Congrats to everyone who won a scholarship today! It's great seeing everyone be excited for their hard work. Now in my case I unfortunately did not receive a scholarship this board, I won't lie when I say it sucks to feel this way. I've been working towards this scholarship since 10th grade and have had many screw ups on the way here but I thought I had a really good feeling about this board but clearly I have to do better. I am already planning on how to improve myself for this final board which leads me to ask a few questions. To those that won, what was your gpa or test scores? I have a 1240 sat and 3.5 UW but many leadership roles such as company commander and class officer. And I think one of the major factors in me not receiving one is that I had a 7:58 mile, does anyone have any tips on how to get it lower?
Army ROTC 2nd Board Results!
- Thread starter jszep03
- Start date
Also what is the OML?
Simply put. Run every day. I had a 6:30 mile and I try my best to run at least a mile or two every day. Definitely switch up paces during runs.
The Oder of Merit List is essentially a huge list of every applicant with an assigned numerical value in points that you get based on your application. For example you can get ~250 points I think maximum from the PT test and so on for every category. Scholarships are awarded from the #1 person on that list, until they run out.
Rock-n-Rabbit
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Is it the ECP program? Did you check the box on your application that you would consider this option?
If you did not and they still awarded you this, then I would give it due consideration as I think they know what they are doing and if this was an unsolicited offer for the scholarship then they see something on your application that triggered the offer and take it as a compliment.
If you did select the box that you would consider ECP route then it could be a fishing exercise to see if you would be interested (less money from command) while gaining another officer. Then you can gamble if you want, depending on your situation.
Look into the program regardless, and if you are fine with serving in the National Guard or US Army Reserves then this is a phenomenal option. You can switch to AD but there is a long process as I have heard.
The problem is, I can't exactly hold off for long. My deadline for accepting the offer is March 8th and the 3rd board doesn't meet until the 15th.
Okay I am going to 100% do that so I can have a better score by the march board deadline. And I also sometimes get side stitches when I'm running, any recommendations on how to avoid that? Obviously I'm more motivated than ever to break the barrier for my mile time so I know that through a lot of running overall that I should be able to be faster and have better stamina. And thank you for letting me know about the Order of Merit list.
Rock-n-Rabbit
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You have first world problems... they're more like opportunities, I would suggest to you! CONGRATULATION BY THE WAY!
First and Foremost: Do you want to (and I mean really want) active duty? If YES, then your answer is right there as it probably isn't worth the risk of the possibility of never going active with the ECP/MJC route.
IF you absolutely need the scholarship to get your degree (which I will tell you no one does - there are too many ways)... but regardless if you think you need this to get it done, then maybe you shouldn't risk it and trust in the program and run into the opportunity!
You don't have a wrong answer here just simply a choice.
As far as the side stiches not sure. I used to have shin splints when I started running but went away as I kept going slowly. Not sure if the same occurs. Maybe see a doctor if it keeps happening every time you run. also be sure to stretch NOT just your legs.
Rock-n-Rabbit
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Hey, one other idea/suggestion as this is a tough dilemma... Decide which MJC (NMMI, VF, Marion, GMC) and call their PMS and ask if they will work with you to extend your acceptance date past the Board 3 Deadline... Not sure they will but it can't hurt to ask.
Yeah I'll try and stretch longer and not just the legs as well. I'm able to fight through the side stitch but need to make sure it isn't a problem at all for my run. Is it possible to direct message you for some other questions I have regarding running? I just want to be safe than sorry.
It's my dream to go active duty in aviation. I will try to email the PMSs about an extension on the due date. Thank you for the idea, it has alleviated some of my stress. I guess, for now, I will hold onto it as a backup.
Montana State Army ROTC
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PM me. I can give you some insights on the MJC route.
Montana State Army ROTC
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PM me. MJC ECP are very unique and “interesting”
KingZunzie
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You can Google running programs. I'm not being snide with that recommendation, I just don't know enough to provide trusted advice. But, from the little I do know, I think that in addition to increasing your stamina by running more than a mile regularly, you may want to mix in sprints to increase your speed. You should be able to knock some time off in a month. Did you max out push ups and curl ups?
As for your question on stats, did you see the post last night that the 4-year winners averaged a 1399 and a 3.81 GPA? We don't know 3-year awardees stats. But to reinforce the fact that you can't just go by these stats, my son received a 4-year with a 30 ACT and a 3.7 - below average on both. But he obviously fared well enough in the other categories to bring his point total up. Work to improve what you can, and like so many others have said, have a Plan B and C.
airborne1030
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@USMAROTCFamily - Excellent point that you’ve made.
It appears to be SMP NG or reserves. It does appear to be jr college and then two years paid at at 4 year school with rotc with a possibility of active duty. But this seems like a risky path to active duty and I don’t think it would be particularly academically challenging. At the same time as the scholarship offer came from cadet command, he received a solicitation from one of the four military junior colleges.
Anyway, would appreciate any advice on the scholarship and these programs. And is this, practically speaking, the end of the line for him on a 3 or 4 year scholarship?
I see others are posting on this topic so I’ll read up.
Question for those who may know the answer. My son received a 3 year award yesterday. We realized that he may never have submitted his second (better) CFA result. He sent it to the service academies because he needed an improved score to pass but his initial (lower) score was already a pass for ROTC so he did not resubmit. A mistake on his part for sure, based on the points system. Since some people have written recently about 3 year scholarships on occasion getting upgraded to 4 year, I wonder if it’s worth turning his better CFA in now so that it is on record. Who should he reach out to about that? Thank you in advance.
EEBTTF
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Send a PM to @Montana State Army ROTC . I think his advice will be to turn it down if you want AD. Another good resource is @Jarhead713 he was offered SMP. Turned it down, was not offered a national scholarship and picked up a campus based.
Power_Outage_
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My suggestion as a cross country runner is to avoid eating a large meal 2hrs before running and don't drink guzzle water during that time either. Hopefully, that helps your side stitch.