NROTC scholarship deadline

mc2000

5-Year Member
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Jan 13, 2013
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Hi, I'm new to this forum. DS is applying for NROTC Marine option scholarship. He was planning to get his application in next weekend, as the deadline is January 31st. He just heard that applicants have already been selected for our district. I don't think he was aware that he needed to get it in early (other than the note that first choice school could be affected), and certainly didn't know that slots would fill up before the deadline. I've not been involved in this process at all, I thought it would good for him to pursue on his own if it's what he wants. Does anyone know if his application will still be reviewed by a later board? Are boards by district? I assumed all along this is something parents aren't involved in, but after coming across this forum I realize that was a bad assumption.
 
Hi, I'm new to this forum. DS is applying for NROTC Marine option scholarship. He was planning to get his application in next weekend, as the deadline is January 31st. He just heard that applicants have already been selected for our district. I don't think he was aware that he needed to get it in early (other than the note that first choice school could be affected), and certainly didn't know that slots would fill up before the deadline. I've not been involved in this process at all, I thought it would good for him to pursue on his own if it's what he wants. Does anyone know if his application will still be reviewed by a later board? Are boards by district? I assumed all along this is something parents aren't involved in, but after coming across this forum I realize that was a bad assumption.

There are only two boards. The first has met. If he gets his application in next weekend he'll be reviewed by the second board. There is no association with congressional districts on an NROTC scholarship. It's a national competition, so multiple people from the same district can win a scholarship. He should select schools that are in reach and at least one in-state school is required. Multiple in-states are OK and could conceivable increase his odds of a scholarship? But who really knows!

He should also select some schools that he can afford without the scholarship to allow him to enroll in NROTC MO without the scholarship (if that's affordable). He can then compete for an in school (sideload) scholarship beginning the second semester of his freshman year. This is the route my son took.

Where is he at on his college applications? Time is running out on those too. I suppose its even possible he's pass the deadline on some of them. He will need to be accepted by the school as well and that's on him to do. The college application is a separate process.

Good Luck! If you have any more questions feel free to post or PM me.

PS - its about time to get working on the FAFSA as well. Have him sit down with Mom and/or Dad to do it. You can fill out an early draft from your final pay stubs but you'll need your taxes complete for the final application.
 
Thank you for the advice and tips! What is NROTC MO? I don't know any of the acronyms. I was wondering what options he has if his application truly is too late, or if he is not selected.

He's completed all college apps. Was going through the list in order of due dates, which is why he didn't get the NROTC app in earlier. He also got the FAFSA done with the exception of completed taxes.

It seemed to him that he was being told there was no reason to apply since decisions were already made, but he will proceed anyway and advocate for himself. I don't know if there's anything I can do to understand the situation better, or if I should get involved at all.
 
Thank you for the advice and tips! What is NROTC MO? I don't know any of the acronyms. I was wondering what options he has if his application truly is too late, or if he is not selected.

He's completed all college apps. Was going through the list in order of due dates, which is why he didn't get the NROTC app in earlier. He also got the FAFSA done with the exception of completed taxes.

It seemed to him that he was being told there was no reason to apply since decisions were already made, but he will proceed anyway and advocate for himself. I don't know if there's anything I can do to understand the situation better, or if I should get involved at all.

NROTC MO means Naval ROTC Marine Option.
If he is not selected for a scholarship, he could still enter a college of his choice with a NROTC MO program as a college programmer (without scholarship) and basically it works almost entirely the same except you pay for tuition. Your son still participates in every activity (except the first two summer cruises). Also, as a college programmer you may compete for 3.5, 3, and 2 year scholarships.

If he gets his application in by the deadline then he should be boarded so do not give up hope on the scholarship yet.

I believe other options include PLC and OCS.
 
NROTC MO means Naval ROTC Marine Option.
If he is not selected for a scholarship, he could still enter a college of his choice with a NROTC MO program as a college programmer (without scholarship) and basically it works almost entirely the same except you pay for tuition. Your son still participates in every activity (except the first two summer cruises). Also, as a college programmer you may compete for 3.5, 3, and 2 year scholarships.

