NWP vs ROTC

[Karek]

Great post tlangford!

Whether self prep or sponsored, after the NWP experience it has prepared my DS for anything he will face. It helped shaped his success in college this spring. My DS graduated from a college prep which did prepare him academically but the self management, control, committment etc. that he learned while attending NWP could never have been done elsewhere.

Best of Luck and prayers for all who are working through the next phases of life.

[Pima]

No yes, I am a falcon so I basically had my spot 'insured' to me. As for the free agent perspective I think flydreamer can tell more on that. It is RISKY to apply and attend as a free agent, but regardless of being a free agent, falcon, or navy foundation student, the experience is the same and an amazing experience, BUT RISKY FOR THE FREE AGENTS. I also know that some free agents applied to ROTC scholarships as back up plans for the academy and all those who applied to ROTC has received a scholarship to the school of their choice.

I keep seeing the word RISKY.

ROTC is also RISKY.

Every and any cadet must do what is right for them.

There will be candidates that feel NWP is the best option. There are candidates that go ROTC. Neither is right. Neither is wrong.

Honestly I prefer to look long term and ROTC gives that compared to NWP.

Originally Posted by flyerdreamer

Does this mean they simply will be taking the ROTC training but on their own dime as opposed to the scholarship paying expenses?

Many ROTC cadets are at the school on merit not AFROTC scholarship. Our DS had a 100K merit scholarship from UMiami Florida. No penny would have been spent on our own dime for ROTC, since merit covered the cost.

Originally Posted by flyerdreamer

Or, will they be unable to be commissioned after graduation, unless through OTS?

You can join ROTC and still be commissioned. Scholarship or no scholarship.
OTS is not an issue.

IF you get to 300 level you will get an AFSC. Again scholarship or no scholarship is not a factor re: C300. SFT is the factor.

Again for AFROTC the SFT board does not look to see if the candidate is a scholarship recipient.

It is all about the cadet, gpa, PFT,, AFOQT, etc.

Lastly, a tech major would most likely be required to do 5 yrs at the traditional college. AFA is 4 yrs, again they would still graduate at the time they expected as an engineer.

I agree that the preps do a great job at prepping for the SA, but I don't believe it is wise to do it as a free agent sompared to ROTC.

AGAIN, I have no bone in this fight, just my personal opinion.

[usafacandidate8]

I would also like to give everyone some insight on NWP. I was a free agent this past semester at NWP as well. I agree with tlangford completely! I have learned so much at NWP. Everyone there helped each other no matter what and we were all one big family for 3 1/2 months. I did too improve my ACT scores and learned a lot of study skills while I was up there. I am still awaiting news from both Navy and Air Force. I have not heard anything from either one. I do know that our class did have a many people already receive appointments that were free agents even with the cutbacks this year. And I believe there are 3 or 4 of us still waiting. So all in all NWP was a great experience and even if I do not receive my appointment this year I would not trade those 3 1/2 months for anything! I grew as a person and I met my bestfriends up there. I wouldn't change any of it!

[Christcorp]

Pima brings up some great points that need to be considered.

Things to consider:

1. If a prep school is being OFFERED by the academy, that's an "Almost" guarantee. They want you at the academy, or the prep school wouldn't have been offered.
2. If an ROTC scholarship is being OFFERED, that too is an "Almost" guarantee. They want you as a commissioned officer, or they wouldn't offer paying for your college.
3. If you voluntarily "Free Agent" a prep-school; it may prepare you better for possibly the academy and/or college, but there's no investment by the Air Force. They gain, nor lose anything if they appoint you or not. It shows some initiative on your part when reapplying to the academy, but it's only a short time. It's not a lot of weight on your application. And are you actually taking "College Credit Courses"???? Hmmmm
4. Going to college and voluntarily getting into ROTC. Better showing of initiative and commitment on your application. You're actually taking college classes; if you don't get an academy appointment, you are still on track for a commission. Plus, you can keep applying for ROTC scholarships once in ROTC in case the academy doesn't pan out. ROTC scholarships aren't only offered out of high school.

If I wanted to be a commissioned officer in the air force, my order of preference would be coming out of high school:

1. Air Force Academy
2. Offer by Air Force to attend prep-school
3. ROTC - Scholarship
4. ROTC - No scholarship; go to college on other scholarships or self pay. Reapply to academy for 2 more years. After that, finish college and ROTC.
5. Free-Agent Prep-School
6. College - No ROTC, pursue OTS upon graduation.

