Chances I get an army rotc scholarship?

SOONERS96

5-Year Member
Joined
May 12, 2013
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I am a junior in high school right now, my stats are:
1940 SAT (1300/1600) retaking June 1
28 ACT
Eagle Scout
4.1 GPA
Football (3 years)
Tae Kwon Do
National Honor Society
German Honor Society

Also, I play offensive line and am currently weighing 250lbs (not a fat 250 though) and I plan on cutting about 30lbs after the season. I know that for the ROTC scholarship you have to take the PFT soon, what should I do?
P.S. I have to be pretty big up here in NOVA to start on the o-line and I don't want to have to lose 30lbs now before the season starts.
 
Academics and athletics look pretty good, what about leadership (other than the scouting)?
Student Government or any elected to any positions? Positions of responsibility, jobs etc?
 
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What colleges are you applying to?

For AROTC that is going to be a player in the equation too.

I am assuming when you say NOVA, you mean No. VA. Your moniker (sooners) made me ask where you are from. If you want OK, and you are from NoVA, than you would be classified OOS, and that is a factor. Caveat, if you are a military child, than I can see it not being as such if the folks are residents of OK.

Your weight won't be an issue for PFT, unless you think you will get lower scores. It may be an issue for DoDMERB, and if you are above their max, they will tape you, thus, if you are all muscle, the weight probably won't be a problem because your BMI will be low.
 
I'm planning on applying to Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. I'm also applying to USMA (I know that I most likely won't get in, but I don't want to burn my bridges in case I decide to reapply after one year in college). I was born in Oklahoma while my dad was stationed there but I don't think I am qualified for in-state.
Also, I have been informed that the money starts rolling out for these scholarships around August 1; should I wait until november when I would be in my peek shape or would I be better off getting my application in early to take advantage of the first-come-first-serve?
 
I'm planning on applying to Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. I'm also applying to USMA (I know that I most likely won't get in, but I don't want to burn my bridges in case I decide to reapply after one year in college). I was born in Oklahoma while my dad was stationed there but I don't think I am qualified for in-state.
Also, I have been informed that the money starts rolling out for these scholarships around August 1; should I wait until november when I would be in my peek shape or would I be better off getting my application in early to take advantage of the first-come-first-serve?

Scholarships do not start rolling out in August. The first Board meets in October. Try and have your application ready and finalized by the end of September.
 
I would highly recommend that you have a second in-state school on your list because VT is one of the most competitive schools (as are all the SMCs) for ROTC scholarships. It doesn't need to be high up your list, but it gives Cadet Command options if they have filled the slots at your top choice schools with higher scoring candidates.

If you are worried about the weight thing, when you schedule your interview, request that you be taped and have that entered in your interview notes. We did that for my daughter who plays a position that typically requires a more muscular build.

If you are worried about taping requirement, you can find the charts with a simple google search.
 
I'm planning on applying to Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. I'm also applying to USMA (I know that I most likely won't get in, but I don't want to burn my bridges in case I decide to reapply after one year in college). I was born in Oklahoma while my dad was stationed there but I don't think I am qualified for in-state.
Also, I have been informed that the money starts rolling out for these scholarships around August 1; should I wait until november when I would be in my peek shape or would I be better off getting my application in early to take advantage of the first-come-first-serve?

I suggest that you do not delay your application because of some imagined November peak condition. Your academic and other records thus far look good, and as said earlier could be enhanced by addition of a leadership role. A high school football season can grind you down. As a 250 lb lineman, you could get your ankle stepped on by a 300 lb. teammate or get chop-blocked by two 200 lb. opponents.

The rotc application requires your score for a one mile run, one minute of curl-ups, and one minute of pushups. You should be able to achieve an acceptable score just by virtue of your summer conditioning.

Of greater concern to me would be the potential handicap caused by your bulk, which could potentially increase over the next six or eight months. Hustling 275 lbs. over a two mile APFT run will not be easy. However, you would have plenty of time to gradually reduce your weight in time for your freshman year.
 
