Army ROTC Major

Anthony96

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Apr 30, 2013
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Does your choice in major have any real affect on your application? I am torn between history and international relations, and I as wondering if either of these majors would give me an edge?
 
Does your choice in major have any real affect on your application? I am torn between history and international relations, and I as wondering if either of these majors would give me an edge?

Always go with the major you like and are most interested. You will enjoy it more and will probably do better.
 
IR will help you with familiarity/preparing for a Masters program if you want to get into the Foreign Area Officer functional area at some point.
 
Does your choice in major have any real affect on your application? I am torn between history and international relations, and I as wondering if either of these majors would give me an edge?
No, I was actually a double history and IR major and as far as I can tell neither major had an advantage, as neither are STEM majors. One thing you might want to consider though is with the new branching method, you can now ADSO (add years onto you commitment) for active duty is you have a few specific majors. I'm not sure if IR is one of them but if you are intent on active duty that might be something to look into
 
You can switch in between them, since they're both probably in the same category (Generalist). So just put one on your application, and you can switch later if you choose.
 
I was a History Major and an MA in IR and neither has any bearing on job performance or carry more weight with Cadet Command. I disagree on the FAO comment in that I know Engineers selected and excelling in FAO. Major in what you desire, do good and hard PT and pay attention in MS classes and you'll be fine.
 
I was a History Major and an MA in IR and neither has any bearing on job performance or carry more weight with Cadet Command. I disagree on the FAO comment in that I know Engineers selected and excelling in FAO. Major in what you desire, do good and hard PT and pay attention in MS classes and you'll be fine.

I'm nt suggesting an undergrad in IR makes him more likely to be selected, I'm saying it will familiarize him with the subject matter he'd have to cover with a Masters.
 
Your major doesn't really matter. I had the same question a few months ago and when I asked a cadre member at my school about which major is best, he said to do what you enjoy doing. If history is your thing then do it or if International relations if your thing then do that.
 
In my ROTC class (35 cadets) one of our cadets just received a full 4-year for being an engineering major, another was offered one mainly on language spoken (Russian).

Our instructors asked us all what our majors were, and said certain ones have funding pulled aside - such as engineering.
 
No, I was actually a double history and IR major and as far as I can tell neither major had an advantage, as neither are STEM majors. One thing you might want to consider though is with the new branching method, you can now ADSO (add years onto you commitment) for active duty is you have a few specific majors. I'm not sure if IR is one of them but if you are intent on active duty that might be something to look into
That is incorrect - once in ROTC, later on for MSIII/IV years STEM does have partial preference. For accessions, engineer majors receive one point, and all other STEM majors receives half a point added to their package.

Also, if you are a STEM major - the Army does have a special program which allots X number of slots in certain branches for them. Basically this entails having a min. 2.75CGPA & you must ADSO in order to get one of the branches with this program. (IR is not one of those majors that you can do this with.)
 
Yes but in his case neither of his desired majors is STEM which is why I said there was no advantage.
 
I know - but you said STEM has no advantage either - that's what I was getting at.
 
I know - but you said STEM has no advantage either - that's what I was getting at.

I think you just read it wrong. He was implying that neither had any points added because they weren't stem, implying that STEM gets benefits.


Remember GPA= 40% of OML so pick something you can do and enjoy!
 
No your major doesn't have an effect right now unless you're 1) STEM in the right field and 2) have a 2.75+ GPA and want to go into a few specific support branches.


I was an English literature major and went into the Aviation branch. So yeah, it doesn't matter if you perform well. Remember, the better your GPA, the greater chance of getting the branch you want and active duty. If you enjoy your studies, there is a much higher chance of you doing well at them.

Please pick a major that interests and motivates you to study. That will be incredibly important for succeeding in ROTC.
 
Please pick a major that interests and motivates you to study. That will be incredibly important for succeeding in ROTC.
Not just ROTC/Army though - life afterwards (should you not decide to make a career out of it).
 
Does your choice in major have any real affect on your application? I am torn between history and international relations, and I as wondering if either of these majors would give me an edge?


Your choice of major can influence whether you get a scholarship but not all the time.

NOTE: I indicated an interest in economics and was awarded a scholarship so long as I got that degree. If I got a different degree cadet command did have the right to revoke my scholarship partially or fully.

Put something you like, but make it something you'd be worth getting a degree in.
 
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