AROTC Picking A School

The website doesn't matter. Did you close your browser since you last accessed the site. When accessing a site there is this thing called a session. If you don't close your browser then when you access the site it sometimes resumes the same session. Sites save all kinds of stuff on the session so there may be bad info in there preventing you from seeing something you should be seeing. Not saying that's the problem but it's always worth a try.
 
Its probably not there yet, after first board it took several days. It will be in the file upload section. Same place where you uploaded documents, award certificates, etc. It will just say winner letter and you click on it.
 
rainstorm26 said:
Hello, I recently recieved a 3 year scholarship after this past board and am having trouble deciding which school to accept it at. I got offers from three schools: #1, 2, and 5 on my list, but I am struggling to pick between #1 and #2. They are both very similar in a lot of ways and I would be happy at both (in fact they're tied for first, but were simply listed as 1 and 2 on my application).

I am fully aware that the choice is ultimately up to me, but I was hoping someone could help provide guidance on how to better nitpick details to help me decide. As I stated before, they are very similar in a number of ways, but I will be contacting the ROOs and maybe other faculty members at both (coaches and deparment heads) to help me decide. What kind of questions should I ask to really help me choose?
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Call and try to coordinate an overnight in the next month at the 2 schools. My then cadet called the Recruiting Ops Officer or PMS and provided contact information asking if a cadet would be willing to host her for a night. The host cadet contacted her with dates for a visit that fit in her class, ROTC, and life schedule. She went to ROTC, class, and social activities with the host cadet. This was a small school with ROTC at a different, larger, school. This visit was necessary to decide whether to take the ROTC scholarship at this small school commuting to the host school or take an academic scholarship elsewhere.
 
Have you visited the campuses. In addition to taking the school tour, I would look around the school and talk to random students. Ask them what they think of the school. It was also makes sense to talk to those in Rotc. My wife and my son walked around campus and and my wife would randomly walk into a professor office (thank god I wasnt there) and started asking questions. All of them were very welcoming and understanding. I wouldnt do as a prospective student without a parent as I think they will be more agreeable with them there. My AF Rotc son went to see Arizona State, Embry Riddle, Florida Institute of Technology and Purdue. It came down to FIT and Purdue. He was greatly impressed with one of the teacher in his major at FIT but he decided on Purde after talking to some guys in a dorm. He connected to the lifestyle and he has been happy ever since. No matter what you see on the tour or what the professors or administrators say, what you think of the school will probably come down to small things that you wont know until you attend
 
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Walman888 said:
Our AROTC portal says ."By May 31."
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Interesting, if this is true it is a huge deviation from before, and the first board recipients had to accept within 30 days. When the actual letter arrives or if they upload a copy of the letter, make sure the date is the same, and if not follow the date in the letter.
 
doireann said:
rainstorm26 said:
Hello, I recently recieved a 3 year scholarship after this past board and am having trouble deciding which school to accept it at. I got offers from three schools: #1, 2, and 5 on my list, but I am struggling to pick between #1 and #2. They are both very similar in a lot of ways and I would be happy at both (in fact they're tied for first, but were simply listed as 1 and 2 on my application).

I am fully aware that the choice is ultimately up to me, but I was hoping someone could help provide guidance on how to better nitpick details to help me decide. As I stated before, they are very similar in a number of ways, but I will be contacting the ROOs and maybe other faculty members at both (coaches and deparment heads) to help me decide. What kind of questions should I ask to really help me choose?
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We have a similar situation. My son has a choice of three schools. We are visiting both again ; one tomorrow and one on Monday and hope to meet with both rotc officers both times. He decided definitely not to take one school in his choice. Basically both have great reputations, one is in the city he lives in, the other is about 300 miles away but in the same state. The one 300 miles away offers a huge discount on housing with the scholarship so basically he would go for free. The other has a discount for housing, but not as great. Both are in major cities.
Good luck with the decision. I am sorry I cannot answer the questions, but just wanted to let you know you are not alone.
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Problem with visiting colleges - they all look pretty great during those tours.

Like North Korea. Clean, neat, everyone is smiling and happy and energetic all the time. Food looks great, too.

No tours will show you those Thirsty-Thursday night couch-burning parties held before football games. Or legions of 19 year olds waking up in their own vomit. Sigh.

P.S. Congrats on your son. You must be proud. Job well done.
 
cchinolla3 said:
Hello, I received a 4 year to my top 3 universities, but I have not received a winner's letter (via email or mail.) How do I accept my scholarships??
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Assuming you're referring to AROTC scholarship, wait until you receive the packet in the mail. It might take 7-10 days to arrive. Then review all the info before accepting.
 
