Air Force ROTC Scholarships / Admissions - AMA

Tyman said:
AFROTC and the academy PFAs are completely different. For example for AFROTC all it is is a 1.5 mile run, sit-ups in a minute, and push-ups in a minute, but the Air Force academy has it so it’s 2 minutes for pushups, 1 mile run, sprints, ball throws, and etc.
Click to expand...
Yes. He has done them all. AFROTC, USNA, and USCGA.
 
Tyman said:
Ah that makes sense is he interested in AFROTC
Click to expand...
Yes. He was deferred from EA to RD with the CGA, waiting for his nomination from a senator to the USNA and has an interview for a AFROTC scholarship in a few weeks. Lots of balls in the air so to speak! Also acceptance from local universities and possibly a baseball offer from one of them.... 😬
 
UFDMD said:
With the exception of accepting appointment to one of the service academies, correct?
Click to expand...

Does this apply to a service academy from a different branch? I have revived a type 1, if I accept now and were accepted into the Coast Guard Academy at a later date, would AFROTC be binding?
 
PAproud said:
Perhaps others can give reccs on resources or prep items, as I am no expert in this area. Our son was fortunate to have been offered a Type 1 award after the first board. We are not a military family so we had no background in this area. That said what I can offer is what I told him..." Don't over think an interview , the person you are and your own nature are what got you the interview in the first place. You have been successful to this point in life being exactly who you are, so why be anything different? Go in there be the respectful, humble but confident person who you are and speak from your heart. " Obviously that worked out for him. Not to over simplify things but I think if any kid can be confident in his own self he has any interview licked.
What I can say is the officer who interviewed him essentially spent 50% of the hour just talking to my son and doing all the speaking, explaining the AirForce, ROTC etc..the last 30 mins was question which actually seemed to be read directly off a script. (I know this because I was able to hear it sitting in the lobby) . I don't feel the actual answers provided really mattered as much as the style and the confidence with which you answered. Look people in the eye, don't fidgit in your seat, feel comfortable in your clothes etc..I'm sure your son will do fine! In a nutshell I would say don't add more things to his plate in the next 2 weeks rather spend it building and validating his confidence . Best of luck.
Click to expand...

I would definitely still place an emphasis on what you say, especially with regards to your future goals (ie that they actually align with an Air Force Officer) and questions regarding core values and leadership.
 
Can I ask for opinions and advice from members. My son was fortunate to be awarded an AFROTC scholarship. Also was accepted to his top school choice. He is unsure right now about a career in medicine vs a data science degree and eventually into finance/tech. If he would decide on a medical career this is something he would not want to do inside the military. The other route (data science) he would serve his commitment and then look to move into civilian job.

His dilemma is he feels of he accepts the scholarship but decides after first year of college he wants to go the medical route although he can leave the ROTC before sophomore year without a service obligation , he feels disingenuous receiving scholarship for a year and then walking away. Bottom line is he doesn't want to take free tuition if he isn't sure about commiting full term.
My feeling is that the AF has the 1 year commitment free exactly for that reason, because they want you to be sure they fit you and you fit them and if after the year it isn't a fit that not continuing is not a mark of non loyalty.
Anyone have any feelings, words of advice or experience of this type situation?
 
PAproud said:
Can I ask for opinions and advice from members. My son was fortunate to be awarded an AFROTC scholarship. Also was accepted to his top school choice. He is unsure right now about a career in medicine vs a data science degree and eventually into finance/tech. If he would decide on a medical career this is something he would not want to do inside the military. The other route (data science) he would serve his commitment and then look to move into civilian job.

His dilemma is he feels of he accepts the scholarship but decides after first year of college he wants to go the medical route although he can leave the ROTC before sophomore year without a service obligation , he feels disingenuous receiving scholarship for a year and then walking away. Bottom line is he doesn't want to take free tuition if he isn't sure about commiting full term.
My feeling is that the AF has the 1 year commitment free exactly for that reason, because they want you to be sure they fit you and you fit them and if after the year it isn't a fit that not continuing is not a mark of non loyalty.
Anyone have any feelings, words of advice or experience of this type situation?
Click to expand...
Why would he not want to be in the medical service in the military? Has he considered being a doctor in the military and trying to go to medical school through Uniformed Services University School of Medicine?

