4 year ROTC or self prep?

[Hopeful1Day]

Hello,
My DS received a TWE and is 3qd. He is a recipient of a 4 year AROTC scholarship. DS wants to serve but also wants the education offered from USMA. Since he has lower than average ACT and SAT scores, DS ihsd mentioned self-prepping at MMI after reading about the program offered there.

The concern is academically, if he doesn’t have the best of grades at his 4 year college, will USMA consider his reapplication. The program is rigorous at MMI but will be preparing him for a service academy vs going straight to a 4 year college and reapplying.

It has been DS understanding that because he was 3qd, that USMAPS is not a possibility not has he been waitlisted.

Does anyone have any thoughts on self prep and relinquishing the AROTC scholarship.

We are in unfamiliar territory with all of this and would like to offer some guidance to him for an informed decision.

My apologies for the long post and if this is not appropriate.

 

[Hopeful1Day]

Hello,
My DS received a TWE and is 3qd. He is a recipient of a 4 year AROTC scholarship. DS wants to serve but also wants the education offered from USMA. Since he has lower than average ACT and SAT scores, DS ihsd mentioned self-prepping at MMI after reading about the program offered there.

The concern is academically, if he doesn’t have the best of grades at his 4 year college, will USMA consider his reapplication. The program is rigorous at MMI but will be preparing him for a service academy vs going straight to a 4 year college and reapplying.

It has been DS understanding that because he was 3qd, that USMAPS is not a possibility not has he been waitlisted.

Does anyone have any thoughts on self prep and relinquishing the AROTC scholarship.

We are in unfamiliar territory with all of this and would like to offer some guidance to him for an informed decision.

My apologies for the long post and if this is not appropriate.

And apologies for the typos as I can’t go back and edit.

 

[DrMom]

4 year ROTC and re-apply. The goal is to become an Army officer. The 4 year ROTC gets him on that path & keeps him there while he is reapplying. He may never get into USMA but he will stay on that pathway to leadership and service. Hope that helps.
The Army ROTC is a sign that the Army picked him and wants him to be a leader.
One goal. No losses here. Go ROTC, do a year of college on a 'plebe year' curriculum of classes--and reapply. He may decide to stay at his college on his scholarship even if he is accepted.

 

[Hopeful1Day]

4 year ROTC and re-apply. The goal is to become an Army officer. The 4 year ROTC gets him on that path & keeps him there while he is reapplying. He may never get into USMA but he will stay on that pathway to leadership and service. Hope that helps.
The Army ROTC is a sign that the Army picked him and wants him to be a leader.
One goal. No losses here. Go ROTC, do a year of college on a 'plebe year' curriculum of classes--and reapply. He may decide to stay at his college on his scholarship even if he is accepted.

Thank you for your advice and wisdom. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[Yan]

I also recommend him to take the 4year. I’m a college re applicant, and from what I heard from admission: if he do reapply then his college gpa is added additionally to his whole candidate score. So everything he do in terms of leadership and academic is in addition to what he also have.

 

[Hopeful1Day]

I also recommend him to take the 4year. I’m a college re applicant, and from what I heard from admission: if he do reapply then his college gpa is added additionally to his whole candidate score. So everything he do in terms of leadership and academic is in addition to what he also have.

Thank you so much. Our concern as well as his, is what if he doesn’t get decent grades. Right now he is a straight A student and didn’t get in so it’s hard to understand if his grades drop in college, if they would even accept him.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Hello,
My DS received a TWE and is 3qd. He is a recipient of a 4 year AROTC scholarship. DS wants to serve but also wants the education offered from USMA. Since he has lower than average ACT and SAT scores, DS ihsd mentioned self-prepping at MMI after reading about the program offered there.

The concern is academically, if he doesn’t have the best of grades at his 4 year college, will USMA consider his reapplication. The program is rigorous at MMI but will be preparing him for a service academy vs going straight to a 4 year college and reapplying.

It has been DS understanding that because he was 3qd, that USMAPS is not a possibility not has he been waitlisted.

Does anyone have any thoughts on self prep and relinquishing the AROTC scholarship.

