Army ROTC - when does the board meet?

all the more reason why candidates must be better this year than those of the last few years, and perhaps better than the general population of the kids accepted into the university/college. I wonder if this trend is going to make it even more difficult for the class of 2015.
 
^^^^
Agreed.
I have been told by more than one PMS that there has been an almost 50% reduction in scholarships at their schools this year. By this year, I mean the class of students that will begin attending classes in the Fall of 2010 and are now applying for scholarships. Do I know it for sure? No. I only know what I've been told and that is seems to agree with what others have also been told about this year's (2010) scholarship numbers.
 
^^^^
Agreed.
I have been told by more than one PMS that there has been an almost 50% reduction in scholarships at their schools this year. By this year, I mean the class of students that will begin attending classes in the Fall of 2010 and are now applying for scholarships. Do I know it for sure? No. I only know what I've been told and that is seems to agree with what others have also been told about this year's (2010) scholarship numbers.

We've been told the exact same thing. We were told that the scholarships from last year were less than the year before but that this year it's cut by almost 50%.
 
The one unit we talked to that brought up the subject (we didn't ask) mentioned that their 4-year scholarship allotment had been cut from 14 to 12. Doing the math on the unit size (about 110 with over 100 on full-scholarship - many 2 or 3 year), without the ability to give walk-ons, this unit will shrink considerably, as it seems to have depended upon campus scholarships to build its numbers. From the rough numbers about 40% of the current unit have campus scholarships.

I'd be curious to hear if the units that are cutting 50% have similar percentages of campus scholarship recipients?
 
Gotcha - lets see how this all falls out.
Later in the spring when you guys have your results - I can start a thread on options available if you don't win a scholarship.
I guarantee you that the Army is NOT cutting back. They have to get jr officers from somewhere and if the demand goes down they will increase the incentives.
 
I guarantee you that the Army is NOT cutting back. They have to get jr officers from somewhere and if the demand goes down they will increase the incentives.
This reduction in ROTC scholarships may be more than just a budget issue. It may be the Army projecting it's needs four years from now when there may not be two ground wars. Also, if the economy has convinced more current officers to stay in rather than leave for limited civilian jobs, they may have a higher retention than anticipated. There may also be (speculation here) less people walking away from the ROTC scholarship program after the first year and more willing to enroll without scholarships.

I don't have all the answers, but IMHO an economy that isn't offering many employment opportunities for recent grads may be helping supply the Army's reduced officer projections.
 
actually, one PMS told me two reasons for the reduced number of 4 year national scholarship for the class of 2014: both the budget AND the reduced projected need for junior officers. I am very interested in hearing how this year will turn out to be.

For instance, Hoya battalion had 28 4 year national scholarship and 12 campus scholarships for the class of 2013. I wonder what the number will be for the class of 2014.
 
actually, one PMS told me two reasons for the reduced number of 4 year national scholarship for the class of 2014: both the budget AND the reduced projected need for junior officers. I am very interested in hearing how this year will turn out to be.

For instance, Hoya battalion had 28 4 year national scholarship and 12 campus scholarships for the class of 2013. I wonder what the number will be for the class of 2014.

Interesting about the projected lower need for junior officers. When you think about it, this year's applicants will just be getting settled into their first assignment 5 year from now. This would tell me that the top brass expects to be pretty much done in Afghanistan in that time frame and long since departed from Iraq. In addition, it says they anticipate a higher retention of junior officers after the conflict ends.

The past couple of years, in addition to the historically large number of 4-year scholarships awarded, there were a very large number of 2 and 3-year scholarships awarded, ensuring a large supply of junior officers in the 2-3 year timeframe. This tells me that they are projecting a significant deployment through this time frame and/or a large exodus as troop return from these deployments.

It is best not to focus on the absolute number of applicants or scholarships, as these are things you and your applicant cannot change. Focus on the applicant's development and a sound school selection strategy, both academically and from the ROTC perspective (have some not-so-competitive units).
 
