NROTC MO scholarship-freshman in college

mcchris72

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I am relatively new to this board and have not seen a post similar to my current situation, which is that I am currently a freshman in college applying for the Marine option ROTC scholarship. I have not yet been notified of a denial or acceptance with the early board selection but I can only assume to worst. My question is however for the regular board meeting in February will the board include my current college GPA and extracurricular activities along side my high school Statistics.
 
First of all, don't be too discouraged about not being selected in the first board. It's a smaller board.

Second, you can also be eligible for a sideload scholarship through the unit.

Having said all that, update your RS with your latest transcript and anything else that might help. Be proactive. Don't wait for the assigned recruiter to ask.
 
You didn't mention it, but I assume you are already participating in the NROTC program at your university. If not, contact them now. As Rocatlin mentioned, there is always the possibility of getting a "sideload scholarship". The leaders of your unit would help you do that. You just have to be the best you can be within the unit and stand out as someone who will one day make a great officer. Then they will help you in anyway they can. My DS never applied for the national scholarship because he started out AFROTC. He joined the NROTC MO as a sophomore and was given the scholarship starting his junior year. So keep plugging away, don't give up, and communicate with the staff at your university if you have not already done so.
 
What is a "sideload scholarship?"

Essentially, it is a 2 to 3 year scholarship earned as a non-contract "college programmer" participant in NROTC or NROTC/MO while in college.

From the NROTC website at Georgia Tech:
If I missed the deadline for the National four-year scholarship application, is there any way that I can still obtain an NROTC scholarship?

Maybe, but not through the process that I just described. Students can become eligible for the award of a scholarship by joining their NROTC Unit in the College Program (non- scholarship) status. After one academic term, the student may be recommended for scholarship status to the Chief of Naval Education and Training, who is empowered to award scholarships to promising College Program students. In general, if you can earn better than a 3.0 GPA in your first academic term, achieve a “B” or better in Calculus, and demonstrate a high aptitude for Naval Service, you will have a good chance for a NROTC scholarship. The availability of these “side-load” scholarships is also dependent on the officer production needs of the Navy and NROTC budget.


Source:
http://nrotc.gatech.edu/faq/

More from Purdue NROTC:

For students not possessing a 4-year NROTC scholarship there are 2 NROTC courses of action available:

  1. Re-apply for the 4-year NROTC scholarship during the late summer or fall of your Freshman year. Caveats to this option include that you must have less than 30 college credits and you cannot be enrolled as a NROTC Midshipman to re-apply. However as our Naval Science classes are open to all University Students, we encourage you to register for NS 110 (Into to Naval Science). By enrolling in this class you will receive the majority of the same training that a NROTC Midshipmen would receive
  2. Join the NROTC Purdue program without a scholarship as a “College Program” option. With this path you will be competing for a “Sideload Scholarship” (i.e. a 2 or 3 year NROTC scholarship) which could be awarded either at the end of either your Freshman or Sophomore year. Please be aware that the number of scholarships is limited to about 180 nationally for freshmen of the academic year. Based on funding outlooks, we do not anticipate this number to grow (it may contract further) for the upcoming year. As a result of the limited numbers of Sideload scholarships available, we recommend to remain competitive for Sideload Scholarships students maintain their GPA above 3.7, physical fitness scores in the “Outstanding” range, and high military aptitude scores. [Application for the NROTC College Program]
Source:
https://polytechnic.purdue.edu/nrot...joining-nrotc-purdue/students-not-scholarship
 
@gokings814 Ah yes I am familiar with the 2/3 year scholarships, but I didn't know that it was called a 'sideload scholarship.' Still learning the terms. Thanks for clarifying!
 
Some of the info sounds like it may depend on the University. My son did not have to take calculus nor did he have a 3.7 GPA though it was close. Those who review the applicants probably look at the complete package.
 
Some of the info sounds like it may depend on the University. My son did not have to take calculus nor did he have a 3.7 GPA though it was close. Those who review the applicants probably look at the complete package.

I do believe that schools vary the criteria. The two colleges posted here both just happen to be huge engineering schools. (GA Tech and Purdue)
 
I believe it the difference (calculus and GPA) may be NROTC vs NROTC Marine Option.
 
I think USMCGrunt has it so certain Calc is not a required course for Marine option.
 
True. The quoted material was probably not specific for the marine option program.
 
True. The quoted material was probably not specific for the marine option program.

I would agree. The citations were from NROTC websites as my purpose was primarily to define the term "side load" and not necessarily focus on NROTC/MO acceptance criteria.
 
I am not currently at a university were NROTC is available though I have already contacted an NROTC MO representative from another in state university that I have already applied to transfer as a sophomore for the up and coming fall term. I was told that I need a 3.5 gpa and a 275 pft to be considered competitive for the side load scholarship in March. I am still working to better my pft score (which comes in around a 260) but I now have a 3.5 gpa as the fall term has come to a close. I was only referring to the nation wide scholarship in regards to my now college statistics such as GPA, leadership positions, clubs...etc and if they are used instead of or along side my high school statistics. Thank you for all of the assistance it is greatly appreciated.
 
Don't know about any ratio of importance but they will look at both. I have to assume the college performance, including performance within the unit, carries more weight. My son did not win the high school scholarship but did win a sideload as a Marine option. College gpa was 3.75 and PFT scores varied from 295-200.
 
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