I agree with SCcandidate2015. I did AFJROTC for four years and I loved it, but the biggest thing it gave me as far as applications go is leadership experience. You will not get that in one year.
And I must let you know that the number of the ways in which JROTC units are run is about as high as the number of JROTC units out there.You have to remember this is a new unit and as far as I know, when there is a senior in a AS1 class that person is the flight commander.
Edit: I read it up. If you get honors with the distinguished unit, you can be nominated to any branch while no honors will get you what you core is.One small correction you only need distinguished unit if the academy you’re applying to is a different branch than your JROTC (i.e. applying to the AFA and your JROTC is Army). So if you’re AFJROTC and applying to the AFA you qualify for the ROTC Nom but keep in mind since this is a new unit you SASI may not even know what the process is to even submit the paper work for you. On top of that there are only 20 slots a year for that and it’s not just other JRTOC cadets that fall into this nom, it’s also ROTC (e.g. College ROTC) people that can get this nom. So in my opinion DON’T do it for a nom source.
Listen to CC and PIMA but if I had to chose on what you’ve posted so far I’d say go with the AP class and this coming from a guy that’s a HUGE advocate of JROTC/Scouts/CAP programs.
OBTW, let's also place into the equation of the competitiveness of your state.
IF you are from N.D. it will not be as competitive as TX, CO, NY, VA. FL.
The EC of JROTC is a smaller % for the WCS than PAR which is 60%.
For a candidate that is from a highly competitive state and has at least some EC's. AP will help them more IMPO because they have a more rigorous course load than the candidate that took JROTC.
The boards look at the rigor and the school profile. AP courses are weighted, JROTC is not. Thus, your class rank would rise with an AP course over JROTC. That will equate into a higher PAR for your WCS.
Before I take understand my premise is the OP has EC's.
If they have no EC's at all taking 1 yr in JROTC with every AP available will not help them a lot for the WCS, but it will help.
If they have a ton of EC's JROTC for 1 yr will not help them a lot either since they are risking their gpa/rank.
Finally, every poster who has been through this process will say have a PLAN B. Plan B is not another SA. It is a traditional college with ROTC, hopefully scholarship.
People missed what Marist stated
AFA is on par with the Ivies, and unless you feel HYSPPM are matches, you need to have a Plan B. If they are a low reach, than you should be prepared to work both sides of the fence...AFA and AFROTC scholarship.
AFA superscores SAT/ACT. AFROTC DOES NOT! In other words you can have a 1400 for AFA, but according to AFROTC you have a 1320.
AFA does not care about your major, AFROTC does. @80-85% Type 1 and 2 go to tech.
AFA is geographically centered at 1st. (unless Pres). AFROTC is national, they don't care if you are from Talkeetna AK or McKinney TX. Highest score is highest score.
Good luck. We are here to support you. The more you understand the process the more you will be able to compete.
Correct me if I am wrong sir but when any of the ROTC or asks for the GPA its only until your Junior year therefore taking JROTC the senior year will not hurt or help your GPA in any way since grades only count until your Junior year. I know the classes you take counts.
Christcorp said:As for the original poster, you're only going to have 4-5 months of time in JrROTC if you go that route. That isn't significant. Only get involved with them if you truly want to do it. Don't do it for the academy application. If you are involved in other activities, excel in those. Improve on your grades. Improve on your test scores. Advance in leadership roles in your other interests. Best of luck to you. mike....
Chistcorp said:When the time comes to do your application and put in all your accomplishments, those badges, ribbons, awards, etc... are something that basically should take up 1 line entry. E.g. "received 4 awards ..." In other words, you're not going to have a separate line entry for each and every award or ribbon. That will actually be seen as a negative. As if you're simply trying to find "FILLER" for your application.