Which ROTC scholarship is the most prestigious?

nysegop

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Which branch is it harder to get ROTC scholarship with? Which focuses more on academics? Which focuses more on sports? Which focuses more holistically (the person as a whole rather than as statistics)?

Please rank them from most prestigious to least prestigious?


*Note: I know that they are all very hard to get but I'm just curious which ones are more selective and which ones are less selective.
 
Which branch is it harder to get ROTC scholarship with? Which focuses more on academics? Which focuses more on sports? Which focuses more holistically (the person as a whole rather than as statistics)?

Please rank them from most prestigious to least prestigious?


*Note: I know that they are all very hard to get but I'm just curious which ones are more selective and which ones are less selective.

I have to say, I'm not really sure where your going with this question.

They're all:
Focused on academics
Focused on athletics and leadership
They all look at the whole person
....And they are all prestigious...and why in the world would you want to rank them.
 
There has to be some way where the different branches evaluate potential cadets. What are they? Also, how are cadets evaluated for job selection in the other branches? It's LDAC in the army. But how about Navy/Air Force?
 
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Which branch is it harder to get ROTC scholarship with? Which focuses more on academics? Which focuses more on sports? Which focuses more holistically (the person as a whole rather than as statistics)?

Please rank them from most prestigious to least prestigious?


*Note: I know that they are all very hard to get but I'm just curious which ones are more selective and which ones are less selective.

I really think your best bet is to spend an hour or so, going through various threads, and then formulating questions.

I wanted my DS to go Navy ROTC because I think they have better looking uniforms. He went Army ROTC and is happy as a clam. And he looks OK in green.

Seriously, this forum is an excellent resource to answer your questions.

Best of luck.
 
There doesn't have to be anything. They ALL evaluate the candidates for qualities they view can be molded into a military leader.
 
There has to be some way where the different branches evaluate potential cadets. What are they? Also, how are cadets evaluated for job selection in the other branches? It's LDAC in the army. But how about Navy/Air Force?

Here's a hint, I think you may have already heard this a couple times. Go talk to each ROTC program for each service. Sit down with them and ask questions about each program, you will get a great overview of how each service is different.

Unless you sit on one of the boards nobody can tell you exactly how they evaluate each applicant.

Why does it matter, are you looking for the easiest program to apply?

LDAC has nothing to do with evaluating a cadet for which branch they go to. The process each service uses to branch cadets would take pages to explain. Do some homework on your own then come here and ask specific questions.
 
Which branch is it harder to get ROTC scholarship with? Which focuses more on academics? Which focuses more on sports? Which focuses more holistically (the person as a whole rather than as statistics)?

Please rank them from most prestigious to least prestigious?


*Note: I know that they are all very hard to get but I'm just curious which ones are more selective and which ones are less selective.

This one really feels like a troll to me this time around. Prove me wrong and do some homework bud!
 
Which branch is it harder to get ROTC scholarship with? Which focuses more on academics? Which focuses more on sports? Which focuses more holistically (the person as a whole rather than as statistics)?

Please rank them from most prestigious to least prestigious?


*Note: I know that they are all very hard to get but I'm just curious which ones are more selective and which ones are less selective.

For a practical answer applicable to your situation, given your stats, you are not a shoo-in for any of the branches ROTC scholarship. And given that you are already a Junior, most of your GPA and ECs are not very adjustable at this point. You might select your senior ECs/sports based upon where you can get a leadership position, you might consider an intensive SAT/ACT prep course to bring up your score, and you should most definitely select the most challenging academic courseload you can for your senior year (more to prepare yourself for college than anything else).

You should not spend your effort trying to game the application system - there are many people way smarter than you who will outsmart you in that effort both in the design of the system (which often defies reason) and applicants in engineering their application.

The word prestige should not be used in comparing branches of the military. To be selected to train to be an officer is a prestigous opportunity and a scholarship is an honor to have bestowed upon you if you qualify.

You should choose your ROTC branch(es) to apply to based upon the requirements of the programs (certain branches require different academic coursework in college in addition to military science) as compared to your academic interests, any proven aptitude in a critical skill (if you already know how to fly an airplane some services may be more appealing), or if you do have an issue with certain lifestyles - (navy may not be for you if you don't like life at sea). Having the program at a school you wish to attend is also critical.