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I agree with goalie regarding placing another IS on the list.

As an example, VT on a whole rarely ever takes off the waitlist for applicants. I would assume if the college isn't taking off the list, that ROTC would be filled up also.

Many IS students that want an SMC life will apply to VT, and although your stats appear to be on par for admission, they may have many more higher caliber applicants applying for the scholarship. Remember VA, especially NoVA is filled with a lot of military dependents. VT was our DDs number 1 choice (not in ROTC). Her stats were a tad higher, (29 ACT, 4.17 cgpa, AICE Cambridge program, all honors or AP classes, magna cum laude. She applied for ED, and was placed into RD decision pool.

I would look into GMU or maybe VCU. I believe JMU also has AROTC (not sure). I know ODU does, and that would def. be a safety for admissions purposes with your stats. Your stats are on the higher ranger for acceptance at the other colleges, in college application terms, are a strong match.

You stated Dad was stationed in OK when you were born. Every state has different levels to prove residency. You may want to check into it. For example, until Bullet retired in 08 we were AK residents. Lived there from 95 to 98. No longer owned a home there, owned a home in NC and VA. However, because his driver's license, voting and bank account was still in AK they considered him a resident. Ironically, because we owned a home in NC, and I had my license in NC, plus a banking account, and Bullet was military, our kids were allowed to be residents there too for college admissions purposes.

One of our friends DS went to Ohio State. He never lived a day of his life in the state. His parents were stationed in CO, where they owned a home. OSU, considered him IS because his Mom kept her residency in OH.

It is a little loophole that works for many kids, even if their parents reside in another state. Talk to your folks, and investigate to see if you can be an OK resident.

I would also look at the sticky here (on top of the ROTC page) to see if there are any schools that you like that would classify you as IS. I.E TAMU, offers to ROTC candidates IS rates. Not because of ROTC per se, but at an SMC you cannot be in ROTC without being in the Corp. If you are in the Corps, they will give a $1000 scholarship, and that scholarship triggers you into paying the IS rates.

Some other colleges do the same, some just give reduced costs for ROTC scholarship recipients, some give to all ROTC cadets.

Finally, the Officer Wives Civilian Clubs in No VA offer scholarships every yr. They meet in March. It is a one time only scholarship, and each club has different limits, it can range from 250 to 2500. Ask your GC if they know about this. If they don't ask them to investigate. There is one that is at Ft. Meade (Greater Washington Club). You don't have to be an AD military dependent to apply.

I also agree with ED. As a Mom of an O line FB player, I wouldn't risk waiting for the end of the season. Our DS got a severe concussion as a sr. 2 weeks off the field, and no practices. He was lucky. Another play while he wasn't playing got hit, and broke his leg.

I know our DS's school starts practicing in July, and they allowed them to miss 3 days of practice over the summer. I would talk to your FB coach and ask him to miss one day, because you will be too tired to get a good PT score after 8 hrs in the sun. Than ask him if he will administer it after he is done with practices. He is allowed to give it for you because he is a coach.

Just food for thought as you start this journey...it is a marathon. It is best to be prepared for 9 months of a rollercoaster ride.
 
Thanks all of you for your input.
I was really only considering VT if I do not win a scholarship. If I do win one than I would definitely go to the University of Oklahoma. Therefore, if I do not win one I would stay in state at VT due to tuition costs. I haven't really considered any other in state schools but I am keeping an open mind to recommendations (except GMU because I could walk there from my house and what's the point of college if my parents live 3 minutes away :wink:). How does the military award match the scholarships to the schools though? That part was always unclear to me.

We definitely have rigorous off season conditioning so I'm sure that I will be ready for the PFT around the start of 2-a-days. Both of my coaches sons go to West Point so I might be able to convince him to let me skip a whole day of practices since I would be doing it to pursue ROTC, other wise I would have to do it on a Sunday or something. Also, what tests are included in the PFT? Mainly I am worried about pull-ups. I haven't tried the other tests but I am confident that I can crank out up wards of 60 push-ups and probably about 75 sit ups. How much do these tests play a role in the boards decisions? If I was awarding scholarships I would think that an athletic 6'4 football player would be a better soldier than a scrawny 5'8 guy...even if he could do more pull-ups (that might just be my bias though :smile:).
 
