AROTC Scholarship Offers, What the heck?!

[tonythetyger]

I recently checked my AROTC scholarship status online to find that I was offered scholarships to two relatively expensive, private, out of state schools (University of Southern California and Emory.) They were actually my top two choices. The problem is... I haven't been accepted for admissions to either of these schools. USC rejected me and Emory put me on their waitlist.

Strangely, the in state, public school that did accept me, to which I have already submitted a deposit to, is not on that list. I did apply for an AROTC scholarship at that school, although I ranked it much lower on my preferences.

No other schools have offered me scholarships. At this point, I am very concerned that I may end up not being able to use the ROTC scholarship to fund my college education.

 

[bjc]

I recently checked my AROTC scholarship status online to find that I was offered scholarships to two relatively expensive, private, out of state schools (University of Southern California and Emory.) They were actually my top two choices. The problem is... I haven't been accepted for admissions to either of these schools. USC rejected me and Emory put me on their waitlist.

Strangely, the in state, public school that did accept me, to which I have already submitted a deposit to, is not on that list. I did apply for an AROTC scholarship at that school, although I ranked it much lower on my preferences.

No other schools have offered me scholarships. At this point, I am very concerned that I may end up not being able to use the ROTC scholarship to fund my college education.

The online status does not show the length of the award but for most of the awards from this last board, OOS schools are 3 year awards. Once you get your letter in the mail, it will give you the details.

You can requst a transfer of your scholarship to the school you have been admitted to. First thing you need to do is contact the ROO at USC, Emory or the school you have been admitted to and he/she should be able to tell you your scholarship details. Let the ROOs at USC and Emory know your admission status at the school. Maybe they have some input at admissions, especially your waitlist at Emory. Also contact the ROO at your admitted school if that is where you would like to try and transfer your scholarship to.

Once you get your letter in the mail, first thing you need to do is accept your scholarship so you don't lose it. Then, make your transfer request. Transferring your scholarship from an expensive OOS school to a less expensive IS school is, from what I have heard, a good possibility. Good luck.

 

[Pima]

I agree with bjc's advice.

I also want to say for the class of 16 and lurkers, this is a prime example of why it is so important for you to match the school's with your chances of being accepted.

It is great to have reaches, but you need matches and safeties too on that list.

I would love to say that the OP is a rarity, but every yr this time the threads are filled with AROTC and NROTC recipients in this exact situation.

They get a scholarship and now must put themselves in angst of getting it transferred to a school they were accepted to, but not awarded a scholarship.

It is also a reason why you should visit the ROTC BN/Det when you do the school visit. If you know that you will be visiting in the spring (jr) or fall (sr), contact them and ask to meet them informally. This is when you should ask questions about how many scholarship recipients they are awarded, and the amount that request the scholarship. You may see that school as your safety academically, but what if everyone sees it that way and the % of awards are very low? Will you still put that as number 5 on your list or will you move it up?

The same with your reach school, what if the pool is very small and chances are high? Ask them if they "talk" to admissions? Some do, some don't? It is what I call "push/pull". In other words, they are a voice on the admissions board, and if it comes down to 1 spot and 2 applicants, you being one...they push you through and admissions pulls you in. That scholarship is a player in the equation from the school's POV.

Not every school has ROTC on their admissions board. Additionally, many universities have all 3 ROTC branches, thus maybe at one school NROTC is on the board, while AFROTC and AROTC are left out. Many candidates apply to more than one branch. Don't assume if you are applying for AROTC and NROTC that because AROTC is not on the board, that NROTC is also not on the board or vise a verse.

Ex: I know one school that NROTC has no voice, but AFROTC does. I know another that AROTC has a voice, but AFROTC sits in the cold.

My guesstimate is the size of the cadre that gains them the voice.

You never want to rely on this aspect, but it is important to know the facts and chances before you submit that list.

It is also important to do the what if? What if you get the scholarship, but do not meet the academic requirements for the scholarship, yet maintain high enough to stay at school? Can you afford to stay there without the scholarship? What if you play ultimate frisbee and break your leg requiring pins, causing a DQ DodMERB issue, can you afford to stay? What if you decide after fall semester soph. yr, that the military is not for you, can you afford to stay?

It is very important to address these questions because as much as the OP isn't a rarity regarding his scholarship situation, many do leave the ROTC program at an even higher amount than the OP's predicament.

 

[Jcleppe]

I recently checked my AROTC scholarship status online to find that I was offered scholarships to two relatively expensive, private, out of state schools (University of Southern California and Emory.) They were actually my top two choices. The problem is... I haven't been accepted for admissions to either of these schools. USC rejected me and Emory put me on their waitlist.

Strangely, the in state, public school that did accept me, to which I have already submitted a deposit to, is not on that list. I did apply for an AROTC scholarship at that school, although I ranked it much lower on my preferences.

No other schools have offered me scholarships. At this point, I am very concerned that I may end up not being able to use the ROTC scholarship to fund my college education.

A couple things to also keep in mind for the new round of applicants. Cadet Command has no idea which schools you get accepted to. This is why they state in the application book that it is your responsibility to be accepted at the schools you list on your application.

I bring this up because of the title of your post "What the Heck!" Well, what did you expect, you were actually one of the lucky ones that received the scholarship to the top 2 schools on your list. CC had no idea you weren't accepted there.

For all new applicants read this carefully and follow PIMA's advice, don't get stuck in this same situation.