First board AROTC

Mere2033

5-Year Member
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Sep 12, 2016
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DD has her interview September 27 which is really close to the October 5 deadline. Her interviewer recommends getting her application in for the first board but her test scores are a little low. Above the minimum but not great. It’s my understanding once the application is submitted for the first board, nothing can be updated? What if she gets moved to the second board? Update scores at that time? Interviewer doesn’t know the answer to that and she sent an email to ROTC. Haven’t heard back.thanks!
 
She can update her scores at any time but she would probably be better off waiting for the second board after she improves her scores. @Montana State Army ROTC (a former PMS) has a large body of posts on these boards on this very topic. I suggest you search for the posts he's authored and review them.
 
She can update her scores at any time but she would probably be better off waiting for the second board after she improves her scores. @Montana State Army ROTC (a former PMS) has a large body of posts on these boards on this very topic. I suggest you search for the posts he's authored and review them.
Thank you. Just took a look.
 
MODS - Is there anyway we can make @Montana State Army ROTC posts about the importance of timing a sticky in ROTC. Of all the branches, it is the only one that has huge ramifications about the timing of submittal. I am sure he would be willing to give a summary of the steps and highlight the importance of timing. Just a thought!
A sticky and then lock any comments if possible.
 
There is no advantage for participating in the first boards unless you have 3.8+ GPA, and 1300+ SAT score. That advantage being that you have a strong likelihood in receiving a 4YR scholarship, and would know that you had scholarship paid for. If not, you should wait to a later board in order to improve your scores, and better prepare for the interview. You can only be boarded once. If not selected on the first board, you will remain on the OML for the 2nd and 3rd boards, and could possibly get an offer at that time.
 
There is no advantage for participating in the first boards unless you have 3.8+ GPA, and 1300+ SAT score. That advantage being that you have a strong likelihood in receiving a 4YR scholarship, and would know that you had scholarship paid for. If not, you should wait to a later board in order to improve your scores, and better prepare for the interview. You can only be boarded once. If not selected on the first board, you will remain on the OML for the 2nd and 3rd boards, and could possibly get an offer at that time.
OR.......

One could square away a ROTC Scholarship Application as fast as humanly possible, submit it in time for the first board....and then wait 5 long, agonizing, mind-warping months...waiting (with all appendages crossed) for 3rd board results.

That's what we did, because we were in a hurry to get it in...lacking real understanding of how we were doing ourselves NO favors, for the sake of speed.

Unless the candidate: cured cancer, walks on proverbial water, or makes Tom Brady look like Mike Brady on the football field, there is no benefit in going in on the 1st board.

My wife has been right, since day one.

"Take your time and do it right...not fast."

Applicable to many situations, so I'm told.
 
I think this is what DD will do. Too bad. She wanted to mark one thing off her list and got it all done! Test scores are the one thing weighing her down. Good advice from all. Thank you
There is no advantage for participating in the first boards unless you have 3.8+ GPA, and 1300+ SAT score. That advantage being that you have a strong likelihood in receiving a 4YR scholarship, and would know that you had scholarship paid for. If not, you should wait to a later board in order to improve your scores, and better prepare for the interview. You can only be boarded once. If not selected on the first board, you will remain on the OML for the 2nd and 3rd boards, and could possibly get an offer at that time.
 
My DS is waiting for 2nd Board.
He has completed app. except for next round of SAT Oct 2 and PMS interview. He is pretty good on PT but hasn't submitted yet and just keeps working to better it. He is a 4.0 GPA, 4.6 Weighted 3 year class officer, 2 sport, and Boys State Participant. top 10% of class, NHS member, Civil Air Patrol member with a bunch of others. His first SAT was 1290. He is prepping for Oct 2 to put his best package out there. He has had a few ROO from schools not in his top 7 reach out via email since he saved his application on Army website. I know he and I both are looking forward to wrapping this up!
 
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I feel the need to highlight what is stated in this post. Timing is so important for AROTC. Do not overlook what these seasoned individuals are stating. I would not submit for the first board unless you have a stellar package prepared with stellar stats. Patience may be the difference between a 4 year and a 3 year.
 
