AFROTC help

[NYmom]

My son wants to apply for an AFROTC scholarship. He is a high school senior at a challenging prep school. His GPA is not very high - it's a 3.5 - but he did double up on science each year and got A's in his math and science classes. He can't seem to get above a C+ in German.
SAT were a 1530, one test.
Not sure if SAT subject tests matter, but he got a 800 in Math 2 and a 780 chemistry.
His intended major is Computer Engineering.
A couple of questions:
Academically, how does he look for a scholarship?
What else is taken into account?

As for fitness, he really hasn't been exercising lately, so he is concerned about the fitness test. He is 5'10 and 180 lbs, 33" waist. He is very strong, but out of shape. He used to be on the crew team, but not currently. I think he can hit the minimums and maybe beyond in some areas, but I am worried that won't be good enough. He is not a fast runner.
We didn't realize that there were ongoing boards. Should he postpone doing the fitness test and try to raise his fitness?

Anything else he should know? I'm lost.
Thanks!

 

[thibaud]

He's got a fair chance, given his superb SAT score and STEM orientation.

For info, start here:
https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/high-school/types/

Then:
1. Set up an interview ASAP with a local detachment (info on finding that is at the above website).
2. Prep for the interview.
3. Get in shape and prep for the Fitness Test (tons of info on these forums and elsewhere on this).

Good luck!

 

[Tbpxece]

German is a near-dead language outside of Germany and doesn't hold as much value internationally as others like Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, etc.-- a C is fine. Test scores are great.

Next board is in February. He has time to get in shape, but will need to workout everyday between now and his PFA. He needs to exceed the minimums by a lot to be competitive.

Shoot for: 60+ pushups and 50+ sit-ups (1 minute each) and a 1.5 mile in under 11 minutes. That would be a low 90 on the Air Force Fitness Test (which is what the PFA is based on). Waist measurement is not taken into account for the application PFA.

However, the deadline for the application is 31 January. That is a tight turnaround, but if you get on it now, it is doable. The biggest challenge will be getting that interview-- go ahead and contact your nearest 2 Air Force detachments and start a relationship with their recruiting officer so that when he gets close to submission on the application they can pencil your son in.

As for other things taken into account:
- leadership history is huge
- they like to see employment history
- varsity sports are big (JV, travel ball, and recreational/intramurals are not considered on the application)
- military family history is a small factor

In the interview, confidence, bearing, visual presentation, and articulation are key. If your son is bashful or inarticulate, start working on that now. He needs to be able to speak confidently about his accomplishments. Assertive without arrogance. Wisdom without self-deprecation.

The good news is that for those that were interviewed last year, award rates were quite high. That trend looks to hold up this year as well.

Again, get on the application tomorrow and complete it as quickly as possible (except for the fitness test).

If he doesn't get a high school scholarship, he can always join the detachment at his school and compete for an in-school scholarship after a semester or two-- those are pretty common and give the same outcome.

 

[Tbpxece]

Another thought-- he will have to be accepted into the school (and major) the AF awards if he receives a scholarship under HSSP. A lot of schools are closing their freshman applications this month, so get on that as well. He will have to list three preferred majors on his application and a list of preferred schools. Traditionally, all awards come from that list, and if he is not accepted into the school, then it gets sticky.

 

[kinnem]

An AFROTC scholarship is tied to the student and not the school, so an awardee can use it at any school with an AFROTC program in the country, within the restrictions of the scholarship type. They are looking for scholars, athletes, and leaders, all wrapped up in one package.

 

[Pima]

Another thought-- he will have to be accepted into the school (and major) the AF awards if he receives a scholarship under HSSP. A lot of schools are closing their freshman applications this month, so get on that as well. He will have to list three preferred majors on his application and a list of preferred schools. Traditionally, all awards come from that list, and if he is not accepted into the school, then it gets sticky.

This statement is incorrect for AFROTC.

As kinnem stated only AFROTC allows this. The conditions that only exists besides the schooling accepting AFROTC scholarship is their intended major. IOWS, if he applies as a tech major, but decides later on to switch to a non-tech major, he will need the approval from HQ AFROTC, and in honesty that rarely ever will get approved. Thus, choose wisely when it comes to intended majors.

AROTC and NROTC ties the cadet/mid to their major and school. If awarded to a school, and the recipient is not admitted to that school come mid April they can ask to transfer it to another school that they were admitted to for college. The hitch is for AROTC and NROTC they have a limit on how many will be on scholarship.
~ AFROTC could not care if one unit has 100% on scholarship and another has 0%, again, it comes back to being tied to the cadet not the school.

