I say this with extreme kindness.
We truly can't help you for so many reasons. Our best we can do is say take the most rigorous academic course load you can, and be well rounded.
~~~ Partake in athletics.
~~~ Partake in NHS/Beta
~~~ Prepare for your SAT/ACT early on
~~~ Show leadership
~~~ If you have a medical issue start investigating it now.
VMI might cost 22K for this yr., but if you look back historically regarding costs, you will see most colleges have increased on avg by at least 10% per yr. If VMI does this, for your freshmen yr., it will most likely be in the low 30K's.
College is 4 yrs., and you get to choose where you go, and your major. AF and Navy ROTC will commission AD. You don't get to choose where you live. It is also 24/7/365 days a yr for AT LEAST 4 yrs. in a job and a base that THEY get to decide. Granted you might want that career field, but it still is THEIR decision.
~ Want Intel, well maybe you get it, but how do you feel about Minot, North Dakota as the Intel officer? Want fighter pilot (F22/35), well how do you feel about heavies? Or maybe even you don't get selected for pilot, but RPA or ABM? That is the reality of what happens when you take a scholarship to pay for college.
~~ I always say the Devil is in the details.
~~~~ At least for AFROTC they don't care if you attended an SMC when it comes to selection. It is a national selection and it is the cadets records.
~ VT is also an SMC, UVA also has AFROTC. Don't assume a cadet at an SMC will get 1st choice over the UVA cadet.
Point is don't go down this path for any other reason than you want to live an SMC life. If you do this path with the belief you have a higher chance for your career goal, than you are mistaken.
ROTC is part loving your college, part loving you academic degree program, and part loving the ROTC program.
IOW it is juggling all 3.
My guidance to you is to look at the stats every yr from now on for AFA/USNA appointed. That is IMPO the only true way to get a grasp on what you are asking here in your post.
SA candidates typically have it drilled into their mind that they need to apply for a ROTC scholarship as plan B. If plan A is ROTC scholarship at an SMC than you need to beat those SA candidates.
I would also say, lurk some more on this site because AFROTC and NROTC are different in many ways.
1. AFROTC requires PFA. NROTC does not.
2. NROTC ties the scholarship to the candidate, their major and school. AFROTC ties it to the candidate and major.
3. AFROTC truly only guarantees the scholarship for 2 yrs.
4. Medical issues. AF may waive, and Navy may not or vise a verse.
You are 13. Class of 2023. A decade from now. The military budget will change, and it is also probable that your school selection or wanting to serve will too.
Not trying to offend.
. Thank you both for the replies. I have alot to think about. Are you from Virginia? If so, do you know about Roanoke Valley's Gov. School? It is higher learning math/ science school thatif accepted, I would travel there for maybe around a quarter of my day, then come back to my home school and attend the rest of my classes. Do you think this would give me a better chance of obtaining an ROTC scholarship?