That's just my preference. That's what I would do. FWIW: Even though my son IS a C2C cadet currently at the academy, his appointment wasn't guaranteed. No one's is. His backup plan was different than mine above. He had 5 other Full-Ride Scholarship offers besides the Air Force Academy. His order was simply: #1 then #6. He didn't even apply for ROTC or consider Prep-School an option. "He knew his grades were too good to be "OFFERED" a prep school slot.

Point is; like PIMA pointed out; you have to make your own decisions. Yes, non-offered "Free Agent" prep schools are really good at "Preparing" you if you're fortunate enough to get an appointment the next cycle. But what are your chances of getting an appointment the next cycle? Pretty good if they OFFERED you the prep-school. "There's a reason they OFFERED you prep". "Free-Agent"; not as good. Better than the person who simply went to college for a year and reapplied? Probably. Better than a person who went to college and also got into ROTC? Probably NOT. Best of luck. Just think about ALL the possibilities..... Mike....

[Pima]

Computer was messing with me before I could respond.

Here's my question if it was my kid, again this is personal, I would say ROTC.

You all know that the more noms you have the more slates you meet.You also know this yr and next yr will have less appointments, IMPO, those slates will mean more chances.

I don't know about NWP, but I do know ROTC has the ability to nom, thus one more slate to compete in. I have never heard of a NWP nom.

From what I have been told NWP is not accredited from a collegiate perspective. Which can hurt them academically in the long run. Play the game what if they decide not to apply, that means they are boffed academically and must start again. ROTC candidate will get credits, ROTC or not ROTC.

I can be 1000% WRONG. Just saying what I have been informed...don't shoot the messenger.

As a parent if my child opted to reapply I would try to cover every base, including the what if option and they wanted to serve in the AF.

IF NWP doesn't have a nom option, I would go ROTC, again a slate issue. Also as a parent I have an issue of the program for NWP since it is short term.

[thealt]

I believe it was Flieger83 that once said if the AFA through the Falcon Foundation is offering to pay money to you for a Falcon Schloarship, that's a pretty good indication that the AFA is interested in you.

[Christcorp]

Originally Posted by thealt

I believe it was Flieger83 that once said if the AFA through the Falcon Foundation is offering to pay money to you for a Falcon Schloarship, that's a pretty good indication that the AFA is interested in you.

Yes. Hence my POINT #1 and PREFERENCE #2 above. If the air force is willing to pay, they they want you.

If they aren't willing to pay, and you're on your own, but you have the opportunity to go ROTC; especially on SCHOLARSHIP, you should consider that.

[flieger83]

Originally Posted by thealt

I believe it was Flieger83 that once said if the AFA through the Falcon Foundation is offering to pay money to you for a Falcon Schloarship, that's a pretty good indication that the AFA is interested in you.

It was, and it is.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

[RyWalk]

Thanks everyone. I definitely have some good points to consider from both sides.

I'm leaning towards ROTC. Another benefit to me is that it's my hometown college, so I'll know a lot of people from my High School in ROTC. Not that I couldn't make good friends anywhere, but I know some really good people going to do AFROTC at that school that I'm sure will support me in reapplying.

I didn't get the 4-year AFROTC scholarship, but I have a state scholarship and I'll be living at home so money isn't an issue.

Just a quick question. I've heard all over the forum to tell your detachment of your intentions to reapply to a SA, but who specifically should you tell?

[frisbforce]

I want to give my insight on this. I went to NWP as a free agent. My SAT's soared drastically, but my reading still wasn't what I needed. Although I jumped about 150 on both math and reading. It still wasn't what the Academy was looking for. Because of this I had to go to plan B which was ROTC at Embry Riddle in Daytona beach florida,then apply to the Academy again. I did exactly that, and last week I got the QNV letter :( . (stupid budget cuts) 3.0 college GPA 590 reading and 650 math still wasn't good enough. Oh well. Although I didn't get in this year I know that NWP has completely helped me here in college and ROTC. With studying, PT, and time management. Being a great leader (officer in the air Force) doesn't depend on where you got your commission, just that you got one. I am glad I chose NWP and I can't imagine where I would have been right now if I didn't go (lazy, bad SAT's , messy room, bad time management) I wouldn't be where I am today. So, yes I would say try your shot with NWP maybe you might not get an appointment, like me, but you will learn so much and it will help you later on life. Just never lose sight of what you really want. Good luck!!