NROTC Marine Option Rejection

johnny1530

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Aug 1, 2016
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I just received my rejection letter from the NROTC Marine Option 4 year scholarship board and I have a few questions:
1. Does this mean I will be deferred to the later board in February? The letter said I was not selected for the 4 year scholarship but it did not include anything about me being deferred.
2. If I am deferred will it be easier to pick up the scholarship at the later board?
3. How hard would it be to pick up a 2 or 3 year scholarship?
4. Does it mean anything that I was informed on the boards decision so quickly? (does it mean I was not a competitive candidate and that they didn't really consider me?)
5. Lastly is PLC a good option if I don't get an NROTC scholarship?

I attached the letter I received for reference
 

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Sorry to give you the bad news, but you did not and will not receive a 4 year NROTC-MO scholarship. You will not be deferred to any of the additional boards. NROTC does not award 2 or 3 year scholarships to HS seniors. 2 and 3 year scholarships are awarded to midshipmen in the college program.

As you know you can join your college NROTC program till your junior year without a scholarship and compete for a 2-3 year scholarship or advanced standing. Scholarship and advanced standing lead towards a commission. On the Navy side, competition is steep for scholarships. Stats I have see have a very high GPA. But if you stick with the program you would have a good chance to at least get advanced standing.
 
From my reading of the letter you received (thanks for "attaching" it) you will not be considered at a later board. This is why your letter included information on other paths to a commission. I'm sure they considered you but they realized that there were more qualified candidates in their selection pool (and probably too many) for the number of scholarships that they can award.

You have a few alternatives at this point (in addition to the others that were mentioned in the letter you received).

1. You can enroll in NROTC MO without the scholarship (what they call a college programmer). You would participate in all aspects of the program that scholarship recipients do, except for summer training. You could compete again for a national scholarship in the fall, or for what they call a sideload scholarship in the spring. Only midshipmen already enrolled in the program can compete for a sideload scholarship which is also a national competition. If you did not receive a scholarship you might be awarded 'advanced standing' between your sophomore and junior years which would allow you to continue in the program, receive the stipend, and commission as a Marine Officer

2. You could apply for PLC and if accepted would train over two summers (normally) and commission when you graduate from college. The training sessions would be 6 weeks each at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. You would be paid for these six week periods you spend there.

3. You could apply for Officer Candidate Class after graduation from college. If accepted you would do the OCS course over 10 weeks (I think it's 10 weeks) in Quantico.

Do not give up hope. My own son did not receive a national scholarship. He enrolled in NROTC MO without the scholarship and won a sideload scholarship which took effect the second semester of his sophomore year. He successfully completed OCS, went on to commission, completed TBS and his MOS training and is now serving a 2 year stint in Okinawa. He's loving it and being able to take care of his Marines means the world to him.

Don't give up. Persevere and do well in college, which is the key to achieving your goals.
 
I am not familiar with how this works but it appears that you still have options for success in achieving your goal according to the above comments. Continue to shoot for the moon and you'll be just fine. I wish you the best!

To all of those going through this process...My DS also applied for a NROTC MO scholarship. His status still says...Your application is at the Marine Corps District for Board Selection. I assume that means it's still being reviewed. Also, does anyone know when the boards meet? Is it based on the district you live in? By looking at other post on this topic I was expecting to hear news sometime in December. I was not expecting to see this so soon Johnny1530. Did you receive a letter or email?

Again, best of luck and thank you for letting us know.
 
Swag, I received it in the mail. I'm pretty sure the board started reviewing on October 20th in my district and I'm in the 9th recruiting district
 
I am not familiar with how this works but it appears that you still have options for success in achieving your goal according to the above comments. Continue to shoot for the moon and you'll be just fine. I wish you the best!

To all of those going through this process...My DS also applied for a NROTC MO scholarship. His status still says...Your application is at the Marine Corps District for Board Selection. I assume that means it's still being reviewed. Also, does anyone know when the boards meet? Is it based on the district you live in? By looking at other post on this topic I was expecting to hear news sometime in December. I was not expecting to see this so soon Johnny1530. Did you receive a letter or email?

Again, best of luck and thank you for letting us know.
The specific dates vary by district but in general they will meet twice, once in the fall and once in the spring. Most will meet in Nov and Feb/Mar. Also, don't assume because some folks have gotten a negative reply that scholarships have actually been awarded. They may still be sorting though the candidate pool.
 
The specific dates vary by district but in general they will meet twice, once in the fall and once in the spring. Most will meet in Nov and Feb/Mar. Also, don't assume because some folks have gotten a negative reply that scholarships have actually been awarded. They may still be sorting though the candidate pool.
Thanks so much... I believe we're in the 6th district (Florida). My DS thinks that it is sometime in November as well. The one thing I've learned from this forum is the importance of having plans A-Z in place.
 