There are no pull ups in the PFT so your safe there.

For the PFT you will need to do:

Max Push Up's in one minute
Max Sit Up's in one minute
One mile run.

The official APFT will be 2 minutes for each Sit Up and Push Up's, and a 2 mile run.

From the weight numbers you mentioned it sounds like you will need to do the Tape Test for the scholarship application. Make sure you do an early Tape Test to see where your at so your not blindsided when you submit your application. Your application will not be sent to the boards if you are over the height/weight limits and you have not had a Tape Test and passed.
 
I can't seem to find it on the web, but what are the measurements I have to meet for the tape test?
 
1 Maximum weight is for ages 17-20 for males and females IAW AR 40-501, dtd 27 Jun 06 (entry level requirements). Maximum Body Fat for MALES: 17-20 (26%), 21-27 (26%), 28-39 (28%), 40+ (30%) Maximum Body Fat for FEMALES: 17-20 (32%), 21-27 (32%), 28-39 (34%), 40+ (36%)

2 Although you may qualify for a scholarship if you are within the maximum weight for Army ROTC, every effort should be made to stay within the weights established for active duty. Active duty weight requirements are more stringent than those required of Army ROTC cadets. Failure to meet and remain within these parameters may result in the loss of a scholarship if offered. (AR 600-9, dtd 1 Sep 06)


Tape test is used to calculate %body fat - look up %body fat tape test on web and there are several programs that will tell what to measure and than turn the measurement inot body fat %

http://www.calculator.net/army-body-fat-calculator.html
 
. . . I'm also applying to USMA (I know that I most likely won't get in, but I don't want to burn my bridges in case I decide to reapply after one year in college). . .

If you think you are not going to get it, you won't get in. My opinion, it's not best 1200 applicants that get accepted into West Point, rather it's 1200 out of 1900+/- full qualified. I always advise anyone interested in West Point to apply, give 100%, and see what happens. Even if you don't get in, whatever you did to improve yourself will help with getting into another college/scholarship.

Unfortunately for you, NoVA is very competitive for USMA. If you did is still in the military, check his residence for tax purposes. Some MOCs don't have probleme giving out nominations to childern of military members, regardless of where they live, as long as they can claims state residency.

Ask your football coach, it you are a Div I football propsect. West Point don't usually get 300 lbs offensive linemen, but 250 lbs, you are in the ball park, weight wise, for West Point. Doesn't hurt to pursue all the options.

It sounds like you are committed to becoming an Army officer, if so consider enlisting Active/NG/Reserve to qualify to a soldier nomination. Soldiers compete againt each other. If you are a soldier, your stats will definitely get you into the Prep school or possibly a direct appointment. West Point is not for everybody, but the way I see it is if you are committed to becoming an Army officer West Point is a good place to start. Upto 20% incoming class don't come straight from high school.

Good luck.
 
Active Duty:

Maximum Body Fat Percentages:

Female Age Groups
Age 17-20 21-27 28-39 40+
Body Fat % 30% 32% 34% 36%
Male Age Groups
Age 17-20 21-27 28-39 40+
Body Fat % 20% 22% 24% 26%
 
Sounds great! I measured myself and found that I am just about 3% over the limit. To combat this I went out and purchased healthy lunch items so that I can start packing my lunches (turkey, carrots, almonds etc.). Also, apart from my regular football workouts where we lift up to 6 days a week, I have planned a routine of 2x50 sit ups and 2x50 push ups to do before bed, as well as waking up at 6am and running approximately a mile around my neighborhood before school ( as I heard that running in the morning makes your body use your stored energy [fat] more effectively, thus cutting those last couple inches around my midsection). I hope that I have started this early enough to see results before my PFT. Thanks everyone for their input, it has meant a lot to me! :shake:
 
