Chance of receiving NROTC MO scholarship co/2024?

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CadetB1

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Hey everyone, I am trying to earn the NROTC MO scholarship, as a senior in high school applying to multiple colleges. I am aware that the number of recipients for the scholarship are extremely low compared with the number of applicants (14%), and I am not sure where I stack up with the other applicants.

Academics: 33 ACT, 34 ACT when super-scored,
4.0 GPA unweighted, 4.4 weighted, I have taken the hardest classes available every year in high school, including Senior year, and I have 10 AP courses under my belt. My school does not rank classes, nor does it award Valedictorians, and also has no Varsity or club sports.

Athletics: Throughout freshman and sophomore year, I played club soccer at an elite travel level in the hardest division in the state, and started every game that I played in, having played competitive soccer since age 7. From sophomore year through the present, I have played Varsity water polo for another local high school, and am now the starting goalkeeper, which is the primary role of leadership in absence of a captain, a role which my team oddly does not award anyone. This season, I have my sights set on All-State, 1st team, and potentially Georgia Goalie of the Year.
In addition, I swim competitively for my summer swim team, often beating swimmers from year-round clubs, and I have won every team award that exists during my time on the team, including: Swimmer of the Year, Coaches award, and Spirit Award.

Leadership: In absence of team captaincies, I have sought leadership roles through: Being a coach for my swim team, leading my youth group in volunteer activities, and working as a head life guard at a neighborhood pool.

PFT: I have a 292 composite PFT, with a 19:15 on the 3-mile run, and max reps on pull-ups and crunches.

Currently I am working on interview-preparation, and I will have plenty of time to submit my application by the 1st board, and intend to apply to Georgia Tech, University of Florida, Auburn, Florida State, and Georgia State. I appreciate your consideration, and would love to hear your opinion.

(P.S.- I have had a passion for years to be a Marine and serve my country, with a particular interest in the Infantry, and intend to make this extremely clear during my interview.)
 
BariaOne said:
(P.S.- I have had a passion for years to be a Marine and serve my country, with a particular interest in the Infantry, and intend to make this extremely clear during my interview.)
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First, so does everyone else who is applying so do not think this passion sets you apart.

You seem to be a strong candidate but from here it's difficult to tell what you actually accomplished in your leadership roles, which is what really matters. We also won't read you essays or be in your interview. The point is it's impossible for anyone to guess your chances here. Just put your best foot forward and remember this is a competition. Further, if you do not win a scholarship you can still enroll in NROTC MO and there will be further opportunities to apply for a scholarship.

I will add this link to an interesting article about the NROTC MO scholarship. http://www.thesandgram.com/2011/01/18/nrotc-marine-option-scholarships/

Also, if worse comes to worse you can always look into the Platoon Leaders Course to obtain a Marine Officer commission.

EDIT: I just re-read the following and thought it might inspire you to strive to be the kind of person the Corps, and all the armed forces, is looking for (not to say you're not). https://courses.csail.mit.edu/6.803/pdf/hubbard1899.pdf

Good luck with your application. Hope your dream comes true.
 
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Thank you sir, the post script I wrote was simply stating that I was in this for serving rather than money, so thank you for that insight, and for the link as well.
 
BariaOne, each year the applicant pool is different, but your credentials are impressive. My DS was selected on the first board in 2016 and you appear to have stronger credentials. Again, no one on this site can answer how you will stack up. Keep working hard and have a plan B such as college program, PLC, etc. Good luck!
 
mgreen said:
BariaOne, each year the applicant pool is different, but your credentials are impressive. My DS was selected on the first board in 2016 and you appear to have stronger credentials. Again, no one on this site can answer how you will stack up. Keep working hard and have a plan B such as college program, PLC, etc. Good luck!
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Thank you sir this was quite helpful!
 
I'm reading this post as we are down in Pensacola visiting my son that went through the process a couple of times and commissioned in 2018.

As @kinnem and others who have been on the board can attest, "Chance me", isn't necessarily productive. Your stats look very good. There are so many other factors to consider -- what region you're in (no need to let us know), how strong the other applicants are in the region, how strong their interviews go compared to yours, etc. Best advice is to try and relax. I know it sounds cliche' but you really can't change anything at this point that will make a major difference.

The article that was shared is a good insight to the process. (I know the author).

Don't get hung up on stats and parts of the process you can't control. Start working on your plan B, C, D in the event you don't get the scholarship. The scholarship avenue is just that...an avenue. It's not the only road to what is truly the beginning of the process -- earning the right to be a part of "the club".
 
BariaOne said:
Hey everyone, I am trying to earn the NROTC MO scholarship, as a senior in high school applying to multiple colleges. I am aware that the number of recipients for the scholarship are extremely low compared with the number of applicants (14%), and I am not sure where I stack up with the other applicants.

Academics: 33 ACT, 34 ACT when super-scored,
4.0 GPA unweighted, 4.4 weighted, I have taken the hardest classes available every year in high school, including Senior year, and I have 10 AP courses under my belt. My school does not rank classes, nor does it award Valedictorians, and also has no Varsity or club sports.