This would tell me that the top brass expects to be pretty much done in Afghanistan in that time frame and long since departed from Iraq.
Lets hope our enemies in other place cooperate.
 
to: Aglages,Goaliedad, Singapormom, and other parents who are going through this process this year

So, based on what I have been reading, getting a scholarship at a certain battalion is not like just buying a ball room dancing event ticket, showing up at the ballroom, geting measured for height & weights and getting paired with the sponsor provided dancing partner right then and there: those who couldn't get paired with a suitable partner should exit the floor then.

Instead, there is a lot of "pre-game" social activities, where a potential partner "sizes you up", and sort of waits for you to come through the door. Your odds of getting paired with a partner are much better if you participate in these informal gatherings.

I am being facetious here, but you get my drift.

So, I am planning to visit high runner schools and battalion with my son next spring. He will meet with the officers of these battalions. He is a die hard military hopeful, and I am sure he will come across dedicated and enthusiastic. Especially with this top choice battalion, he will make it clear that it's his number one choice. He will meet with the college adcom officials. I will encourage him to actively communicate with the battalion officers through the summer and well into the fall.

He will submit his application in time for the first selection board consideration. He will request an interview with the PMS of his first choice battalion, with whom, he should be sort of well acquainted by them. He will maintain active engagement and communication with the officers of his high runner battalions.

Does this sound about right in terms of what he can do to increase the odds of getting picked for scholarship for his high runner battalions? Of course, he will be doing his best for SAT, GPA, ECs, Sports, etc and make sure that his qualifications are good enough for the school admission also (in addition to the national scholarship).

Can you tell me what else he should do from next spring on???
 
to: Aglages,Goaliedad, Singapormom, and other parents who are going through this process this year

So, based on what I have been reading, getting a scholarship at a certain battalion is not like just buying a ball room dancing event ticket, showing up at the ballroom, geting measured for height & weights and getting paired with the sponsor provided dancing partner right then and there: those who couldn't get paired with a suitable partner should exit the floor then.

Instead, there is a lot of "pre-game" social activities, where a potential partner "sizes you up", and sort of waits for you to come through the door. Your odds of getting paired with a partner are much better if you participate in these informal gatherings.

I am being facetious here, but you get my drift.

So, I am planning to visit high runner schools and battalion with my son next spring. He will meet with the officers of these battalions. He is a die hard military hopeful, and I am sure he will come across dedicated and enthusiastic. Especially with this top choice battalion, he will make it clear that it's his number one choice. He will meet with the college adcom officials. I will encourage him to actively communicate with the battalion officers through the summer and well into the fall.

He will submit his application in time for the first selection board consideration. He will request an interview with the PMS of his first choice battalion, with whom, he should be sort of well acquainted by them. He will maintain active engagement and communication with the officers of his high runner battalions.

Does this sound about right in terms of what he can do to increase the odds of getting picked for scholarship for his high runner battalions? Of course, he will be doing his best for SAT, GPA, ECs, Sports, etc and make sure that his qualifications are good enough for the school admission also (in addition to the national scholarship).

Can you tell me what else he should do from next spring on???

Sounds like a fairly solid plan.

Pieces of advice.

1) Get your ROTC application in during the early summer (they open it up in the spring) after his Junior year. They will qualify him for a PMS interview on self-reported information (No transcripts, ACT/SAT results, PFT results necessary). They look at the PMS interview as a sales opportunity as well as a screening opportunity.

2) Send your transcripts in as soon as school is out in the spring and the application is in the system. Send your ACT/SAT scores in then as well even if you are planning to retake in the fall. They allow fax submission of the paper form you get in the mail, so you don't have to pay for them to get these test results. You can send in the fall test scores as you take them. Sending in this documentation in the summer (when CC is not busy) allows them to be more responsive to your inquiry as to the document receipt.

3) Follow up on every item submitted with email (not phone). Give CC about 2 weeks from the time you think it arrived for them to process, even in the summer. If something doesn't arrive in that time frame, have it resent.

4) Have him take the APFT at the time of his PMS interview, if he is likely to score well (see army standards for details). Have the interview in late summer when PMS time is easy to schedule. Have him train specifically to pass the test (good form on push ups and sit ups). This allows the PMS to know that physical conditioning is not an issue. Also gives your son an opportunity to talk about their PT practices.