You can scan threads here to see how you compare with applicants for a particular branch ROTC or better yet, talk to a ROO to get an idea if your application is competitive with what they currently have.

Please don't ask us to speculate on topics that are very personal to the membership here. It is like asking your parent's which of you and your siblings they like the best. I appreciate your interest in finding out more about ROTC, but this is not the best approach.
 
Why does it matter, are you looking for the easiest program to apply?

I think he is, this guy already said that he would have to just go to ROTC without a scholarship in previous threads when he asked for his chances which weren't excellent. Gave up really quickly so I am confused why he would ask this question.

Which ROTC scholarship is the most prestigious?

Seriously dude? That's like asking a group of people(from decent homes) who has the best and most intelligent/wise/striking/admirable father. You can express your personal preference, but there is no right answer. There is only what is right for you.
 
Don't let it stop you...

I spent a year reading this forum before becoming a member and I still post stuff that end up being a "faux pas". Don't let it discourage you.
 
I don't think it is a bad question....each ROTC and branch of service are different. A person has to figure out where they fit best. Prestige has nothing to do with it. It is about serving your country.
 
Thank you for those of you who took the time to give me an educated, logical response. For those of you who changed this thread into a series of personal attacks; you are the real "trolls". You people are the ones who are turning what was supposed to be a fact based education thread into a disgusting environment for me to ask questions. It seems like anything I say can be taken as an act of "trolling". Have a good day.

Thank you riroka, at least you take the time to somewhat answer the question.
 
NY...in the famous words of Toby Keith..."I don't do it for the money, I just do it anyways". The word prestigious got my blood pressure up a little bit, but I took a deep breath and here are my thoughts. Of course I'm going to tell you there is nothing more prestigious than a commission from the Golden Knight Battalion and a Clarkson degree, but there probably aren't a lot of people that will buy that assessment. What I will tell you is that we have a set of Army Values (loyalty, duty, respect, SELFLESS SERVICE, honor, integrity, and personal courage) and we believe in putting the mission first. So, someone who is worried about prestige probably has a values set that is a little bit off what we are looking for. Now that I think about it I might have just made a case for taking Army ROTC out of the running for most prestigious.

On another note...LDAC only plays a small role in the ranking of cadets and determining Branch. GPA/Academic success plays the biggest role, and I would venture a guess that it is the same with the other branches.
 
Thank you for those of you who took the time to give me an educated, logical response. For those of you who changed this thread into a series of personal attacks; you are the real "trolls". You people are the ones who are turning what was supposed to be a fact based education thread into a disgusting environment for me to ask questions. It seems like anything I say can be taken as an act of "trolling". Have a good day.

Thank you riroka, at least you take the time to somewhat answer the question.

Chill out man. Dumb questions get contempt from intelligent people.
 
For me, this type of question also tweaks me because the candidates are not thinking long term.

The reality is 4 yrs in ROTC is a cake walk compared to AD. It is not 24/7 365 days a yr for at least 4 yrs. Life will be crappy for you if you entered a ROTC because they were the only ones that offered a scholarship.

You need to think about AD life and what you would do in the branch as a career?

Let's be honest, if being in a tank is not your idea of fun, than don't go Army. If being landlocked, and no intention of flying is not rocking your world, don't go AF. If the idea of sailing the oceans blue makes you turn green, and not with envy, the Navy shouldn't be on your list.

Yes, there are jobs that overlap in all 3 services, but what doesn't overlap is their missions. They are all unique and you should think about that when you decide which route.

DS1 applied AFROTC and that was it because he could not see himself in any other branch. DS2 played with the idea, but only for Army, no other branch was in the equation.

I am not saying that this is right for everyone, but if you don't know which branch and you are basing on prestige, I think you need to investigate.

Now to answer your question about which ROTC is perceived as the most prestigious scholarship. I would have to say NROTC. They are the most selective. They have taken both parts of AFROTC and AROTC to create their program. 85% go to STEM (AFROTC) and they assign a school (AROTC). As a sophomore if not on scholarship you vie to be selected for contracting...something akin to AFROTC EA.


AFROTC looks at the Whole Candidate when awarding any scholarship, I believe A/NROTC too. There is an actual % breakdown for each section. PAR is 60% for AFROTC, intended major is included here. It will include your SAT/ACT, cgpa, rigor of curriculum, class rank and school profile. 20% will go to ECs, and 20% to recs, PFT, etc.

