2 questions about NROTC app

debbie1215

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
6
My DS applied for NROTC Marine option many months ago. He has heard NOTHING - no e-mail, no letter, portal states "your application has been submitted online. Your application is at your local recruiter for initial processing" Then it lists a name of a marine recruiter.
So what does this mean - at this late date, I assume that either he did not get it, or perhaps it wasn't even processed correctly. If the latter is the case we will be totally upset. Or did the portal just never update?
Now on to the 2nd part of the question - he has already decided to attend Penn State and is enrolling in NROTC there - already met with commander and staff, etc.
He is getting conflicting info from others who say he can apply again online for scholarship as long as he has less than 30 college credits. This is in contrast to what we learned from the NROTC unit at PSU. They told us he would apply through them in the fall for college program option - which i am assuming is a 2 or 3 year scholarship.

All so confusing...would appreciate any help on how to proceed!
 
My DS applied for NROTC Marine option many months ago. He has heard NOTHING - no e-mail, no letter, portal states "your application has been submitted online. Your application is at your local recruiter for initial processing" Then it lists a name of a marine recruiter.
So what does this mean - at this late date, I assume that either he did not get it, or perhaps it wasn't even processed correctly. If the latter is the case we will be totally upset. Or did the portal just never update?
Now on to the 2nd part of the question - he has already decided to attend Penn State and is enrolling in NROTC there - already met with commander and staff, etc.
He is getting conflicting info from others who say he can apply again online for scholarship as long as he has less than 30 college credits. This is in contrast to what we learned from the NROTC unit at PSU. They told us he would apply through them in the fall for college program option - which i am assuming is a 2 or 3 year scholarship.

All so confusing...would appreciate any help on how to proceed!

Lots of questions there.

First, did your son ever have an interview and do the PFT? If so, then I expect the portal just never got updated. I suppose it could also be that the application was mishandled after that. If he had no interview or PFT then the whole thing was mishandled.

If you son does NOT enroll in NROTC, then he can apply again for the high school scholarship online as he did this past year. (At least that's my understanding).

If your son enrolls in NROTC as a college programmer, then he will apply for what's called a sideload (or in-school) scholarship through the battalion. It's a different process. My DS got his scholarship that way during his sophomore year. There are 2, 2.5, and 3 year scholarships. My DS won a 2 year.

I think enrolling in NROTC is the way to go myself. I think being in NROTC helped my son make the transition to college and also helped him excel academically. I don't think he would have done as well without being in NROTC.

Tell your son to keep his nose clean, volunteer when possible, do well on the PFT and do well academically. If his SAT scores need improvement (it's still considered) then retake the SAT. There are not gobs of money available for Marine Option sideload scholarships, but there are some available. Good luck to him. :thumb:
 
First, did your son ever have an interview and do the PFT? If so, then I expect the portal just never got updated. I suppose it could also be that the application was mishandled after that. If he had no interview or PFT then the whole thing was mishandled.

I agree with kinnem.

Your son should also look into the PLC Program. Last I checked, more Marine Officers are commissioned via this program than any other.

There are many ways to earn a commission. If you missed the NROTC scholarship window this time around there are still lots of options to pursue.

Good luck
 
Thanks for the replies. Yes kinnem - my son did have his pft testing and candidate interview, but not sure yet what happened to his application. He emailed the local recruiter whose name was listed on his portal. Hoping we get some answers. My guess is any window of opportunity is now closed.
He will definitely continue to pursue scholarships through ROTC - he us thinking of changing his focus to Navy since the ROTC commander at PSU said 2 & 3 year marine option scholarships are very few and far between.
His main goal is becoming a commissioned officer. Scholarship money would be a nice plus but his biggest fear is being disenrolled due to not receiving scholarship or advance standing!!
Hoping for the best and thank you!!
 
Thanks for the replies. Yes kinnem - my son did have his pft testing and candidate interview, but not sure yet what happened to his application. He emailed the local recruiter whose name was listed on his portal. Hoping we get some answers. My guess is any window of opportunity is now closed.
He will definitely continue to pursue scholarships through ROTC - he us thinking of changing his focus to Navy since the ROTC commander at PSU said 2 & 3 year marine option scholarships are very few and far between.
His main goal is becoming a commissioned officer. Scholarship money would be a nice plus but his biggest fear is being disenrolled due to not receiving scholarship or advance standing!!
Hoping for the best and thank you!!

It may not hurt to keep his options open. He should continue academically as though he were going Navy (i.e. Calculus and Physics plus starting his major). He probably won't need to make a final decision until he applies for the sideload scholarship. Also, if he pursues the Navy academics and elects to pursue Marines, it's easier to switch to Navy later if he decides to do that.

Just some things to keep in mind. You and your son will know best how to proceed.
 
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