Everyone has answered you other questions, but I just want to add something about doing PLC.

If you choose to do PLC, you have a lot more freedom than those who do NROTC but you have to be motivated to train for OCS on your own.
 
Thanks so much... I believe we're in the 6th district (Florida). My DS thinks that it is sometime in November as well. The one thing I've learned from this forum is the importance of having plans A-Z in place.
DD applied from 6th district and board met on Nov 2nd. Her portal still says at district for selection also.
 
DD applied from 6th district and board met on Nov 2nd. Her portal still says at district for selection also.
Best of luck to your DD. It's such an exciting and crazy time for these kids. It's been quite the ride and there's no getting off anytime soon! Are you in Florida?
 
Best of luck to your DD. It's such an exciting and crazy time for these kids. It's been quite the ride and there's no getting off anytime soon! Are you in Florida?
Good luck to your DS also! I think I am taking the waiting much harder than her haha. No, we are in Middle Tennessee, just outside Nashville. What schools is DS applying to?
 
Good luck to your DS also! I think I am taking the waiting much harder than her haha. No, we are in Middle Tennessee, just outside Nashville. What schools is DS applying to?
Citadel is his #1 and has been accepted. Others are Auburn, UF, USF, and Texas A&M. It was difficult because he has not visited Texas or Auburn. I'm praying for Citadel! If he does not receive the NROTC MO scholarship we will see what type of aide/scholarships they after. How about your DD?
 
Citadel is his #1 and has been accepted. Others are Auburn, UF, USF, and Texas A&M. It was difficult because he has not visited Texas or Auburn. I'm praying for Citadel! If he does not receive the NROTC MO scholarship we will see what type of aide/scholarships they after. How about your DD?
Citadel is also first choice (if not appointed to USNA or USMA) and she too has been accepted. Auburn, VMI, Ohio and Memphis round out the list. We visited Auburm and she absolutely loved it and the ROTC program. She also liked UF, the size of the school intimidated me!
 
Th
Citadel is also first choice (if not appointed to USNA or USMA) and she too has been accepted. Auburn, VMI, Ohio and Memphis round out the list. We visited Auburm and she absolutely loved it and the ROTC program. She also liked UF, the size of the school intimidated me!
Good to hear about Auburn. I know my DS will thrive in a smaller environment. He started his VMI application last night and will complete it today. He may remove A&M off the list due to size. I told him to decide quickly!
 
Th

Good to hear about Auburn. I know my DS will thrive in a smaller environment. He started his VMI application last night and will complete it today. He may remove A&M off the list due to size. I told him to decide quickly!

Swag, sounds like VMI would be a great fit for your DS. Most classes at VMI have less than 15-20 kids - unheard of at larger colleges. Glad to hear he's applying there! [emoji4]
 
Swag, sounds like VMI would be a great fit for your DS. Most classes at VMI have less than 15-20 kids - unheard of at larger colleges. Glad to hear he's applying there! [emoji4][/
VMI looks amazing as well. We hadn't given it too much consideration because Citadel is closer to where we live in Florida (8 hr. drive). He's been accepted to Citadel and loved it. However, the out of state tuition is extremely steep. I know VMI is as well. We have not visited VMI but will plan a visit if he is accepted. We're praying for the NROTC MO Scholarship! With that being said, I know that a small environment will be best for him. He has tremendous support from his local recruiting office so now it's in God's hands. Regardless of the outcome he knows he will be a Marine...but college is a non negotiable for me! As a side note, I look forward to logging onto the forum in the evening after a long day of teaching. My husband is just happy I'm not on Facebook! Thanks so much for all of the advice and support you all give!
 
Swag, VMI tuition is expensive for out of state, but you may be surprised at how much financial aid your DS could get so I would still check into it. Hopefully the NROTC MO will work out for him. Definitely plan a visit to VMI if interested. Rat year can be a real challenge, so make sure he gets as much information as he can about what life would be like at VMI, especially Rat year.
 
Thanks so much... I believe we're in the 6th district (Florida). My DS thinks that it is sometime in November as well. The one thing I've learned from this forum is the importance of having plans A-Z in place.

Have you heard anything yet? My son is in FL too and we are waiting anxiously.
 
Have you heard anything yet? My son is in FL too and we are waiting anxiously.
The XO called him in early December to let him know that he did not make this round. He gave him some tips on what to improve on and will be taking the PFT again in February.
Has your son been working with someone at your local recruiting office? They have been extremely helpful preparing him. Where are you in FL? Feel free to message me as well.
 
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