Good luck. He really needs to get in front of this now.
I would assume he will not meet the Jan. board. ROTC staff are not allowed to take leave (vacation) when school is in session. They typically will have a skeleton crew during the winter break due to this issue. In turn, this may mean for the interview portion they may not be able to do it until they come back from winter break. Most colleges will be starting winter break in the next few days, a week at tops. On top of that they usually are out until mid-late Jan. The earliest my kids ever went back was @15th of Jan.
To meet a board everything must be complete including the interview being submitted to HQ a few days prior to the board meeting.

I agree with thibaud contact a local det today and see if he can set up an interview at the earliest. I am not sure how it will work bc if I read your post correctly, he has not submitted anything to HQ yet. Usually once you meet the requirements (academic) than HQ will set you up for the interview.

 

[Tbpxece]

Right-- I see I didn't word that post correctly. I meant that the scholarship is tied to the majors on the list, and that to make sure the applicant had applied to schools with that major as those deadlines are all closing right now. It was late at night and I bungled that point by bad wording and hasty typing.

Thanks for the clarification @kinnem and @Pima

 

[Tbpxece]

I would assume he will not meet the Jan. board.

I've not seen any indication there is a Jan board this year.

10 Dec, 11 Feb, 04 Mar, and 18 Mar are the only ones I've seen.

 

[Pima]

Actually there was also an Oct board.
Every yr they tweak it regarding the board dates and how many they will hold.

In the OPs case, they still need to get on it today to even make the Feb board if they have yet to submit an application for the HSSP.

It is important to try to make the Feb board. There is a limited number of money that they will award for FY2019. By the time the Feb board meets, 2 other boards would have met. Historically the 1st and last boards offer the fewest amount of scholarships.
~ 1st board bc they have yet to see the true pool size. Traditionally, these are the kids that no matter when they are boarded they would get one. Think of it like a ROTC recruitment tool.
~last board bc the limited pot of money is almost all gone and so they need to be really careful due to the fact that they do not know how many will activate the scholarship in the fall.

The fact is the majority of cadets are NOT on scholarship when they enter as a freshmen, less than 20% are on scholarship. Many that did not get an HSSP will apply for what is called In College Scholarship. This is different than HSSP for AFROTC. This is indeed tied to the cadet, major and school. It would be the equivalent of a type 1 where they pay full tuition. It is competitive just like the HSSP.

 

[NYmom]

As for other things taken into account:
- leadership history is huge
- they like to see employment history
- varsity sports are big

He's been a Boy Scout with various leadership positions, and is working on his Eagle Scout project now with an expected completion date of early February.
He was on the crew team, for Freshman and Sophomore years, and I think sophomore year was varsity.
He worked a summer job (repairing musical instruments) but that is his only employment.

I agree with thibaud contact a local det today and see if he can set up an interview at the earliest. I am not sure how it will work bc if I read your post correctly, he has not submitted anything to HQ yet. Usually once you meet the requirements (academic) than HQ will set you up for the interview.

I don't quite get what we should do. We are in Westchester, NY. The nearest school with an AFROTC detachment is Manhattan College, the next closest is probably RPI or maybe in NJ or CT. We are also close to West Point if that applied at all. He did speak to a recruiter who came to his school. I haven't looked at the application. Can that be submitted before the fitness test is done? And does he just call/email the local detachment?

He is pretty certain of his major - he is a born engineer and comes from a long line of engineers and is very talented in this area. I don't think he'll be interested in changing majors. He has already applied to 6 schools (Alabama, Ohio, Purdue, UMD, Penn State, and a Suny) and has about 6 more to go (UVa, Cornell, RIT, BostonU, Michigan, Duke). I believe all have AFROTC.

So happy I found this forum.

 

[Tbpxece]

Manhattan College is probably where he will interview then. Just call them and speak to the ROO (recruiting officer, usually an AF captain). Explain to them that you are starting late and ask if they can go ahead and tentatively schedule an interview in Jan while you wrap up the application. Keep in mind, though, that HQ picks the interview location and the Det can't actually do the interview without being assigned your son by HQ.

Other than that, be aware that there is a form on the application that has to be signed by the HS counselor. Also, he will need to upload a transcript for grades 9-11. With schools closing very soon for Xmas, get those knocked out asap.

 

[NYmom]

Manhattan College is probably where he will interview then. Just call them and speak to the ROO (recruiting officer, usually an AF captain). Explain to them that you are starting late and ask if they can go ahead and tentatively schedule an interview in Jan while you wrap up the application. Keep in mind, though, that HQ picks the interview location and the Det can't actually do the interview without being assigned your son by HQ.

