Penn State ROTC

danbucchin

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2013
Messages
26
has anyone here gone through Penn State's ROTC program with a four year scholarship?
 
are you in-state? what other schools did you apply to?

Out of state. My schools are Citadel, Rutgers, VMI, Ceaorgia Tech, Penn State.
I did receive a 4yr NROTC yesterday to Rutgers. I am from Jersey.
 
I am also from Jersey and awaiting on Penn State AROTC. Did you guys receive your decisions from Penn State yet?
 
I am also from Jersey and awaiting on Penn State AROTC. Did you guys receive your decisions from Penn State yet?

No, it's the only school I didnt hear from yet. I am not sure, but I believe that Penn State accepts ROTC awardees. I heard that through the grapevine. Take it with a grain of salt. They are the only school Ive yet to hear from so far.
 
Im in state and I was accepted into the school a couple months ago but i'm still awaiting to see if I received an AROTC scholarship
 
I am an MSI on a 4-year scholarship (1 of 6) at Penn State. Last year my university acceptance came, I believe, second half of February. The Nittany Lion Battalion is very competative when it comes to earning a scholarship from Cadet Command's national board. Last year; I was informed that several hundred candidates applied for Penn State scholarships and only about 18 (six 4-year, twelve 3-year AD; could be incorrect) where offered. When it comes to in/out-state, I was instate and I know that at least four of the other 4-year guys were instate; I am not certain about the sixth.

With that said, the Nittany Lion Battalion is an excellent unit with a large and well experianced cadre, great cadet leadership, and many extracurricular acitvities/clubs. If you do not get the national scholarship here (or any for that matter) I highly encourage walking-on to Penn State. Our Battalion gets a good amount of campus scholarhsip money. I know of many walk-ons this year (not sure of total number) who recieved 3, 3.5, and even 4-year scholarships during the first semester. Many of the 3-year ADs were able to upgrade their's to 3.5 and 4-years as well. And remember, even if Penn State is not on your initial list; you can accept one of those schools and then request a transfer. That's what I did. However, there is no shame in going to another school. There are many great battalions. If you have any more specific questions, do not be afraid to send me a message.
 
thats very helpful thank you. If you wouldn't mind, what were your credentials such as SATs GPA etc?
 
SAT Math: 650
SAT Reading: 600
GPA: 3.5

I was also heavily involved in JROTC as a senior cadet officer as well as numerous other extracurricular activities.
 
Thanks for the advice, I really want to go to Penn State, so if I were to not get the scholarship, walking on at Penn State is very likely something I would do. I received my acceptance to Penn State a few weeks ago, now I am just hoping for the scholarship.
 
HEY!!!!!! I'm going to Penn State next year (either Army or AF)!! See you all up there next year :thumb:

No, it's the only school I didnt hear from yet.
When did you apply? Did you apply by priority deadline? Because if you did ... might want to try calling them to see where they are with the process. Actually; log onto your PSU admissions home page, and see what the status of your application is.

The Nittany Lion Battalion is very competative when it comes to earning a scholarship from Cadet Command's national board. Last year; I was informed that several hundred candidates applied for Penn State scholarships and only about 18 (six 4-year, twelve 3-year AD; could be incorrect) where offered.
... just curious do you know/can you find out, what percentage of cadets are on scholarship? When I went up for my interview in Dec; LTC Kennedy spoke of this very briefly at the very end ... I don't remember what the percentage was ... but for some reason "90%" sticks out ...

With that said, the Nittany Lion Battalion is an excellent unit with a large and well experianced cadre, great cadet leadership, and many extracurricular acitvities/clubs.
^LTC Kennedy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Question though - didn't get the chance to really delve into activities and such; but could you list some things (activities/clubs) that the Bn does (including cross-branch activities)?

