Non Engineering/Math/Science Majors in NROTC/NROTC-MO

I'm a junior in highschool this year, brand new to this forum, and I've got a couple questions about the NROTC and NROTC-MO scholarships. I'm still not sure which option I'm most interested in. From what I understand from the Marine recruiter, you can choose any major, however engineering, math, and science majors are preferable. I'd like to major in broadcasting, so I'm definitely not on the preferred list. I'm assuming if your stats are high enough though that doesn't really matter. However, the Navy recruiter made it seem like I wasn't really a candidate for the NROTC scholarship, and to be honest, he wasn't very polite or informative. I have a 3.9 GPA, Top 5% of my class, and I've been active in FBLA, Beta, FCCLA, and NHS since Freshman year. I've taken the ACT once with a composite score of 26 (the Navy recruiter said I need a combined English and Math score of 49, mines 48). My AFQT score is 86. I'm still not sure which schools I'm looking at, but U of Missouri is definitely an option.

I guess what I'm asking is what do I need to get to in order to be able to pick a nonpreferred major and receive the scholarship?

Also, I feel like this recruiter isn't really willing to help me get where I want to be. How do I deal with this?

Have you taken the SATs yet and are you in any leadership positions? Athletics? And yes math is very important in NROTC scholarship applications.

I haven't taken the SAT. I'm a low level supervisor at the restaurant that I work at, and I was heavily involved in 4H up until last year. I'm also president of the Art Club and the Political Science Club, but I don't think that's really counted as a leadership position.

Also, no athletics besides my weight training class.

well im not an expert on this stuff as somepeople on here are but i would suggest taking the november SAT and reconsider a tier 1 or 2 major. vary few make it out of tier 3 and the are usually the complete package. also if you decide to go for rotc get your application in before August.

Even with marine option?

not totally sure but wouldnt hurt im a nrotc applicant but not MO but the two things i would take frommy last post would be
1. SAT in november
2. apply early

Lnor said:

Even with marine option?

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Marine Option really doesn't care what you major is. Marines are about Physical Fitness and Leadership. Look into the Marine PFT. A Perfect score would be 20 pullups, 100 crunches in 2 minutes, and 3 miles in 18:00. You will need to do this as part of your application. If you were to hit 15 pullups, 75 crunches, and 21:00 run you would probably be OK. They love bruising team sports like football, lacrosse and captains of those teams, but it is what it is and you do have some leadership. Take the SAT a couple times and take the ACT again. Since your a junior, do you have time for cross country?

The only thing anyone here can tell you for sure us that you don't have a chance if you don't apply.

kinnem said:

Marine Option really doesn't care what you major is. Marines are about Physical Fitness and Leadership. Look into the Marine PFT. A Perfect score would be 20 pullups, 100 crunches in 2 minutes, and 3 miles in 18:00. You will need to do this as part of your application. If you were to hit 15 pullups, 75 crunches, and 21:00 run you would probably be OK. They love bruising team sports like football, lacrosse and captains of those teams, but it is what it is and you do have some leadership. Take the SAT a couple times and take the ACT again. Since your a junior, do you have time for cross country?

The only thing anyone here can tell you for sure us that you don't have a chance if you don't apply.

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Lnor said:

Even with marine option?

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Yea i would trust him he really knows his stuff he helped me alot! thanks by the way!

My school is tiny, if we had sports like soccer and cross country I'd be playing them. We only have volleyball, softball, and basketball for girls. I forgot to mention that. I'm a chick.

Sent you a PM

Lnor said:

My school is tiny, if we had sports like soccer and cross country I'd be playing them. We only have volleyball, softball, and basketball for girls. I forgot to mention that. I'm a chick.

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Whoa! You're a chick! I guess it's understandable you would overlook that MINOR detail! Well, those PFT scores I gave you were for men. Go here to find the chart for females (no pullups, flexed arm hang instead):

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marines/l/blfitfemale.htm

One of those teams would have helped but not everyone has skills with a ball. If it was a sport which involved a ball my kid just couldn't master it, so he became a wrestler. Anyway do well on that test and you can overcome the lack of sports. The ability to work with and lead others comes through a small bit on the clubs you are president of. Being a chick may help but I really don't know. There are several Marine Option chicks in my son's battallion. Good Luck!

Lnor:

Seems to me you've got three options.

1) NROTC - Navy Option. Your lowest chance, due to your ACT being under 30, and your Tier III desired major. You need to understand the NROTC scholarship is really an Engineering/Science scholarship with a teeny tiny portion allocated to non STEM. The Naval Academy for next year has mandated that 65% of its mids be STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) majors. This is a new policy and clearly reveals that the NAVY wants STEM above all else. Also understand that all Navy OPtion mids in NROTC must take a full year of Calculus, and a full year of Calculus-based Physics, regardless of Major. Chance of scholarship: under 5%

2) NROTC - Marine Option. Decent chance, but your weakness here is LEADERSHIP. Marines are hyper into Leadership, hyper into Fitness, will accept some less than brainiac academics. Due to your lack of demonstrated Leadership, even assuming you can bring your PFT score high, chances are under 25%. Maybe you can shore up the Leadership component of your application between now and next summer?

3) AROTC - since you are interested in Marine Option NROTC, you might be interested in Army ROTC. Your Major isn't going to be a drawback with AROTC, unless they've changed direction. Leadership still needs shoring up. Are you able to run for Student Council office? Editor of Yearbook? Captain of any sports team? Chances: between 25% - 45%, my guess.