AROTC Insight?

[Baseballkid]

Good Morning,
I am hoping for some insight.
I am a high school senior who was not awarded an AROTC national scholarship with the first board. I am perplexed as to why I was overlooked and my status says awaiting( eligible) for 2nd or 3rd board. I have a 4.18 GPA, 1350 SAT ( only had 1 chance to take it here in NJ as they were all cancelled due to covid) , 2 varsity sports and captain in both (varsity soccer and baseball) with 1st team all league honors. Club baseball, Class representative, NHS treasurer, 40 volunteer hours at a camp for special needs kids, chorale, school musical participant, yearbook editor, and work as a tutor, lifegaurd, and pizza hut deliverer. I scored outstanding on physical fitness assessment and thought my interview went well. My AROTC choices are Clemson, Vandy, Virginia Tech and Baylor. What am I missing? Discouraged to say the least. I also am applying to USMA and I will join the AROTC even without a scholarship as that is my life aspiration. I would appreciate any insight.

 

[kinnem]

Only very few scholarships are awarded by the first board. Also, generally more scholarships are submitted than the first board is able to review. Applications are in a 'first in first out' queue. It's quite possible they weren't even able to review your application at the first board and it will come up at the next board. They also like to give the applicant pool time to develop. Point being, they haven't overlooked you. You are somewhere in the process.

There will be far more scholarships awarded at the second and third boards. Patience. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

 

[Capt MJ]

Good Morning,
I am hoping for some insight.
I am a high school senior who was not awarded an AROTC national scholarship with the first board. I am perplexed as to why I was overlooked and my status says awaiting( eligible) for 2nd or 3rd board. I have a 4.18 GPA, 1350 SAT ( only had 1 chance to take it here in NJ as they were all cancelled due to covid) , 2 varsity sports and captain in both (varsity soccer and baseball) with 1st team all league honors. Club baseball, Class representative, NHS treasurer, 40 volunteer hours at a camp for special needs kids, chorale, school musical participant, yearbook editor, and work as a tutor, lifegaurd, and pizza hut deliverer. My AROTC choices are Clemson, Vandy, Virginia Tech and Baylor. What am I missing? Discouraged to say the least. I would appreciate any insight.

Yes, you have a strong package, and clearly your HS time is busy and productive. Multiply you x similar students across all HS in the nation seeking a finite number of national scholarships. There are other boards upcoming. At this point, there is nothing different you can do except to continue to excel and focus on things you can control.

You know you want to serve as an Army officer, so I am sure you have thoroughly researched the non-4-year scholarships as an alternate path, and figured out what school you can afford to attend without a 4-year, if that comes to pass. Looking down the road, you clearly have the academic, athletic and time management tools to do well in AROTC and earn your commission. Life has a way of rolling boulders across your path, but perseverance and determination will get you to your butter bars. If you don’t get a 4-year at the upcoming boards, there are still open paths. Focus on that and press on.

Army ROTC

Become a leader and serve your country, without sacrificing your college experience. In Army ROTC, a career is waiting for you after you graduate.

m.goarmy.com

 

[Baseballkid]

Yes, you have a strong package, and clearly your HS time is busy and productive. Multiply you x similar students across all HS in the nation seeking a finite number of national scholarships. There are other boards upcoming. At this point, there is nothing different you can do except to continue to excel and focus on things you can control.

You know you want to serve as an Army officer, so I am sure you have thoroughly researched the non-4-year scholarships as an alternate path, and figured out what school you can afford to attend without a 4-year, if that comes to pass. Looking down the road, you clearly have the academic, athletic and time management tools to do well in AROTC and earn your commission. Life has a way of rolling boulders across your path, but perseverance and determination will get you to your butter bars. If you don’t get a 4-year at the upcoming boards, there are still open paths. Focus on that and press on.

Army ROTC

Become a leader and serve your country, without sacrificing your college experience. In Army ROTC, a career is waiting for you after you graduate.

m.goarmy.com

Thank you for your insight Cap MJ. Its such a daunting process but I know I will be a better person because of it. I also was just accepted at the
Citadel...so that is another option. I have worked so hard and right now it just seems I have no where to go but I will perservere and press on.

 

[kinnem]

+1 to Capt MJ. My son was not awarded a 4 year high school scholarship. He still attended his #1 OOS college with the help of a scholarship that lowered his tuition to in-state rates. He enrolled in NROTC without the scholarship and was awarded an NROTC scholarship that took effect in the middle of his sophomore year. You have a much stronger application the he did. If he can do it, so can you.

