When my DS started down this complicated road last year, I reminded him that there will be so many variables involved in this process that have absolutely NOTHING to do with his academic or other credentials. A lot of decisions depend on things like timing, school choice selection (didn't realize until recently how important this is), academic major selection, which congressional district you reside in for an MOC nom to an SA, etc. These are things no one can really control, or should even TRY to control.
I also told my DS to expect some ego-bruising decisions that won't go his way. I hope he really understands (despite my reminders) that I will be proud of him regardless of the path in life he ultimately decides to take.
This application process has been a very instructive "life lesson" for him. That, in itself, has value. It will be very interesting to see what kind of advice my DS gives to HIS DS/DD someday, if I ever become a grandpa.
The big life lesson for me personally, which I have learned from the other parents and candidates here on SAF who have helped me and others, is that the idea of "service to others" doesn't just apply to military service.
I honestly couldn't agree with you more.
When I first applied for this process, I thought if I applied early, I would hear back early, and I could apply early decision to my #1 school. I wholly underestimated the process and I actually didn't hear word about my NROTC scholarship until roughly 6 months after I submitted my application.
That being said, If there's any one thing I could advise to anyone, It would be patience. Patience, Patience, Patience. I know it's hard to just put your pending scholarship in the back of your mind and I know it's hard to not check the status every day, read these forums and extract the most benign information to mean something significant, or even just worry and panic about how your future is going to look. Trust me, I did all this and my mind was not put to rest until the day I heard about my scholarship. Please learn from my experience.
But please, do yourself a favor and let the process work itself through. We are currently in mid-Feb and the scholarship season is not officially over until April.
For those of you who still have not heard back: indeed, some of you will not be awarded scholarships despite how incredibly your credentials might be. What I've learned is if you are truly intent on serving your country as an officer whilst getting a college education, you WILL be able to work it out. Apply to state schools that your academic credentials far exceed the average student- they will give you money, and they will give you lots of it. Join NROTC, AROTC, AFROTC during college and even if you don't end up receiving a scholarship, you will have the opportunity to commission.
For those of you only interested in Navy, I would check out the BDCP program. After I was
sure that I wouldn't be getting a scholarship, I started to research alternative commissioning sources and BDCP caught my eye.
Hope any of this helps you and assuages your angst.
Josh