3rd Board?

[RS2023]

So from what ive heard, the 1st board is mostly 4 years, the 2nd board is a mix, and the 3rd is whatever is left. Are there normally more applications to the 3rd board? Ive heard from my counselor that the 3rd board is the hardest to get a scholarship from because more people are submitting tests scores and stuff. Is this true? Thanks in advance.

 

[CrewDad]

I think it’s the other way around. 1st board is the hardest because you have the most competitive students competing in the fall along with the college application cycle. About 10-15% of scholarships are offered in round 1. Second board has a mix of 4 and 3 year scholarships still competitive. I believe many are offered during round 2 and round 3. 3rd board includes late applicants and all those who got pushed into the pool from round 1 and 2. I believe there is round 4 but not sure.

 

[Minimalmaple28]

I think it’s the other way around. 1st board is the hardest because you have the most competitive students competing in the fall along with the college application cycle. About 10-15% of scholarships are offered in round 1. Second board has a mix of 4 and 3 year scholarships still competitive. I believe many are offered during round 2 and round 3. 3rd board includes late applicants and all those who got pushed into the pool from round 1 and 2. I believe there is round 4 but not sure.

At least for AROTC, there is no round 4.

 

[clarksonarmy]

What if I tell you the third board is the most competitive and your chances are low? Would you do anything different than if I tell you your chances are high on the third board? What you all should do is check your application one last time to make sure you have all the SAL information on there and everything is correct. Then you should email the ROOs you have been talking to and let them know you are still in the hunt (you have been keeping in touch with your ROOs, right?). Then you should start working on your plan B for becoming an Army Officer. Then you should go for a long run and stop worrying so much. You only can control so much of this process, so stop worrying about the parts you have no control over.

 

[GoCubbies]

All...

What the good @clarksonarmy ROO means my SAL is Scholar (gpa, act/sat, NHS, class rank, AP/Honors), Athlete (varsity letters or outside athletic competitor awards- anyone into curling?- triathlons, etc), and Leadership (team captain, Eagle Scout, student council, etc).

In the Army, before a promotion or command selection board, you look over your file closely before the board so ensure everything is up-to-date and correct. Even a minor error can make you a non-select. As another example, before you go outside the wire, you do a check on your weapon, vehicle, and other equipment to make sure all are good to go.

The good ROO is telling you to do the same thing before the 3rd board.

 

[Pima]

I agree 1000% with clarkson.

The problem in my opinion is that as great it is to have forums like this, but it can also cause fear among candidates as they read others receiving scholarships.

I wish the best for all of you. My advice is to remember these things.
1. Statistically at any ROTC unit scholarship recipients are the minority among cadets.
~ Usually @20%.
2. Cadets don't discuss the issue among each other.
~ Basically they do know who is and who isn't because like many college kids they tend to go broke. Scholarship cadets once contracted are thrilled on the 1st and 15th bc their bank accounts have been replenished and they can go to Chipotle for dinner instead of the dining hall.
3. The slate is wiped clean the minute you step into the Det. The cadre couldn't care less if you are on scholarship or not. They only care about training cadets to be the best officers.
~ Look at it this way...eons ago military members thought they had to be an SA grad/commission to make Gen. General Powell was AROTC, not an SA. The same is true for ROTC. Scholarship will not make you the shining star, it is your actions as a cadet that will make you a shining star.
4. IF you do receive a scholarship. Don't let your pride of being a recipient get in the way come next fall. IOWS relax on your laurels
~ You will need to pass your PFA to activate the scholarship. There are a ton of threads where posters post these amazing scores (push ups/sit ups) only to bust the PFA. Why? Because either they stopped training over the summer or they never did the form correctly to ROTC stds in the 1st place. PFA will be one of their 1st impressions.

JMPO and with $2.07 you can get a small cup of coffee. Good luck, and thank you for wanting to defend this great nation so others can follow their own dreams of not serving.
~

 

[PVET]

Very inspiring posts so far! I just want to say don't give up and a plan B is crucial. Each board will definitely be competitive and you never can predict what will happen. It is not the end of the world if you don't receive one by the end of the third board. One of my relatives did not get an Army ROTC scholarship from any of the three boards. However, they went to the college itself and received a 3 year campus based scholarship. This was later turned into a 3.5 year after passing their PT test and getting satisfactory grades at their university. I've also heard of students not be selected for the first or second boards, but then magically get a 4 year scholarship on the third board. I would say you have nothing to worry about. Just keep doing what you're doing and hopefully your patience will be rewarded.