Can ROTC help get you into a school?

Cadet35

Cadet35

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Jul 11, 2019
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Say an ROTC program wants you in and the school is very competitive. Can it help pull you through admissions similar to how a football coach helps a player get in?
 
Yes, it is possible. Depends on the ROTC program and the school, though.

3-4 years of guaranteed tuition can likely change some minds.
 
I have heard mixed answers on this. My opinion (just mine) is that schools with large ROTC/Corps of Cadets (SMCs) may have some stroke with the admissions departments if they have a candidate that they want in their program.
 
The schools my son applied to were blind to the fact he had the scholarship.
 
It varies by school, but list the scholarship as an honor or award in the Common App.
 
My son had applied to our prestigious elite in state public university. This school does a holistic review of applications since the admit rate is low, one of the most selective in the country. As part of the holistic review process, they are looking for people with deep, string involvements which will benefit their school. This is called a contribution to community. I can only imagine that an applicant who is at the top of their academic range or even in the range, would have a big plus on their side if they will be in the excellent leadership training that ROTC is. I know two guys initially deferred or waitlisted that got in after working with on campus Battalion command. Now, if an applicant is not in the range I don’t know if being in ROTC will help. Additionally if the school only looks at numbers not sure if being in ROTC will help, but then again, a strong candidate working with the school ROTC officers might get an in. I actually wish my son would have mentioned his ROTC plans more in his app for our very selective state school because ROTC cadets are a strong addition to this school’s community.
 
My son won a 4 year AROTC scholarship in the first round to his top 3 schools. He was admitted to one (his third choice), deferred early action from a prestigious private university, and admission decisions don't come out until late February for the other.

He was contacted by all 3 schools to congratulate him on receiving the scholarship. One school who doesn't send out admission decisions until late February is a large, public university. The ROTC Recruiting Officer asked for my son's Application ID so that he could give it to Admissions. The ROTC Recruiting Officer at the private university told him not to be concerned that he was deferred. He said they have had many cadets get accepted during the regular admission round.

My son has already demonstrated interest at the large, public university by meeting twice with their ROTC program and touring the school. He secured super cheap airfare to go visit the private university in early January before he has to sign the AROTC scholarship contract and name the school he wants to accept the scholarship to. If he doesn't get into either of those schools, he will try and transfer his scholarship to the third school where he already gained admittance.
 
Mousie29 said:
My son had applied to our prestigious elite in state public university. This school does a holistic review of applications since the admit rate is low, one of the most selective in the country. As part of the holistic review process, they are looking for people with deep, string involvements which will benefit their school. This is called a contribution to community. I can only imagine that an applicant who is at the top of their academic range or even in the range, would have a big plus on their side if they will be in the excellent leadership training that ROTC is. I know two guys initially deferred or waitlisted that got in after working with on campus Battalion command. Now, if an applicant is not in the range I don’t know if being in ROTC will help. Additionally if the school only looks at numbers not sure if being in ROTC will help, but then again, a strong candidate working with the school ROTC officers might get an in. I actually wish my son would have mentioned his ROTC plans more in his app for our very selective state school because ROTC cadets are a strong addition to this school’s community.
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When working with the school ROTC officers, I am not sure how much to communicate with them so one doesn’t appear to be annoying or expecting them to get them into the school. Advice w this if u have any?
 
I am no expert just a parent going through the process although my friends have successfully gone through. It’s always a positive thing to talk with the ROTC people in person and let them know how much you want to be in their battalion. Especially if you meet the academic range. ROTC training is such an asset to a school?
 
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