Okay, 1st off, your child is not even in hs yet.
Currently, look at UVA and see what they want from a student both academically and EC's. Take that path.
Next time to step back from the what to do for ROTC or getting into a college. Here's why:
~~~ IS schools have had bumper cropper yrs for the past 3 yrs. The reason why is due to the economy. Parents who had before had mutuals or home equity loans to pay for the darlings college disappeared, while the costs continued to rise. Our DD is at VT (class of 14). VT's admission letter last yr stated they had over 33K applicants for their 4K spots. Our DS is at UMDCP (class of 12), when he applied they had 27K for their 4K spots, last yr they had 32K. JMU had 31K applicants. All of them stated in their letters, this was the largest yr ever, and since 08, that line has been used, because they keep getting more. If you noticed class size has not increased, just applicant pool. It is the economy! That also means they can be more selective, which starts a upward spin re: image of what is needed to get in. That state college looks more appealing from a selective position.
Nobody know that in 3 yrs from now for the class of 19 where economically we will be standing. We could be back at 2004, hot housing market and stock market.
When that occurs many kids opt to go OOS or private, thus, the competition reduces.
~~~Nobody, and I mean nobody in 2007 (4 yrs ago, same time line for you for your ds in the future) could have predicted that the AF would go through such a harsh force shape restructuring. As a 88 grad, I am sure you can remember the RIF of the 90's. Right now, that restructuring will span approx 7 yr groups. 2009 took the 1st hit, and the AFA has announced that 15 and 16 will be much smaller in size @ 20%. They canceled OCS, IS ROTC scholarships and gave fewer AFROTC scholarships for 13, 14 and now 15.
The AF was the 1st to re-shape in 91, followed by the Navy and than the Army. Trying to plot out 4 yrs from now is very difficult.
~~~ State colleges are usually dictated by the state % of IS compared to OOS, because they receive state tax payer dollars. It varies between 25-30% OOS. The little unkown secret is that where you live comes into play. Every college wants diversity, and that includes geographical location.
Use PSU and UMDCP as an example. Although UMDCP is only 30 minutes down the road from NoVA, they actually have a better chance of getting in as an OOS applicant than NY/NJ. Why? Because NJ/NY kids apply by boatloads to UMDCP, and UMDCP doesn't want to be known as the OOS NJ college. The same is true for PSU. They apply by the boatloads, and that means it hurts them in their chances.
~~~ I am assuming that this is your 1st child, so as a Mom, here's my opinion, so please toss it in the circular filing cabinet when you are done reading it.
Kids change their minds. Our DS from 4th grade until 10th was Duke, Duke, Duke.
Spring soph it was Duke who? Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Notre Dame.
Spring jr. it was Notre Dame, but what the heck I'll throw my name in for AFA. (1st time he ever said that, but all his life it was AF career as a goal...JAG).
Fall Sr. it was AFA, AFA, AFA, Notre Dame maybe.
Feb rolls around it was UMDCP, UMDCP, UMDCP. He had yet to receive notification from the AFA or ND. OBTW, he refused to apply to Duke.
He also changed at that time from JAG to pilot.
My point is life gets in the way. The only thing we as parents were able to do was to keep our eye on the ball to make sure academically. Make sure they take the most rigorous course load, and that they are well rounded. That is what admissions look for. They have learned that the perfect SAT student who had no life outside of the books has a difficult time adjusting to college. They want the kid who always pushed themselves academically, but also had a life outside of the classroom.
NOVA is very competitive for UVA and VT. We live in NoVA. However, Fairfax county is one of the best school districts in the state and nation. I would bet if your child is strong academically he would be a candidate for UNCCH.
Finally, our DS actually opted the traditional college route, and it was because of his life as a military child. For many it is hard to understand if they never lived the military life. He always knew he wanted to serve, but after 18 yrs of being a military dependent, he wanted to just be him, a kid and enjoy 4 yrs of the real world. We use to joke that this was his way of sowing his oats. If you look at your child, it maybe the same. By the time DS could leave (now a UPT selected ROTC cadet), he will be 31 on a good day. We got the fact he wanted 1 foot in, but 1 foot out.