 

[KingZunzie]

You have a strong application. As others have said, be patient. If you reviewed prior posts, you likely would not have had such high expectations and resulting discouragement from not receiving an award from the first Board. Very few are awarded, and those that do are the "cream of the crop." I think you need a 1400-1450 to have a realistic chance on the first board. There did not appear to be any change in that even in this pandemic.

 

[THmom]

I’d add that the unknown is the score you received for the questionnaire you filled out as part of your app. Apparently, that carries weight, too. Perhaps someone else can opine as to its significance in the overall score.

 

[EEBTTF]

The questionnaire is an important part, I can't remember the actual percentage - but it is significant. The interview is also critical. Don't get discouraged, as other posts have stated - the 2nd and 3rd Boards will have a lot more awards. My DS received a 4Yr during the 1st Board last year and I think there was less than 200 awarded on that Board. (@Montana State Army ROTC - correct me on this if I am off)

For the academic year 2018-2019, more than 7,000 high school senior applications for the scholarship were reviewed.

About 3,000 applicants were awarded a scholarship. About 25% of those were 4-year scholarships and 75% were 3-year scholarships.

So - not sure how many were awarded on the 1st Board, but the majority are still to be given out.

 

[Montana State Army ROTC]

Good Morning,
I am hoping for some insight.
I am a high school senior who was not awarded an AROTC national scholarship with the first board. I am perplexed as to why I was overlooked and my status says awaiting( eligible) for 2nd or 3rd board. I have a 4.18 GPA, 1350 SAT ( only had 1 chance to take it here in NJ as they were all cancelled due to covid) , 2 varsity sports and captain in both (varsity soccer and baseball) with 1st team all league honors. Club baseball, Class representative, NHS treasurer, 40 volunteer hours at a camp for special needs kids, chorale, school musical participant, yearbook editor, and work as a tutor, lifegaurd, and pizza hut deliverer. I scored outstanding on physical fitness assessment and thought my interview went well. My AROTC choices are Clemson, Vandy, Virginia Tech and Baylor. What am I missing? Discouraged to say the least. I also am applying to USMA and I will join the AROTC even without a scholarship as that is my life aspiration. I would appreciate any insight.

Because there are 400+ other HS students at least with your stats or better and you don’t have that much leadership. Read some more of my previous posts. Not saying you won’t get one, but not 1st board. 1st board have higher SATs, Eagle Scouts, school presidents, Boys State plus multi sport captains. Rotc is trying to hook the kids who already have LOAs to the academy.

 

[Montana State Army ROTC]

I’d add that the unknown is the score you received for the questionnaire you filled out as part of your app. Apparently, that carries weight, too. Perhaps someone else can opine as to its significance in the overall score.

Correct. And the interview. Maybe he came across as a cocky know-it-all and rubbed the PMS wrong? Its been known to happen...

 

[Montana State Army ROTC]

The questionnaire is an important part, I can't remember the actual percentage - but it is significant. The interview is also critical. Don't get discouraged, as other posts have stated - the 2nd and 3rd Boards will have a lot more awards. My DS received a 4Yr during the 1st Board last year and I think there was less than 200 awarded on that Board. (@Montana State Army ROTC - correct me on this if I am off)

For the academic year 2018-2019, more than 7,000 high school senior applications for the scholarship were reviewed.

About 3,000 applicants were awarded a scholarship. About 25% of those were 4-year scholarships and 75% were 3-year scholarships.

So - not sure how many were awarded on the 1st Board, but the majority are still to be given out.

This year’s first board was only 4yr and about 200ish. I think they are trying to give more kids more time for the ACT.

 

[Baseballkid]

Correct. And the interview. Maybe he came across as a cocky know-it-all and rubbed the PMS wrong? Its been known to happen...

You have a strong application. As others have said, be patient. If you reviewed prior posts, you likely would not have had such high expectations and resulting discouragement from not receiving an award from the first Board. Very few are awarded, and those that do are the "cream of the crop." I think you need a 1400-1450 to have a realistic chance on the first board. There did not appear to be any change in that even in this pandemi

Because there are 400+ other HS students at least with your stats or better and you don’t have that much leadership. Read some more of my previous posts. Not saying you won’t get one, but not 1st board. 1st board have higher SATs, Eagle Scouts, school presidents, Boys State plus multi sport captains. Rotc is trying to hook the kids who already have LOAs to the academy.

