Chances for NROTC Marine Option

tman9285

Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2017
Messages
68
Hey all,
I recently started my NROTC Marine application for the 2019 scholarship but as I kept on filling it out I found that there were many activities that I did not do that were listed and seemed important. I am curious of my chances once my junior year is complete.

Stats:
GPA: 4.26 W 3.91 UW
SAT: 1430 (750 Math 680 Reading) Retaking in October to get above 1510 to be competitive for UCLA, top choice
ACT: Taking in August
SAT Math II: TBD
SAT Bio M: TBD

Achievements (Academic): National Hispanic Scholar, Principal's List

Sports:
Tennis (4-year letterman)
XC Team since sophomore year (done only for the sake of fitness)
Football in frosh year

PFT:
I can max sit-ups but for pull-ups I've plateaued at 18 and I'm currently doing weighted to get my numbers up above 20. 3-mile time fluctuates wildly, fastest ever being 21:00 flat (I'm not that fast unfortunately).

Leadership:
Boy Scouts (going to work on Eagle project over summer to complete)
Youth Leadership at Church (helping at retreats, playing guitar for youth ministry masses, Churchy stuff)

Other notable things:
Awarded an ONR SEAP paid internship under Department of Naval Research (5% acceptance rate or so)

There is probably stuff missing, so I'll edit when I look through past achievements.
Thanks for the help!
 
No one here really knows for sure what your chances are, but your stats look decent. Look on this forum and you'll probably see some with better stats who didn't get a scholarship and some with worse stats that did. As they say, the only certain thing is that your chances are zero if you don't apply. Finish that Eagle scout. Fitness is big for MO and 285+ is considered competitive, but shoot for 300. You have time to get there or very close. You are only a few pull ups away from max, so keep working that and max is very doable with the time you have. For the run, there are lots of threads you can search on this forum to improve your run. Consider joining XC again this year and ask the coach for advice to reach your goal. Also, make sure you are not carrying any extra weight and are eating properly.

Work on your fitness goals this summer. Make sure you finish your senior year strong academically and stay out of trouble.

Good luck. If you don't get the scholarship this time, consider joining ROTC as a college programmer, perform well and compete for a 3yr/2yr or advanced standing.
 
Good stats but being that there are so few scholarships compared to those seeking that there is no way to predict.
You would have to know the stats of everyone seeking in order to see what your "chance" is.
The quickest way to be out of the running is a less than stellar PT score.
 
+1 to USMCGrunt. All of it is important. NROTC MO pays more attention to the PFT score than the other ROTC programs do. Get a pull up bar (if you don't have one) and you'll be maxing those pull ups in no time. You might try doing some sprint intervals to improve your run time. Be sure to apply to some backup schools with NROTC that your pretty sure of getting into, just in case.

As an aside, it looks like the UCLA unit CO is a Marine. I don't think I've seen that before but I'm sure it's more common than I think it is. In any case, officers roll over every 2 to 3 years so it might be a Navy Officer by the time you get to UCLA (if you end up there).

Best of luck to you.
 
Definitely connect with the UCLA NROTC cadre.

I have no idea if they have influence over admissions, but you need every advantage you can in getting admitted to UCLA.

My two oldest children were Bruin grads. UCLA had over 102,000 applicants for the Fall 2017 freshman class, with only 16,494 being offered admission. Those are tough statistics, so I would imagine it might be a challenge for the PNS at NROTC there to achieve his recruiting mission.

Also, +1 Kinnem. Get the pull-up bar in your house NOW.
 
As an aside, it looks like the UCLA unit CO is a Marine. I don't think I've seen that before but I'm sure it's more common than I think it is.

CO for NROTC at VMI is a Marine as well, and I think Citadel and Texas A+M CO's are Marines. Maybe the SMC's tend to have a higher % of NROTC choosing MO than civilian college ROTC?
 
At SMCs there are a large number who, at least initially, pursue NROTC MO standing.
In a self selecting group like that is is natural to have a high percentage of highly motivated young men and women.
 
Thank you all! I forgot to mention, I do indeed have the pull up bar in my laundry room and I knock those out every time I go there. Just started weighted pull ups.
 
