I'm currently a freshman in college and I'm considering joining either AROTC or AFROTC with a scholarship, but I'm wondering about the likelihood of getting in, things I should be aware of, as well as any differences between ROTC and service academies aside from the setting at typical colleges and a shorter period of required service.
For some background, when I was applying to colleges, service academies were toward the top of my list, but because my parents aren't very happy with the idea of me serving on active duty, we didn't need financial help at the time, and I had gotten early admission into my top choice college, I ended up dropping my applications to those service academies. I recently had a family emergency and we're now struggling to pay for my tuition, and I'm also regretting not taking part in ROTC, so I'm highly considering joining now.
For some background, when I was applying to colleges, service academies were toward the top of my list, but because my parents aren't very happy with the idea of me serving on active duty, we didn't need financial help at the time, and I had gotten early admission into my top choice college, I ended up dropping my applications to those service academies. I recently had a family emergency and we're now struggling to pay for my tuition, and I'm also regretting not taking part in ROTC, so I'm highly considering joining now.