AFROTC- Boarding process

skiergirl24

skiergirl24

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2018
Messages
155
I completed my application on January 30th, and I received an email telling me that I am eligible to compete. I don't get to do another interview since they told me they will get a summary from my USAFA interview instead. So, I have everything taken care of that I can. I am medically qualified in DoDMERB, so should I win a scholarship, that step shouldn't hinder me.

They sent the dates for the remaining 3 boards and expected release dates, but I wondering- will I be considered at the next Board in Febuary? If I don't win at the February board, will I be considered at the next 2 boards in March?

Finally, I listed chemistry as preference 1, and general studies as preference 2. I am not sure I want to commit to choosing a major right now, so it would be great to get the general studies scholarship. I understand those are very scarce however, and that the majority of scholarships are given to technical majors. However, I have a very high SAT (More than 150 points above average for type 1 awardees), but I know this guarantees nothing. I am debating whether switching my major preferences to 1) general studies and 2) chemistry will hurt my chances of getting anything at all.
 
Before I respond is that SAT score 150 pts above the AFROTC avg., best sitting or super score?
~ AFROTC uses best sitting
 
All the Dets I've spoken with this year are saying that the ICSP and HSSP awards seem to be going out more to qualified candidates, rather than specific degrees.

~80% overall award rate last year to those that got an interview. That percentage is expected to hold this year. Weed out occurs at the interview stage right now, not at the board. So, you've made it past that wicket. FWIW, OTS has adopted the same approach (washout typically occurs during the application process, hardly any wash out at Maxwell)

I'd say add a third major on there (maybe environmental engineering, there is a lot of chemistry in that), but you're otherwise good as long as you can get into a school for chemistry.

Your package will probably be reviewed in Feb. Sit tight, you probably have a good shot overall at a scholarship. AF needs CGOs pretty badly.

For specifically Type 1, see @Pima 's response below. I'd definitely suggest adding engineering on there to be most competitive. AF likes technical degrees, but they LOVE engineering degrees.
 
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That is a strong score.
Look, at the end of the day nobody knows here. Do I think you will get a scholarship if you have strong curriculum, strong ECs and strong gpa? Yes.
Would I bet my life on a type 1 with the info you have given? No, not as a non-tech unless your cgpa. ECs, course curriculum all are as stunning as your SAT.
~ Not saying you aren't competitive, but when you do the stats for type 1 against candidates it is not common when you go non-tech.
~~ Overall, ROTC scholarship recipients are the minority.

You just have to wait and see. Tomorrow you could can get an appointment to USAFA and this to you would be moot. Meanwhile get your plan B, C, D and every letter through Z in place
 
Tbpxece said:
All the Dets I've spoken with this year are saying that the ICSP and HSSP awards seem to be going out more to qualified candidates, rather than specific degrees.

~80% overall award rate last year to those that got an interview. That percentage is expected to hold this year. Weed out occurs at the interview stage right now, not at the board. So, you've made it past that wicket. FWIW, OTS has adopted the same approach (washout typically occurs during the application process, hardly any wash out at Maxwell)

I'd say add a third major on there (maybe environmental engineering, there is a lot of chemistry in that), but you're otherwise good as long as you can get into a school for chemistry.

Your package will probably be reviewed in Feb. Sit tight, you probably have a good shot. AF needs CGOs pretty badly.
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The thing is Tbpxece, there is a huge financial difference.
Type 1 total tuition regardless of the cost
Type 2 Up to 18K tuition and you can pay the difference
Type 7 IS tuition cost and you CANNOT pay the difference. You can convert to a type 2 3 yr.

They are going non-tech.

The rate could be 80%, but the fact is how many of that 80% are tech vs non-tech or foreign language. If 2000 scholarships are offered, and 15% are non-tech, than only 300 nationally will be offered a non-tech scholarship. Now see above my break down 5% go type 1, 15% go type 2, than break it down even more .

No offense, but going non-tech and type 1 is very hard. Strong SAT, strong cgpa, strong ECs and they have a strong chance.
 
Pima said:
No offense, but going non-tech and type 1 is very hard. Strong SAT, strong cgpa, strong ECs and they have a strong chance.
Click to expand...

Crap, you're right. I missed the part about Type 1. I was speaking to the broad statistics. OP appears to be asking about T1.

Will update post accordingly. Thanks!
 
skiergirl123,
May I ask why you waited to the very last moment to apply?
~ I get AFROTC is your back up for USAFA.

Just curious why your ALO did not say double down back in July/Aug when you became a candidate for USAFA.

Not trying to offend, just trying to understand why you waited to the last possible date to meet the last boards.
 
Tbpxece said:
Pima said:
No offense, but going non-tech and type 1 is very hard. Strong SAT, strong cgpa, strong ECs and they have a strong chance.
Click to expand...

Crap, you're right. I missed the part about Type 1. I was speaking to the broad statistics. OP appears to be asking about T1.

Will update post accordingly. Thanks!
Click to expand...

The thing also to remember is 75%+ go type 7. 80% of candidates that are boarded still means 75% will go type 7. See my running numbers if 2000 were awarded. In essence, 1500 get a type 7.
 