If he gets his application in by the deadline then he should be boarded so do not give up hope on the scholarship yet.

I believe other options include PLC and OCS.

PLC - Platoon Leaders Course. If accepted you train for two six week stints in Quantico, VA. First summer stint is usually between sophomore and junior year. Second summer stint is between Junior and Senior year. If you successfully complete the program you commission upon graduation.

OCS - Officer Candidate School. You complete college and if accepted you train for 10-12 weeks in Quantico. If you successfully complete the program you commission upon completion.

Personally, I'd recommend the college programmer route if the scholarship doesn't pan out. It takes real discipline to keep yourself in the proper training during the school year otherwise (IMO).

And I agree that he still has time to apply. Get 'er done!

Oh, here's a link to a youtube video that gives a pretty good overview of the NROTC Marine Option Program:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWnAgtMlgsk
 
Thanks Darrowboat and kinnem for the breath of hope and list of options. DS had most of the app complete with exception of essay for a while now. He finished first essay tonight and is right on top of the second. It was so disappointing to think he may have completely missed his chance. He is busy working 30 hours per week in addition to his full time course load, but he'll use the wee hours to finish up and then we hope for the best! Only school he applied EA for was MIT, unfortunately it was a no go. Won't hear back from most others until March. He applied to about a dozen - any advice on how to pick the 5 for NROTC? For example, he applied to Stanford another big reach - would it make sense to put that down if it's not likely?
 
Kinnem: Two boards

"There are only two boards. The first has met."

Really? I thought they met multiple times and it was a big secret when but was approx monthly. Every few weeks, someone says they just received the scholarship, so I tell DS and he checks the status. Every month feels like a new rejection and as the months go by, hopes are dwindling. If what you say is true, that's very good news but also puzzling based on what others have said.
 
"There are only two boards. The first has met."

Really? I thought they met multiple times and it was a big secret when but was approx monthly. Every few weeks, someone says they just received the scholarship, so I tell DS and he checks the status. Every month feels like a new rejection and as the months go by, hopes are dwindling. If what you say is true, that's very good news but also puzzling based on what others have said.

There are multiple boards for NROTC Navy Option but only 2 for NROTC Marine Option which is what OP says his DS is applying for.

And one's hopes are never over until the last board has met for any ROTC scholarship. But it's always wise to have plan B in place. You may not get a final answer until April so it's best to have plan B ready to go. Most colleges don't require an acceptance of an offer until May 1 so it leaves sufficient time to pull the trigger on a plan B.

We had to exercise plan B at DS's #1 choice school which included enrolling in NROTC as a college programmer. We didn't get the final word until almost mid-April but as plan B was ready to go it presented no problem.
 
Thank you

Thanks Kinnem for the clarification. As usual, a wealth of knowledge. Plan B is in place so we just wait.
 
mc2000: Part of the application process is an interview with a Marine Officer and a physical fitness test. These all come after the application but before the package is sent to the board.

Your son may want to consider contacting the local recruiter and giving them the heads up that the application is just about done and that you will need an interview. They can provide guidance on the next step. Alternatively, you son can research and find the Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for your area and contact him directly. This isn't a required step as the application will trigger this event but with the short timeframe you could run into scheduling difficulties.

There is plenty of advice on this forum regarding the interview and the physical fitness test. If you have additional questions, you can post them here.

Best wishes.
 
mc2000 said:
I assumed all along this is something parents aren't involved in, but after coming across this forum I realize that was a bad assumption.

Actually that was not a bad assumption at all. Once he gets to college he will be seen as a legal adult, and even the bursar at the school will lock you out until your child authorizes you the ability to talk to them. ROTC as a contracted cadet will adhere to the Privacy Act, and even if he authorized you with the unit, NROTCHQ will most likely not. Plus, he won't want Mommy or Daddy calling the det. to assist. At least that was our DS. He basically threatened us with dis-ownment if we even thought of it. We did think of it because they screwed up his payment, and now we were financially taking the hit. He assured us he would get it done. He did because he understand the levity of being locked out by the bursar for the next semester registration.

