Considering ROTC, need feedback

smtassel

5-Year Member
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Apr 25, 2011
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I stumbled on this site after hours of staring at a computer, and this is easily the most beneficial site, seeming like a great community too.

I am currently a Junior in High School and have been interested in the military since late middle school. I was for a long time considering academies but recently that desire has faded as with my GPA. ROTC is looking like a great option and whether or not I get a scholarship of some kind, I think I will still participate.

That being said, I am going to do the same old "posting of stats" and I would love it if anyone could tell me if I am similar to them, or if I have a shot at any of the scholarships. Also if you could recommend what branch I could get a scholarship for most easily (if i can even get one) as I do not have a specific preference.

Branch Interest (highest to lowest): Navy, Air Force, Army

Major interests: Something involving politics, Astronomy, a field involving planes (aeronautical engineer, etc.)

SAT/GPA: 1830 (1220 {570 math, 650 CR})/3.00
If I ever decide to apply, I am hoping to get the chance to explain how I negelected my 9th grade teacher's advice in telling me to take Spanish 3 again and going on to earn a D average in Spanish 4. Could this be an oppurtunity to show I have matured/learned/gained wisdom?

Class Rank: 119/463

ECs: Employee at chick-fil-a
Volunteer: church Vacation Bible school, Junior leader within church: involves teaching and aiding middle schoolers on trips, in sunday school, etc..., was in key club
Leadership Roles: Junior Leader, Youth group band Leader
Athletics: Golf: 2 years, 2 varsity letters
Baseball: 2 years, 1 varsity letter
Indoor Track: 1 year
Weight-Training (extra-curricular)

I know it gets old looking at the same kind of "stats postings", but I would really appreciate some feedback on this, tips, stories of simliar conditions...

Thank you all so much, this is a great site.
 
Your GPA is lower than the (AROTC) average, but this being April you've got a month or two to apply yourself to your studies. Finish your junior year strong and bring your GPA and class rank up. This will help you whether or not you apply for a scholarship to any ROTC branch.

Your SAT total is a little above the (AROTC) average for the 2010 entering class; 2011 scores may be higher. Work on this, especially math and retake the SATs in the fall. A number of posters advocate also taking the ACTs.

If you search the various NROTC threads on these forums you'll see that NAVY has a strong preference for those with technical inclination and aptitude. This is also the case for the Air Force.

If you haven't done it yet, get into an exercise regimen. There are plenty of sites on the internets which will guide you in preparing for the required fitness tests.

Good luck to you.
 
At this time, IMPO, you should take the June SAT/ACT, at least for AFROTC. Statistically your SAT is low in Math. I would spend time studying Math, your CR is strong.

There is only one 100% answer any of us can give you.

Don't apply and you have 0% chance of getting it.

For AFROTC they are the red headed cousin. College selection does not matter. It is tied to the student from a nationalistic perspective. AROTC and NROTC are tied to the candidate and the school.

I.E: AFROTC doesn't care if one school has 100% on scholarship and another with 10%. AROTC and NROTC like to spread the wealth re:scholarships, so they want to make sure that there is no school with 100% while others have 10%.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far. Do any of you know what the most heavily weighted factor for being selected is? I have heard it is the interview, I have heard it is GPA... Any clue to how class rank is weighted?
 
^^^
Here is the interview form: Link
it shows AROTC points/weightings for Army ROTC

To be competitive, max most/all categories
 
Thanks for the feedback so far. Do any of you know what the most heavily weighted factor for being selected is? I have heard it is the interview, I have heard it is GPA... Any clue to how class rank is weighted?

The AROTC Scholarship application process can be best described as a Decathlon. A Decathlete can finish 2nd or 3rd in every event and still win the competition on points. The same goes for the AROTC Scholarship.

Each individual item in the application goes into your SAL, Scholar, Athletic, Leadership profile. Sometimes if you are stronger in one section it can help balance the section you are bit weaker in. The best you can do is have a balanced application while being a bit stronger in one or two areas.

Class rank can be taken into account if your GPA is a bit lower. Some high schools that have rigorous academics may have lower overall GPA's, this is where your class rank will come into play. If you have a high GPA and a low class rank it may be seen as a less rigorous school.

A lot has been said about the importance of the interview. Keep this in mind. If an applicant has an interview with a PMS they have never met or talked to at a school that they do not intend to go to, the PMS may just make the required check marks and submit a very limited comment page. On the other hand, if the applicant has their interview with a PMS they have met and talked to on occasion, the PMS may elaborate more about the student and give a much more detailed comment page which could in turn help in the selection process. Best advise, try and meet with the PMS at the schools you would like to attend prior to your interview, see if you can schedule a visit and possibly an overnight, and schedule the interview with your #1 choice school.