As stated there is just no way to game the system.

AFROTC is the only one that does not tie the scholarship to the school, the recipient can take it to any college that accepts AFROTC. Only 5% of scholarships are Type 1 (no $$$ limit). 95% of these recipients are Tech majors. Think about it if you are non-tech, you have 5% chance of 5% to get that golden ticket. The number is incredibly low. Historically they have over 5K scholarships, and only offer less than 1K. That means 50 are given Type 1, and only 2 or 3 are non-tech out of that 5K pool. 85% of the AFROTC scholarships are awarded to tech majors. The bulk of non-tech come from Type 7 (IS tuition rate...can go private, but it can't exceed the cost of an IS). They make up 25% of this pool. Type 7 is about 70% of the scholarships. Again, do the math, you are looking at about 200 non-techs out of 5K.

Every ROTC is the same, SR yr EC's are not in play, it ends with your jr. yr. I do not know about A/NROTC, but AFROTC does not superscore SAT/ACT. It is the best sitting.

Hope that helps. Good luck on your journey!
 
Ok. I'll apologize for the troll comment, but as you can tell from the responses it was a bit of an odd question.

By way of responding, and as others say prestigious doesn't enter into it, I think you would find NROTC Marine Option the most physically demanding. (jmpo everyone, don't kill me). Academically? Not so much. That is not to say this option doesn't have academically gifted midshipman, but that the Marines don't care what your major is. If running 3 miles in nearly 18 minutes is a goal whose achievement would rock your world, take a look at the Marines. The few... The proud... The Marines.
 
prestigious

I'm with Clarkson on this one, SERVICE above self...now if you're talking selectivity? I'm with PIMA. My DS personal experience? NROTC tier III hardest to get. So far for his NJROTC unit there have been 9 appointments/scholarships, he is better scholastically than most recipients (according to his naval science instructor) but he was denied the NROTC tier III. Others have appointments to USNA USMMA AFROTC NROTC AROTC and MONROTC scholarships, also eight of the nine are female.
 
nofoddad,

I am also SERVICE BEFORE SELF. That is why I discussed look at the AD world.

There are many jrs in HS that know or assume they will serve in any branch that takes them, because to them it is about honor, and duty.

They are young, 17 on a good day. They don't have life experience to comprehend the bigger picture. All they know is they believe they will be equally happy in any and every branch.

Let's be honest even within the military they rib each other based on perceptions.

I have a unique view as a spouse because Bullet was AF rated, but did 2 tours with the Army (82nd Jump ALO and PME at Leavenworth for CGSC). I saw up close and personal how lifestyles are different.

The Army and Navy are not off the mark to call the AF the "banker's branch" aka 8-4 M-F, and as harsh as it may seem, the reality is rated officers are the "golden children" in the AF.

You can take a pilot and make them the Commander of Public Affairs or Maintenance, you can't take the PA or Maintenance officer and slide them into the Commander of a flying squadron.

Bullet when he went to Bragg, had been married to me for 5 yrs, I knew all of the AF lingo, but the 1st day there and he kissed me goodbye while I was sleeping at 5 a.m. saying he was going to PT, I rolled over and said by! 30 seconds later, and for the rest of the day I wonder what on earth was PT? PT for AF is playing a round of golf and lifting a beer!

I lived in awe watching the 82nd, IMPO 82nd is near the "golden child" AF perspective. Their dedication, their commitment, their community will always be the epitome of the military to me, the 82nd is all volunteer, the Army will not force you to jump out of perfectly good airplanes.

I am not trying to slam the AF, and highlight the Army. I am trying to illustrate that this is the time to be honest regarding your desires from a career perspective.

You may not want to believe me, but I am sure other posters like Clarkson, Marist, Kinnem, Aglahad, Agagles, Gojira, will tell you 4 yrs in ROTC will go by fast, like a blink of the eye.
 
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Pima, you're right. However I think it goes by a bit slower without a scholarship! :biggrin:
 
I don't doubt it because as a parent who pays monthly tuition bills, your blink of an eye is OH SHEEATTT is it already next month and the school is taking money out of my checking account AGAIN? :eek:

For our DD it isn't moving fast enough from a checkbook perspective :rolleyes:
 
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