Thanks for the advice, I really want to go to Penn State, so if I were to not get the scholarship, walking on at Penn State is very likely something I would do. I received my acceptance to Penn State a few weeks ago, now I am just hoping for the scholarship.
In the event that you don't get the scholarship, you should still contact the Bn anyways. Let them know that you are interested, that way come fall - you will have a bit of a head start in terms of scholarship hunting. Also helps put a face to a name with X freshmen cadets coming in (especially with a school like Penn State). If you get the chance to go up sometime (ie: on a accepted student day, etc etc), I would highly recommend that you give the Bn a call and let them know you will be up there for a day --> you just may be able to participate in some ROTC activities then. My interviewer (LTC Kennedy) offered to let me sit in on some classes, PT, activities etc next time I travel up there.

BTW - when you do call, give a call to LTC Bob Kennedy; wonderful man, very very friendly. Spoken with him on several different occasions.
 
Last edited:
Thompson,

He probably meant 90% were non-scholarship. 90% on scholarship is an extremely high number.
 
Thompson,
He probably meant 90% were non-scholarship. 90% on scholarship is an extremely high number.
That's what I was thinking - because there's no way, a school like Penn State would have 90% on scholarship ... would be nice though :smile:
 
Well, to go guys on your acceptances to Penn State. You all will have great experience there. Have faith regarding scholarships, but as stated they are tough to get there and if you do get them. You earned them. I travel to State College to get away from Harrisburg. Just got back from last weekends game men's basketball against Ohio State. They are not very good. They are building a new ice hockey arena. The men's and women's program just went Division 1, this year. I am line to get season tickets for them next season. Keep us posted on your progress. If you guys need anything, let me know. I am from Harrisburg.

RGK
 
To answer your questions, Thompson.

I have no idea what the percentage is for cadets on scholarship. Though I would say the percentage is larger, compared to some other schools.

We have a lot of extracurricular. For example I am a member of two AROTC clubs. One is the Ranger Challenge Club. In this club we do more frequent/vigorous PT and conduct tactical labs. We also have two special weeks. In the fall there is RAP week. This is primarily to push cadets in the club physically and mentally as well as using it to determine who will be brought on to the Ranger Challenge Team. Then there is RIP week, which is this week actually. This is much more intense and longer than RAP week. For the whole week, we have had to get up at 0400 and conduct PT for 2 hours. I believe they also do this to put together the Sandhurst Team.

The other club I am in is Lion's Guard. This club meets once a week and involves conducting color guards & drill and ceremony. In my opinion, these two clubs are the best because they involve physical exertion and drill.

The other clubs in the NLB are recruiting team, running club, shooting club, ROTC Boosters, and a THON club. We really do not do much with the other branches. I can't of anything from the top of my head, other than the Army v. Navy IM football game.
 
Thanks for all the help again. I plan on visiting Penn State in March for an accepted student visit, so I will definitely look into participating in some ROTC activities if I can.

Everyone else that received acceptances into Penn State, Can't wait to see you all next fall!
 
We really do not do much with the other branches.
... so, off the record - would you say that is due to rivalry/competition between branches? Or is that just because that's how it is.

Also, for Honor Guard - is there much cross-branch activity? (seems like there would for things such as sporting events?)
 
I wouldn't say it's because of rivalry. It's just that all the branches have their own schedules and activities. The only Tri-Service events I have attended was a memorial ceremony and the ceremony for a POW/MIA vigil. Although I do believe there is a tri-service awards ceremony during the spring semester.

And by the way, if you know you are going to Penn State and doing ROTC; look into the tri-service ROTC special living housing. It is exclusively for freshman cadets/midshipmen, and it is awesome. It's a great way to make friends in your branch and the others. All of the best and closest friends I have made are in this housing.
 
And by the way, if you know you are going to Penn State and doing ROTC; look into the tri-service ROTC special living housing. It is exclusively for freshman cadets/midshipmen, and it is awesome. It's a great way to make friends in your branch and the others. All of the best and closest friends I have made are in this housing.
Oh yes way ahead of you! ... on the subject, I noticed that ROTC SLO is located in Brumbaugh Hall, is that the entire dorm facility? Or specific floors?
 
Back
Top