Humey said:
Have you visited the campuses. In addition to taking the school tour, I would look around the school and talk to random students. Ask them what they think of the school. It was also makes sense to talk to those in Rotc. My wife and my son walked around campus and and my wife would randomly walk into a professor office (thank god I wasnt there) and started asking questions. All of them were very welcoming and understanding. I wouldnt do as a prospective student without a parent as I think they will be more agreeable with them there. My AF Rotc son went to see Arizona State, Embry Riddle, Florida Institute of Technology and Purdue. It came down to FIT and Purdue. He was greatly impressed with one of the teacher in his major at FIT but he decided on Purde after talking to some guys in a dorm. He connected to the lifestyle and he has been happy ever since. No matter what you see on the tour or what the professors or administrators say, what you think of the school will probably come down to small things that you wont know until you attend
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I have visited both and also got to sit down with the ROO at one for awhile. The problem is that, not only did both visits gave off similar vibes, but both are far enough away from home that it would require a weekend to visit each, which financially speaking and from a time perspective is simply not feasible. Plus as was previously stated...

Day-Tripper said:
Problem with visiting colleges - they all look pretty great during those tours.

Like North Korea. Clean, neat, everyone is smiling and happy and energetic all the time. Food looks great, too.

No tours will show you those Thirsty-Thursday night couch-burning parties held before football games. Or legions of 19 year olds waking up in their own vomit. Sigh.

P.S. Congrats on your son. You must be proud. Job well done.
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So all things considered I will be emailing both ROOs (and maybe some admissions reps?) to see about setting up times for phone calls with each as well as with a current student - that is, if it's possible.

I however just want some help from you lovely people in formulating a list of questions to better determine which school is better for me.
 
rainstorm26 said:
I however just want some help from you lovely people in formulating a list of questions to better determine which school is better for me.
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DS says the most surprising thing to him was the sheer number of hours associated with being a cadet (although he is AFROTC). While there is a minimal number of required hours of class, there is an active student group at his school, and the expectation by the upperclassmen is the underclassmen cadets will participate. There are weekly lunch meetings with his flight, PT three days a week, and various fund-raising and public service activities. While he isn't expected at all of them, minimal or reluctant participation is noted. That is definitely a cadet question, not a cadre question.
 
My DS applied to 7 schools, all with strong Aerospace and AROTC programs, at this point he is undecided on his top school(s). He received a 4 year AROTC scholarship to the top three listed on his application :). We have visited 2 of the 3 but will not be able to visit the third before the scholarship acceptance deadline. The scholarship acceptance date is before he will hear back regarding admission to the schools.

We understand that the scholarship can be transferred if he doesn't get into the school he accepts. How often are requests to switch schools denied? Any advice for my DS?
 
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doireann said:
Many of these questions are the same for both colleges. One is right downtown Pittsburgh, the other downtown Philly. It will come down to one factor ; weather he can get into the main campus in Pittsburgh.
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Duquesne? Not ROTC myself but an alumni... They used to do drill right on campus which was cool to watch as a non-ROTC person. Especially when they would rappel off St. Anne’s past my window.
 
@rainstorm26 I can understand the difficulty of visiting again, it is good that you have been to both already. My daughter (a few years ago) received the scholarship to her 1st, 3rd and 4th school on the third board. She received a 3 year AD scholarship. She ended up at her 4th school, which surprised everyone! But it came down to her conversations with all the ROO's and the different things each school offered. At the end of the day, she went with her gut, for the one she felt had the best education for her major (nursing), and also felt like a good fit at the school. While it was the most expensive school, since they covered room and board all 4 years, even though she had a 3 year scholarship, it ended up being the most economical. Good luck and keep us posted.
 
jaglvr said:
doireann said:
Many of these questions are the same for both colleges. One is right downtown Pittsburgh, the other downtown Philly. It will come down to one factor ; weather he can get into the main campus in Pittsburgh.
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Duquesne? Not ROTC myself but an alumni... They used to do drill right on campus which was cool to watch as a non-ROTC person. Especially when they would rappel off St. Anne’s past my window.
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No Pitt. Heading there today and hoping for the best.
 
We are trying to hit 3 schools in 2 states in the next 15 days! 2 of the 3 DS had offers we have not visited. We couldn't do any overnights during the fall due to high school Football schedule. Thankfully, all 3 schools have offered overnight visits.
 
We went to one school today and a different one last Friday. He decided not to go to the third school as the officer didn't return any email at all ever.
 
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