Advice about MJC application / ROTC scholarship

jrwork

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Background....DS is considering MJC (probably Valley Forge) if he is not awarded ROTC scholarship to one of his two 4-year choices. He has not applied to the MJC yet nor has he indicated on his scholarship application that he wants to be considered for Ike Skeleton. I am pretty certain that he won't choose MJC without Ike and as it stands now, UK ROTC is his first choice. If he is not awarded 3 or 4 year at the next board in January, he intends to add the MJC option for the final board.

Question...should he go ahead an apply to the MJC now or wait?
 
I can't directly answer your question but was curious why your DS wanted to pursue that option, vs attending a college with ROTC and enrolling in the program without a scholarship. If it's funding I complete understand but many folks don't realize that you do not need a scholarship to do ROTC. Not saying on is necessarily better but much depends on one's reasoning.
 
It's definitely a financial decision for him. While we have always told out kids that we will pay for one 4-year degree, he is very adamant that he is doing this himself. We are solidly middle class so we would need loans or other aid (we don't qualify for for income based aid) to pay for his schooling, which is FINE with us, but not fine with him. He knows he can also compete for campus based ROTC scholarship and he knows he doesn't have to have a scholarship to do ROTC. This is the kid that has said all along that if he ends up paying for school out of pocket (again, our pocket, not his), that he will directly enlist out of high school. His mind is not easily changed so I'm just trying to make sure he knows all his options and am doing research in addition to what he does. And, honestly, I am trying to make sure he GOES to school before serving...I really, really want him to have a degree.
 
It's definitely a financial decision for him. While we have always told out kids that we will pay for one 4-year degree, he is very adamant that he is doing this himself. We are solidly middle class so we would need loans or other aid (we don't qualify for for income based aid) to pay for his schooling, which is FINE with us, but not fine with him. He knows he can also compete for campus based ROTC scholarship and he knows he doesn't have to have a scholarship to do ROTC. This is the kid that has said all along that if he ends up paying for school out of pocket (again, our pocket, not his), that he will directly enlist out of high school. His mind is not easily changed so I'm just trying to make sure he knows all his options and am doing research in addition to what he does. And, honestly, I am trying to make sure he GOES to school before serving...I really, really want him to have a degree.

If you have any questions about VFMC, I'll be glad to help. My son just sent his paperwork in for the ECP/Ike Skelton on Monday. Since we are from PA, he was offered a campus based ECP. He wanted WP, but SAT wasnt high enough, so ROTC was his only option. We don't have the finances to pay for school, so this is his best option unless he gets a 4 or 3 year at the next two boards. He knows what follow on school he wants and has dreams of AD, but will take what the Army gives him. His plan is to do whatever it takes after that commitment to then go active and make a career out of it.
 
"so this is his best option unless he gets a 4 or 3 year at the next two boards."


It used to be that if you accepted the ECP Scholarship it removed you from contention for a National 3 or 4 yr ROTC Scholarship.
 
"so this is his best option unless he gets a 4 or 3 year at the next two boards."


It used to be that if you accepted the ECP Scholarship it removed you from contention for a National 3 or 4 yr ROTC Scholarship.

He declined the national 2 year, but has a "hip pocket" from VF held for him.

He made the mistake of clicking on the MJC option for the national board. We have been in contact with cadet command and he'll take his chances.
 
"so this is his best option unless he gets a 4 or 3 year at the next two boards."


It used to be that if you accepted the ECP Scholarship it removed you from contention for a National 3 or 4 yr ROTC Scholarship.

He declined the national 2 year, but has a "hip pocket" from VF held for him.

He made the mistake of clicking on the MJC option for the national board. We have been in contact with cadet command and he'll take his chances.

So if you click the MJC, would you more likely get a national 2 year?
 
"so this is his best option unless he gets a 4 or 3 year at the next two boards."


It used to be that if you accepted the ECP Scholarship it removed you from contention for a National 3 or 4 yr ROTC Scholarship.

He declined the national 2 year, but has a "hip pocket" from VF held for him.

He made the mistake of clicking on the MJC option for the national board. We have been in contact with cadet command and he'll take his chances.

So if you click the MJC, would you more likely get a national 2 year?
its because I want to compete for a 4 year also
 
"so this is his best option unless he gets a 4 or 3 year at the next two boards."


It used to be that if you accepted the ECP Scholarship it removed you from contention for a National 3 or 4 yr ROTC Scholarship.

He declined the national 2 year, but has a "hip pocket" from VF held for him.

He made the mistake of clicking on the MJC option for the national board. We have been in contact with cadet command and he'll take his chances.

So if you click the MJC, would you more likely get a national 2 year?

From what I have heard and been told by different ROO's, yes. The Army only has to pay 2 years for officers this way and they get an extra 2 year commitment from you when you use the EAP funds at the follow on 4 year school.

Since my son wants to make a career out of this, he doesn't have a problem with the additional 2 years if that is how it has to be. But, you can always decline the 2 year in hopes of getting a 3 or 4 year offer. The other avenue is talk directly to the school in which you are wanting to go and express your sincere interest in their program. They may have extra funds to give to exceptional cadets.
 
It's definitely a financial decision for him. While we have always told out kids that we will pay for one 4-year degree, he is very adamant that he is doing this himself. We are solidly middle class so we would need loans or other aid (we don't qualify for for income based aid) to pay for his schooling, which is FINE with us, but not fine with him. He knows he can also compete for campus based ROTC scholarship and he knows he doesn't have to have a scholarship to do ROTC. This is the kid that has said all along that if he ends up paying for school out of pocket (again, our pocket, not his), that he will directly enlist out of high school. His mind is not easily changed so I'm just trying to make sure he knows all his options and am doing research in addition to what he does. And, honestly, I am trying to make sure he GOES to school before serving...I really, really want him to have a degree.

If you have any questions about VFMC, I'll be glad to help. My son just sent his paperwork in for the ECP/Ike Skelton on Monday. Since we are from PA, he was offered a campus based ECP. He wanted WP, but SAT wasnt high enough, so ROTC was his only option. We don't have the finances to pay for school, so this is his best option unless he gets a 4 or 3 year at the next two boards. He knows what follow on school he wants and has dreams of AD, but will take what the Army gives him. His plan is to do whatever it takes after that commitment to then go active and make a career out of it.

This sounds a lot like my DS. He also wants USMA, and his scores, grades, etc. are great, but we found out last week that he is not being nominated by our representative. Unless one of our senators surprises us and nominates him, that avenue is likely closed. His Plan B is AROTC with scholarship at 4-year school (already accepted to all his choices), but will consider going without and competing for campus based, which is Plan C or maybe VF is Plan C. I don't think he really knows. He's gone back and forth about whether he is willing to eliminate AD option.

So it sounds like maybe applying now would be a good option? That way he has the acceptance in his bag of tools if it comes to that decision (assuming he is accepted).
 
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