Great school for aviation, AFROTC unit puts out the most pilots second to only USAFA.
For AFROTC, that statement is something ERAU always tout, but is misleading. Yes, by sheer numbers this is true, BUT by statistics they are at the national average. The thing is the det. is soo large. Thus, it should not impo be placed on the list, you love the school and can afford it without a scholarship.
~ Statistically ERAU is on the national avg for Summer Field Training (SFT). No SFT = loss of scholarship and no chance for commissioning.
If you want to fly as a pilot, than ask the really important question...Percentage of cadets that are selected for UPT. My DS attended UMDCP, he got UPT, and their rate was 100% during a year where it was 93% nationally. ERAU was 93%. Just saying, that just because ERAU does indeed offer the 2nd highest number, does not mean it is a better choice when you look at your chances. That same year, VT also had 100%.
Most AFROTC units do not have flight training options like they do at USAFA. The majority of cadets get their PPL on their own dime.
~ Many AFROTC units do have a connection to flying clubs, but again it will be on your own dime.
I would strongly suggest that if he wants to fly and has not yet taken a flight class at your local community airport than try that 1st. The amount of hours that they have in flight time logged will be part of his score for rated (Pilot) selection.
If you need that scholarship to attend any university, understand that when they are awarded a scholarship it is assigned tech (STEM) or non-tech.
1. You cannot switch from tech to non-tech without approval. If they decide once there they hate that major and want to switch it to let's say avaiation management. Aviation management may be viewed as non-tech, and they can say that you can't keep it if you want to change. Just because the word aviation is in the major does not necessarily mean it is a tech major.
2. As stated earlier if not selected for SFT, chances are you will be disenrolled from AFROTC. Typically for SFT selection you will need an avg cgpa @3.0/3.1 SFT boards meet during the spring of their sophomore year. They will use the 1st 3 semesters cgpa. If they tank that 1st semester (2.5 gpa) it is going to be that much harder to get to that 3.0 marker.
3. Overall the chances to be awarded a scholarship is 16-18%. Like NROTC, @80% will be awarded to Tech majors. For type 1 and 2 scholarships there is only about 200 awarded nationally, and maybe 50 will go to non-tech. See pt.1 about making sure HQ AFROTC sees that aviation degree as a tech major.
For me, I would place VT at the top of the list if you can afford it without the scholarship. VT is an SMC. As a ROTC cadet, whatever branch, they will also be in the Corps of Cadets. They will do both ROTC and the Corps. They will live in the Cadet dorms. Obviously the university's name tells you they are known to for technical degrees, such as engineering. Their engineering program is not easy, so much so that the registrar sets up a desk in the engineering building during finals week because they have kids that decide to switch majors at a higher rate.
Texas A & M would also be placed on my list for AFROTC because if they win a type 7 which is the bulk of scholarships, and get at least 1K in scholarships from TAMU, the school will consider them in state, thus even if you live in CA, you can use the type 7 all 4 years. Plus, that 1st hurdle of SFT selection is statistically a better chance because it is an SMC.
~ If not selected for SFT, and dis-enrolled from AFROTC, because they are in the Corps, he is still in state. SMCs have a great network from an employment aspect. Like VT, I consider them rabid when it comes to their own community. They aren't just another grad. They are a TAMU grad and will always support TAMU.
I know the OP has stated that they aren't partial to a branch, but want a flying career. JMPO, but they really should place that into the equation.
AFROTC rated = high chance of fixed wing. Helos are a very small part of their inventory. I mean very small, not every UPT class drops a helo. For AF pilots they are on the hook for 10 yrs., no leaving at the 4 year marker like the non-rated officers. It also means that they might not get pilot, but UAVs or CSO.
NROTC rated = both fixed and rotor wing. However, the lifestyle means being on a boat...alot!
AROTC rated = rotor (helo) with very little chance of fixed wing.
Finally, impo leave our opinions at the door. To get to that pilot world the hurdle you need to be concerned with is the college. We could litter this thread with 1000 colleges, but the fact is part of college selection process is when they visit the school. I have 3 kids, and all of them would say they would have never attended the schools their siblings attend/attended. There is a vibe that they will feel on that campus.
My best advice is simple.
1. Investigate what he wants to fly.
~ If he says anything, I don't care as long as I get to be a pilot. Than ask him what is his gut saying if it is between an Apache for the Army and a F35 for the AF or Navy?
~~ Use the search tab here to find the poster Raimius. His signature is a blue link to his blog. It goes through life as a USAFA cadet and than life for AF pilot training. He actually also got Helo's
2. When you do school tours, contact the ROTC units prior to attending. Ask the unit if your DS could meet up with upperclassmen cadets/mids with the same major and desired career field.
~ Do not attend this meeting, instead determine ahead of time where you will meet on campus after he does this. This accomplishes 2 things.
~~A. No dog and pony show. Just kids talking. ROTC students will be very respectful when the folks are around. Parents tend to be vocal and ask questions that the child doesn't really care about. It makes it more FORMAL.
~~~ We did this with our DS, and when we did he just hung in the det. lounge, played Xbox and talked openly and honestly about what mattered to him.
~~B. He will walk to wherever you decide by himself. Not in a pack like the school tours. He will be able to imagine life without you and him just being another student on campus. Students will not see him as a HS student on campus doing a tour, but just a peer.
3. If you need that scholarship to pay, understand the differences.
~ A. AFROTC is NOT like A/NROTC. It is NOT a 4 year guarantee. It is a 2 +2. See above regarding SFT.
~ B. AFROTC does NOT superscore SAT/ACT like A/NROTC. It is best sitting.
~~ Avg ACT best sitting is between 29 and 31. I think the SAT best sitting is @1300.
~ C. AFROTC is like NROTC. There is no Guard or Reserve option typically. He will go Active Duty upon commissioning.
~ D. AFROTC does not TIE the scholarship to any school, unlike A/NROTC. They do not care if 1 unit has 100% of cadets on scholarship and another has 0%.
~~ A/NROTC does have a magic number for students on ROTC scholarships at each unit.
~ E. He will need to pass the DoDMERB exam. Each branch has their own qualifiers/dis-qualifiers. I.E. Navy and color vision deficiency is different than Army and Air Force for rated/pilots. Allergies, meds, etc. will be a player in this equation too.
The one thing they all have in common is the % selected for scholarship is going to be around 16-18%. 95% of Service Academy candidates will apply for a ROTC scholarship as plan B, however, that is not true for ROTC candidates. 95% of them will not apply to an Academy as their plan B. USAFA does not talk to HQ AFROTC in Maxwell when awarding an appointment. Take the time, at least for AFROTC to look through candidate stats on USAFA from a chance me perspective.
I hope my novella helps you as you start the process.