2nd two years at college after ECP questions

[MorningMommy]

I am parent with a daughter who is heavily considering an ECP program at a junior military college. We will be meeting with someone but I had questions for anyone with experience here to be prepared - Thanks for anyone who can help.

1- what does drill and life look like at the second school - are they part of the ROTC unit as a Second Lt? Do they get to be those cadets or an officer working with those cadets?

2- A lot of colleges offer room and board incentives for ROTC scholarship recipients, does that count with the Ike Skelton scholarship (ECP) scholarship too? It says its Education assistance program for full tuition, will the school's also offer those same incentives?

3- Do these Sec. Lts get turned down for active duty in the Army? I keep seeing about competition...is that just for stations or for being allowed to go active at all?

 

[Montana State Army ROTC]

Can’t answer all.
But the ECO 2LTs drill with a guard unit ss LTs.
They have limited interaction with the “normal” rotc cadets (possibly school dependent). We don’t use them bc they have a hard enough time going to class, let alone helping out.
The ECP LTs are usually very challenged academically and a large % fail and go back into the guard as enlisted soldiers.
I would recommend going to a normal college and doing ROTC that way. If you want the “guard” experience go SMP.

 

[MorningMommy]

Can’t answer all.
But the ECO 2LTs drill with a guard unit ss LTs.
They have limited interaction with the “normal” rotc cadets (possibly school dependent). We don’t use them bc they have a hard enough time going to class, let alone helping out.
The ECP LTs are usually very challenged academically and a large % fail and go back into the guard as enlisted soldiers.
I would recommend going to a normal college and doing ROTC that way. If you want the “guard” experience go SMP.

Thanks.

What if they are not so academically challenged? DD is an excellent student - just bad at he SATs. We just don't know if she will get a national scholarship with the competition. She has like a 3.8 unweighted GPA (honors classes) is going for chief in her sea cadet division (is currently in command under her actual chief) where before the quarantine they drilled 2-3 days a week, and has the extra curriculars, recommendations, etc. And she loves the military. The issue we have is scholarship ops for someone with prob just over a 1000 SAT score. So the ECP rep is pushing her and she is into it. I'm just trying to find out more.

 

[EEBTTF]

@Montana State Army ROTC has provided some good data points. Especially this statement "I would recommend going to a normal college and doing ROTC that way. If you want the “guard” experience go SMP."

The vast majority of AROTC scholarships are campus based awards. If your DD is a high achiever (it sounds like she is) and commits herself, there is a good chance she can pick up a scholarship once she gets to school. Take some time and read through all of the posts on the SMP program, there are many active posters who have been in a similar situation. Don't rush down the SMP path without understanding all of the details. Take a minute and search posts by @Jarhead713 - he was in a similar situation last year and passed on the SMP and ended up getting a campus based AROTC scholarship. He would be a great resource for you and your DD to ask specific questions - he is very active on the forum.

Best of luck to your DD!

 

[airborne1030]

I am parent with a daughter who is heavily considering an ECP program at a junior military college. We will be meeting with someone but I had questions for anyone with experience here to be prepared - Thanks for anyone who can help.

1- what does drill and life look like at the second school - are they part of the ROTC unit as a Second Lt? Do they get to be those cadets or an officer working with those cadets?

2- A lot of colleges offer room and board incentives for ROTC scholarship recipients, does that count with the Ike Skelton scholarship (ECP) scholarship too? It says its Education assistance program for full tuition, will the school's also offer those same incentives?

3- Do these Sec. Lts get turned down for active duty in the Army? I keep seeing about competition...is that just for stations or for being allowed to go active at all?

SMP is a great option. I recommend having your DD talk to the ROO at the local AROTC unit. The ROO can shed some light on the SMP process, and it’s possible the ROO may have a point of contact in the admissions office.

Many universities are going test optional this year due to the pandemic. Also, it’s possible that your DD may qualify for merit scholarships even without submitting an SAT score.