Marine Option NROTC Scholarship Chances?

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rcs2

5-Year Member
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Jul 2, 2012
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Do you think I am a strong candidate? I am applying for the Marine Option NROTC program at Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, and the University of Michigan. I am also applying to the USNA, my end goal is to become a Marine Corps Officer.

Basics
Female, Caucasian, Michigan Resident, Major = Applied Mathematics

Academics:
-3.91 Unweighted GPA, 4.39 Weighted
-34 Composite ACT (34 English, 33 Math, 36 Reading, 33 Science, 12 Writing)
-Honor's Classes: English (9/10), Biology, Geometry, Chemistry, Physics, Precalculus, Spanish
-AP Classes: Economics, US Government and Politics, Language/Composition
-Planned Senior Year Schedule: AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus Based Physics, AP Literature, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, Lifetime Fitness (advanced gym), Advanced Jewelry
-Awards/Honors: National Merit Semifinalist (high PSAT scores), Honor Roll, National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Michigan Council on Economic Education Economics State Championships Qualifier, National Council of Teachers of English Writing Awards Nominee

Athletics:
I play on a women's travel ice hockey team (tier 2) equitable to varsity level, but since it is a travel club sport, no varsity letters are awarded. We have no captains, but I am a defensive starter which is equitable to defensive co-captain. I have won the following awards during HS:
-National Championship Quarterfinalist
-State Champion
-State Runners Up (2 times)
-League Playoff Champions (2 times)
-League Playoff Runners Up
-Division Champions (3 times)
-5+ tournament wins

Work Experience:
I have worked since sophomore year for around 20 hours per week in food service jobs with responsibilities ranging from store closer to staff supervisor. Additionally I have worked as a math tutor for a special needs student.

Community Achievement Awards:
-400+ hours per year of community service on a school, local, state, and national level, mostly relating to anti-bullying and LGBT inclusive diversity initiatives
-State Farm Youth Advisory Board Grant Winner ($28,044) for directing a youth-led service learning initiative
-President’s Volunteer Service Award
-Selected as the Huffington Post “Greatest Person of the Day” for Youth Advocacy Efforts
-Prudential Spirit of Community Awards: Local Honoree of Wylie E Groves High School and State Distinguished Finalist
-GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) Student Advocate of the Year Finalist
-Discus Awards All-Around Student Scholarship Winner
-Superintendant’s Commended Student for Youth Advocacy Efforts
-Local Youth Assistance Youth In Service Appreciation Awards Honoree
-Recipient of Certificates/Commendations for Community Service From: Congressman Gary Peters, Michigan Community Service Commission, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oakland County Board of Commissioners, State Representative Chuck Moss, the State of Michigan (Special Tribute), State Senator John Pappageorge, State Senator Vincent Gregory, and the City of Birmingham

PFT Scores
This is what I am worried about, I am wondering if solid academics and extracurriculars will compensate! (I am a female)
-Crunches: 100 (100 pts)
-Flexed Arm Hang: 58 secs (76 pts)
-3 Mile Run: 25 mins 20 secs (74 pts)
-Total: 250 pts

Thoughts?
 
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Personally, I think you have a very strong chance at the scholarship, although obviously increasing the PT scores would be the biggest factor. Can you not do a pullup at all? If not, that should be your immediate goal, along with improving the run time.

I would point out though that if you can get the scholarship, it may help you with admission to Harvard at least. This was the first year that Harvard considered NROTC input in their admissions process and they ended up offering around 10-12 admissions to those candidates, compared to 2-4 in previous years. So it could give you that extra "nudge", since admissions at that level school are such a crapshoot in general. If you do have any questions about the Battalion, feel free to shoot me a PM - my son is at MIT but in the same unit as Harvard and is very happy there.

Also, since USNA uses the CFA instead of the PFA, that may change your competitiveness there. As a whole I think you are in at Michigan, decent chance at Columbia, and no one can call on HYS. Without knowing how competitive your district is in Michigan, it's also hard to make a call on USNA.
 
I would say its a strong application even with that PFT score, but of course you should keep working on that PFT score. Frankly I think the hocky is impressive. It ain't tiddlywinks!

