.

If you do get a campus-based scholarship offer, it says the ROO/PMS liked you a lot.

I think my DS's best chance, at this point, is a campus based, so I am trying to learn all I can about them - difficult since they do vary in funding, criteria and availablity. His #1 schools ROO knows this kid really wants this school, career path and we have been at numerous activities with the cadre, even with the school being 3 hours away. So hopefully it could happen.

Just out of curiosity, when did you DD find out about her campus based? I think our situation will be after June 1.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Yes,there is a line in the letter for Academic Disipline and it is "Engineering". It does not differentiate between the type of engineering. In the package that came with it under Choice of College the last sentance reads. "Additionally, Engineering winners must attend a school with an acredited Engineering Program".

It doesn;t say anything about changing majors later on, but i suspect that would have to be cleared.

As it has been explained to me, any change of major, not just from engineering to another, has to be approved by PMS/cadre. There are specific forms to fill out that show how the student will still graduate in the approved time frame. I've tried to keep up with all of the ins/outs of major change since DS is techically undecided on his acceptances to both universities.

 

[goaliedad]

I think my DS's best chance, at this point, is a campus based, so I am trying to learn all I can about them - difficult since they do vary in funding, criteria and availablity. His #1 schools ROO knows this kid really wants this school, career path and we have been at numerous activities with the cadre, even with the school being 3 hours away. So hopefully it could happen.

Just out of curiosity, when did you DD find out about her campus based? I think our situation will be after June 1.

IIRC, it was about this time last year. I believe the PMS had it in his pocket for a while, though. It really came down to when goaliegirl had made her hockey decision as to when she would get the campus-based scholarship (no use in offering to someone who turns around a decides to play for another school, eh?)

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

IIRC, it was about this time last year. I believe the PMS had it in his pocket for a while, though. It really came down to when goaliegirl had made her hockey decision as to when she would get the campus-based scholarship (no use in offering to someone who turns around a decides to play for another school, eh?)

This school typically doesn't use campus based so I think it will be a late and unusual situation if one occurs. Will be very grateful if it does. ROO is still placing DS as a strong March board contender - hope he's right. Another 6 week of waiting is difficult to wrap the brain around Glad goaliegirl is happy and contracted.

 

[Pima]

Clarification on how boards work needs to be stated because now people are questioning how can they go forward with a new board without the past results being released.

Every Board has AD members who sit on the board. Some of them will have a "different" job in the military and this is an adjunct position. Thus, it takes a lot to insure that all of the members do not have a schedule confliction. It is not filled, at least for AFROTC with only Maxwell people, they actually have members go TDY (temp. duty) for one week to sit on the board. It is not the same 6 people sitting around at one table day in day out, it is actually tables of tables where they are assigned a pile of applicants, each member at that table scores that candidate without talking it out. They are brought in for a certain time frame. Start mentally picturing if they have 2500 applicants to review and the board meets on 3/8, how many people are in that room...you won't say 6. Also if you look at it from a AROTC v USMA board you can see it. USMA meets weekly, starting in October, but they don't do Mass mailing until March...it takes them that long to work it out, and that is for 1 school, not the every AROTC program in the nation.

If they say the board is going to meet March 8th, it is going to meet March 8th...caveat something like Katrina or 9/11.

I think people are getting lost here in how the system works operationally, with board results and suppositions.

The ROTC board is a centralized system, and every applicant will get a POINT score, and will be matched up to their list. Highest point wins.

They keep a running tally of not just one board, but every candidate and every board. This is a jigsaw puzzle. A puzzle that they can't look at the box cover to see what it will look like when it is done. The picture changes constantly.

Using that analogy, what you are seeing right now is they have figured out those corner and 3 sided pieces, now that are working with the no edge pieces. You can't force that piece to fit, but you know it does somewhere.

For those that are the pieces they try to fit in, remember the puzzle would not be complete without them. The corner piece is no more important to that puzzle than the last piece.

Welcome to the military...that is why every military member regardless of their branch lives by one code: Service before Self! They all get it is the picture, not the piece that makes it work.

 

[Jcleppe]

Yes, a lot depends on the definition of board meeting. I also think a shut down likely. However, I think it will be brief - a political move but not long enough to throw everything to hell - but the board/results shouldn't be bothered by this scenario. As long as the government reopens by 3/31. The civillians woud be back at CC in time to process the answers and then the OML converted to results and physically posted week ending 4/15...Just in time for taxes, YEAH. Not. Sorry, hate tax seaon.

If your idea of early allocation is used, they may even be able to get scholarship results out weekending 4/8 - even better.

I guess I'll throw my hat into the speculation ring.

May 1st has been the date that CC requires a confirmation from the scholarship winners that they are indeed keeping the scholarship.