 

[Brownie20]

Good Morning,
I am hoping for some insight.
I am a high school senior who was not awarded an AROTC national scholarship with the first board. I am perplexed as to why I was overlooked and my status says awaiting( eligible) for 2nd or 3rd board. I have a 4.18 GPA, 1350 SAT ( only had 1 chance to take it here in NJ as they were all cancelled due to covid) , 2 varsity sports and captain in both (varsity soccer and baseball) with 1st team all league honors. Club baseball, Class representative, NHS treasurer, 40 volunteer hours at a camp for special needs kids, chorale, school musical participant, yearbook editor, and work as a tutor, lifegaurd, and pizza hut deliverer. I scored outstanding on physical fitness assessment and thought my interview went well. My AROTC choices are Clemson, Vandy, Virginia Tech and Baylor. What am I missing? Discouraged to say the least. I also am applying to USMA and I will join the AROTC even without a scholarship as that is my life aspiration. I would appreciate any insight.

Your status says “awaiting(eligibile) for second or third board” - my question is were you boarded on the first board? My DS says “boarded/under consideration” he also did not receive a scholarship on the first board. Hoping one comes on the second board. Good luck to you, your stats look very good!

 

[JohnJr1601]

Good Morning,
I am hoping for some insight.
I am a high school senior who was not awarded an AROTC national scholarship with the first board. I am perplexed as to why I was overlooked and my status says awaiting( eligible) for 2nd or 3rd board. I have a 4.18 GPA, 1350 SAT ( only had 1 chance to take it here in NJ as they were all cancelled due to covid) , 2 varsity sports and captain in both (varsity soccer and baseball) with 1st team all league honors. Club baseball, Class representative, NHS treasurer, 40 volunteer hours at a camp for special needs kids, chorale, school musical participant, yearbook editor, and work as a tutor, lifegaurd, and pizza hut deliverer. I scored outstanding on physical fitness assessment and thought my interview went well. My AROTC choices are Clemson, Vandy, Virginia Tech and Baylor. What am I missing? Discouraged to say the least. I also am applying to USMA and I will join the AROTC even without a scholarship as that is my life aspiration. I would appreciate any insight.

If I understand correctly, funding is especially tight these days with everything going on with the big army and politics. This could be it.

 

[Brotherram]

Bingo, Montana State hit it on the head. First round is fighting for the cream of crop that the Academies are attempting to get. You have a good record, but SAT is a little low for a first rounder (1500 or above). DO NOT be discouraged. A fair number of first rounders will opt to attend a service academy - freeing up more scholarships in the second and third round. Keep plugging along and good things will come your way. If it was easy, everyone would be a first rounder and everyone would get a trophy - you are in competition with the best to be the best.

 

[Cadet35]

Don’t stress over it. Everything will come full circle pretty soon. You have great stats.

 

[Razrbck]

My DS did not get his AROTC scholarship on the first board. I thought he was a strong candidate. He did get a 4 year from the second board. Remember the ROTC scholarships are very competitive. Hang in there!

 

[Jarhead713]

Hey man, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

You’ve got 2 boards left, don’t start sweating just yet!

 

[USMAROTCFamily]

Good Morning,
I am hoping for some insight.
I am a high school senior who was not awarded an AROTC national scholarship with the first board. I am perplexed as to why I was overlooked and my status says awaiting( eligible) for 2nd or 3rd board. I have a 4.18 GPA, 1350 SAT ( only had 1 chance to take it here in NJ as they were all cancelled due to covid) , 2 varsity sports and captain in both (varsity soccer and baseball) with 1st team all league honors. Club baseball, Class representative, NHS treasurer, 40 volunteer hours at a camp for special needs kids, chorale, school musical participant, yearbook editor, and work as a tutor, lifegaurd, and pizza hut deliverer. I scored outstanding on physical fitness assessment and thought my interview went well. My AROTC choices are Clemson, Vandy, Virginia Tech and Baylor. What am I missing? Discouraged to say the least. I also am applying to USMA and I will join the AROTC even without a scholarship as that is my life aspiration. I would appreciate any insight.

Back in 2014 I remember thinking our DD had a really good shot at the AROTC scholarship during the first board. She had a super-scored 800 CR and 740 math on the SAT at that time,, an unweighted GPA of 3.96 and weighted at 4.88 with her honors course and ranked #1 in her HS class. She was 4 year team captain for volleyball, 2 year first team all-state volleyball team and varsity letter winner in 3 more sports. She also has several other leadership positions and EC's outside of school. She had gotten a NROTC scholarship very early in their scholarship cycle. She didn't get the AROTC Scholarship during the first board, or the 2nd board. She finally got a 4-year on the 3rd board to her #1 School. As I wondered about it, I figured she must have scored lower on the CBEF Survey. At the time she went through the process, I believe it was worth 250 points out of the 1400 scores of the total (equal to the score of the ACT/SAT, more than the PMS Interview score and more than the Physical Fitness test). You will never know the results of that, so it is hard to say. I know it's hard to be patient, but keep working on other civilian scholarship applications as you await the results of the other AROTC boards and USMA.