NROTC & College Admissions

5Day

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DS was just awarded a 4 year NROTC scholarship. Does his scholarship and the school's NROTC program have any influence over the admissions process? How could DS tactfully request that assistance?
 
Congratulations!

The answer is, it depends. Every school has their own unique way of handling ROTC kids. I don't think it would hurt for his admissions counselor to know that he has earned the scholarship. I would ask someone in the NROTC batallion (whoever your contact is) and let them know that he's not accepted yet and I'm sure they can advise you on the best course of action.
 
DS was just awarded a 4 year NROTC scholarship. Does his scholarship and the school's NROTC program have any influence over the admissions process? How could DS tactfully request that assistance?
My DS is in the same situation with 2 schools . I posted about this and the advice given was as above -for him to reach out to the schools ROTC offices, which he did. They both said they didn't really have influence with the admissions office. But it was good for him to make a connection with them nonetheless. I think it depends on the school, as I've heard from others that it can help. Maybe depends on size of the school, it's competitiveness, etc. His college counselor than reached out to the two schools in question and told them about the ROTC scholarship, to try to get a feel for where he stood in the admissions process, given as he has to send back the ROTC selection by March 18. AO said they don't take an ROTC scholarship into consideration but that they would add it to his file. So now everyone is aware of the situation and I can only hope that somehow it's going to help. Hope this helps you somewhat. Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions.
 
DS has already reached out to the school where the scholarship is placed. He sent them a email letting them know he got the scholarship. We will see what they say when they respond, and figure out a path forward. It's a very competitive school. His stats are at to above their range, but at all the selective schools they reject as many highly qualified candidates as they accept. Any edge can not hurt.
 
DS has already reached out to the school where the scholarship is placed. He sent them a email letting them know he got the scholarship. We will see what they say when they respond, and figure out a path forward. It's a very competitive school. His stats are at to above their range, but at all the selective schools they reject as many highly qualified candidates as they accept. Any edge can not hurt.

Congratulations!!!!

The school will suddenly start sending you all this Financial Aid material saying its all his...."except if he has a scholarship from NROTC or other such sources" ...this is to make it appear you have all these extra resources to tap,. You would be shocked how many do not read the small print caveats !The Schools know that they will have your DS as a potential student THAT PAYS. This is a wonderful deal for the School and they want to make sure he is happy and stays! They also know he has selected (4) other Schools to get that NROTC check he has.

Have him make the call and let them know that school is at the top of his list, but he needs some help" They will respond. They know your son can request his #2 with a form if they are unresponsive. This is what DS experienced with his NROTC schools.
 
@murfthesurf since the scholarship is placed with the school listed #1, do the other schools (#2-5) know he has a scholarship?
 
@murfthesurf since the scholarship is placed with the school listed #1, do the other schools (#2-5) know he has a scholarship?

I have strayed from your OP, sorry!

I am pretty sure they do not. Each NROTC Command gets the news of his Award before the school does. DS got an email the next day welcoming him aboard. I think it gets to Admissions unofficially; who knows what 'back-channel' stuff goes on? That's not a bad thing, IMHO.

But if you think about it, all that matters is that School #1 to which he applied will certainly be much more attentive to DS's concerns, if they are 'casually informed' by him that he has that Scholarship to spend on them, they understand who is buttering the Bread for them.

We are at a point in today's World where there are too many Colleges chasing fewer students that can pay outright; even worse, the number of willing Parents that will co-sign themselves into indentured servitude for a school loan because the kid 'has to go to college' has long peaked.

.....'Calling all NROTC/ROTC Moderators, clean-up needed on Aisle #7, murf is loose in the Store !'
 
The university at which a student is placed will only know of a student's scholarship award if they are informed somehow; typically this is done by the individual NROTC units, but there's definitely nothing wrong with a student contacting admissions or their individual counselor to alert them to the scholarship. However, the Navy does not officially notify schools of scholarship placements during the selection process, meaning options #2-#5 will defintely not find out unless you let them know.

As far as a scholarship's ability to have an impact on the admissions decision, it defintely varies from school to school. It often has a larger impact at expensive, private schools, as they are looking at the 100% tuition piece and the merit/need-based aid money they can now save on that student. However, a student still needs to be within the realm of academically qualified for the particular university.
 
I would call the Detachment commander at the school where you got the scholarship. He/she will give the advice pertinent to that school. I know when we had questions like this about schools my sons and daughter got into, the Det Commanders were all very helpful.

Just a suggestion, call and speak with someone. Email as a followup, if necessary, but call first! It shows an extra level of commitment, is the proper way to get answers, and frankly, I believe it is much more effective.
 
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