AROTC Scholarship - What college should I choose?

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I was awarded a 4-Year scholarship from the 1st ROTC board. My top 3 schools are: the Citadel, University of Tennessee Knoxville, and University of North Georgia.

I need some feedback. I have been or will be accepted to all schools(have not finished applying for UNG).

I love all schools. I am leaning more towards my top two schools of the Citadel and UTK. Please help. I took my interview at UTK, they invited me, and really want me to be there.

Thank you.
 
3 completely different schools. I am assuming you are comparing schools based on your 4 Year AROTC scholarship? One big consideration is that The Citadel and UNG will give you a guarantee of active duty in The Army (SMC). UTk will not (THAT IS A BIG DEAL!). UNG is a much smaller (AROTC Only) ROTC program than el Cid. UTK and UNG have the benefit of being a "normal" college experience as well. UNG is in Dahlonega, GA which is beautiful and a great place to be. Charleston is one of the greatest cities in the US.

Tough choices, but a good problem to have.
 
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3 completely different schools. I am assuming you are comparing schools based on your 4 Year AROTC scholarship? One big consideration is that The Citadel and UNG will give you a guarantee of active duty in The Army (SMC). UTk will not (THAT IS A BIG DEAL!). UNG is a much smaller (AROTC Only) ROTC program than el Cid. UTK and UNG have the benefit of being a "normal" college experience as well. UNG is in Dahlonega, GA which is beautiful and a great place to be. Charleston is one of the greatest cities in the US.

Tough choices, but a good problem to have.
Actually it's not that big of a deal. If you perform well in ROTC and academically you will almost certainly get active duty if you wish it - unless the armed forces start downsizing unexpectedly. SMC's are required by law to allow good performers to go active duty if they wish it... but they too have to be good performers and win the PMS's endorsement.

In addition to SMC vs normal college also consider which campus you would thrive at and which school is, perhaps, the best for your planned major.
 
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DS also had UTK in his top 3 schools and interviewed with the PMS there; it was one of his favorite interviews even though it was facetime. He didn't visit with the unit there, but has been to Knoxville many times and lots of his friends are there. Depending on your test scores, the automatic merit Volunteer scholarship can be stacked with the AROTC scholarship to help cover room and board. If you live in state, you can also stack on top of that the Hope scholarship (I think you can also do that in Georgia with their Hope scholarship if you are in state for UNG). If you max out the Volunteer scholarship in addition to the Hope scholarship (plus General Assembly merit) that should cover all or most of room and board costs. Try to visit with unit for the day if you haven't already and/or talk with someone in the unit in your intended major. Good luck and congrats on the scholarship!
 
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I was awarded a 4-Year scholarship from the 1st ROTC board. My top 3 schools are: the Citadel, University of Tennessee Knoxville, and University of North Georgia.

I need some feedback. I have been or will be accepted to all schools(have not finished applying for UNG).

I love all schools. I am leaning more towards my top two schools of the Citadel and UTK. Please help. I took my interview at UTK, they invited me, and really want me to be there.

Thank you.

Nobody ever plans to fail, but with what is at stake it is something everyone should think about. One thing to consider is the cost of tuition and R&B at each school if something happens and you drop ROTC along the way, could you afford to stay at the school and complete your degree.

Another big decision is the lifestyle, life is VERY different between a SMC and traditional universities, make sure you understand that difference.

As it was mentioned above. getting AD through AROTC is not that difficult unless you really do poorly. Being at a SMC does not give you any advantage when it comes to selecting your Branch in the Army, they are included in the same national OML along with everyone in AROTC.

Congratulations and good luck.
 
A possible decision tree for you:

1) Do I prefer the SMC experience? If Yes, then Citadel - STOP.
If No...

2) Is one of these schools clearly academically superior in my preferred major? If Yes, choose that school.
If No...

3) Do I care about the town & environment surrounding the college?
If Yes, pick the town where you can see yourself growing, thriving, enjoying your college experience.
If No...

4) Flip a (3-sided) coin.

And be happy: you have nothing but good options.

Congrats and Happy New Year!
 
A possible decision tree for you:

1) Do I prefer the SMC experience? If Yes, then Citadel - STOP.
If No...

2) Is one of these schools clearly academically superior in my preferred major? If Yes, choose that school.
If No...

3) Do I care about the town & environment surrounding the college?
If Yes, pick the town where you can see yourself growing, thriving, enjoying your college experience.
If No...

4) Flip a (3-sided) coin.

And be happy: you have nothing but good options.

Congrats and Happy New Year!
UNG is a SMC as well
 
Hi all,

To piggyback off of the OP and this thread, I was awarded a 4-year to 3 of my listed schools, two in-state and one out of state. I am unsure of what school I will attend, but I must accept the scholarship by 1/18.

As a result of differences in tuition, would it be better for me to accept the scholarship to the out of state school and then potentially transfer it to an in-state school later once I know where I will attend?

I ask because I do not want to accept the scholarship to an in-state school where tuition is $20,000 cheaper, then realize later I need to transfer the scholarship to an out of state school where it might be iffy for the transfer to go through because then the Army would need to pay an extra $20,000.

If anyone has experience with something similar any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
 
As has been discussed in previous threads, Cadet Command will work with you in regards to transferring your scholarship to another school in the event you don't get in - BUT its not a guarantee. I would accept the scholarship to a school that you are willing and want to attend (and have been accepted). I can't comment on the money side and how CC views that.
 
Another factor for your analysis is can you afford the more expensive school if you lose your scholarship due to grades, physical fitness or military aptitude. No one starts out thinking it can happen to them, but it does. Every year we see the posts from those facing disenrollment and paying out of pocket.
 
Another factor for your analysis is can you afford the more expensive school if you lose your scholarship due to grades, physical fitness or military aptitude. No one starts out thinking it can happen to them, but it does. Every year we see the posts from those facing disenrollment and paying out of pocket.
You all have vastly more experience in this than I do, but is that a way to go through life—what if I drop out? If you are fortunate enough to get a 4 year scholarship to a reach or top school for you, I say grab that ring! If you have to drop out and transfer, that would obviously suck, but going in with that assumption seems to be just settling for safe vs optimal.
 
What major are you planning?
Citadel and UNG are both somewhat limited in their offerings compared to UTK.
 
You all have vastly more experience in this than I do, but is that a way to go through life—what if I drop out? If you are fortunate enough to get a 4 year scholarship to a reach or top school for you, I say grab that ring! If you have to drop out and transfer, that would obviously suck, but going in with that assumption seems to be just settling for safe vs optimal.

I noted it as a factor for analysis and awareness, not as an assumption going in. Everyone is free to assign whatever weight to it they want, according to their personal risk profile and personality type. If someone has to leave an ROTC program and faces repayment of several thousand dollars to the government which is not a student loan, but personal and immediate debt for the scholarship funds used, this can be a major impact on their ability to continue their education, building financial health and making career choices.

This thread is an example of “worst case” scenario. Most ROTC scholarship midshipmen and cadets will complete their programs and commission without a hitch. But when they don’t...

Disenrollment update or why you should only accept an ROTC scholarship if you can afford to pay it back
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...rship-if-you-can-afford-to-pay-it-back.71489/
 
Here is something else to digest:
Most highly selective universities are needs-based for financial-aid purposes and your ROTC scholarship is counted against you.
Even though the military ROTC branch is paying full price for your tuition you may have received a significant portion of it anyway if you hadn't accepted the ROTC scholarship.
But what happens if you can no longer continue ROTC? The military is expecting to be paid back full tuition which would be much more than if you never accepted the ROTC scholarship in the first place.
 
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