There are many cadets/mids that had parents assist them a lot when they were in the process, and once they were there in ROTC the kids had to catch up very quickly since Mom/Dad were in control prior.

ROTC is not collect a check and spend 3 hrs a week in it. It is a serious commitment and if their desire is only to collect the check, it will be hard to stick with it.

I am not saying that your child is in it for the check. I am saying he is now learning a lesson at an earlier age than the avg hs sr. aka 18 yo which is to come 8 months from now Mom and Dad won't be there with you. They won't be calling up the CoC on your behalf. This is on their shoulders.

When our DS was in HS and going through the AFROTC HSSP process I must have drummed it in his daily...I won't be going to college with you, it is up to you to stay on top of timelines. The only 3 things we did for him was:
1. Pay the college app fee and matriculation deposit...he had to inform us when it was due
2. Review his essay
3. Drive him for interviews and DoDMERB exam.

As a parent the DoDMERB is where he will really need the assistance. They are not accustomed to filling out medical questionnaires, especially when they have caveats, of meds after the age of 13. They immediately think about amoxycillin for a cold.

Get his medical records in order if you know that he might have a medical issue. A broken arm at 14, no surgery required is nothing. They expect kids to have broken bones, now broken bones with pins at 17, they are probably going to want additional info to see more from you regarding how it has healed since it was such a short time ago.
 
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Actually that was not a bad assumption at all. Once he gets to college he will be seen as a legal adult, and even the bursar at the school will lock you out until your child authorizes you the ability to talk to them. ROTC as a contracted cadet will adhere to the Privacy Act, and even if he authorized you with the unit, NROTCHQ will most likely not. Plus, he won't want Mommy or Daddy calling the det. to assist. At least that was our DS. He basically threatened us with dis-ownment if we even thought of it. We did think of it because they screwed up his payment, and now we were financially taking the hit. He assured us he would get it done. He did because he understand the levity of being locked out by the bursar for the next semester registration.

There are many cadets/mids that had parents assist them a lot when they were in the process, and once they were there in ROTC the kids had to catch up very quickly since Mom/Dad were in control prior.

ROTC is not collect a check and spend 3 hrs a week in it. It is a serious commitment and if their desire is only to collect the check, it will be hard to stick with it.

I am not saying that your child is in it for the check. I am saying he is now learning a lesson at an earlier age than the avg hs sr. aka 18 yo which is to come 8 months from now Mom and Dad won't be there with you. They won't be calling up the CoC on your behalf. This is on their shoulders.

When our DS was in HS and going through the AFROTC HSSP process I must have drummed it in his daily...I won't be going to college with you, it is up to you to stay on top of timelines. The only 3 things we did for him was:
1. Pay the college app fee and matriculation deposit...he had to inform us when it was due
2. Review his essay
3. Drive him for interviews and DoDMERB exam.

As a parent the DoDMERB is where he will really need the assistance. They are not accustomed to filling out medical questionnaires, especially when they have caveats, of meds after the age of 13. They immediately think about amoxycillin for a cold.

Get his medical records in order if you know that he might have a medical issue. A broken arm at 14, no surgery required is nothing. They expect kids to have broken bones, now broken bones with pins at 17, they are probably going to want additional info to see more from you regarding how it has healed since it was such a short time ago.

Hi Pima, I agree with you wholeheartedly once they're in the program. I also think the more a kid can handle on his own during the application process the better. But I think, during the application process, it's OK to make sure the kid is heading in the right direction. Some of these kids, even though they are interested in applying, have no clue on where to begin. I know my own son was talking about enlisting. He had never heard of NROTC so we took the steps necessary to get him started and then just followed up with "Have you scheduled that interview yet?" type stuff. But that's just my opinion. I don't think there is a right answer here, maybe just a right answer for a particular family.
 
Thank you everyone for the excellent advice. Son did contact his rep to set up the fitness test, and I think he already interviewed. You're right, there's not much time, so I think he'll do it this Saturday or next. I sure appreciate all the feedback!
 
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