Uniformed Services University

www.usuhs.edu www.usuhs.edu
One option is to pursue his degree toward medicine (whatever major he chooses) with the thought of continuing this career during his service commitment. If after a year at school he finds this isn't working for some reason, he could then withdraw. But if the career goal and serving appear to be working then he could stay in ROTC.
Both of my kids have had fellow cadets drop after freshman year because either ROTC or the military wasn't for them.
 
@unkown1961 . The reason for non military medical route would be he would have interest in medical scientist i.e. MD/PhD and the civilian world is more geared toward that as opposed to the military. Also training for medical career within the military significantly increase service commitment and although he has interest in serving time in the military he doesn't currently desire to make a career of it meaning 20 years service.
 
Is the approximate "yield" known of awarded AFROTC scholarships either this year (maybe too soon to be known for this year) or in past years? That is, is it known how many awarded AFROTC scholarships in a given year are likely to be accepted with the kids matriculating to an AFROTC detachment? I saw on another post that 1982 scholarships (combined Type 1, 2 and 7) were awarded this past cycle -- am curious how many of those are accepted and activated. I would think at least a portion of the awardees would pursue other options, whether attending the USAF Academy or other Service Academy, pursuing Navy or Army ROTC, or declining the scholarship for other reason so that less than this year's 1982 awarded scholarships would actually be activated and used.
 
PAproud said:
Can I ask for opinions and advice from members. ...Bottom line is he doesn't want to take free tuition if he isn't sure about commiting full term.
My feeling is that the AF has the 1 year commitment free exactly for that reason, because they want you to be sure they fit you and you fit them and if after the year it isn't a fit that not continuing is not a mark of non loyalty. Anyone have any feelings, words of advice or experience of this type situation?
Click to expand...
You're correct, of course. It's odd that someone as bright as your son doesn't grasp this. It's great that he's so ambitious, but I wonder whether your son is signaling that perhaps his real passion is for science. "Data science" means pursuing very demanding higher math + advanced software engineering, and of course an MD/PhD is extremely demanding in terms of time, energy/stamina and focus. What if the "needs of the Air Force" require a different path?

Is your son sure he wants to be an AF officer? It sounds a bit as if he may be signaling that he's keen on a scientific path, be it medical science or data science, and not really keen on the military path. I'd have a heart to heart talk with him about where his passion lies.

Just my $0.02.
 
Does your desired major in college alter your chances of acquiring a ROTC scholarship? Will it be hard to get a scholarship without a Technical Major?
 
Will the number of years of a high school language class affect my chances for a scholarship? I took spanish my freshman and sophomore years, but not my junior. Would having only 2 years under my belt decreases my chances of getting a scholarship/ How beneficial would it be to take a 3rd year?
 
@adrenaline22
The problem you are facing is it is all moot now.
AFROTC does not consider your course curriculum for your senior yr when you are applying. The only thing they will take into consideration is a new SAT/ACT score.

They will take into account how rigorous your curriculum was, plus your class rank and your gpa.
 
My DS will complete his Associates Degree and high school diploma at the same time. What options does he have with AFROTC?

Can he apply for the national scholarship 4-year scholarship even though he will likely be finished in 3 years when he takes his courses remaining and ROTC courses?
If not, can he just sign up for AFROTC courses on campus when he arrives on campus?
 
First, yes he can apply for the scholarship as he won't officially have any credits yet... until the college accepts the courses. Depending on the college he attends, all the credits may not be accepted and some schools require all major courses be completed at that college.

More importantly ROTC programs are intended to be four years to allow the cadet to mature and advance through various levels of leadership training. I've seen folks do a ROTC program in 3.5 years, but never 3 (which is not to say it doesn't happen); my point being to be prepared for 4 years of college.

Yes he can sign up for a ROTC program without the scholarship. He should actually contact the unit in the late spring of the year he plans to start college. Some training may have already happened by the time college starts, so I wouldn't wait until then.
 
kinnem said:
First, yes he can apply for the scholarship as he won't officially have any credits yet... until the college accepts the courses. Depending on the college he attends, all the credits may not be accepted and some schools require all major courses be completed at that college.

More importantly ROTC programs are intended to be four years to allow the cadet to mature and advance through various levels of leadership training. I've seen folks do a ROTC program in 3.5 years, but never 3 (which is not to say it doesn't happen); my point being to be prepared for 4 years of college.

Yes he can sign up for a ROTC program without the scholarship. He should actually contact the unit in the late spring of the year he plans to start college. Some training may have already happened by the time college starts, so I wouldn't wait until then.
Click to expand...

awesome! Thanks for your help. That makes things a lot more clear.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top