Chances for AFROTC (or other) Full Scholarship without much athletics?

I have never participated in a varsity sport and my only physical extracurricular is martial arts. I originally did Krav Maga for a couple years and now am in my second year of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I am entering my senior year of high school and will be applying for ROTC scholarships this year. While I am weak on the athletic side of the application, I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA, 36 ACT, 800/800 on Math II and Physics SAT subject tests, and have taken 9 AP classes already and two dual enrolled math classes at the local university. I also hold multiple leadership positions on my speech and debate team, lead my Model UN team, and have a physics research internship and some regional science fair awards. I have performed in the top 260 on a national physics test. I also volunteer locally with people with disabilities helping them ride horses and serve on Youth City Council. I attended my states governor's school last summer and attended boys state this summer, where I became particularly interested in ROTC.

I know that ROTC looks for strong athletes and I am not that, but would my academics and extracurricular activities be able to make up for it so I could earn a Type 1 scholarship with the AFROTC or a similar scholarship with a different branch?

I tried to figure out statistics online, but had trouble finding relevant information. So, I would really appreciate any specific thoughts on me as an applicant or general information about acceptance rates and data. Thank you.

Also, if you have any questions about me as an applicant that would help provide insight, feel free to ask them

spaceforcehopeful said:

I have never participated in a varsity sport and my only physical extracurricular is martial arts. I originally did Krav Maga for a couple years and now am in my second year of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I am entering my senior year of high school and will be applying for ROTC scholarships this year. While I am weak on the athletic side of the application, I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA, 36 ACT, 800/800 on Math II and Physics SAT subject tests, and have taken 9 AP classes already and two dual enrolled math classes at the local university. I also hold multiple leadership positions on my speech and debate team, lead my Model UN team, and have a physics research internship and some regional science fair awards. I have performed in the top 260 on a national physics test. I also volunteer locally with people with disabilities helping them ride horses and serve on Youth City Council. I attended my states governor's school last summer and attended boys state this summer, where I became particularly interested in ROTC.

I know that ROTC looks for strong athletes and I am not that, but would my academics and extracurricular activities be able to make up for it so I could earn a Type 1 scholarship with the AFROTC or a similar scholarship with a different branch?

I tried to figure out statistics online, but had trouble finding relevant information. So, I would really appreciate any specific thoughts on me as an applicant or general information about acceptance rates and data. Thank you.

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You have strong academics and demonstrated leadership. If you score well on your PFT and do well on your interview you should be fine.
Good luck!

I would second @ldrmom's assessment.

Look at the official USAF physical fitness test score charts and train to score at least a 90 in any weather/temperature/time of day combination. Review the interview questions at the end of AFI 36-2011, develop good answers, and conduct at least three (3) 45-60 minute interviews with professional adults (preferably a military officer, or civilian supervisor with hiring experience). If you can, request that at least one of those adults give you a "rougher" interview where they challenge you on some of your background and toss you curve ball questions.

Your academics, extracurriculars, and PT score will be used to open the door for the interview. Your interview performance will play a large part in determining which type scholarship you will be competing for (if you are considered).

Don't rest everything on your academics, EC, and PT scores. There are applicants every year with your type of background who cannot present or perform well in an interview. They quickly fall apart when challenged in the interview. Proper preparation will prevent this.

Make sure you can speak to (a) why you want to join the USAF, (b) what you want to do in the USAF-- do research on this one, and (c) why the USAF would benefit from having you as an officer. Learn the AF core values, and weave them into your interview to show how you have met them.

Just like a civilian job interview, take care to get your interviewer's contact information, and send them a kind and grateful follow-up letter no later than two days after your interview (the sooner, the better).

I would think that physical fitness is what is most important (not where you get your fitness), and martial arts are a good way to demonstrate your fitness. So, as @lcdrmom said, do well on the PFT and you will have a strong application

But how well do you interview? I read here somewhere that AFROTC program is getting rid of their centralized board review, which puts more emphasis on the local interviewers....good or bad. Your ability to connect and interview well is a big unknown and cannot be assessed here. But take note, and practice!!

My DS never participated in organized sports, but is an Eagle Scout and was in the MJROTC. We purchased books prepping for the AFROTC interview (which he barely cracked), but he killed it in the local interview and never had to go to the centralized board review. Practice for the interview and train for the PFT, you should be fine.

My son didn’t have any sports other than martial arts either. He did great on his PFT, so they could see that he is physically fit. He was awarded a Type 7 AFROTC scholarship and will be attending VMI in the fall.

Good luck to you. Everything else looks great for your application. As stated before, prepare for the interview.

For Army specifically, your survey/questionnaire is weighted heavily, and there is no way to study for that, just answer honestly. They are looking for well rounded applicants, so while traditionally you see a lot of varsity sports, just like us said above, they want to see fitness and leadership, you can get that in other places.

One piece of advice for fitness tests. As you apply for the different applications, prepare for each test and test separately. Don’t try to knock them out at the same time, even if there is a scenario you are given the option. Good luck and keep us posted!

For your application and interview, recommend you articulate how you demonstrate leadership through your involvement in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where that applies. For the interview I would have "at the ready" a vignette or two about where you are mentoring the newer kids, how you are advancing, what you've learned about yourself through challenge, overcoming setbacks, etc.

In my DS's interview for AROTC in particular, they dove into his involvement in Martial arts. He was able to do what I advised above - I think it helped.

Also, don't sell yourself short with words like "only" - BJJ is a demanding, intelligence driven (smart v hard is rewarded) very physical activity. Participating requires cooperation, teamwork, dedication, restraint - it's impressive. I think you're right that not having organized sports and leadership in it isn't positive, but so what - that is surmountable - almost every candidate has an area they aren't thriving in. You haven't shown a 10 year commitment to a sport or whatever, I would definitely look to show enthusiasm / passion for BJJ and working out - share how you've found something you are passionate about. Articulate in the "typical week" essay how you are working out daily between BJJ, running and live that value, too.

Hope that helps and good luck!