NROTC Chances

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mikestrong19

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2010
Messages
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I know you guys may get this a lot, but I am unsure of my chances at an NROTC scholarship.

I am about to start my HS junior year. Below are my projected stats for senior year:
32 ACT
3.2 GPA (UW) (When I graduate in 2014, my school will not report class rank)
NJROTC Commanding Officer
CAP Flight Sergeant
Usher at my church (1hr/wk)
Cashier at Jewel-Osco
NJROTC Varsity Marksmanship (not sure if that is a sport by Navy standards) Commander
NJROTC Drill, Orienteering, PT, and Academic teams
Various NJROTC and CAP awards
8 AP courses, 11 honors courses

Currently my GPA is 3.1 (obviously looking to raise that, IACT was a 29, and I am an NJROTC platoon commander. However, I feel that the above are reasonable predictions.

College-wise, I plan to major in Professional Flight if the school has it, if not I will major in Economics (both Tier 2 majors). My top 5 universities are as follows:
Purdue
Ohio State
Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach
Embry-Riddle Prescott
Illinois
(Marquette is a 6th option)

I will also apply for an AF scholarship, but since they have more restrictive color vision testing (PIP vs FALANT) and I am unable to pass the PIP test (meaning I can't be an AF pilot), Navy is my top option.

I apologize for any typing errors; I am attempting to type this from a smartphone. I will be happy to answer any further questions and I thank you in advance.
 
mike,

You have this yr to get your ducks in a row. I think your weak spot is you have no athletics on your resume. I understand your commitment to NJROTC, but they also want to see a well rounded candidate and all I see as of right now is lots of NJROTC.

Maybe you have other things, and felt it was more important to highlight the NJROTC aspects, but if you do, you need to acknowledge them just as much. Such as, NHS, SC, class pres/vp/treas, along with anything athletic.

Again, this is nothing against your NJROTC accomplishments/awards, it has to do with the ability to compare you against all of your peers at school, not just a very small select group like NJROTC.

Additionally, academically you look fine for admittance to any of these schools, but the concern I have is some of these schools are known to be powerhouses for NROTC, like ERAU and Purdue. That means they have a lot of applicants, more than they have scholarships available, which is why you need to expand the ECs to show you are not just all NJROTC.

Many candidates apply for the same major of Professional Flight. I am not trying to dissuade you, just trying to make you think a little harder/deeper regarding this major. I get you want to be a pilot, but the fact is what if you bust UPT, where will that major take you when you leave the Navy after 4 yrs and your job in the Navy was Personnel?

You always need to have a back up plan and to think 1 step in front of you, just as you are doing now. You are in HS, planning on college, and thinking about your Naval career.

Just because you want to be a pilot, does not mean there will be enough pilot slots available in 6 yrs to offer you one or that you will even be eligible to be offered one. Not talking eyesight, talking your OML, which includes things, like cgpa at college.

You need a plan B, because 10 will get you 20 when you do your interview they will ask what career field you want, and after you say Pilot, they will probably ask what if you bust or can't get pilot, what career field at that point?

Hamana Hamana, Hamana is not a career field!

Finally, when you make that school list, make sure you and your parents have a very long conversation on how the college will be paid for if you don't get the scholarship, or worse yet lose it. The mins for maintaining a ROTC scholarship are higher than the mins for academic enrollment. A 2.4 cuts it at college, it doesn't cut for ROTC scholarship. You don't want to be a rising jr in college trying to find a way to pay for the school or forced to transfer because you lost your ROTC scholarship and can't afford to stay.

Yes, you are right BTW, nobody in their right mind will give you a "you're in" or "better luck somewhere else" answer.
 
Mike,
Pick up a sport. Track and X-country are relatively easy to pick up late in your high school career. I would get a fall sport so you can get going with some athletics right away.
 
NROTC scholarships

My HS senior son will be applying for NROTC scholarship for mechanical engineering.
He has a well rounded resume including varsity sports with 3.8 weighted GPA SAT 620 /680 math /600 CR.

1. What are his chances?
2. How are scholarships decided within the state public universities? There are 3 in Penna.

Thanks in advance
 
As is the process for NROTC he must submit a slate of schools. Each school is going to be different regarding academic levels. Again why it wold be wrong to say yea or nay. UPenn is a state school, so is PSU, but the caliber of students are not necessarily the same level.

The more info you care to share the more guidance you will get regarding this process. To give him or you guidance without knowing other factors does no good, but only harm.

For example, he has a 3.8wgpa, but how many AP's? Has he taken the most rigorous course load available at his school? What is his class rank?

He plays varsity sports, but does he have other EC's? Boys State, Eagle Scout, CAP, JROTC, etc.
How about his PFA?

All of these issues are reviewed. I hope that helps you understanding why at this time IMPO, I would feel it is unfair to chance him because there are just too many unanswered questions and I wouldn't want to give you hope, nor create fear without knowing those answers.

i.e. Notice Mike's post it was very detailed and people could give him their opinion on his weaknesses and strengths, but yet there was no "you are in" or "better luck next yr". We don't sit on the board, and we do not know the level of competition for TY. Stick around the boards and you will see very soon there will be a lot of candidates posting stats, so you will get at least an idea of the competition level in the near future.
 
Roxymom,

The only sure thing is NO scholarship if he doesn't apply. After that, it's all opinion. Well grounded and experienced opinion, but opinion none the less

If has a strong athletic, leadership, academic and service resume his chances are stronger

A strong interview makes things brighter

One suggestion: if he is going to apply he needs to get going
 
chances -scholarship

Thanks- I've been following the impressive stats. My husband and I have just been thrilled with the initiative our son has taken as an USNA applicant. NORTC app is next.
 
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