A New Beginning

Wcyeung123

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2015
Messages
164
Hello all,
I am upcoming freshman going to Virginia Tech. I applied for the Corp of Cadets without a scholarship, I chose the NROTC thinking I would've got the scholarship, but I was ineligible. Earlier, one of the officer's from that unit called me to congratulate on joining the VA Tech family in the Corps of Cadets, he asked me if I was on the cholarship but I said no. He encouraged me to apply again .
I'm just confused because I thought that was for high school seniors. I've been filling it out, but was still confused, could anyone help explain.
 
Hello all,
I am upcoming freshman going to Virginia Tech. I applied for the Corp of Cadets without a scholarship, I chose the NROTC thinking I would've got the scholarship, but I was ineligible. Earlier, one of the officer's from that unit called me to congratulate on joining the VA Tech family in the Corps of Cadets, he asked me if I was on the cholarship but I said no. He encouraged me to apply again .
I'm just confused because I thought that was for high school seniors. I've been filling it out, but was still confused, could anyone help explain.
You can reapply for a 3-year scholarship as a college freshman.
 
NROTC allows you to apply again for the 4 year high school scholarship during your freshman year. Also, if you are enrolled in the NROTC program you can apply for a side-load scholarship beginning the spring of your freshman year if you are not awarded a 4 year scholarship again. The side-load is another national competition but you are only competing against NROTC midshipmen and not the high school population of the entire nation. The benefits of the side-load scholarship are the same as the 4 year high school scholarship but of course tuition paid prior to receiving a side-load or a national scholarship is on you.

Good luck on your adventure. Hope you like Hokie stone!
 
Okay, I'll give it another shot. When putting down one of the reference of either teacher, counselor, coach, or employer which has a more influence when the board reads it. I was thinking my employer, any suggestions.
 
I don't know that they weight them differently. The important thing is getting references that show you, or some aspect, in the best light. For example, any of them might comment on leadership but I would think that a coach, counselor, or employer would be more likely to make comments in that area. A teacher might be more focused on scholastics. Remember - Scholar, leader, athlete. Also, unless things have changed I don't think you really get to chose which you want - but DS applied 6 years ago now so I might be incorrect about that.
 
I don't know that they weight them differently. The important thing is getting references that show you, or some aspect, in the best light. For example, any of them might comment on leadership but I would think that a coach, counselor, or employer would be more likely to make comments in that area. A teacher might be more focused on scholastics. Remember - Scholar, leader, athlete. Also, unless things have changed I don't think you really get to chose which you want - but DS applied 6 years ago now so I might be incorrect about that.
Well, they require my counselor, I put my HS counselor, and a math teacher to evaluate my math skills. The third between teacher, counselor, coach, or employer. As far as athletics go I'm don't have any participation except for martial arts, just in practice and not as a sport.
 
I'm just wondering why you were ineligible when you applied this year and if that issue has been resolved so you don't run into the same problem again when you reapply.
 
I was ineligible because of my evidence based reading. They wanted, I think a 550, but at the time mine was lower. This past January I received a 580 in the reading. I'm going to take another one in June to see if I could increase it again.
 
I was ineligible because of my evidence based reading. They wanted, I think a 550, but at the time mine was lower. This past January I received a 580 in the reading. I'm going to take another one in June to see if I could increase it again.
Have you also taken the ACT? If not you mat want to consider taking it too. NROTC will take whichever you do better on and all the colleges my DS applied to also took either. My DS did much better on the ACT that he did on the SAT. I read an article on this that said the way the questions are worded some students will do better on one test than the other. You can take a full length practice test for free on their website.
 
I was ineligible because of my evidence based reading. They wanted, I think a 550, but at the time mine was lower. This past January I received a 580 in the reading. I'm going to take another one in June to see if I could increase it again.
Have you also taken the ACT? If not you mat want to consider taking it too. NROTC will take whichever you do better on and all the colleges my DS applied to also took either. My DS did much better on the ACT that he did on the SAT. I read an article on this that said the way the questions are worded some students will do better on one test than the other. You can take a full length practice test for free on their website.
I'm the opposite of your DS. I took the ACT 4-5 time before taking the SAT. I did a lot better on the SAT, math and reading. I'm not worried about the math, but the reading is something of my concern. I don't know how the board will see it, since they want engineers, I'll do my best though.
 
You should coordinate your re-application with the freshman group advisor at your new battalion. Typically advice is to complete as much of the application as you can before you start school in the fall, but do not submit it until after you have joined your new unit and have had a chance to review the application with an officer at your new battalion. Since you are starting early (which is a good thing) you may want to reach out to your new unit for advice.
 
The NROTC officer told me that it was completely up to me to submit now or wait until I join. What is a recommended choice?
 
My opinion (and just my opinion) is to wait. Here is why. The first board meets in late September. You will attend NROTC orientation late August. I would have everything completed, less the officer interview. Just after orientation I would review the application with your NROTC freshman advisor, have your interview completed by one of the officers at your unit, make any corrections with goal of submitting your application early September.

An alternate path would be to see if your NROTC advisor would be willing to review your application now and provide feedback now or over the summer. If you are close to VT you may even be able to meet with them to complete your interview.

One would think that having someone within the NROTC system would be an invaluable resource to help out with your application. You now have that resource. It would be a shame not to use it.
 
My opinion (and just my opinion) is to wait. Here is why. The first boaHrd meets in late September. You will attend NROTC orientation late August. I would have everything completed, less the officer interview. Just after orientation I would review the application with your NROTC freshman advisor, have your interview completed by one of the officers at your unit, make any corrections with goal of submitting your application early September.

An alternate path would be to see if your NROTC advisor would be willing to review your application now and provide feedback now or over the summer. If you are close to VT you may even be able to meet with them to complete your interview.

One would think that having someone within the NROTC system would be an invaluable resource to help out with your application. You now have that resource. It would be a shame not to use it.
Oh! I didn't know that the board would be meeting at that time. A little relieved. What about the reference letters, don't I have to submit the application for the recommenders to receive the emails?
 
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