NROTC Marine Female

W

Water

5-Year Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Messages
14
I'm a senior and a female. All I want to do is be a Marine and go to Norwich. I'm trying for the NROTC scholarship and I honestly don't know where I stand. If I don't get the scholarship, I'm going to keep reapplying and one way or another, I will be an officer. But, how are my odds and how does being a female help or not help me?
-Rank 25 out of 429.
-GPA 3.81
-SAT 480 CR, 550 M
-ACT 22 R, 24 M, composite 23
-Fall and Spring Crew, 4 varsity letters, and the Coach's award. Not captain but I am the next go to person.
-National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Rho Kappa (social studies).
-Community Liaison on Student Council.
-Member of Key Club Freshmen year.
-School newspaper reporter since sophomore year.
-Junior year tutored my peers mainly in math everyday during one of my free periods.
-Organize and participate in giving school tours and car washed as well as other events and fundraisers.
-3 mile run 24 minutes and aiming to max the hang and crunches or at least come close.
Any advise or form of input is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 
In my son's class 2 of 6 are female Marine Option midshipmen. You will absolutely need to increase the SAT/ACT scores in my opinion. DS had a 1380 SAT and a composite ACT of 28 and did not receive a scholarship. He finally earned an in-school scholarship during his sophomore year;
 
How can I increase my scores? This is something I've been struggling with dramatically. It's hard to find time to take a class. I'm smart but only because I study all the time.
 
I agree with Kinnem. My son is NROTC and had a 29 on his ACT and will indoc tomorrow. There are tons of books, websites, etc. for ACT/SAT prep. If you can't afford a class, then work with practice tests from the library or from the internet. Pick which test you feel most comfortable with and work exclusively on that one if your time is limited. Then take it as many times as you can from now until the deadline.

If this is what you ultimately want, then you may need to sacrifice something else to give more time to your tests.

Good luck!
 
Water said:
How can I increase my scores? This is something I've been struggling with dramatically. It's hard to find time to take a class. I'm smart but only because I study all the time.
Click to expand...

Try march2success.com. It's free and was developed by the Army (but you won't be harassed by recruiters). It has lots of practice tests for ASVAB/ACT/SAT. You can pick and choose what sections you want to study for. Really helped my son.
 
Water: glad to hear of your interest in the Marines and becoming a Marine Officer. There are quite a few paths besides NROTC. I urge you to focus on the scholarship application for now and then once done, research the other paths. This is good starting point: http://www.marines.com/becoming-a-marine/commissioning-programs

Regarding the here and now: You are a senior and running out of time for your scholarship application. I seldom comment on "chances" type of inquiries but in your case I offer the following to help point out the path ahead of you.

1. Get started on the application and essays immediately. Have the essays critiqued by English teachers and others. Make them your best.

2. Study and get additional ACT/ SAT tests scheduled. You will have to consider how late you can take one and still include in your application.

3. Work out! You will have to take a physical fitness test as part of your application. Right now, you sound weak in this area. IF you max your flexed arm hang and crunches a 24 minute run might be acceptable but Google for the USMC standards and work to achieve a First-Class score if possible.

4. Seek leadership positions in your extracurriculars and employment if possible.

Apply the scholarship and then focus on the other paths open to you. Every step I posted above will help position you for these other paths and your life going forward.

Best of luck!
 
My application is done. I'm just waiting to meet with the capt. To go over everything and interviews. I still have to take the pft and for a female if I max two events and get a 24 min run then I believe that is a first class score. At this point, I'm really just waiting, working out, and I just got a SAT tutor and I'm taking the test in October.
 
Update: PFT score 291
113 crunches
70+ second hang
22:26 3 mile
 
I remember reading that re-taking the ACT test could up your score by 2 to 3 points. I'm not sure about the SAT but I imagine it would be the same.

My son took the ACT test only once and got a 27. he regretted not trying to bring his score up. I am not sure how much significance it used to carry in the Marine option, but with the cutbacks every thing is important. My son said his unit only got four scholarship freshman this year and one sideload hopeful. That is significantly less than last year. He also was told that of all the applicants last year for the Marine option side-load scholarship, only 9% received them. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of his information, but supposedly it came from one of the officers.

This is not to discourage you, but only to demonstrate how you have to stay focused and keep working to bring all of your scores up. You sound focused and determined and that is something definitely working in your favor. Good luck and keep us updated on how you're doing.
 
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I even had a tutor for the SAT this time and I scored lower. Missed the minimum by 10 points. Thankfully, the early board will not see that but I'll have to fix it for the regular board.
Also, the policy changed for early board and they decided that a second officer interview was not required. I was told however that calls would still be made. I never got a call. Is there any reason why they would call others but not me?
 
And I'm probably going to go to The Citadel. NU is my number two right now.
 
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