Is it too late to Apply?

So I have made the biggest mistake of my life. Back when I was applying for ROTC and NROTC scholarships, I listed many reaches and semi reaches as my schools of intent. My guidance counselor intervened and told me to apply to schools “within range given my credentials”. With her advice given, along with my parents, I made the unfortunate decision to tone back my college selections and apply to mostly “match” schools.

Last week I received an email from the Recruiter of my top choice reach school. It said “we’ve reviewed your scores and GPA and wanted to inform you that you’re competitive for XXX university. Please confirm that XXX is your first choice school, and I will go plead your admission to the board.” This school is a top 20 university ranked by US News, so obviously anyone pleading my admission from the inside would help me. Here’s the unfortunate part. Because I listened to my counselor and my parents, I took this school off my list and didn’t apply.

So that’s where I’m at as of today. I plan on calling the recruiter and discussing my options with him. I thought I’d ask everyone on the forums for guidance first. The deadline for regular decision at this school was three weeks ago. So it’d be a real miracle if the recruiter could pull some strings for me. However, I do read crazy stories all the time of kids receiving ROTC scholarships then receiving acceptance letters from Universities they didn’t even apply to. I’m hoping for this luck. Anyone have any advice for me?

I'd guess chances are slim, but you don't know until you ask. I suggest contacting admissions at the school and asking. The worst they can say is it's too late. When you say you were contacted by the recruiter at the school, you you mean an ROTC unit recruiter or a recruiter for the school itself? I take your post to mean someone from the ROTC unit. I'd also let that person know your situation. Have you already been awarded a scholarship? If so, that may help your chances, but I'd still think they are slim.

One last bit of advice, when you contact the admissions counselor and the ROTC unit, change the tone when you explain your situation. You come off as blaming your parents and guidance counselor. You may have followed advice they gave, but you have to take ownership of the decision at this point. You can just say you wanted to apply, but at the time did not think you were competitive for admission so you applied to schools where you felt you had a better chance of admission. You have now learned that you would be competitive for admission and would like to know if there's any chance of submitting an application.

I am confused? You can change your rotc scholarship to a different college. I’m thinking competitive colleges will not accept applications after the deadline. However, the rotc college recruiter can speak to admissions or you can ask?

@ProudDad17 Yes you are right. Must take ownership of mistake

You can change your list of schools and re-order it as well. If you end up being awarded a scholarship to other than your favorite college, after you've been accepted, you can transfer your scholarship to that college. You are in no trouble regarding this at all. Call the college recruiter and see if you can make it happen, but keep in mind you may not receive a scholarship while still being accepted to your reach college. What will you do then? Will you still be able to afford that college? Do you have your backup plan in place if needed?

I just want to offer some encouragement. If you were my DS I would ask you to ask yourself - If the ROO (recruitment officer) goes to bat for you and doors open including admission and a scholarship offer of some type from this top 20 school, will you realistically possibly take it? Be honest and only accept the ROO’s help if there is a chance you would go there.

Awesome you have a roo willing to go to bat for you like this. Speaks well of your qualifications!

But go for it in exploring the option w the school and ROO and just be direct, own the disconnect and explain ask if there might be an option. Appeal on how interested you are.

Good luck!