AP Credits during ROTC

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So if a kid has let’s say 15 or 18 AP credits and he’s in a 4 year rotc program but has satisfied requirements for graduation after fall semester senior year, what does he do spring semester? Take graduate-level classes That could hopefully be used towards a degree later? Work in a full-time internship?
Just curious and way ahead of myself for DS.
My DD (not ROTC or SA) will finish credit requirements a semester early and I’m hoping she will work during that semester far from home, but near her college, so she can be around friends for final semester.
Is that the norm with AP credits? She’s My first to go through college, and DS will be second, either rotc or usma.
 
So if a kid has let’s say 15 or 18 AP credits and he’s in a 4 year rotc program but has satisfied requirements for graduation after fall semester senior year, what does he do spring semester? Take graduate-level classes That could hopefully be used towards a degree later? Work in a full-time internship?
Just curious and way ahead of myself for DS.
My DD (not ROTC or SA) will finish credit requirements a semester early and I’m hoping she will work during that semester far from home, but near her college, so she can be around friends for final semester.
Is that the norm with AP credits? She’s My first to go through college, and DS will be second, either rotc or usma.
A double major or minor would be a possibility. AROTC doesn't limit credits, it limits semesters. You can get two degrees if you started ahead or took summer courses. Of course every school has different AP requirements and acceptances.
 
When you say ROTC limits semesters, do you mean you have to complete all the rotc requirements across 8 semesters and summers? I assumed that was the case, so if he went the rotc route he would need to participate in his 8th semester.
 
i dont know the answer but it seems like the military would be happy to have someone graduate early and not have to pay the school for the extra semester. if you get done in December then commission in December, right? my sons school has a commissioning ceremony this past Dec (albiet for someone on the 4.5 year plan which is normal these days)
 
I'm sure there are folks that understand AROTC better than I. That being said, provided your DD has completed all her military science classes and any other AROTC requirements, then I expect she would commission once she has her degree. I do know of an NROTC kid who doubled up on Naval Science classes and gradated in December. If he hadn't missed OCS due to an injury I'm confident he would have commissioned at that time. I know other kids who did commission in December but that was because they needed an extra semester to graduate.

There is no summer program after Senior year. They go active duty (assuming they are) as soon as a slot opens at their appropriate BOLC class.
 
I am wondering the same. My DS will have 6 AP classes by junior year in High School, maybe 8-10 by senior year. I don't expect that it will necessarily help him graduate early from NROTC, but it might make his load easier. He will have more time to study to make sure he passes calculus and calculus-based physics, which might be two of his harder classes. Also, more time for drill team and ECA's. But even if just looking good on his high school transcript, and helping prepare to be a college student, it is worth taking the AP classes.
 
I figure DS would stick around that spring semester so he could graduate with his peers then commission. And during that spring perhaps take a class or two to close out w double major and work part time.
That’s my hope. Again this is 3.5 years away, so I don’t know why I’m thinking about it now 🤷‍♂️
 
I figure DS would stick around that spring semester so he could graduate with his peers then commission. And during that spring perhaps take a class or two to close out w double major and work part time.
That’s my hope. Again this is 3.5 years away, so I don’t know why I’m thinking about it now 🤷‍♂️

Extra time in college is a beautiful thing. I took some summer classes, one at a time. It was cake. And it lightened my load. If AP classes can lighten the load down the road, it is a beautiful thing.
 
Just check with each potential college to confirm which APs they will or won't accept. RPI for example has a newer policy to only accept AP credits where the student earned a 5 on the AP exam. Others seem to take all dual credit or AP courses with a 3 or higher score. My DS started college with 37 credits but had he gone elsewhere it would have been potentially more or less. My daughter for HS class of 2021 will have 49 credits from APs and 2 dual credit courses - some colleges will take all, some less and we should all confirm that so you make an informed school choice.

Some ROTC programs expressly state the student cannot take grad level courses under the scholarship. Some programs do not want to cover a double major. For NROTC, there is an academic plan approved both by a Navy academic advisor and the school's academic advisor on how they will graduate and complete all requirements that is signed off on by both, at least at some schools. As others stated the students need to complete military science training and that usually takes 4 years unless someone doubles up in a particular year. Please also be aware of cortramid / summer cruises/ summer camps obligations for both NROTC and AROTC between specific years- that too can impact the notion esp of a 3 year plan.

Good luck.
 
So if a kid has let’s say 15 or 18 AP credits and he’s in a 4 year rotc program but has satisfied requirements for graduation after fall semester senior year, what does he do spring semester? Take graduate-level classes That could hopefully be used towards a degree later? Work in a full-time internship?
Just curious and way ahead of myself for DS.

The following is based purely on the experience of my two DS's, one AROTC and one non-ROTC. One entered as ChemE Major and one MechE.

I think much would depend on DS's major.

Engineering curricula allow for very few electives. Getting off to a strong start is extremely important and made more challenging if there are xROTC obligations to boot. It is not unusual for those with AP Calc under their belts to go back and "repeat" them in college. My ChemE, AROTC DS carried in a semester's worth of AP/College credits including three semesters of Calc. It took him about 15 min to decide that he hated Engineering. He loved Math and Chemistry and was able to change his major to Chemistry. That freed his schedule to take more CS classes (interesting and beneficial) and also "fun" classes--a semester of Italian and two semesters of Arabic.

DS #2 had a semester to burn which he used for a well paying internship, which begat another well paying summer internship one year later. His internships were with NASA and there were ROTC Cadets/Mids doing the same as he.

Either of those paths would be viable for your DS as would a semester abroad. He should not do a double major or a minor just to be able to say "I have a double Major or a Minor." Do it because he has a passion for the material and/or it would be beneficial in the future. That was the case with my DS #1. He branched Signal and the CS course work put him on a path to success when he commissioned.

Depending on your DS's major and outside interests, the best path forward will avail itself as he settles in to college and ROTC life.

Congratulations to him and best of luck!
 
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I figure DS would stick around that spring semester so he could graduate with his peers then commission. And during that spring perhaps take a class or two to close out w double major and work part time.
That’s my hope. Again this is 3.5 years away, so I don’t know why I’m thinking about it now 🤷‍♂️
He might need to make sure he doesn't complete his graduation requirements (ie, # credit hours and required major courses) until the second semester of his senior year if he goes that route. Alternatively he can lighten his credit hour load over his college years.

EDIT: I would add that it might be best to have a light load during senior year when your DS more ROTC leadership responsibilities, DS didn't have any AP credits but he worked his class schedule up front so Senior year would be light.
 
For Army, you fill out a 104r form which is basically your course load plan and pseudo contract between cadet and academic advisor. The ROO will look at it and determine where to align you. If you will graduate in 3.5 years you will probably go to basic camp and then go to be a MS3 your true soph year. Then advanced camp then MS4 your true junior year. Then you are a completion cadet that fall senior year. Thats how we’d do it. But not until an academic advisor blesses off on the AP credits.
 
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