To give the scholarship winners from the Mar. 8th board the full 30 days to accept or decline the offer they would need to have the letters sent out by April 1st to meet the deadline of May 1st. If the letters go out after that date the deadline timeframe will go past the May 1st deadline to confirm the scholarship.

Add into this mix that many applicants have applied to other ROTC programs and are still waiting for the results. Some of these kids have received AROTC offers and are sitting on them waiting to hear from the other programs, they have until May 1st to officially accept or decline. This will open even more slots depending on how many decline.

While the March 8th board is the last official board CC will look at the applications again after the May 1st deadline and may make offers depending on how many slots have opened up. I believe Marist has mentioned this in previous posts. Schools that have open slots may be given the funds to offer Campus Based Scholarships as well.

Of course if the Government does shut down for even a couple weeks that could throw the whole thing into a tailspin. And to think, switching to 3 boards was designed to make the process easier and more manageable, go figure.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Pima, thanks for confirming the board will meet to score the last set of applicants on March 8-11, establish the new OML and then the process pauses for January choices to come in. Hope your DH Bullet isn't on a long "vacation" come the end of March I know when mine is underfoot too much it throws off the whole house. Get the list of honey do's ready.

BTW, I did post the counter question over on suggestions. Lets see who tackles that one.

 

[FloridaDad]

Is the next board still on the 8th? Someone mentioned the 15th to us yesterday.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Is the next board still on the 8th? Someone mentioned the 15th to us yesterday.

I guess nothing official has been released. Perhaps during your visit they relayed information that hasn't been formally put out there, yet. I'm sure Clarkson or Marist will let us all know if there is a formal change planned.

 

[Pima]

I wouldn't be concerned about a govt shutdown. Honestly, in this economy they aren't going to do it.

What I would say is this:

In this economy the DOD will be forced to cut costs. They already started it, but people have been ignoring the signs.

I.E. Less scholarships are being offered.

That has nothing to do with the govt shutdown, it has to do with the budget for Army manpower in the future...they are saying we have enough to meet their needs.

Nobody should take a leap that if College ABC had 5 scholarships and only 4 were filled that the Army will offer a scholarship to fill that 5th slot.

Yrs ago when the economy was good and people were diving, I would agree, but not now in the current fiscal straits we are in.

Not now with us drawing down out of Iraq.

Drawing down out of Iraq with a 9% unemployment impacts the Army. It means that when they did strategic planning in 06/7/8 they expected a certain percentage to leave in 11/12/13. However, they aren't leaving. Which means they are bloated in their payroll and now need to bring it back in line. Even a bigger issue, now they are bringing them back they don't have jobs for them stateside.

How do they do it? Cut the AD world where they need them today or cut ROTC scholarships and divert that money to the AD world?

I will say it again and again, this scholarship is tied to a business. They live and die by a budget. When you get that the military defends us, but also must live in the constraints of a confined budget than you will get the philosophy that TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

STINKS I know, but that is still the fact.

 

[clarksonarmy]

just took me 15 minutes to get caught up on this thread. We had our helicopter ride lab, so I was busy posting pictures to facebook, and riding around in a Chinook.

Results are out, and most of you lucky winners have probably already gotten your letters. As you may have noticed, you probably only got an offer to one school, or two at most. Although the letter says you have to wait until May to ask to transfer, my advice (and the guidance from my higher) is to ask for the transfer now, and provide a letter of acceptance to the school you want to attend. If you don't have a letter of acceptance yet it may be an issue. By all means accept the scholarship if you intend to enroll in ROTC. You can always decline the scholarship at a later time if Cadet Command insists you attend a school you don't want to attend.

I don't have any insight or speculation about the process going forward. I am in react mode, and desperately trying to do what I can for my cadets/applicants.

ECAC hockey playoffs this weekend Clarkson hosting Harvard

 

[paradoxer]

Works both ways

you will get the philosophy that TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

STINKS I know, but that is still the fact.

Last year was talking to a newspaper reporter about a sports record DS had set and how ten years ago the competition was such that the new record would not have happened. His reply, "You can't choose when you were born." Sometimes birth year bites you and other times it is a blessing, need to be able to see both sides of this coin to be successful in life.

 

[patentesq]

I guess nothing official has been released. Perhaps during your visit they relayed information that hasn't been formally put out there, yet. I'm sure Clarkson or Marist will let us all know if there is a formal change planned.

I saw March 8 posted on an AROTC website yesterday (can't remember which one). Then again, the information is only as reliable as the person who posted it. But there are so many people saying March 8 that I think it is reliable.

 

[patentesq]

As you may have noticed, you probably only got an offer to one school, or two at most.

I can confirm the "one school" part.