Sounds great! I measured myself and found that I am just about 3% over the limit. To combat this I went out and purchased healthy lunch items so that I can start packing my lunches (turkey, carrots, almonds etc.). Also, apart from my regular football workouts where we lift up to 6 days a week, I have planned a routine of 2x50 sit ups and 2x50 push ups to do before bed, as well as waking up at 6am and running approximately a mile around my neighborhood before school ( as I heard that running in the morning makes your body use your stored energy [fat] more effectively, thus cutting those last couple inches around my midsection). I hope that I have started this early enough to see results before my PFT. Thanks everyone for their input, it has meant a lot to me! :shake:
Glad you are being proactive about this; rather than waiting until before school starts to start.
 
My updated SAT score from the June 1 test is a 2030
CR: 690
M: 700
WR: 640

With these scores am i a virtual lock for a full scholarship or do I Need to take the SAT again?
 
THERE IS NEVER A LOCK!

Especially for A/NROTC because the scholarship is tied to the college and the cadet. Take it again because they do superscore. 20 pts can be a make or break.

There are many hurdles in front of you.

1. The pool changes every yr.
~~~ 2030 could be a lock for VT or OK this yr., but come Sept. it might be 2130.
2. You are over the max BMI.
3. We don't know your PFA scores.
4. Medical...yes, you play FB, but DoDMERB can be the curve ball.

Your overall resume is very strong.

5 yrs here, and as much as I respect this site, it would be wrong for anyone to give you a chance IMPO. I have seen candidates that I thought no way in Hades, but they get a scholarship. I have seen candidates that I thought were a sure shot and got a TWE.

Nobody here sits on the board. If they did they would remain silent as the grave regarding your chances.

Just apply and let the chips fall where they may.
 
+1 to PIMA.. Also attitude is increadably important!!! While I applaude your confidence I would caution you to not that it not morph into cockiness. As PIMA said no such thing as a lock. As far as DoDMERB is concerned this is what will likely happen. If you apply to USMA ( or any other academy) and are deemed competitive the academy will likely send you to DoDMERB for a physical this summer. This is what happened with my DS. I mention this because it does give you a slight advantage over kids who do not apply to SA's. How you ask? You will have the DoDMERB completed before most have even applied to ROTC. If the physical comes back qualified then you have one less thing to worry about. If not then you have from August to the following September to address any issues and get waived/remedial/qualified/not qualified. Best of luck in your quest.:thumb:
 
My updated SAT score from the June 1 test is a 2030
CR: 690
M: 700
WR: 640

With these scores am i a virtual lock for a full scholarship or do I Need to take the SAT again?

Your scores look good, you can always take the test again and see if you can raise any of the sections. You would probably not be able to retake the test and have the new scores submitted before the first board meets in Oct.

You should use these scores on your application and make sure you have everything submitted in time too make the first board, if you do decide to take the SAT again you can send in your updated scores (if they are higher), if you are not selected by the first board.

Work this summer to get your weight in check and work toward having a good PFT. You can wait until the end of summer to submit your Height/Weight and PFT scores.

Really think about your school selections, make sure you list schools that you would be willing to attend. Don't just select all Tier 1 type school, have some safety schools. Some school's ROTC programs have quite a few applicants and the compition can be tough even with stats like yours. Remember, a large or popular ROTC battalion does not always mean it is the best, ROTC is what you make of it, you can do very well at smaller lesser known battalions, many do.

Once you start your application you will be directed to have an interview, you can do this even if your application is not totally completed.

As Pima said, nothing is ever a "Lock", there are too many variables. You have what seems to be strong stats and stand as good a chance as anyone with comparable stats. Work on the weight and the PFT, this will make to a much more well rounded applicant.

Sheriff3 is spot on about Dodmerb and applying to WP, it's always nice to have that out of the way early in case there are any issues.

Best of luck.
 
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