Reapplying to USMA from ROTC or High School?

Polly59

Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2016
Messages
48
My DS was awarded a 4yr ROTC scholarship; still waiting on a medical waiver and possible appointment to USMA, as well as acceptances (and waiver)to the ROTC scholarship colleges. He may have a 3rd option, which would be to do a post graduate year at a highly regarded boarding school. If he doesn't get an appointment to WP and wants to apply again next year , does anyone have a take on whether he is better off applying as a PG from high school , or from a college ROTC program?
 
Depends on where his strengths and weaknesses lie. If the issue is ACT/SAT scores than the prep school may be the best bet because, college alone will not prepare him for test improvement unless he takes an additional prep course. If his file is pretty solid, but he was in a competitive district, than college with ROTC is probably the best move. Joining ROTC would show commitment to the military and good college grades will show he can handle the work.
 
I would think it would also depend very much on the boarding school. Is it one of the military style boarding schools that specifically work to get students into SA's, or is it a "typical PG Boarding school" For example, at my boarding school(in MA), the PG experience in somewhere in between high school and college, in that there are SAT/ACT prep opportunities available, but the majority of PG's will be taking a college style course load
 
I would think it would also depend very much on the boarding school. Is it one of the military style boarding schools that specifically work to get students into SA's, or is it a "typical PG Boarding school" For example, at my boarding school(in MA), the PG experience in somewhere in between high school and college, in that there are SAT/ACT prep opportunities available, but the majority of PG's will be taking a college style course load
It's not a military school and it's in MA! So wondering if we are talking about the same school. He's drawn to it because, as you say, he can take college type courses, and work on ACT. Also , he's drawn to the sports aspect. Would love to PM you if you are open to that.
 
I think you need to have a conversation with his FFR or whomever is his liaison if that decision has to be made. They can provide the best knowledge where his weaknesses are and what would help build his resume. A 4 year scholarship is the path to being an officer. There is obviously risk involved with going the prep route... what if he isn't selected for the scholarship or USMA after? ROTC also provides another nomination source to reapply next year.
 
I think you need to have a conversation with his FFR or whomever is his liaison if that decision has to be made. They can provide the best knowledge where his weaknesses are and what would help build his resume. A 4 year scholarship is the path to being an officer. There is obviously risk involved with going the prep route... what if he isn't selected for the scholarship or USMA after? ROTC also provides another nomination source to reapply next year.
Yes, I agree with you about the certainty of the ROTC route. We have let him drive this process, and he claims it's easier to reapply from HS- boarding school in this case. But I would think less people already in ROTC want to start all over again so he'd have a good chance. Any idea what % of ROTC reapplies to SA? Might be time for us to step in and take control of the reins. I will definitely insist he talk to the FFR and BGO before he can make a decision. If you are in AROTC, can you only get a Nom (either through ROTC or MOC)to USMA or can you also apply for USNA?
 
He claims it is "easier to reapply from HS boarding school". I would be honestly curious as to exactly what his definition of "easier" is.
 
He claims it is "easier to reapply from HS boarding school". I would be honestly curious as to exactly what his definition of "easier" is.
Easier probably wasn't the right word. We all know that applying to SAs makes applying to college look like" just sign here and show up." I think what he meant was that a PG year would be a better scenario for him to keep up a strong academic record, retake SAT's and present a solid application. By no means is he a slacker - he works incredibly hard at everything he does. I think he's afraid that getting used to freshman year at a college would present challenges that might keep him from being the strongest candidate he can be. For example, going from small classes of under 15 people to a lecture hall with 300. It would be a big change and might take some time to get his footing, and could hurt his academics. I've gotten the impression that apply twice or three times makes you a stronger candidate. I think he is under the impression that he has to be a so much stronger the second time than the first that he has a better chance of improving himself as a PG than as a freshman. Hope this makes sense.
 
Last edited:
Food for thought...

A candidate with does well at a University academically and militarily while in ROTC. Gains confidence at the college level, fitness and a drive to be an Army Officer. Even has some Army training to gain knowledge, lots of ECAs via ROTC or other groups, volunteer work.

A candidate who does well in a PG year, improved SATs, no ROTC, passes the CFA, has some volunteer and ECA stuff at essentially the high school level.

Is it about going got West Point or is about being an Army Officer? Who should admissions take? Really talk with the FFR and BGO before making this decision.
 
Food for thought...

A candidate with does well at a University academically and militarily while in ROTC. Gains confidence at the college level, fitness and a drive to be an Army Officer. Even has some Army training to gain knowledge, lots of ECAs via ROTC or other groups, volunteer work.

A candidate who does well in a PG year, improved SATs, no ROTC, passes the CFA, has some volunteer and ECA stuff at essentially the high school level.

Is it about going got West Point or is about being an Army Officer? Who should admissions take? Really talk with the FFR and BGO before making this decision.
I hear you, and thanks for laying it out like that. I've always thought his end goal was to be an officer, but maybe he's gotten caught up in the whole SA thing and needs to sit down and get his priorities straight.
As of about an hour ago, the PG option no longer exists. So that's off the table. It's just the latest in a series of back ups that have fallen through.The problem is that he has not yet been accepted to either of the colleges to which he's been given a scholarship. Both are highly competitive schools and in no way guaranteed. If both ROTC and USMA fall through, he's going to have to come up with a whole new plan. I think we are up to plan Q...
 
Back
Top