Army/Navy/Air Force ROTC and VMI

A

AFJROTC_C/Capt

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So with a 3.7 weighted GPA and a 27 ACT plus Eagle Scouts, cross country, Air Force JROTC, and track. How eligible would I be for a scholarship from any of the three above branches to attend VMI and major in Computer Science with a minor in computer engineering or cyber security.(I know Air Force is probably a long shot. Also a scholarship for just in-state tuition can go a long way too).
 
Keep in mind that you're dealing with separate issues here: one is being awarded an ROTC scholarship and the the other is getting accepted at a college. The services award a scholarship based on your application, and then you take that to the colleges that accept you (depending on whether they have an ROTC program). It seems you should be asking what are your chances of an ROTC scholarship award AND what are your chances of getting into VMI. For the latter, there have been posts on this, but you can also look up the GPA and test scores of accepted freshman. Here's VMI class profile for last year's accepted freshmen: http://www.vmi.edu/media/content-assets/documents/admissions/Profile2020-Sheet1.pdf
Do have college backup plans though. DOn't put all your eggs into the VMI basket.
Good luck.
 
Please, do as unkown1961 advises and spend time looking at the entering class profiles for VMI--and other senior military colleges. If you are into Computer Science/Cyber, you might consider Norwich (don't let the out of state tuition discourage you--if you are accepted into the Corps of Cadets, they top you off with an additional 22K per year in scholarship money--so think less about the cost and more about where you want to go to school and what you'd like to study and how it fits into your bigger life goals.) Norwich is standing up a Cyber center. As for the ROTCs, start by looking at what majors fall into Tier 1 (Navy and Air Force)...you chances of getting any ROTC scholarship are greatly improved if you are studying what the services need. Good luck. Are you a junior? Plan to retake the SATs/ACTs at least twice. Once in May/June of 17 and again in the fall of your senior year.
 
Yes I'm a junior and I'm also looking at Norwich, Citadel, and Virginia Tech. I'm not worried about getting into a college it's more the chances of a scholarship from one of the above branches. I definitely want to do computers in the military I don't really care what branch though(any branch that will pay for my college, let me do computer stuff, be an officer, and let me serve my country).
 
I think you'd need to bring up the ACT score to be competitive. Consider that the Plan B for most SA applicants is the ROTC branch you'll need to be competitive with those folk (don't know if you're applying to any SA's). Also the mission of each branch as well as employment opportunities vary greatly, you should give some thought as to what you want life beyond college to look like.
 
No I do not plan to apply for the any Service Academies. But I'm still wondering about my chances with the credentials listed above. Also I am leaning towards the Army, because Navy and Air Force have fully established cyber departments while Army's department is newer therefore more chances for growth, expansion, and rank advancement. A questioned that I have, is does anyone know the US Cyber Commands relations with other government agency's like the NSA or CIA, because they also interest me. Thank you all for your time.
 
My DD received a NROTC in 2014 - 4 year, 1290 SAT's 1290, Capt of sport team, CAP, Volunteer, dual varsity sports 4 years. I think being well rounded (Leadership, Academics, Sports/band, fitness) helps for other short comings.
 
So other accolades I have is the highest ranking junior along with multiple JROTC commander positions, computer science classes at my local community college over the summer, and multiple leadership positions in boy scouts, along with tons of community service hours.
 
Are you on Varsity for your athletics? If you are sufficiently well rounded, I think it can even out your shortcomings. Like for me, I had a 3.74 UW GPA, 12 AP classes and a 33 ACT, but I only had one year of varsity tennis for athletics. I'd say you have a fair shot at the scholarships since you have decent everything, and good extracurriculars.
 
To answer your question yes I am Varsity track. I was also my JROTC unit's Varsity Raiders Team Commanders for two years. Also my unweighted GPA is a 3.399 while my weighted is a 3.734 my best ACT is now a 29 with a 31 in science and a 30 in math. I'm no longer looking at VMI (too expensive for out of state) so now I'm just focusing on getting the scholarship. Also on the tech side I'm in AP Computer Science, and I designed and built my JROTC unit's website and other local JROTC unit's websites and I monitor my school's website, and senior year I will be taking college computer science classes at a local college. Does anyone of that help to improve my application? Where do I need to improve? Do I have a shot at any branches scholarship of any type? Criticism is always appreciated! Thank you for your time!
 
Keep bringing up your test scores. Look at each services stats for scholarships. Also you really need to do some research on each branch regarding your desire to work with computers. Navy your chances will be lower. There just aren't that many billets for the IP community, especially directly out the gates when commissioned. Also remember that as an officer your hands on coding and other things will be limited. Read around this forum and you will see trends. Things like Boys State, volunteering, sports, ECAs are all important to the well rounded person. You have all summer to study for your ACTs. Lots of free and even more paid tutoring options. The higher the scores, the better chances you will have.
 
unkown1961 said:
Interesting stats. I wonder how many ISRs are given out?
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MY DS received an ISR this year. He was told each recruiting command has 5 ISRs to award and it looks like there are 26 recruiting commands. Not sure on the MSISR.
 
My daughter received one in early September and was told by the regional recruiting commander here that they only had 2 to give. And sometimes they don't give both.
 
Sled said:
Do yourself a favor and just go ROTC for a little more freedom. Just my $0.02...
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Yes that's the plan, I am just going for ROTC. Mostly because, I figured there's time to do military stuff 24/7 after college in the military, but for college I still want a somewhat normal college experience. Obviously it's not fully normal due to ROTC of course.
 
AFJROTC_C/Capt said:
Yes that's the plan, I am just going for ROTC. Mostly because, I figured there's time to do military stuff 24/7 after college in the military, but for college I still want a somewhat normal college experience. Obviously it's not fully normal due to ROTC of course.
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You would be surprised how normal if you don't attend a MA/SMC. It's definitely what you bring to the table, some of my peers didn't bring a whole lot, choosing to study their rear ends off in academics. Guess what? We all graduated and have done very well both in/out of the service. I have one DS at Navy, one at VT, guess who lives a "normal" college experience - neither. Good luck, and have SOME fun.
 
Sandnnw is spot on. I have a son in AFROTC and he has time for an investment club officer, debate, organizing a soccer tournament for UNICEF; and two foreign language courses. Oh, and enough spare time for going out on weekends, Xbox and Netflix. P;us he can put whatever he wants in his dorm room and come and go as he pleases. ROTC in a non MA/SMC school gives you a more normal experience. And there's no Hell Week or the equivalent.
 
+1 @sandnnw

My DS's first choice two years ago was USNA and plan B was an SMC. Ultimately he ended up at neither. But for him it worked out well for him.

My DS is attending a State University that our family could afford without any financial aid loans. This has allowed him the following:
  • Be only a 3 hour drive away from home. (as opposed to cross country).
  • Get a weekend job as a ski/snowboard instructor.
  • Earn a Campus based 3 1/2 year AROTC scholarship
  • Wear his uniform only to his MS classes and AROTC activities.
  • Learn time management on his own, while carrying 20 semester units and engaged in multiple EC's.
  • Not worry about affording to finish his degree if he became injured and lost his scholarship.
As an MS-II, he has made Dean's list and ranks in the top 10% on the OML at his battalion.

He has no regrets about his choice to pursue a "regular" college that was affordable that still offered a means to commission as an officer.
 
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