AROTC and AP credits/Double Major

J

JBfortunecookie1

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Howdy. I'll be at some school this fall with AROTC. I haven't decided on a college yet, however I was wondering how AP credits can affect accelerated learning (graduating earlier than 8 semesters) despite being in AROTC. Also, is there realistically enough time within AROTC to pursue a double/triple major during undergrad? Thanks.
 
@JBfortunecookie1 - Good question and good luck in deciding where you will bring your talents. I think the AROTC/Commissioning path is 4 years (worth of MS Classes), but I know Air Force allows you to join if you have at least 3 years left. With that being said, I don't see any reason why you can't have a double major. Enough time - I think that is probably dependent on the school you select, your course of study and your time management abilities. Best of luck to you!
 
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A year ago I posted a similar question and I'll just share the sage advice that was shared with me by the ROO at one school and this forum. Focus your first year on showing up day 1 in fantastic shape/ with great PFT scores and mentally prepared. Focus on getting outstanding grades your first year. Focus on mastering what you are learning through ROTC drills/ labs/ requirements in your first year. Make time for the "optional" service obligations as well as those not optional. Review your goals of a dual major with your ROTC academic adviser but be aware not all ROTC units are on-board with supporting that. Some expressly are not. But outline how you can do it (easy to research, map it out in 8 semesters and review it with the adviser - actual major details and blocks for a second major if you don't know which, yet. I've unfortunately watched so many scrub out of ROTC before the end of their first year - just focus on excelling, participating, and getting great grades. Align with your ROTC academic adviser on the rest. There are people who do double majors in ROTC and you may be able to get that approved. - but honestly, like Mr. Miagi responded when Daniel-san said "Wouldn't it be great if I won?" (the all-valley tournament in The Karate Kid movie) - Mr Miagi: "It be great you survive". Survive in the program, come in prepared, thrive in academics and preparedness. And don't overload on 18 credits your first semester. It's a big enough adjustment and there are some things college can teach you/ you can enjoy outside of your ROTC and education - make time that all that, too. Good luck.
 
@Herman_Snerd +1

But you have neither told us your AP course nor your proposed double major. Any advice is meaningless .ess without that info

You will also need to find out what AP courses the school will accept for credit and those for validation.

In general, double or triple majors are overrated particularly going into the military. My advice is to concentrate on major which you love, get excellent grades in it, and then broaden yourself.
 
Two good pieces of advice above. Freshman year you will undoubtedly be taking core courses. Also, your host college may require you to repeat some courses that you have already taken. You'll have plenty of time freshman year to figure things out for your sophomore year and later.

ROTC will undoubtedly take more and more of your time as you progress in the program. Observe how much time your upperclassmen have to put in. Leadership can be demanding of your time.
 
cb7893 said:
@Herman_Snerd +1

But you have neither told us your AP course nor your proposed double major. Any advice is meaningless .ess without that info

You will also need to find out what AP courses the school will accept for credit and those for validation.

In general, double or triple majors are overrated particularly going into the military. My advice is to concentrate on major which you love, get excellent grades in it, and then broaden yourself.
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I didn't think it'd matter what the AP courses were, as I already mentioned I haven't picked a school yet. My thoughts on a double major were Biology and Biomedical Engineering. Again, I was looking more at the time perspective for advice than anything else, but thank you for your response!
 
JBfortunecookie1 said:
I didn't think it'd matter what the AP courses were, as I already mentioned I haven't picked a school yet. My thoughts on a double major were Biology and Biomedical Engineering. Again, I was looking more at the time perspective for advice than anything else, but thank you for your response!
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Discuss options to double-up on ROTC year trainings and graduate early if that is your desire with your unit acadmic advisor. It is possible/ has been done and summer obligations can be worked out too. DS had like 37 credits from HS applied to his undergrad degree, Many as electives fyi. He started college technically as a "sophomore" - one surprise advantage of that so far was that he got a better lottery slot in picking housing for next year. And he could finish early if he wanted to, but so far, doesn't as he wants the leadership experience in his 3 upper years in ROTC. Some programs do support a shorter path. But again for year 1 recommend you just focus on surviving/ thriving, tackling your core and some primary major courses as your approved plan of study will allow. the rest will follow/ sort out after you get that adjustment year under your belt. Good luck.
 
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. 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. He branched Signal. I can’t say the Italian got him any more than the occasional free pizza slice, but the CS and Arabic got him where he is today.

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, which begat a full time position. His internships were with NASA and there were ROTC Cadets/Mids doing the same as he.

As I said, do not double major or minor just to be able to say "I have a double Major or a Minor."

The best path forward will avail itself as you settle in to college and ROTC life.

Congratulations and best of luck!
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JBfortunecookie1 said:
I didn't think it'd matter what the AP courses were, as I already mentioned I haven't picked a school yet. My thoughts on a double major were Biology and Biomedical Engineering. Again, I was looking more at the time perspective for advice than anything else, but thank you for your response!


Glad to see ur on board with biomedical engineering! I thought u were considering medicine/surgery!! Smart move, I have to say!! TY! Have a great Easter!
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