Remember as well that your school selections will have an effect. Choose only highly competitive schools and your chances go down, select schools well with in your range and your chances may be better. Select schools that are in state and that will help considering the current budget issues.

When the results start comming out for next years scholarship awards you will sometimes swear they are just throwing darts at a dart board full of names. You can look back at some of the threads from this years process and you will see what I mean.

I will be honest, Navy and Air Force look to be a reach for you at this time, my advice would be to apply to all 3 if your desire is to serve.

The above information was directed soley to the AROTC, others will be able to advise you better on NROTC and AFROTC.

Good luck.
 
^^^
Here is the interview form: Link
it shows AROTC points/weightings for Army ROTC

To be competitive, max most/all categories

One thing to remember, many applicants can have all the boxes check to give them the max 200 points. Make sure you noticed the sections on the interview sheet that allows the PMS to make comments, those being:

Appearance (Composure)
Verbal Communication Skills (Composure)
Motivation
Potential
And the Big One...Additional Notes

This is where the PMS can paint a picture of the applicant for the review board. Simply max 200 point will not always be enough with the interview. This is why I stress that it is a good idea to make contact with the PMS before your interview, get to know them and allow them to get to know you before the interview.

I as well as my son are positive that this played a big roll in getting the scholarship award the first board when most ROO's thought he would be a 2nd or 3rd board candidate.
 
Each individual item in the application goes into your SAL, Scholar, Athletic, Leadership profile. Sometimes if you are stronger in one section it can help balance the section you are bit weaker in. The best you can do is have a balanced application while being a bit stronger in one or two areas,

Thank you for your response and help, do you know of any ways that I can become stronger in any areas?
 
Thank you for your response and help, do you know of any ways that I can become stronger in any areas?

Sign up for a couple AP courses your senior year, keep doing the athletics. Keep your leadership up with your church.

Take your SAT's again and try the ACT. Remember they take the composite score.

To late to do anything about your GPA

Call the PMS at the schools you are interested in and see if you can meet with them.

The only real weak spot is your GPA, be strong in the other areas and that should help make up for it a bit.

Other then the GPA work on the other areas as mentioned and you will put yourself in a better position.

Good Luck
 
Jcleppe, you nailed it.

Couple little additions (army);

Make certain that where you have the opportunity to write about yourself on the application,
write, edit (English teacher), re-write... make every word count. The two places where you can
write essays are the only two "new info" items for the PMS board to look at. Write about what makes
you unique, don't just repeat what is already on you application.

Don't leave out any possible qualifications, ie., the 2 week blood drive you co-chaired as a freshman may be a tie-breaker.

On the the last page of Army application there is a 'save application' button...save and print
That is how the Board will see it, look it over carefully, the formatting changes.

For the Army PMS interview, make sure you know your qualifications,
forgetting to mention something would be bad, no redo on the interview.

Be prompt, carry a small notebook and pen, use it.
(Have all your stats and qualifications in it)

Formal practice interviewing with an adult is a good idea
 
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First off, congrats on your decision to serve our country! Secondly as far as AROTC goes you have a good shot. I got one this year and last year around this time my stats were almost the same as yours and I too was deciding whether to do Army or Marines. I had a 3.1 and an 1860 (560 math, 670 reading) on the SAT, the same amount of leadership roles as you, and the same amount of varsity letters. Like a lot of other people say, RETAKE THE SAT! I went up to 2010 when I retook it, and I think that that was a big factor in my winning the scholarship, and take the ACT too. If you wanna have a major dealing with politics the Navy/Air Force is gonna be a long shot. Also, take at least 3 AP/IB/Honors courses if you haven't already, thats a sure 40 points right there. All in all, you are very similar to me last year on paper, and if you can improve just a little more a scholarship can be very possible for you in the future (AROTC at least) :thumb:
 
Thank you so much for that, i was really hoping to hear a very similar story. I have a few questions since you seem to have been so similar!

1.) did you take the ACT? What scores did you get on that?
2.) when did you finish your application for the scholarship?
3.) what do you major in/where are you going to college?
 
Thank you so much for that, i was really hoping to hear a very similar story. I have a few questions since you seem to have been so similar!

1.) did you take the ACT? What scores did you get on that?
2.) when did you finish your application for the scholarship?
3.) what do you major in/where are you going to college?

1. Yes I did, my best scores were- 36 reading, 28 math, 26 writing 28 science, with a 29 composite score.
2. I finished the application sometime in November, I missed the first board but I got the scholarship on the second one in January. I don't think I would have received one the first round anyway.
3. I'm going to be majoring in Political Science at Colorado University at Boulder next year.
 
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