We are in unfamiliar territory with all of this and would like to offer some guidance to him for an informed decision.

My apologies for the long post and if this is not appropriate.

Regarding the subject of "plan B" strategies, I encourage you to read through this recent thread too:

What do we do now?

Having been turned down for one SA and extremely discouraged about the other 2 we haven't heard from yet. What are your suggestions for my DS? We did not apply for ROTC scholarship or any other school. My DS was positive he would be accepted into at least 1 SA because he is a very positive...

www.serviceacademyforums.com

 

[Hopeful1Day]

Regarding the subject of "plan B" strategies, I encourage you to read through this recent thread too:

What do we do now?

Having been turned down for one SA and extremely discouraged about the other 2 we haven't heard from yet. What are your suggestions for my DS? We did not apply for ROTC scholarship or any other school. My DS was positive he would be accepted into at least 1 SA because he is a very positive...

www.serviceacademyforums.com

Thank you very much. Your time to post this is greatly appreciated.

 

[TRAILRUNNER00]

My son has the same options presented to him. He is a recipient of a 4 year ROTC Scholarship and was offered a falcon scholarship for USAFA. He has decided to take the sponsored prep route at MMI. I don’t see this as a poor decision at all after researching both options with him. Yes, it will be a rigorous course load; however, he would take the same courses if he went the ROTC route. I do not see a negative in going either option.

 

[Hopeful1Day]

My son has the same options presented to him. He is a recipient of a 4 year ROTC Scholarship and was offered a falcon scholarship for USAFA. He has decided to take the sponsored prep route at MMI. I don’t see this as a poor decision at all after researching both options with him. Yes, it will be a rigorous course load; however, he would take the same courses if he went the ROTC route. I do not see a negative in going either option.

Thank you and congratulations on your DS being offered a falcon scholarship. That means if he does well, he will get in? Unfortunately, our DS didn’t get offered a sponsored scholarship, it would be self-prep at MMI.

 

[LA rockymnt hi]

My DD is waitlisted for USNA and is laser focused that USNA is for her. If she doesn’t clear the waitlist, she’ll be at MMI. She just recently applied and was offered a decent scholarship for her academics. She found out about the scholarship less than two weeks after applying. Have him apply to see what his options are. Best wishes to your DS!

 

[Hopeful1Day]

My DD is waitlisted for USNA and is laser focused that USNA is for her. If she doesn’t clear the waitlist, she’ll be at MMI. She just recently applied and was offered a decent scholarship for her academics. She found out about the scholarship less than two weeks after applying. Have him apply to see what his options are. Best wishes to your DS!

Hello,
My DS received a TWE and is 3qd. He is a recipient of a 4 year AROTC scholarship. DS wants to serve but also wants the education offered from USMA. Since he has lower than average ACT and SAT scores, DS ihsd mentioned self-prepping at MMI after reading about the program offered there.

The concern is academically, if he doesn’t have the best of grades at his 4 year college, will USMA consider his reapplication. The program is rigorous at MMI but will be preparing him for a service academy vs going straight to a 4 year college and reapplying.

It has been DS understanding that because he was 3qd, that USMAPS is not a possibility not has he been waitlisted.

Does anyone have any thoughts on self prep and relinquishing the AROTC scholarship.

We are in unfamiliar territory with all of this and would like to offer some guidance to him for an informed decision.

My apologies for the long post and if this is not appropriate.

Thank you so much for that information.

 

[Hopeful1Day]

My DD is waitlisted for USNA and is laser focused that USNA is for her. If she doesn’t clear the waitlist, she’ll be at MMI. She just recently applied and was offered a decent scholarship for her academics. She found out about the scholarship less than two weeks after applying. Have him apply to see what his options are. Best wishes to your DS!

Best wishes to your DD.

 

[justdoit19]

Also agree AROTC. That’s where he will be able to shine overall, beyond academics, as a future officer. A leader. Straight through the pipeline to commissioning. He will also have another nominating source, which *could* put him into another competition pool for the appointment next year.

