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I expect in the next couple of weeks that many of us will be hearing about ROTC scholarships (hopefully, this thread will evolve over the next two weeks, so we will know exactly what to do when the day scholarship awards are announced). I understand that Step No. 1 will be to accept or decline AND select the school in which the applicant HOPES to gain admission, assuming he or she hasn't already (it has been stated elsewhere that AFROTC doesn't have this problem because that scholarship is portable to any school). Since there is no obligation (and thus ZERO downside), it is likely that everyone will accept the offers that are tendered.
But what are the follow-on steps? Specifically, what do the applicants do on the following points:
1. My assumption is that the applicant should break the ice with the ROTC unit that he or she selected on the ROTC Scholarship acceptance form by writing a letter and following up with a telephone call. Then he or she should simply wait until the admission letter comes out for that school. Does everyone agree?
2. My DS really has no way of distinguishing between the various ROTC units at the various colleges to which he has applied. Should he write a letter to the ROTC Scholarship Officers at each school that does not appear on the "ROTC acceptance form" and introduce himself as well? It will be a bit awkward for him to write a letter like this, knowing that the recipient knows that the college (NOT the ROTC unit) was at least a number-two pick for him. Candidly, outside of the SAs, the basis for my son's ROTC "wish list" was almost entirely based on the reputations of the colleges listed and the other opportunities that the schools offered (science, study abroad, etc.). Any tips on this is appreciated.
3. If you think a nice introductory letter is appropriate, then what? Should the student hold off visiting the ROTC units until March or April, after all of the college admissions letters are received. I'm assuming here that everyone doesn't have unlimited time and money to visit every college to which they have applied, and it seems prudent to hold off visiting a school until he knows that he's been accepted. Why waste the PMS's time? Do you agree?
4. Does anyone think it is worthwhile to also send a letter to the college admissions office and announce the ROTC award (the admissions offices routinely say that they want to hear from applicants if they receive additional merit awards, but I do understand that ROTC scholarships are NOT reportable as financial aid until the scholarship is accepted in the fall). My personal belief is that in a sagging economy, colleges would be more likely to admit a "full-price" student with an ROTC scholarship in their back pocket and that this is therefore a very good idea. Does anyone disagree?
5. I have read all of the posts about transferring ROTC scholarships if you don't get accepted to your listed "dream college". It appears to be a complete NIGHTMARE for AROTC and NROTC (not AFROTC). Is there any advice to the applicant, other than immediately calling the ROTC units to see if there are any vacancies once the student learns that he or she has not been admitted to the "dream college"?
6. Pima, when my son finished the AFROTC interview a few weeks ago, he was forced to select his top three schools, in order of preference (just like AROTC and NROTC). Are you sure that AFROTC scholarships are still portable this year?
I appreciate any advice you can give about the landscape we will be facing in the coming months. This is my first time stumbling through this process with my eldest child, and I know that I've made mistakes along the way. And the system has changed since the days when I was going through it. But I'm a "planner" who likes to have a general "heading" before proceeding in a certain direction.
Many thanks in advance.
But what are the follow-on steps? Specifically, what do the applicants do on the following points:
1. My assumption is that the applicant should break the ice with the ROTC unit that he or she selected on the ROTC Scholarship acceptance form by writing a letter and following up with a telephone call. Then he or she should simply wait until the admission letter comes out for that school. Does everyone agree?
2. My DS really has no way of distinguishing between the various ROTC units at the various colleges to which he has applied. Should he write a letter to the ROTC Scholarship Officers at each school that does not appear on the "ROTC acceptance form" and introduce himself as well? It will be a bit awkward for him to write a letter like this, knowing that the recipient knows that the college (NOT the ROTC unit) was at least a number-two pick for him. Candidly, outside of the SAs, the basis for my son's ROTC "wish list" was almost entirely based on the reputations of the colleges listed and the other opportunities that the schools offered (science, study abroad, etc.). Any tips on this is appreciated.
3. If you think a nice introductory letter is appropriate, then what? Should the student hold off visiting the ROTC units until March or April, after all of the college admissions letters are received. I'm assuming here that everyone doesn't have unlimited time and money to visit every college to which they have applied, and it seems prudent to hold off visiting a school until he knows that he's been accepted. Why waste the PMS's time? Do you agree?
4. Does anyone think it is worthwhile to also send a letter to the college admissions office and announce the ROTC award (the admissions offices routinely say that they want to hear from applicants if they receive additional merit awards, but I do understand that ROTC scholarships are NOT reportable as financial aid until the scholarship is accepted in the fall). My personal belief is that in a sagging economy, colleges would be more likely to admit a "full-price" student with an ROTC scholarship in their back pocket and that this is therefore a very good idea. Does anyone disagree?
5. I have read all of the posts about transferring ROTC scholarships if you don't get accepted to your listed "dream college". It appears to be a complete NIGHTMARE for AROTC and NROTC (not AFROTC). Is there any advice to the applicant, other than immediately calling the ROTC units to see if there are any vacancies once the student learns that he or she has not been admitted to the "dream college"?
6. Pima, when my son finished the AFROTC interview a few weeks ago, he was forced to select his top three schools, in order of preference (just like AROTC and NROTC). Are you sure that AFROTC scholarships are still portable this year?
I appreciate any advice you can give about the landscape we will be facing in the coming months. This is my first time stumbling through this process with my eldest child, and I know that I've made mistakes along the way. And the system has changed since the days when I was going through it. But I'm a "planner" who likes to have a general "heading" before proceeding in a certain direction.
Many thanks in advance.
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