congrats, patentesq - was GA Tech his first choice?
AppealToHeaven, I was congratulating arewethereyet. My DS is still waiting along with the others.
I think there is something else in play here other than credentials, because DS has pretty strong credentials. My DS has 1570/1600 SATs and other ECs, etc. that were apparently strong enough for appointments to two SAs (not USNA, where he did not receive a nomination but still 3Q'd) and selection for 4yr Scholarships to AROTC and AFROTC. I hope everyone will excuse me for saying this, but I can't imagine that NROTC has only handed out scholarships to folks with SAT scores higher than 1570, when a perfect SAT score is 1600 (800 Critical Reading and 800 Math). Candidly, if DS's scores weren't near perfect, I would conclude that he's simply not good enough for NROTC.
I contacted the NROTC units on DS's list, and except for the mandatory state school, they are
not full (and typically are NEVER full, because hardly anyone is ever admitted to the listed schools). Also, the NROTC person at state school expressed surprise that DS wasn't picked up yet and thought something else was in play, which prompted my comment here.
Here's what I think might be the things holding things up:
1. Except for the mandatory state school, there are very pricey private schools on DS's school choice list (COA $55,000/year). Was told from one cadre member that NROTC is trying to fill state schools first but I have no way of knowing this is true or not.
2. DS's major is Biology (Tier 2 Major), NOT Tier 1 Engineering! (are all the NROTC awards going to Tier 1 first???).
3. Schools on DS's school choice list do not do rolling admissions, so maybe NROTC wants to be sure DS is admitted to the school before assigning him to the unit. Schools on DS's list are total "crap shoot" in terms of admissions, and maybe NROTC recognizes this.
4. DS received a letter from USNA, stating that he was academically qualified, so perhaps this somehow has placed a "hold" on things (although I have been told repeatedly that USNA and NROTC don't "talk").
5. DS and I have totally, totally, totally underestimated how much more competitive NROTC is than AROTC and AFROTC.
I'm really thinking that 5 is the most likely factor. I must admit, this has certainly been an eye-opener for me.
What to others who are still waiting think? Are the "waiters" all Tier 2 majors? Are the "waiters" listing pricey, private schools? Are the "waiters" also USNA applicants with board-certified letters? Or am I just incredibly clueless?
The reason I am asking these questions is mainly to help out my DD (currently a freshman in HS), who told me the other day that she wants to fly fighter jets!!
Any thoughts?