Remember: there aren’t enough spots for all the highly qualified candidates that apply. That doesn’t equate to your DS not being a great candidate. If he made it this far, he was competitive.

As an AROTC cadet…he will be able to show himself as a great WHOLE candidate. Not the case at self prep. And a WHOLE candidate, is more than their grades. And worst case? If he doesn’t get in next time round #2, he is still on a path to commissioning.

And guess what? MANY fall in love with where they are! He may stay with his unit.

Congrats on the scholarship! That’s a fantastic achievement as it’s a national competition from the git-go. There is something about your DS, that they see, that they want. Don’t give that up for ‘what-if’s’s!! It’s a fantastic opportunity!!

 

[DrMom]

I wanted to respond to your concern about having a 4.0 now and worrying about not doing well in college.
It is normal to be worried about the unknown, but in truth, 'cream rises'--your kid who is 'good at school' will be equally 'good at school' in his freshman year of college. ROTC will provide structure & a friend group (who are also interested in working out, doing well in school, staying away from drugs & alcohol, & in learning to lead and serve.) (Also, a little oversight/adult supervision...)
He is smart & capable, he will shine next year.

 

[Hopeful1Day]

Also agree AROTC. That’s where he will be able to shine overall, beyond academics, as a future officer. A leader. Straight through the pipeline to commissioning. He will also have another nominating source, which *could* put him into another competition pool for the appointment next year.

Remember: there aren’t enough spots for all the highly qualified candidates that apply. That doesn’t equate to your DS not being a great candidate. If he made it this far, he was competitive.

As an AROTC cadet…he will be able to show himself as a great WHOLE candidate. Not the case at self prep. And a WHOLE candidate, is more than their grades. And worst case? If he doesn’t get in next time round #2, he is still on a path to commissioning.

And guess what? MANY fall in love with where they are! He may stay with his unit.

Congrats on the scholarship! That’s a fantastic achievement as it’s a national competition from the git-go. There is something about your DS, that they see, that they want. Don’t give that up for ‘what-if’s’s!! It’s a fantastic opportunity!!

Thank you so much for your kind words and advice. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[Hopeful1Day]

I wanted to respond to your concern about having a 4.0 now and worrying about not doing well in college.
It is normal to be worried about the unknown, but in truth, 'cream rises'--your kid who is 'good at school' will be equally 'good at school' in his freshman year of college. ROTC will provide structure & a friend group (who are also interested in working out, doing well in school, staying away from drugs & alcohol, & in learning to lead and serve.) (Also, a little oversight/adult supervision...)
He is smart & capable, he will shine next year.

Thank you Dr Mom. Is there a possibility I could private message you? I have more pertinent information I would like share.

 

[Hopeful1Day]

Also agree AROTC. That’s where he will be able to shine overall, beyond academics, as a future officer. A leader. Straight through the pipeline to commissioning. He will also have another nominating source, which *could* put him into another competition pool for the appointment next year.

Remember: there aren’t enough spots for all the highly qualified candidates that apply. That doesn’t equate to your DS not being a great candidate. If he made it this far, he was competitive.

As an AROTC cadet…he will be able to show himself as a great WHOLE candidate. Not the case at self prep. And a WHOLE candidate, is more than their grades. And worst case? If he doesn’t get in next time round #2, he is still on a path to commissioning.

And guess what? MANY fall in love with where they are! He may stay with his unit.

Congrats on the scholarship! That’s a fantastic achievement as it’s a national competition from the git-go. There is something about your DS, that they see, that they want. Don’t give that up for ‘what-if’s’s!! It’s a fantastic opportunity!!

Thank you so much for your kind words and inspiration. I would like to PM you to share the understanding of my post and concerns if that is okay.

 

[DrMom]

Thank you so much for your kind words and inspiration. I would like to PM you to share the understanding of my post and concerns if that is okay.

Of course, no need to ask...I look forward to hearing from you.

 

[Hopeful1Day]

Of course, no need to ask...I look forward to hearing from you.

I am not sure I can yet due to only having this one post. Is it possible for you to start a PM with me and I reply? We really need some solid advice but I didn’t want to share all of the details publicly.