Athletics: Throughout freshman and sophomore year, I played club soccer at an elite travel level in the hardest division in the state, and started every game that I played in, having played competitive soccer since age 7. From sophomore year through the present, I have played Varsity water polo for another local high school, and am now the starting goalkeeper, which is the primary role of leadership in absence of a captain, a role which my team oddly does not award anyone. This season, I have my sights set on All-State, 1st team, and potentially Georgia Goalie of the Year.
In addition, I swim competitively for my summer swim team, often beating swimmers from year-round clubs, and I have won every team award that exists during my time on the team, including: Swimmer of the Year, Coaches award, and Spirit Award.

Leadership: In absence of team captaincies, I have sought leadership roles through: Being a coach for my swim team, leading my youth group in volunteer activities, and working as a head life guard at a neighborhood pool.

PFT: I have a 292 composite PFT, with a 19:15 on the 3-mile run, and max reps on pull-ups and crunches.

Currently I am working on interview-preparation, and I will have plenty of time to submit my application by the 1st board, and intend to apply to Georgia Tech, University of Florida, Auburn, Florida State, and Georgia State. I appreciate your consideration, and would love to hear your opinion.

(P.S.- I have had a passion for years to be a Marine and serve my country, with a particular interest in the Infantry, and intend to make this extremely clear during my interview.)
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@BariaOne. Your chance me will invite many varying opinions depending on people’s personal experiences. So I would take all opinions as simply opinions including mine. There is no secret sauce and you will learn during your journey if you are a right fit to the program.

IMPO your ACA Stats are very strong for NROTC MO Scholarship Program. Your ACA stats would fall into top 25% percentile of MIDNs and Cadets currently enrolled at all SAs and average enrolled students at top 20 US Colleges ranked by the USNews. Your activities and leadership look ok or average at best and below average relative to competitive candidates in this category I have seen including compared to my DS who has won all service National ROTC Scholarships including campus AFROTC T1 Scholarship at Harvard/MIT and Yale and admitted to and recruited by all SAs. If your environment lacks something SAs or ROTC want, your standing is that much less attractive compared to other candidates coming from stronger programs with better preparations. This is more the case when competing for NROTC Program since it is a national program vs SA’s state and district competition. About 1,000 were offered NROTC Scholarship and about 500 accepted and enrolled in the program for the Class of 2022. I estimate about 20,000 apply to NROTC Scholarship Program each year. This figure may differ YoY but not very much.

I have good confidence you have strong chance for the NROTCMO Scholarship. Nevertheless, no opinion on college admissions probability at any schools you are applying to since each colleges have their own standards that none of us know with certainty because they are independent from ROTC Scholarships. But getting a ROTC Scholarship supports your admissions to colleges. Treat it like equivalent to a recruited athlete to that college. Many apply and few top candidates are selected by the host colleges with additional recommendation by area or program BN CDRs.

If you are applying to the Class of 2024, this is the time to consolidate what you did and articulate your achievements clearly on your Apps. It is not the time to start anything new. Your PFT looks strong and your essays and interviews need to be very much on target as what you present on paper. My other advise is to control your enthusiasm and excitement in essays and during interviews. Having a focus is a strength but being a single dimensional person is not. Demonstrate that you can be multi-dimensional. Present a very mature and controlled strengths in your packages and during interviews. You are evaluated and scored by interviewing BN CDRs, usually by an O-5 (LT COL). I would also like to encourage you to apply to the Naval Academy and apply to your Senators and Rep for that important Nom. You look like a strong candidate for USNA. You should also apply to USMMA since you can commission into the Marines and consider other services. DODMERB is another hill you need to overcome. Apply now and find out if you are medically qualified. This you cannot control since either you are medically fit or unfit determined by examiners and your medical history. I wish you Good Luck!
 
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Looks like you're a strong candidate, however, as other people have mentioned, there is no way for any of us to give you a definitive answer.

My only advice is that actions are far more important than titles, meaning that the board will care more about what you did in a position of leadership rather than the position of leadership itself. Remember that for interviews and essays.

Regarding your PFT, well done, physical fitness is an influential factor in the selection process. If you have not yet taken a PFT proctored by an actual Marine, make sure your pull ups are strict, dead-hang start, no kipping, and chin fully above the bar.

I was fortunate enough to receive a 4 year NROTC - MO scholarship for 2023, and I promise you, I was not the perfect candidate. While expectations are high, the Marine Corps is not looking for prodigies, simply kids with a good foundation in which they can build upon in the coming years of training.

I would also recommend reading this article, it provides good insight into what the board expects of a candidate: http://www.thesandgram.com/2011/01/18/nrotc-marine-option-scholarships/

I wish you good luck on your journey, and although I am by no means an expert, if you have any other questions, let me know.

P.S I'm matriculating into VMI in seven days, please pray for me.
 
