AFROTC change major

swimjw

5-Year Member
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Mar 17, 2012
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Hi. I just learned yesterday that I received an AFROTC scholarship (I'm a HS senior). I don't know what type yet (although I assume type7). I only saw this on the website- no mail yet. I applied as a chemistry major, which is technical of course. Here's my problem: I want to be pre-med. The AFROTC website says premed should apply as non-technical. I never noticed that until after I applied. I am currently planning on majoring in chemistry and doing pre-med at the school I'm going to. Whether I got a scholarship or not, I was going to do afrotc (so it's not just for the money-I have always wanted to be an AF doctor). However, I really do need the money (private school). I want to accept the scholarship, but my fear is that accepting it as a technical major will not allow me to go on to medical school immediately after I graduate from college. Do you know if I will be able to do this? If I were to switch to pre-med (like official with the AF, not just the school), would I lose my scholarship? Any input is welcome. I hope what I'm trying to ask makes sense :)
 
In the mail your letter will indicate if your scholarship was awarded for a technical major only, or if you have the option to do either.

I do know that nursing majors are in extremely high demand, so pre-med may be in the same area, but to be honest that would only be a guess on my part.

The absolute best advice I can give you is to contact the detachment at your school and tell them that you want to major in pre-med. It may still be a little early since you don't even know if the scholarship is tech or non-tech, but the det can make the right calls to find out if you will lose it or not (assuming it is tech only).
 
There is technically no such thing as a major in "pre-med". You will easily be able to satisfy the requirements for med school admission with a major in chemistry. I'm not sure how the Air Force works, but in the Army, if you get accepted to med school, it is much easier to get the deferral to attend.
 
I want to accept the scholarship, but my fear is that accepting it as a technical major will not allow me to go on to medical school immediately after I graduate from college.

The scholarship is not the only factor in the AF allowing you to go to medical school when you graduate. You would need to meet a selection board to have that option, and as with everyone, the needs of the AF at the time will determine everything

http://afrotc.tamu.edu/files/Medical School Scholarship Program.pdf
 
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I agree with Homewith4, because it is not easy to go to get that ED. Those grades really have to be up there high for the selection process.

The problem I think you are going to find is that the majority of even Type 7's are STEM and you may be asking to change the scholarship to a non-tech. Chances of that occurring are not in your favor. Non-tech to tech, yes, tech to non-tech no!

DS a C400 came home yesterday and we had the discussion about scholarships, basically IHPO any scholarship is a golden ticket these days to cherish. IHPO, he felt that if he had to go up against this class as a non-tech he would not have received one at all, that is how high the stats are now for cadets as non-techs. He is a non-tech with a UPT slot.

Those stats will continue with you for 2 more yrs. when it comes to SFT/EA. Yes, they are going to take a higher% of the pool, but due to the competitiveness cadets are really fighting hard, which means strong cgpas.

You can't go to med-school, nor commission into the AF unless you go to SFT. You will also lose that scholarship if you do not become a POC. (C300). This is something to think about since you state to attend this college you need the money.

Take the scholarship of course, but also be realistic about the WHAT IF's? What IF you don't get EA? How will you pay for the final 2 yrs? Talk to the folks and have your Plan B set in place for that What IF.

I am not saying you won't get SFT, I am saying that if you have Plan B in place you will not feel the financial burden as a C100/200. If you get that dream goal of commissioning great, but most importantly the real goal is graduating college.

It is wonderful you have long term aspirations, but for right now you are not a marathon runner(med school), you are a sprinter(SFT selected), and you need to understand that. Eventually all the individual sprints will equal the length of a marathon, but you have to keep winning at each leg of the race.

Good luck....AIM HIGH...ABOVE ALL...GO AIR FORCE
 
NOTE to ALL candidates

We generally talk about bubble wrapping after receiving a scholarship, but not the other things that can hurt you regarding keeping the scholarship between now and 4 yrs from now.

This is senioritis time. This is Prom season. Soon it will be graduation Parties, followed with a "last hurrah" summer.

DON'T BE STUPID!

Unfortunately on the AFA thread there is a candidate with an AFROTC scholarship in hand awaiting AFA appointments and he did something stupid. Not our business to ask what, but the fact is in all likelihood he will lose that scholarship and most likely not show up for I-DAY if appointed. Worse yet, if it falls out the way he thinks, he can kiss ever being an officer in the AF goodbye! A few minute action may have changed the course of his life, leaving him only with the WHAT IFS!

Maybe the grace of G*d will be on his side, and this will be a learning lesson, maybe not. However, for the unforeseen future this will be the weight on his shoulders.

~We all get the sr. pranks. My favorite story is how they let loose 3 pigs in the hs numbered, 1,2, and 4. However, instead of being one of the students that did that, be 1 of them that laughs at it.

~We all get sr. prom, and somebody may have a cocktail party where alcohol is served. DON'T be stupid...NOT ONE SIP.

Remember your the FB generation where you feel you need to tell and show the entire world your every minute of existence. You also belong to more groups than anyone could ever imagine, but WE, as parents before FB also knew the games HS kids play. You don't want a picture of your drinking from champagne with a tag line of my 1st glass of alcohol and it was great! Det CCs belong to FB too, and you just officially informed them you are an underage drinker.

~ Same with graduation parties and standing by the keg of Beer!

~ Summer is also a time of fun, and stupid things like deciding to jump the fence and swim in the county pool after it closes, which will result into being charged with trespassing.

Or deciding to all hang out somewhere public late at night being so loud the police are called.

Time to be that old fart or the uncool friend and remember this is not only about the scholarship money, it is about your career. Your friends may also have scholarships and use that as why they are doing it and why you should too. Just tell them: "True, but if I get even a misdemeanor I could lose not only the scholarship, but my dream of serving in the military"

If they don't get that, than honestly, they aren't your friends. Friends want you to have your dream and they will say: "Yeah, I get it, but, we're still going to do it, so I'll call you later to hook up, no problem Bud"

In the end it is your decision whether you want to sit at the kids table or the adults table!
 
Pima is right on in her remarks above. Same thing goes when you get to college. Whether your in ROTC with a scholarship or as a College Programmer, don't take that drink. Get caught and as a minimum you're before a Performance Review Board. You do not want to be before a Performance Review Board. Worse case you're tossed from the program. I've seen several young midshipmen in tears because they threw away their dream for a Bud.

Also, although you're not at an Academy, you still have an honor code to follow. Take your lumps, if necessary, but do not lie. The coverup is always worse than the crime.
 
First, did it really censor 'God' in your post?

Anyway, Pima's 100% correct - if you have even an inkling of a thought that something may not be right, don't do it. For two years in a row I've seen good people lose their careers for a split second decision in doing something illegal (in this case drinking), or for just knowing it happened and not reporting it or trying to cover it up.

You're joining an organization that has standards far above the rest of society. Don't look to what's on TV or in the media, and for God's sake, don't look at the politicians for any kind of leadership. Guilt by association absolutely exists, and even if you don't do something illegal, or morally objectionable yourself, it's considered exactly the same thing if you allow it to happen - if you tolerate it.

In my personal opinion, a lot of things that I've seen people kicked out for was bull and shouldn't have happened, but the fact is that with today's RIF and high standards, there's absolutely no place for a gray area in the law.

I'm not saying that you can't go out, party, and have fun with your friends, but do it responsibly. Whether you're with other people in ROTC or not, you are responsible for their actions, not just your own. While this may be a tough position to be in right now, you will adjust to it, as will your friends, and you will be better off for it. Starting right now though, don't ever do or be involved in anything where someone could question your integrity.
 
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