Thank you, I think I will do that. I was reluctant to make the call myself, but I feel like time is running out.
While getting his interview done earlier is better, I don't think you have to worry about time running out. There will be review boards running until March or April and from all reports there is no indication that there will be fewer than the record number of AROTC scholarships for the upcoming year.
You may have received a letter indicating that you have X number of days to complete outstanding application requirements, which may be leading to your concern.
We have received 2 such letters - one in August and one in the past week. I think these deadlines may have to do with the processing for the next upcoming board deadlines, not the whole award process (although they have never guaranteed future boards selecting more candidates).
With regards to contacting the PMS, your experience is not unusual. It took 2 weeks (and a 2nd email) from my daughter to elicit a response and after that it was set up quickly. It may be that the PMS has to verify the applicants eligibility with Cadet Command before scheduling the interview. You might want to let your son continue the direct contact with the unit. If you want to confirm with the university that the phone numbers given are correct, that would be OK as a support (ya never know when they futz with the phone system), but I recommend leaving dealing with military procedures to the person who will ultimately will have to live with them.
According to the PMS and ROTC person at one of the schools my son is looking at they are getting less scholarships than last year. They are getting almost half of what they've gotten in the past.
I've talked to a couple of friends who are the PMS at their schools in the last month - they had virtually unlimited numbers last year and expect similar this year- I think one O6 I talked with said that he was given a planning number that was about 5% lower than what were awarded last year but didn't really that was any limitation at all as in previous couple of years they wound up with more anytime they needed. I really don't think I would worry if you are reasonably competitive academically and physically.
That's good to hear. I wonder why the one school is getting so few.
My son has a 4.7, all Honors and AP classes, great SAT & ACT scores, is Battalion Commander (rank Cadet Captain) of his JROTC and Commander of Rifle Team, lots of community service hours, received the distinguished Cadet for the last 3 years and was Superior Cadet, etc so we are hoping that he is considered competitive.
I don't wish to question someones integrity, BUT it would not be the first time a recruiter attempted to increase urgency in the application process. Just my opinion.....That's good to hear. I wonder why the one school is getting so few...