DOn't overshoot on you're college application. Also, keep in mind if you get a scholarship and somehow screw up and are dropped from the program, you will owe that money to the Navy. Don't be that gal, and keep in mind the possible consequences when you sign on the dotted line.
 
rcs2: Your academics and athletics are impressive. You should be quite proud. But the decision will be based on a whole host of criteria including your application, essays, interview, PFT and ultimately... the needs of the Marine Corps.

In your posted resume, you really didn't speak to leadership experience. To make your package as strong as possible, I think it will be important to bring out this area in the essays. Highlite your leadership experience in athletics, academics and your volunteer activities.

Good luck!
 
Height/Weight? that's part of PFT.

Rather than chancing you, how about I put your strengths in the context of what Marine Option looks for, as differnt from NROTC or AFROTC or AROTC? PFT and Leadership carry most of the weight for Marine Option NROTC, followed pretty distantly by Scholarship. Are you a good student ... check. That's it. Nobody cares if it's 3.3 or 3.9 unweighted GPA. You have to be smart, not a genius (unlike NROTC that likes bordeline geniuses to fill its NUC requirements).

Here's the real question... will Marines voluntarily and willingly follow you into heated battle? Being the "Tip of the Spear" is not the same as being the shaft of the spear. Leadership is essential. What evidence prior to ROTC can you cite that shows people will naturally follow your lead? In other words, would people describe you as a Natural Leader? Mutlivariate calculus most definately is irrelevant in that situation.
 
Thanks everyone. I did list some leadership experience in my application. Through work, I have experience as a supervisor, a new employee trainer, and a store closer. Plus, I explained my "co captain" position in hockey. Additionally, while I didn't outline my extracurriculars in the first post, I am the president of my school's diversity club and I have founded a local non-profit dealing with diversity/bullying issues, through which I supervise and direct a team of 6 adults and 17 high school students. Many of the awards I listed stemmed from the founding of the non-profit. Additionally, I have helped to facilitate several state-wide trainings with regards to anti-bullying/oppression and I have been an invited attendee to 4 national diversity conferences. Would this be considered "leadership experience" to an acceptable degree with regards to the scholarship?

And dunninla: Height = 72 in, Weight = 180 lbs
 
Rcs2: sounds like you have a strong set of qualifications. Good luck!
 
By the way, I just checked the Height and weight standards and you are very close to the maximum. When a marine exceeds the standards, body fat composition is tested. There are standards set by the USMC regarding appearance. You should make sure you are informed about these standards going inti this process so there are no surprises.
 
I am aware of the height/weight situation. Because of hockey I am pretty muscular (but I still have relatively low body fat). I am trying to lose a bit of bulk so that there won't be any issues, though.
 
rcs2 you have good stats. Your PFT is solid. To survive OCS your running will get better, but that is what your MOIs are there for. Your goal should be around 24 minute marker as a female. Over time you will learn to max the flexed arm hang. The USMC is looking at transitioning to pull ups for females in the near future. So something to definitely work on. At 72" I am guessing you are pretty tall and have long arms, which can make pull ups even harder. Also as a former female Marine officer, height and weight can suck for alot of Marines, both male and female. The standards are no joke and are enforced tightly. Most athletic females with any muscle tone, not all, tend to be right on the border of height and weight. I was a basketball player and most my friends were athletes. We all had to watch our weight carefully. Not trying to scare you in any way, but just want you to know the reality of what it fully entails to be a USMC officer. You have an impressive resume and I wish you luck. Remember at the end of the day when you are commissioned and walk in front of your troops, your resume, degree or college of choice doesn't mean a thing to them. It is the fact you are a smart, dedicated, leader who they trust to make good decisions.
 
rcs2 said:
I am the president of my school's diversity club and I have founded a local non-profit dealing with diversity/bullying issues, through which I supervise and direct a team of 6 adults and 17 high school students. Many of the awards I listed stemmed from the founding of the non-profit. Additionally, I have helped to facilitate several state-wide trainings with regards to anti-bullying/oppression and I have been an invited attendee to 4 national diversity conferences. Would this be considered "leadership experience" to an acceptable degree with regards to the scholarship?
Click to expand...
The bolded areas are the ones you should focus on in describing your leadership experience. Being "invited to" doesn't count, nor does "attending", "participating", "showing up regularly", etc.... you get my drift.
 
Among the applicants that my Officer Selection Officer was responsible for, no one with a PFT score below 260 was offered a scholarship. Your application looks good. Keep increasing your PFT.
 
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