Questions from an incoming senior

Fengawr

5-Year Member
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Feb 16, 2011
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129
Hello! I am currently applying for the AROTC scholarship and I only have a few more parts of the application to fill out before it is completed. I know that the first board meets in October, so around what time frame should I finish the application by? Also, can I still be awarded a scholarship before being DODMERB qualified? Thanks!
 
remember that once you finish the application you will still have 4 things to do (transcripts, test scores, interview, PFT). The deadline for the first board is 1 October, so do some backward planning and figure out when you can visit a campus and do an interview, when you can get a coach or gym teacher to give you a PFT, and when you can get your guidance councilor to take care of your transcripts.

You DODMERB has no effect on your application, in fact you usually aren't even given instructions to take a DODMERB unless you have received an offer for Army ROTC. The fact that you have started a DODMERB is usually an indicator that Army ROTC is not the only scholarship you are applying for.
 
I am also applying for an AROTC four-year scholarship and I am aiming to have my application complete by the beginning of September or the middle of September at the latest. This will allow me to overcome any problems with my application that come up and I won't be rushing to get my application done at the last minute. Cadet Command is known to be slow with updates.

You should probably aim to have your whole application done by the beginning-middle of September in case any problems come up. In addition to the online application, you also need to send in your high school transcript, send in your SAT/ACT scores, complete a physical assessment, and complete an interview with a PMS at your school of choice.

As for DoDMERB, I believe if you are awarded a scholarship, ROTC will schedule you for a medical exam. You don't have to have the exam completed prior to submitting your application.

Good luck!
 
Thank you! I already have my test scores sent in and I planning on getting my transcripts in ASAP. I also am planning to have my PFT done in the next few weeks. As far as the interview goes, do I just contact the school at which I want it to be done at?
 
Yes, just contact the PMS at your school of choice to set up an appointment for the interview. Make sure you also notify Cadet Command where you are planning to do your interview.
 
I decided to only send my ACT scores in although I have taken both (SAT was a 1690, quite low). Will my application be any weaker if I just sent my ACT scores (a 31 composite) in? I am not sure if I should retake the SAT or not.

The only thing I really need to do regarding the application is the personal statement and the additional remarks section. Is it a big deal if an applicant does not fill out the additional remarks section? I have a few things to say additionally, but not a lot!
 
I don't think your application will be affected if you only send in your ACT score, especially since you scored a 31 (Nice job!). I sent in my SAT scores as well even though I did better on the ACT, so you might just want to send in your SAT scores. I am sure Cadet Command will consider only your ACT score since it is much higher. Anyone feel free to correct me on this.

If I were you, I would focus on the ACT since that test seems to play well to your abilities and you scored much higher on it. Don't retake the SAT.

I personally find it difficult to list all my accomplishments in the checkboxes of the student activities and athletics sections. For the Additional Remarks section, I am planning to do a resume type of layout listing all my activities and accomplishments from freshman through senior year. Check out this excellent link for advice on filling out the Additional Remarks section: http://goldenknightbattalion.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/use-all-the-white-space/

Definitely don't leave the Additional Remarks section blank, use it as an opportunity to convey your SAL attributes to the scholarship board.
 
The way the system works, at least for AFROTC is they take the best score, and never show the other. They will take the 31 ACT and convert it to the SAT equivalent, which is much higher than a 1690.

They know some kids do better on one type of national test than the other. They also understand that in some parts of the country one test is more popular to take than the other. I.E. east coast kids take the SAT more frequently than the ACT, but the mid-section of our country ACTs are more popular than the SAT, thus they are accustomed to converting scores.

Don't worry.
 
Thanks! Out of curiosity, how much of a role does the PFT play in the selection? I know I can pass it, but I don't think I will be able to max it yet.
 
I believe the PFT counts for 150 points out of the total possible 1400 points of your Whole Person Score. I wouldn't worry about it too much though, just do your best. I have never seen a scoring table for the PFT, so it is hard to determine if you have maxed all the events. Just do your best and send in your scores.

Here is a post where I asked a question about the role of the PFT: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=27182

Prepare, do your best, and see what happens. Good luck!
 
