AROTC Essay

degli

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My son will be applying for an AROTC scholarship. Who could he run his essay by before submitting? His English/lit teacher has not responded yet, off for summer break. Also, is he behind in submitting his application at this point? thanks!
 
AROTC is the only one that takes senior year into consideration as well, so no, he's not behind. It's not rolling admissions like the other branches, so as long as he gets everything in by the first board in October, he's good to go!
 
Thinking better to get things rolling in the summer. What about the essay? Should he have an Army recruiter preview before submitting? He will still be trying to get a hold of his english teacher.
 
Actually, AROTC does not take senior year academics into account for the scholarship application. What he can put on his application are any clubs, leadership, captain of athletic teams and varsity sports for his senior year. It is sometimes hard for the kids to anticipate what they will be doing their senior year so it's ok to wait until school starts to make sure he gets everything included.

Like it was said above, the first board is October 21st so just make sure he has everything in at least 2 weeks before, he can submit what he has and then make adjustments as well. The essay is important but not as much as with NROTC since it's only one. Just try and stay away from too many clichés and speak to why he wants to do ROTC and serve in the Army. If he can't get in touch with his english teacher, have others read it, see if there is an English Professor at a local college that can review the essay, not sure a recruiter will be the best place, he could end up walking out enlisted in the reserves. Most recruiters won't have the background your looking for in an essay review.

The scholarship process is actually a rolling admissions in a sense. There are 3 boards, if he is not selected on the first board his application will be rolled over to the next board. Applicants can wait and submit their applications for the second or third boards if the choose, it is better to get it in for the first board so he has three chances.

On thing to remember, once the application has been revirewed by the board he can't make any changes or additions other then SAT/ACT scores or School choices, so make sure he has everything he wants on the application when he sends it in.

If he is not sure but anticipates being in a leadership position or a varsity sport after the application deadline, it's best to put it on the application.

Best of luck to your son.
 
Thinking better to get things rolling in the summer. What about the essay? Should he have an Army recruiter preview before submitting? He will still be trying to get a hold of his English teacher.

Nope not a recruiter, an Army recruiter is for enlisted personnel, not officers.
For starters read this; link

Have someone look it over for grammar, spelling, punctuation - any of his old English teachers.

The advice my DS got, was rather than just repeat what they all ready know (or see on most essays) to explain why he wants to be an officer, something that makes an emotional connection, especially if he is not from a military family.

The PMS from his second choice school (who we later learned read every essay that applied to his school) wrote my DS an e-mail, followed up with a phone call and recruited him to his school. Essays matter, I think the essay made up for a average resume'
 
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The essay is important but not as much as with NROTC since it's only one. Just try and stay away from too many clichés and speak to why he wants to do ROTC and serve in the Army.
The key to the essay is to find a way to separate your son from the others - he should write some that is unique to himself only. There's plenty of applicants who always write, that they want the scholarship because they want to serve their country. There's nothing wrong with this (perfectly fine) ... but, it's common - it doesn't bring out the uniqueness factor out of your son.

If your son can't find an English teacher, at the very least have some of his responsible friends check over it for all of that grammar, punctuation - all that good Englishy stuff.
 
When DS was applying I read the book "How to Win ROTC Scholarships"
Brewer, C. W. as a guide since we didn't know anyone who had gone through the process. There is a chapter on how to write the essay and what the board is looking for. I thought it was excellent! It really helped us to see that DS was not answering the question. I guess you could say he was putting in the fluff like others stated. It also helped him with the interview. Basically the entire process.

I read it as well as DS. It is extremely informational and I recommend it to anyone applying to ROTC as well as one of the academies. Good luck!!!
 
http://goldenknightbattalion.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/the-whole-person-score-what-is-it/
I wouldn't lose a lot of sleep over the essay. When the board members review a file they will be lucky if they even have the time to read the essay. The CBEF on the application will have more impact on your chances than the essay ever will. I'm not telling you not to take the time to submit a well crafted, thoroughly spell checked essay, but it's not going to make or break your chances.

Why didn't I think to write a book and charge $17, instead of giving the advice away for free on a blog. Probably why I'm still just a ROO.
 
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