AROTC College Choice

SoFloDad

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Jun 14, 2016
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When choosing schools on the application, do each of the colleges have a certain number of slots to fill in regards to the 4 year scholarship winners? For instance, if it's a smaller college with only a handful of applicants competing for that school (or requesting that school), will this make those applicants' chances better for winning the scholarship? Or is this not even a consideration...and the Board chooses simply based on the order of overall scores?
 
They rank according to overall score first, then start going down the list. It is best to choose the colleges according to where the student wants to go, and also ones he has a reasonable chance of being admitted to. Good luck!
 
They rank according to overall score first, then start going down the list. It is best to choose the colleges according to where the student wants to go, and also ones he has a reasonable chance of being admitted to. Good luck!
Thank you! That makes sense...and he is definitely applying to schools he can be admitted to. The harder part will be obtaining the scholarship.
 
There is also a school of thought that dictates choosing a school that is affordable even if you your DS or DD does not win an Army ROTC scholarship.
Reasons:
  • DS or DD may change their mind about the military.
  • DS or DD may be disqualified for reasons beyond their control. (injury etc.).
Even without a scholarship, a cadet has a reasonable chance of earning a campus based AROTC scholarship by working his or her tail off. (My DS did this).

The other school of thought is to seek the school of ultimate desire no matter what. However the financial planner in me disagrees with this thinking.
A $50,000 a year private college AROTC program and a $25,000 in-state college AROTC program yields the same result: a commissioned 2LT in the U.S. Army.
 
My son had sort of "mediocre" stats. He had both Eagle Scout and Boy's State and his only other true leadership was Capt of soccer 1 year and Capt of track 1 year. He received a 4 yr on the first board(2 years ago). So it can happen even if it seems hard! We had visited some schools his Junior year of high school, and got to a few others over the summer and in the late fall of his senior year. There were a few school he was considering that he took off his list once he visited. Sometimes it is hard to narrow those choices.
 
My son had sort of "mediocre" stats. He had both Eagle Scout and Boy's State and his only other true leadership was Capt of soccer 1 year and Capt of track 1 year. He received a 4 yr on the first board(2 years ago). So it can happen even if it seems hard! We had visited some schools his Junior year of high school, and got to a few others over the summer and in the late fall of his senior year. There were a few school he was considering that he took off his list once he visited. Sometimes it is hard to narrow those choices.

Agree with this. VISIT THE SCHOOL (and the ROO).
My DS visited two SMC's and several "regular" colleges. It was a huge factor in clarifying his priorities and choices.
 
There is also a school of thought that dictates choosing a school that is affordable even if you your DS or DD does not win an Army ROTC scholarship.
Reasons:
  • DS or DD may change their mind about the military.
  • DS or DD may be disqualified for reasons beyond their control. (injury etc.).
Even without a scholarship, a cadet has a reasonable chance of earning a campus based AROTC scholarship by working his or her tail off. (My DS did this).

The other school of thought is to seek the school of ultimate desire no matter what. However the financial planner in me disagrees with this thinking.
A $50,000 a year private college AROTC program and a $25,000 in-state college AROTC program yields the same result: a commissioned 2LT in the U.S. Army.
Well his top 3 are definitely schools that he would like to attend, even with a change of heart about the military...and each one is relatively affordable.

He is also prepared to fight his tail off to earn a campus based scholarship, if necessary. I just didn't know how the numbers worked for each school...if they even all receive at least one 4 year scholarship winner, or not.
 
And we are visiting two of the schools, and ROOs within the next two weeks. Thank you both!!
We live in California. My DS covered over 6000 miles visiting USNA, USMA, VMI, and The Citadel plus numerous schools out west.

Where did he end up?
At the college 3 hours away by car. (and doing very well!).
 
As far as scholarships slots, he should ask the ROO at each school. I don't think they have their 2021 mission yet, I could be wrong, but they could let him know how many slots they had for this last year.
 
As far as scholarships slots, he should ask the ROO at each school. I don't think they have their 2021 mission yet, I could be wrong, but they could let him know how many slots they had for this last year.
I'll definitely ask each of the ROOs! Thank you!
 