You can assume it has a place, but not an critical one, since it is essentially unverified as to Army Standard. Any coach or teacher can administer the test, and everyone knows that many of those counting pushups and situps are probably very generous when it comes to giving credit for incomplete or bad form.

So what does that mean? It means the Application PFT is used to show you're not completely out of shape. It means that whatever score is on the application is taken with a grain, or even a lump, of salt. And it goes to the basic principle that information is only as good as its reliability, which in this case is not very high. The Army knows it can get a 180 APFT entering MSI to 280 within a couple of years, or even a year if they are serious and employ remedial training for any cadet under 280, as I've read one Battalion does.
 
Regarding sending in my transcripts, how should I go about this? Should I have my school mail it, or scan a copy and email it? Thanks!
 
It must be sent by the school.

First I have to print out the Transcript Request Form from the Army ROTC scholarship page and give it to my counselor, and then he fills that out and sends that, along with my official transcripts, to Cadet Command?
 
The Request for Transcript form explains that you can submit your transcript in three ways: mail, fax, or email. I have seen many posts on this forum that advise applicants to submit documents through email because it is faster. Cadet Command is not very fast with updating information, so I have found it best to scan and email everything that needs to be submitted.

Here is a blog post by a ROTC Enrollment Officer that advises you to submit information via email: http://goldenknightbattalion.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/can-you-hear-me-now/

Good luck!
 
The Request for Transcript form explains that you can submit your transcript in three ways: mail, fax, or email. I have seen many posts on this forum that advise applicants to submit documents through email because it is faster. Cadet Command is not very fast with updating information, so I have found it best to scan and email everything that needs to be submitted.

Here is a blog post by a ROTC Enrollment Officer that advises you to submit information via email: http://goldenknightbattalion.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/can-you-hear-me-now/

Good luck!

Thanks! So I would have to scan the Request for Transcript form and my official transcript and then send it in an email to cadet command?
 
Yes, that is how I submitted my transcript. Just have a guidance counselor or other school official fill out the Request for Transcript form and make sure they give you a signed or stamped copy of your official high school transcript.

Follow up with Cadet Command to make sure they have received your required documents. You can also check your application status here: https://schlr4yr.usarmyrotc.com/scholarshipstatus/
 
Yes, that is how I submitted my transcript. Just have a guidance counselor or other school official fill out the Request for Transcript form and make sure they give you a signed or stamped copy of your official high school transcript.

Follow up with Cadet Command to make sure they have received your required documents. You can also check your application status here: https://schlr4yr.usarmyrotc.com/scholarshipstatus/

Thanks! I just have to get my printer working before I can print it out. :smile: Only one more thing I am curious about: can I receive a scholarship to a school that I have not (yet) been accepted to?
 
Your application and acceptance to schools is a totally different process from the scholarship application. Make sure you are taking care of both processes. Can't tell you how many scholarship winners each year either don't get into the school they have a scholarship offer for, or don't even apply. There is a transfer process but it is not a guarantee. efirestone14...thanks for the Blog plug!
 
can I receive a scholarship to a school that I have not (yet) been accepted to?
Yes, which is why you need to consider the possibility of (not) placing a school on your AROTC application that you might not/probably will not get into through admissions. It's all about risk and reward, and the more you want to be an Army Officer irrespective of where you attend college, the more you want to only list schools on the AROTC Scholarship Application that you have a very good chance of getting into via Admissions.

For example, suppose after speaking with your college counselor, and reviewing stats, you conclude that you have a 20% chance of getting into Notre Dame, a 50% chance of getting into U of Michigan, and a 90% chance of getting into Michigan St, do you put Nortre Dame and Michigan on your AROTC app? Maybe, but you have to count the risk. What if your Scholarship is awarded to Notre Dame or U of Michigan, but you don't get into either one via Admissions? Then you have to roll the dice again and petition Cadet Command to transfer your scholarship award from Notre Dame or Michigan (whichever one you were awarded the Scholarship to) to Michigan St. If you'd simply not listed Michigan or Notre Dame, and only Michigan St or other schools you were pretty sure to get into, then you wouldn't be in a bind and have to roll the dice on a Transfer to Michigan St. You understand the moving parts?
 
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