Do your laundry more often!!!! :D

You're probably already doing this but be sure to do the full PFT in the proper sequence from time to time. The events have a cumulative effect and all three together will impact your results if you aren't already used to doing that.

Try some cross-training, if you're not doing that, and the opportunity presents itself. DS would run 1.5 miles to the local climbing wall, climb for an hour (great for those back and pull up muscles) and then run the 1.5 miles home. I actually don't recall his times, etc when he was applying but I'm sure he did well. He always scored 294+ while in college and would be sure to hit 300 on an official PFT each semester.

You're already well prepared physically, but nothing impresses like perfection. Please keep us posted on your progress both physically and academically. We always love to see applicants progress.
 
I go to USC and we share a CO with UCLA (he is a marine). I'm not sure where you are located but do your best to get an interview with him and show him that you are motivated and have the potential to succeed there. I did that and feel as though his input had a very positive effect on my application package.
 
Of course, it's not the be all, end all and everything stated above goes into your whole standing, but if you get an endorsement from the CO saying that he feels you'd be a good fit in his unit, it can only help.
 
Of course, it's not the be all, end all and everything stated above goes into your whole standing, but if you get an endorsement from the CO saying that he feels you'd be a good fit in his unit, it can only help.
Thanks! I actually tried talking to the Marine officer at USC when I visited but he was busy, will try again. USC is high on the list as well.
 
Do your laundry more often!!!! :D

You're probably already doing this but be sure to do the full PFT in the proper sequence from time to time. The events have a cumulative effect and all three together will impact your results if you aren't already used to doing that.

Try some cross-training, if you're not doing that, and the opportunity presents itself. DS would run 1.5 miles to the local climbing wall, climb for an hour (great for those back and pull up muscles) and then run the 1.5 miles home. I actually don't recall his times, etc when he was applying but I'm sure he did well. He always scored 294+ while in college and would be sure to hit 300 on an official PFT each semester.

You're already well prepared physically, but nothing impresses like perfection. Please keep us posted on your progress both physically and academically. We always love to see applicants progress.
Thanks a bunch! I'll be sure to keep you posted. I'm gonna get a gym membership this summer with a pool for cardio. Also, I'm just about to do some laundry some more. Thanks for all the help!
 
You really want to be doing more running if you want to get better at running, it doesn't have to all be sprints or PFT pace, in fact most of it should not be. Those long runs (9+ miles) at a sustainable pace are just as important as sprint work. As long as you don't hurt yourself, increasing weekly mileage can only really benefit you.
 
Of course, it's not the be all, end all and everything stated above goes into your whole standing, but if you get an endorsement from the CO saying that he feels you'd be a good fit in his unit, it can only help.
Thanks! I actually tried talking to the Marine officer at USC when I visited but he was busy, will try again. USC is high on the list as well.
If you've got any questions ever, feel free to PM me
 
Hey all, here's an update:
I'm in touch with a recruiter who is helping me with the process and answered a ton of questions. I'm now going to start working out with the poolees at the recruiting office every Thursday, as that is a great option. Thanks for all the advice!
 
Hey all, here's an update:
I'm in touch with a recruiter who is helping me with the process and answered a ton of questions. I'm now going to start working out with the poolees at the recruiting office every Thursday, as that is a great option. Thanks for all the advice!
Great idea. Just make sure you don't enlist or sign a delayed entry contract, or anything else, if you want to commission as an officer. Some recruiters get carried away with meeting their quota. Sounds like your's is different
 
Hey all, here's an update:
I'm in touch with a recruiter who is helping me with the process and answered a ton of questions. I'm now going to start working out with the poolees at the recruiting office every Thursday, as that is a great option. Thanks for all the advice!
Great idea. Just make sure you don't enlist or sign a delayed entry contract, or anything else, if you want to commission as an officer. Some recruiters get carried away with meeting their quota. Sounds like your's is different
Yep, when my son started his process years ago, he stopped in to the local recruiter. Sergeant said sure, enlist and you'll be on your way to commissioning. We didn't know about the OSO at that point but I knew the Devil Dog was BSing him.
 
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