Thank you sir, it is really nice to hear from someone who has been through this process so recently, and I appreciate the specificity of your advise. Will definitely be praying for you at VMI, Luke, and I wish you the best.
P.S.- I just ran my PFT with my recruiter in a shopping center a few weeks ago, which is where I got my score from, and the SSgt that supervises it gave me the same advise regarding pull-ups, so thanks again lol.
 
BariaOne said:
Hey everyone, I am trying to earn the NROTC MO scholarship, as a senior in high school applying to multiple colleges. I am aware that the number of recipients for the scholarship are extremely low compared with the number of applicants (14%), and I am not sure where I stack up with the other applicants.

Academics: 33 ACT, 34 ACT when super-scored,
4.0 GPA unweighted, 4.4 weighted, I have taken the hardest classes available every year in high school, including Senior year, and I have 10 AP courses under my belt. My school does not rank classes, nor does it award Valedictorians, and also has no Varsity or club sports.

Athletics: Throughout freshman and sophomore year, I played club soccer at an elite travel level in the hardest division in the state, and started every game that I played in, having played competitive soccer since age 7. From sophomore year through the present, I have played Varsity water polo for another local high school, and am now the starting goalkeeper, which is the primary role of leadership in absence of a captain, a role which my team oddly does not award anyone. This season, I have my sights set on All-State, 1st team, and potentially Georgia Goalie of the Year.
In addition, I swim competitively for my summer swim team, often beating swimmers from year-round clubs, and I have won every team award that exists during my time on the team, including: Swimmer of the Year, Coaches award, and Spirit Award.

Leadership: In absence of team captaincies, I have sought leadership roles through: Being a coach for my swim team, leading my youth group in volunteer activities, and working as a head life guard at a neighborhood pool.

PFT: I have a 292 composite PFT, with a 19:15 on the 3-mile run, and max reps on pull-ups and crunches.

Currently I am working on interview-preparation, and I will have plenty of time to submit my application by the 1st board, and intend to apply to Georgia Tech, University of Florida, Auburn, Florida State, and Georgia State. I appreciate your consideration, and would love to hear your opinion.

(P.S.- I have had a passion for years to be a Marine and serve my country, with a particular interest in the Infantry, and intend to make this extremely clear during my interview.)
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Well any update?
 
He hasn't heard from the first board yet. He was told it would be before Christmas-time. The second board results would come in around April. His interview went very well - he practiced a lot and had great examples to give from his experiences in sports and leading summer camps. The Chief Warrant Officer told him his bearing and posture were great during the interview - as though he had prepared. He was also well-versed with his plan B, C and D, namely, NROTC - MO college program and PLC.
 
My son is the original poster. He did not receive a scholarship from the first board. He prepared a lot for his interview with the local Officer Selection Officer, which was conducted in October. Thanks to this forum, he did mock interviews with an Army Colonel and partner in a large firm, who felt like he speaks well. In the interview, he was very clear about pursuing all the options to become a Marine officer (he knew a lot about the options from reading this forum). The NCO with decades in the Corps told him that his bearing and posture were great (as though he had prepared). While our son was not a team captain, he is an intense athlete and we feel like he gave excellent examples of bringing his team up when the chips were down as well as an example of being sacrificial in a team situation. For the picture, my son knew how to stand at attention from training with the local recruiting office poolees, so I hope that helps. He also knew about the different MOS positions and was open to "the needs of the Corps".

He also led a lot in summer camps with refugees and church VBS. He was calmly "all in" for Marines ROTC. His PFT is 292 and he has all As, also a "33" ACT. We visited the Georgia Tech battalion and had a great visit. We are hoping for him to be accepted there. Finally, it seems like ~maybe~ there will be 4 or 5 times as many scholarships awarded at the "regular" board in February so we are praying for that and/or an acceptance to Georgia Tech where he can be in the college program. There are many of you that have helped us: USMCGrunt, Kinnem, Rocatlin and more. The letter said that the competition was "especially keen" this year.
 
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Mousie29 said:
My son is the original poster. He did not receive a scholarship from the first board. ...

He also led a lot in summer camps with refugees and church VBS. He was calmly "all in" for Marines ROTC. His PFT is 292 and he has all As, also a "33" ACT. We visited the Georgia Tech battalion and had a great visit. We are hoping for him to be accepted there. Finally, it seems like ~maybe~ there will be 4 or 5 times as many scholarships awarded at the "regular" board in February so we are praying for that and/or an acceptance to Georgia Tech where he can be in the college program. There are many of you that have helped us: USMCGrunt, Kinnem, Rocatlin and more. The letter said that the competition was "especially keen" this year.
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there are plenty of chances to make it through future boards. last year my DS submitted his application Jan 1 and was accepted in the March board. he's now a part of that great NROTC battalion at Georgia Tech. its just a long wait.....
 
I'd be surprised if there are 4 or 5 times the number of NROTC-MO scholarships for the Regular board. If last year is any indicator, then it'll be the same percentage of selects as with the early board. As the regular board often has twice the number of applicants, I imagine there will be a proportional number of scholarships.
 
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