I feel the need to highlight what is stated in this post. Timing is so important for AROTC. Do not overlook what these seasoned individuals are stating. I would not submit for the first board unless you have a stellar package prepared with stellar stats. Patience may be the difference between a 4 year and a 3 year.
Yes. SAT’s are the big hold back for DD. Would be nice to get it done with. Interview is this Monday, everything is good and fitness test was 7.28 mile, 35 push ups/min and 58 sit ups/min. I’m assuming that’s good?
I feel the need to highlight what is stated in this post. Timing is so important for AROTC. Do not overlook what these seasoned individuals are stating. I would not submit for the first board unless you have a stellar package prepared with stellar stats. Patience may be the difference between a 4 year and a 3 year.
 
Yes. SAT’s are the big hold back for DD. Would be nice to get it done with. Interview is this Monday, everything is good and fitness test was 7.28 mile, 35 push ups/min and 58 sit ups/min. I’m assuming that’s good?
You mention the SAT score is an issue. Once your DD has her interview, she will be Boarded. Is she planning on trying to improve the SAT score? If her score is not in the 1400ish range, I suggest she wait until Board 2. Just my 2 cents.
 
You mention the SAT score is an issue. Once your DD has her interview, she will be Boarded. Is she planning on trying to improve the SAT score? If her score is not in the 1400ish range, I suggest she wait until Board 2. Just my 2 cents.
Hmm. So she should reschedule her interview for after the 1st board? Did not know that. I assumed she had to submit everything before it went in front of the board. Thanks!
 
Hmm. So she should reschedule her interview for after the 1st board? Did not know that. I assumed she had to submit everything before it went in front of the board. Thanks!
YES! - If her application is not her 100% best effort - reschedule. The timing of submittal is very important. If she is planning on improving her SAT/ACT or PFT - reschedule the interview until after the 1st Board. Take some time and review the posts by @Montana State Army ROTC and @MohawkArmyROTC regarding the importance of timing.

Read this thread as well for a good perspective -

The VAST majority of scholarships are awarded on the 2nd and 3rd Boards. Do not rush to complete the PMS interview until your daughter has her absolute best package to submit.
 
YES! - If her application is not her 100% best effort - reschedule. The timing of submittal is very important. If she is planning on improving her SAT/ACT or PFT - reschedule the interview until after the 1st Board. Take some time and review the posts by @Montana State Army ROTC and @MohawkArmyROTC regarding the importance of timing.

Read this thread as well for a good perspective -

The VAST majority of scholarships are awarded on the 2nd and 3rd Boards. Do not rush to complete the PMS interview until your daughter has her absolute best package to submit.
I’ll have her email him to reschedule. Don’t want to rush if it’s not necessary. Unfortunately the PMS told her he wants her to submit for the first board. Not sure why. She told him she wants to improve her test scores.
 
There is one advantage of the first board. The option to apply to "reach" universities via early admission. With a scholarship in hand you will be much more attractive to the university.
 
DD has her interview September 27 which is really close to the October 5 deadline. Her interviewer recommends getting her application in for the first board but her test scores are a little low. Above the minimum but not great. It’s my understanding once the application is submitted for the first board, nothing can be updated? What if she gets moved to the second board? Update scores at that time? Interviewer doesn’t know the answer to that and she sent an email to ROTC. Haven’t heard back.thanks!
Like everyone has stated, I recommend that she wait until the 2nd board so that her best application is submitted. Unless it is very strong, I would wait.

The first board will have the strongest applicants, many of them will also be applying for service academies.
 
Generally when do you find out a positive answer from the 1st board?
I believe I read you won't have notice unless it's a positive.
New to the board and glad to be here. So amazing to see how helpful this community is.
 
Generally when do you find out a positive answer from the 1st board?
I believe I read you won't have notice unless it's a positive.
New to the board and glad to be here. So amazing to see how helpful this community

My DD applied for AROTC.

I’m almost positive she found out the results the Friday of the following week the first board met.

Within a week, her email exploded with emails from programs all over the country advertising themselves.

If the board meets 18 October 2021, then the corresponding date she found out her year would be 29 October.
 
In recent years, having the "School of Intent" section lock the week after the Board meets (so you can't change up your school selections) is often a signal that a positive result is forthcoming within a few days.
 
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