5) Have him do his college applications during the month of August (they usually come online August 1 at most institutions). He should be able to turn them in before Labor Day, getting this time-consuming task out of the way before schoolwork buries him. Also send in ACT/SAT scores taken during the Junior year at this time. When they are submitted, this is an opportunity to let the PMS know where he is in the process. They love kids who get things done promptly. Plus PMS can then follow up with admissions to see how his application looks to them before things get busy.

6) Followup strategy. Never assume that they know what you are doing or when you have done it. With CC, as mentioned above, follow up with email 2 weeks after any documentation is scheduled to arrive. With PMS, a brief meeting during his spring semester of the Junior year while touring is a good thing. You should be able to coordinate this through admissions. It will give the PMS an opportunity to explain their program (they do sound alike after awhile). Have 3 questions that are unlikely to be addressed to ask. They don't have to be significant (What majors are typical of your cadets? might be an interesting question that they would not typically present.) Always reply promptly to email. Contacts during the Senior year should be things like reporting that SAT/ACT scores went up when results come in. No need to make up opportunities, just keep them posted on things that affect your application.

7) Remember to update the online profile. It is easy to forget to do this when he receives an award or team captain assignment. They don't score the application until just before the boards (1-2 weeks).

I'm sure others here will also have good tips. This is the best I can come up with at this hour.
 
I can't add much to the excellent post by Goaliedad except to say:

This year is critical for your son's GPA. Regardless of what it was during his freshman & sophomore years an upward trend looks good to college admissions and to the military.

SAT / ACT can be taken in January of his junior year (actually sooner). Take both as early as possible and identify what if any areas need improvement. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the subsequent tests (if necessary).

Along with academic / financial reach, match and safety schools add in at least a couple of ROTC safety programs. Schools that have ROTC and that your son would be in the top 20% of the admitted student profile. When competing for a scholarship his numbers will stand out from the competition.

Keep in mind that ROTC does not pay for room & board. Consider applying to a couple of colleges that offer it free for ROTC members.

The reality is that kids with good tests / GPA / interview / PFT scores have been getting ROTC scholarships for years without all the additional steps and details that Goaliedad has outlined. However, as the competition increases for fewer (supposedly) scholarships the more important it becomes to start early and to try to maintain relationships (without being a PITA) with the PMSs at your son's top college choices.

Good Luck to you and your son.
 
Ditto!

Best advice is to complete application as soon as you get Junior Year Final grades. Start it online just before that, so you are good to go. Then the paperwork part of the process can be completed during the summer when things are slow. (Counselor has to send in transcripts, initial the activities form) Nurse must confirm height and weight. There is alot of back and forth going on and its easier to do this during the summer.

Visiting school(s) of choice is a great idea, then you have a great feel for what's a good fit and your schools' rotc units get to know you.

Start early....that's number one. Good Luck!!
 
Agree with all of the comments so far.

I would add to make that personal essay rock. Take the time to really polish. Then you can tweak it for colleges too :wink:

Also be prepared to take the PFT somewhere else if you don't do it at the interview. This was the part of my application that took the most time and caused the most stress because I didn't know who could test me.


As for SAT/ACT early, if you want to, take it at the end of Sophomore year.
 
thank you, everybody. I very much appreciate your input.

Good luck all the parents/applicants for the class of 2014 national scholarship.
 
I have a question.. I just joined this site and I don't know how to start a new post...So I'm going to ask here.

When I filled out my application, I had no idea we had to take a physical fitness test. I turned in my application in December. Is it too late to take my test? Will I no longer be considered for a scholarship? I'm also having a hard time looking at my application status. Thanks to anyone who can help me out.
 
I have a question.. I just joined this site and I don't know how to start a new post...So I'm going to ask here.

When I filled out my application, I had no idea we had to take a physical fitness test. I turned in my application in December. Is it too late to take my test? Will I no longer be considered for a scholarship? I'm also having a hard time looking at my application status. Thanks to anyone who can help me out.
 
You have to take the presidential fitness test. I don't think it is too late, but you need to take it ASAP.
 
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