Chance of getting an AROTC scholarship?

Credentials:
3.38 GPA weighted, planning on raising to a 3.5 by the end if the year.
2 years JV football 1 year varsity
2 years jv wrestling 2 years varsity and I am now captain this year.
4th Year in a JROTC program and I currently hold a NCO staff position.
Sat score: 1490- 470 reading 550 math 470 writing
That was my first time taking the SAT with no preparation and I know it is pretty low. I was suppose to take the SAT again today but the transaction did not go through when my mom signed me up so I'm pretty much stuck with my 1490 score since the scores are all due Jan 10 and the next SAT isn't until Jan 26.
Not really a credential but this is my 3rd HS since I am a military brat.

Would it be smart to just attend a college up here in Alaska(where I currently live) for the first two year and obtain a high GPA then re-apply for the Arotc scholarship if I don't get it the first time? I am planning on majoring in electrical engineering and was trying to get into NCSU(a nice engineering school) but I am pretty much screwed because of my SAT dilemma( maybe I can transfer into NCSU later).

Another option is attending University of Fairbanks Alaska, which is suppose to have a nice engineering program, for all four years. I just really want to join the military but I don't wont to join in enlisted unless I absolutely have too. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if this post really doesn't have a organization flow.

You need to take more responsibility for your goals and not blame your mother for any foul-ups.

The scores you reported are at the highest point on the SAT bell curve, which means they were average. There is no shame in being average (except in Lake Woebegone) but if you want to be an Army officer, you will have to be above average.

Even with your wrestling responsibilities, the March 2013 board may give you time to work on improving your SAT scores, if you are motivated to do this. (If my understanding is not accurate, and you can't add the new scores to your file, someone please correct me).

There are a number of ways to achieve a commission. The best way, though not the only one, would be to participate in AROTC from the beginning. Can you get admitted as a freshman to the University of Alaska, where ROTC is offered? If not there are other options. You haven't mentioned whether obtaining an ROTC scholarship is essential, though your suggestion that you might apply later indicates it is not.

As many on these boards have advised, you need a Plan B and probably a Plan C.

I agree with everything EDelahanty said especially the part about trying to get accepted into a school with a ROTC unit whether that be in Alaska or NC. Take the Jan 26 test and prepare hard for it. Do this regardless of whether it helps for the scholarship now or not (and I too think it could help with the March Board). I recommend this because:
1. It could still help you get admitted to say NCSU (which won't happen with your current SAT scores).
2, If you go to a school for two years and attempt to transfer your current scores won't support it. You need to get them up NOW.
3. It could still help you with scholarship monies from other sources
4. If you do get into ROTC with or without a scholarship, those SAT scores will live with you for a long long time. They are part of everything that happens to you in ROTC. Get those scores up NOW.

Aside from those SAT scores you look like a solid candidate to me. I sympathize as my DS had some similar experiences, but as EDelahanty said you need to take responsibility for it yourself, and move on... ensuring it never happens again. Told DS the same thing and he has made things happen as a result. You do the same.

Once you are enrolled in ROTC at a college and establish a college GPA your SAT scores are irrelevant. Compete for a scholarship with the scores you have. They aren't the worst I've seen. If you get a scholarship offer, great. If you don't go to school, enroll in ROTC and study your butt off to establish a solid GPA. If you are going into an engineering program, and you show up hitting on all cylinders you have a good shot at a campus based scholarship. You should also consider the SMP program. I would not recommend a plan that includes transferring, since that entails entering a new program at a critical time in your ROTC development. It also entails you having a good understanding of what classes will tranfer and what will be required at your new school.
good luck

clarksonarmy said:

Once you are enrolled in ROTC at a college and establish a college GPA your SAT scores are irrelevant. Compete for a scholarship with the scores you have. They aren't the worst I've seen. If you get a scholarship offer, great. If you don't go to school, enroll in ROTC and study your butt off to establish a solid GPA. If you are going into an engineering program, and you show up hitting on all cylinders you have a good shot at a campus based scholarship. You should also consider the SMP program. I would not recommend a plan that includes transferring, since that entails entering a new program at a critical time in your ROTC development. It also entails you having a good understanding of what classes will tranfer and what will be required at your new school.
good luck

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Hi Clarkson. Do SAT scores fall by the wayside in AROTC if one is NOT contracted? I know in NROTC, if you're not contracted, they will still play a role at least until you are contracted. And from other posts they seem to stay with you in AFROTC at least through SFT selection, contracted or not. Just want to make sure I fully understand.

I guess technically SAT scores are still considered, but once you've got a College GPA you've either confirmed or denied that you are able to do college work. When we board cadets on campus we are mostly looking at GPA. Perhaps in a bigger program test scores may help separate a large pool of campus based applicants, but in a smaller Battalion like Clarkson we will mainly be looking at GPA.

Sorry if it sounded like I was blaming my mom, I should have put a disclaimer down or something lol. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was blaming my mom. I was right there when she was signing me up for the SAT and I watched when she finished and the screen that allowed us to print the ticket popped up. Of course we should've printed the ticket out then but who could have known the transaction wouldn't have gone through? So I don't blame my mom, mostly myself for not taking the SATs earlier.

Anyway, thanks for all of the replies, greatly appreciated!

clarksonarmy said:

I guess technically SAT scores are still considered, but once you've got a College GPA you've either confirmed or denied that you are able to do college work. When we board cadets on campus we are mostly looking at GPA. Perhaps in a bigger program test scores may help separate a large pool of campus based applicants, but in a smaller Battalion like Clarkson we will mainly be looking at GPA.

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Thanks Clarkson. That makes sense.