@Pima thanks for your response. I waited to submit my AFROTC application because I was under the false impression that I needed to pass the PFA according to PFT standards I found on their website. This plan backfired since I had to do the run in 10 degree weather on a snowy track, but my time was still well within passing. I kept waiting for the snow to melt, but since it did not go away and I couldn't access an indoor track, I did what I had to do. Haha.

I figured that since CFA was pass/fail, the AFROTC fitness test would also be. This was a misconception on my part, but since there are 3 more boards to convene, it isn't that big of a deal.

In hindsight, I could have sent in the entire application over the summer if I knew I didnt have to pass.

I have had zero communication with my ALO- he contacted me, but I didn't have any questions about the application, and since I went to SS, I was feeling knowledgeable about the USAFA experience.

I have spoken with lots of past and current cadets about their experiences and life in the active duty air force, and I will continue to talk to people because I love hearing everyone's different perspectives.

Thanks again for your insight.
 
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Tbpxece said:
All the Dets I've spoken with this year are saying that the ICSP and HSSP awards seem to be going out more to qualified candidates, rather than specific degrees.

~80% overall award rate last year to those that got an interview. That percentage is expected to hold this year. Weed out occurs at the interview stage right now, not at the board. So, you've made it past that wicket. FWIW, OTS has adopted the same approach (washout typically occurs during the application process, hardly any wash out at Maxwell)

I'd say add a third major on there (maybe environmental engineering, there is a lot of chemistry in that), but you're otherwise good as long as you can get into a school for chemistry.

Your package will probably be reviewed in Feb. Sit tight, you probably have a good shot overall at a scholarship. AF needs CGOs pretty badly.

For specifically Type 1, see @Pima 's response below. I'd definitely suggest adding engineering on there to be most competitive. AF likes technical degrees, but they LOVE engineering degrees.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your response. I actually listed nuclear engineering as option 3. If I receive a scholarship, will it be for a specific major that I would be unable to change? Ex: I win a scholarship for nuclear engineering, but not for chemistry or general studies. I understand major changes must be approved and it is very rare that they get approved. Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but I couldn't find answers on their website. Perhaps there is a place I could look that I'm missing.
 
skiergirl24 said:
Thanks for your response. I actually listed nuclear engineering as option 3. If I receive a scholarship, will it be for a specific major that I would be unable to change? Ex: I win a scholarship for nuclear engineering, but not for chemistry or general studies. I understand major changes must be approved and it is very rare that they get approved. Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but I couldn't find answers on their website. Perhaps there is a place I could look that I'm missing.
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It will be awarded for a specific major. You can sometimes change it but as you said it takes permission and it's not automatic. It all depends on the needs of the service, etc. etc.
 
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skiergirl24 said:
I figured that since CFA was pass/fail, the AFROTC fitness test would also be. This was a misconception on my part, but since there are 3 more boards to convene, it isn't that big of a deal.
Click to expand...

In essence the PFA is also a pass fail. You bust the run, than you failed.
~ You cannot and will not contract as a cadet on scholarship if you fail one portion of the PFA. You need to pass all 3,
~~ I do not know who told you that if you fail the sit ups and passed the push ups and the run you can activate the scholarship, but they were wrong.

I would reach out to Maxwell and find out if you will be boarded for Feb.

Think of the boards like a bell curve, and remember it is national. They don't care if you are from Co., whereas, USAFA does when they start to appoint. They don't care if Notre Dame has 100% on scholarship and Stanford has 0%. It is tied to the cadet AND their intended major.
~ General studies is non-tech.
~ If awarded they will state in the letter/award if it is tech or non-tech. If it doesn't specify either than in the past it means you can go either tech or non-tech.

I really wish you the very best. I just find the last part of your post offensive.
Since there are 3 more boards to convene, it isn't that big of a deal.
~ It feels like this is a 2nd thought/cavalier and now you are doubling down in case you don't get an appointment.
~~ JMPO.
 
Pima said:
In essence the PFA is also a pass fail. You bust the run, than you failed.
~ You cannot and will not contract as a cadet on scholarship if you fail one portion of the PFA. You need to pass all 3,
~~ I do not know who told you that if you fail the sit ups and passed the push ups and the run you can activate the scholarship, but they were wrong.

I would reach out to Maxwell and find out if you will be boarded for Feb.

Think of the boards like a bell curve, and remember it is national. They don't care if you are from Co., whereas, USAFA does when they start to appoint. They don't care if Notre Dame has 100% on scholarship and Stanford has 0%. It is tied to the cadet AND their intended major.
~ General studies is non-tech.
~ If awarded they will state in the letter/award if it is tech or non-tech. If it doesn't specify either than in the past it means you can go either tech or non-tech.

I really wish you the very best. I just find the last part of your post offensive.
Since there are 3 more boards to convene, it isn't that big of a deal.
~ It feels like this is a 2nd thought/cavalier and now you are doubling down in case you don't get an appointment.
~~ JMPO.
Click to expand...
I am sorry that you are offended, I do my best to avoid offending people but sometimes I do anyways. For this I apologize. AFROTC has been my plan B ever since I started applying to USAFA. It is not a 2nd though in any way. I mentioned it in my interviews, and did everything on the application except the PFA back in August.

I completely and 100% understand that I need to pass the PFT to ACTIVATE the scholarship. My misconception was that I needed to pass in order to qualify to be OFFERED a scholarship, which I don't.

Again, thanks so much for the input, I appreciate it always.
 
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