So here's a wrinkle I'll add. A bit of a gamble and off topic, but here goes. DS said looking back, what would be a different approach to AROTC, would be to attend a college one could afford, and NOT join the unit freshman year. Focus on academics, the adjustment to college, physical fitness, then as a sophomore join the battalion with a high college gpa, good pt scores and earn a 3 year scholarship. In that regard you have a head start on the gpa portion of the OML, helping to insure a better chance at accession and branch choice and with CIET, you can get caught up between MSII and MSIII year. Every sophomore that joined his battalion contracted and commissioned, not so for the freshmen that joined. Thoughts?
 
So here's a wrinkle I'll add. A bit of a gamble and off topic, but here goes. DS said looking back, what would be a different approach to AROTC, would be to attend a college one could afford, and NOT join the unit freshman year. Focus on academics, the adjustment to college, physical fitness, then as a sophomore join the battalion with a high college gpa, good pt scores and earn a 3 year scholarship. In that regard you have a head start on the gpa portion of the OML, helping to insure a better chance at accession and branch choice and with CIET, you can get caught up between MSII and MSIII year. Every sophomore that joined his battalion contracted and commissioned, not so for the freshmen that joined. Thoughts?

On paper, it makes sense. In reality I only see the following possible drawbacks.
  • You lose the ability to walk away from AROTC after a freshman "tryout" period.
  • Less opportunity to bond both with your cadre and your fellow cadets. The sense of camaraderie was a big plus for my DS as an MS-I.
  • If you DON"T get the scholarship as an MS-III you are on the hook for big time loans or other means to pay. (Imagine $160K in loan debt to a private college on a 2LT pay)
For the cadet who is truly certain about becoming an Army 2LT, I believe your son's idea works, but there is risk.
Based on the above, I would not recommend it for someone who is not fully informed or committed.

But in terms of risk, I prefer to wear a belt AND suspenders!


Just my 2 centavos.
 
When our oldest son made his list, he put down schools where he already had full scholarships based on his ACT/grades. That way, if he got the ROTC scholarship, he could use it (or the merit money) for room/board. It's a strategy that has worked for him and his younger brother (both 4 year winners).
 
So here's a wrinkle I'll add. A bit of a gamble and off topic, but here goes. DS said looking back, what would be a different approach to AROTC, would be to attend a college one could afford, and NOT join the unit freshman year. Focus on academics, the adjustment to college, physical fitness, then as a sophomore join the battalion with a high college gpa, good pt scores and earn a 3 year scholarship. In that regard you have a head start on the gpa portion of the OML, helping to insure a better chance at accession and branch choice and with CIET, you can get caught up between MSII and MSIII year. Every sophomore that joined his battalion contracted and commissioned, not so for the freshmen that joined. Thoughts?
Bad idea at my school. I am one short of having my commission mission on scholarship. That means I am probably not going to get any more scholarships for what will be my sophomore class next fall. Another issue is if you come to me as a sophomore with no prior experience we need to figure out how to get you credit for MS1 classes.

You are not going to out think this process. Put forward the best app you can, and list schools that are a good fit.
 
That means I am probably not going to get any more scholarships for what will be my sophomore class next fall. Another issue is if you come to me as a sophomore with no prior experience we need to figure out how to get you credit for MS1 classes.

See! Even MORE risk!
 
When our oldest son made his list, he put down schools where he already had full scholarships based on his ACT/grades. That way, if he got the ROTC scholarship, he could use it (or the merit money) for room/board. It's a strategy that has worked for him and his younger brother (both 4 year winners).
That definitely makes sense! We are trying to stick to schools where that would be very possible...thanks for the input!
 
The mom in me smiles!! Glad he is close!!
I wish I could say that he stuck close to home because of:
  • Cost/value of education
  • being close to mom and dad.
When actually I think it was:
  • closer to home because of girlfriend at neighboring college
  • $25 season pass for Squaw Valley lift tickets for Army Cadets o_O
 
I wish I could say that he stuck close to home because of:
  • Cost/value of education
  • being close to mom and dad.
When actually I think it was:
  • closer to home because of girlfriend at neighboring college
  • $25 season pass for Squaw Valley lift tickets for Army Cadets o_O
Ha!! That made me smile too!!
 
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