Other than that, be aware that there is a form on the application that has to be signed by the HS counselor. Also, he will need to upload a transcript for grades 9-11. With schools closing very soon for Xmas, get those knocked out asap.

Thanks. He is meeting with his guidance counselor today so I will get him on it.

 

[Tbpxece]

Awesome. Print out the form from here.

Looks like they just redesigned the AFROTC site, so be aware that most of the direct links from Google or Bing are broken. The site itself flows a lot better though, so that's good.

 

[kinnem]

and has about 6 more to go (UVa, Cornell, RIT, BostonU, Michigan, Duke). I believe all have AFROTC.

If he hopes to be an engineer I'm surprised RPI isn't on this list. Also, Cornell isn't an inordinately far drive for an interview If Manhattan College doesn't work out; but I would keep an eye on the weather forecast. RPI is an even straighter shot up 81. Probably just 2 to 3 hours.

 

[thibaud]

Probably best to contact the recruiting officer at both the RPI and the Manhattan College cadres - today.

Get busy and good luck.

Also, for your list, WPI/Worcester Polytechnic Inst. has ROTC.

So does MIT. Yale is bulking up their Engineering program and seeking AFROTC cadets now as well.

And Carnegie Mellon is a crosstown school for Pitt, which is right next door, a short walk from the CMU campus.

 

[NYmom]

Probably best to contact the recruiting officer at both the RPI and the Manhattan College cadres - today.

Get busy and good luck.

Also, for your list, WPI/Worcester Polytechnic Inst. has ROTC.

So does MIT. Yale is bulking up their Engineering program and seeking AFROTC cadets now as well.

And Carnegie Mellon is a crosstown school for Pitt, which is right next door, a short walk from the CMU campus.

So I should have him email or call? And say what?
And he is considering Carnegie Mellon. Never really considered Yale though. What do you mean they are seeking cadets? Does AFROTC help with acceptance?

 

[NYmom]

and has about 6 more to go (UVa, Cornell, RIT, BostonU, Michigan, Duke). I believe all have AFROTC.

If he hopes to be an engineer I'm surprised RPI isn't on this list. Also, Cornell isn't an inordinately far drive for an interview If Manhattan College doesn't work out; but I would keep an eye on the weather forecast. RPI is an even straighter shot up 81. Probably just 2 to 3 hours.

He looked at RPI and hated the surrounding town, plus they have very restrictive speech policies. I thought it would be a good fit, but no go for him.

I forgot Clemson is on his list too. My brother went to U South Carolina and recommended it.

 

[Tbpxece]

plus they have very restrictive speech policies.

That seems to be an unusual and bizarre trend these days. Hopefully one that goes out of vogue after a few years.

FYI, Clemson is pretty bad on speech according to FIRE, if that is a major consideration.

Another consideration is Texas. All state colleges there give in-state tuition to ROTC cadets regardless of residency. Some fantastic engineering colleges to pick from. No clue how they are on speech, though.

 

[Humey]

Probably best to contact the recruiting officer at both the RPI and the Manhattan College cadres - today.

Get busy and good luck.

Also, for your list, WPI/Worcester Polytechnic Inst. has ROTC.

So does MIT. Yale is bulking up their Engineering program and seeking AFROTC cadets now as well.

And Carnegie Mellon is a crosstown school for Pitt, which is right next door, a short walk from the CMU campus.

So I should have him email or call? And say what?
And he is considering Carnegie Mellon. Never really considered Yale though. What do you mean they are seeking cadets? Does AFROTC help with acceptance?

Certain schools like Yale are trying to increase the number of people particpating in their Rotc programs. There are many schools that got rid of Rotc during the Vietnam War and while many of those have brought back the program in recent years, they are small in numbers as they dont have a tradition of being that the school. That means that if you come in with a Rotc scholarship, it could help you get in. Not sure how many points it would swing in your favor but I would assume if there are two people with the same scores and background, that the person with a Rotc scholarship could have the edge. This is also true of other schools but it also true that some schools dont care one way or another. I think someone else posted about going to Brown and how the school also wants more particpation in the program. As for Brown, they particpate at another college.

One further point, even if your son doesnt get a nationalal scholarship, he could still qualify for one while attending Rotc at his college. This would be provided by Rotc at his school

 

[CrewDad]

Excellent advices on this board. NYMom make sure your son get to the interview EARLY. If the LTC is the same CDR at the BN he’s very strict on time. Be early not on time.