Chances of getting a NROTC Marine Option scholarship?

[Ngraham10]

I am currently pursuing the Marine Option NROTC Scholarship. I have just completed the application and submitted it. I really want to know what my chances of getting the scholarship are and how competitive I am.


So far i have applied to University of Tampa, Florida Atlantic University, University of South Florida, Florida State University, and University of North Florida.
I have been accepted into FAU and UT.
None of the others have responded yet.

Academics

GPA-3.3 unweighted/4.8 weighted (as of the end of my junior year)
Senior Schedule- AP Calculus BC, Astronomy, and electives; i'm doing dual enrollment and am taking English composition 1 and General Psychology.
National Honor Society member
SAT- 620 math, 500 reading, 460 writing
ACT- 24 composite, 27 math, 24 reading, 26 science, and 19 english/writing
All- Academic Baseball team
Academic letter
Major- Mechanical Engineering

Athletics
I have played baseball for my high school since 8th grade up until 10th grade. JV(8th and 9th) Varsity(10th)

Extracurriculars
Participated in my class steering committee (10,11,12th grade)
FBLA(12th)
NHS(10,11,12th)
Baseball club(9,10th)
Currently hold a job at Publx Supermarkets
Relay for Life(10,11,12th)

PFT
Kind of struggling on this part
crunches-100
pullups- 12
run- around 24:00
score- 224
I know i need to improve on this and am currently working on it. My goal is to get around 270 by Janurary since everything is due by then.

Other

I will Retake the ACT next week and I think my scores will come up quite a bit. Hopefully around the 28 range.
My Dad and grandfather served in the Corps, so I mentioned that in my application.
I also talked about how I wanted to do aviation.
Looking forward to my interview and how that will go. If you have any suggestions about the interview feel free to share them.

 

[dunninla]

I am currently pursuing the Marine Option NROTC Scholarship.

So far i have applied to University of Tampa, Florida Atlantic University, University of South Florida, Florida State University, and University of North Florida. Good selection

Academics - what is your class rank?

GPA-3.3 unweighted/4.8 weighted (as of the end of my junior year)
Senior Schedule- AP Calculus BC, Astronomy, and electives; i'm doing dual enrollment and am taking English composition 1 and General Psychology.
National Honor Society member
SAT- 620 math, 500 reading, 460 writing
ACT- 24 composite, 27 math, 24 reading, 26 science, and 19 english/writing
All- Academic Baseball team
Academic letter
Major- Mechanical Engineering

Athletics did you drop Baseball for Jr. year?

I have played baseball for my high school since 8th grade up until 10th grade. JV(8th and 9th) Varsity(10th)

Extracurriculars
Participated in my class steering committee (10,11,12th grade)
FBLA(12th)
NHS(10,11,12th)
Baseball club(9,10th)
Currently hold a job at Publx Supermarkets
Relay for Life(10,11,12th)

PFT
Kind of struggling on this part
crunches-100
pullups- 12
run- around 24:00
score- 224 I know i need to improve on this and am currently working on it. My goal is to get around 270 by Janurary since everything is due by then.

Other

I will Retake the ACT next week and I think my scores will come up quite a bit. Hopefully around the 28 range.
My Dad and grandfather served in the Corps, so I mentioned that in my application.
I also talked about how I wanted to do aviation.
Looking forward to my interview and how that will go. If you have any suggestions about the interview feel free to share them.

I have listed concerns in RED, comments in BLUE, and strengths in GREEN

Bottom line is that you for some reason didn't do the work necessary to score high on the PFT, which is very, very important in a Marine Option application. All I can suggest is that you continue, as you already are, to spend every single day from now until your Interview to improve all PFT areas, and then score 270 or higher when the PFT is administered just after your Interview.

I would also suggest you make sure to talk about your job in the Interview, and what leadership skills you may have developed in that job. The #1 selection criterion for a future Officer is being a Leader. Doesn't look like you were Captain of a Varsity team, or School Officer, or Editor of the newspaper. What can you talk about in your interview that shows you have actually led people? That is critical. Oh, don't do the Interview until you can surpass 270 on the PFT... however long that takes. Under 270 is probably a no-go.

 

[kinnem]

I am currently pursuing the Marine Option NROTC Scholarship. I have just completed the application and submitted it. I really want to know what my chances of getting the scholarship are and how competitive I am.


So far i have applied to University of Tampa, Florida Atlantic University, University of South Florida, Florida State University, and University of North Florida.
I have been accepted into FAU and UT.
None of the others have responded yet.

Academics

GPA-3.3 unweighted/4.8 weighted (as of the end of my junior year)
Senior Schedule- AP Calculus BC, Astronomy, and electives; i'm doing dual enrollment and am taking English composition 1 and General Psychology.
National Honor Society member
SAT- 620 math, 500 reading, 460 writing
ACT- 24 composite, 27 math, 24 reading, 26 science, and 19 english/writing
All- Academic Baseball team
Academic letter
Major- Mechanical Engineering

Athletics
I have played baseball for my high school since 8th grade up until 10th grade. JV(8th and 9th) Varsity(10th)

Extracurriculars
Participated in my class steering committee (10,11,12th grade)
FBLA(12th)
NHS(10,11,12th)
Baseball club(9,10th)
Currently hold a job at Publx Supermarkets
Relay for Life(10,11,12th)

PFT
Kind of struggling on this part
crunches-100
pullups- 12
run- around 24:00
score- 224
I know i need to improve on this and am currently working on it. My goal is to get around 270 by Janurary since everything is due by then.

Other

I will Retake the ACT next week and I think my scores will come up quite a bit. Hopefully around the 28 range.
My Dad and grandfather served in the Corps, so I mentioned that in my application.
I also talked about how I wanted to do aviation.
Looking forward to my interview and how that will go. If you have any suggestions about the interview feel free to share them.

Although you're above the minimums your current SAT/ACT scores don't really cut it. Your target ACT score of 28 might do it. As you point out your PFT score is low. Keep working on the run and the pull ups. One more pull up will pay off more than cutting seconds from the run. You should shoot to get your run time down to 22:00 or better. If you can add 3 more pull ups and get your run down to 22:00 you'll score a much more impressive 250. More importantly you'll have achieved a 75% score or better in each category. More leadership will help as well.

The Marines, as I'm sure you know, don't care about your major, while the Navy does. Also, Marines put more stress on leadership and PFT than does Navy. I know your family has served in the Corps and understand your logical desire to do so yourself, but you might perhaps be a better fit for the Navy with your major and PFT scores. Just some food for thought. Keep in mind I'm just a peon and don't sit on the boards so take anything I told you with several grains of salt.

 

[dunninla]

you might perhaps be a better fit for the Navy with your major and PFT scores. .

Maybe so, but 24 or even 28 ACT won't cut it for NROTC - Navy Option. I would be looking at 30+ to feel comptitive for the Navy Option, and an unweighted GPA of at least 3.8, unless it is an unusually competitive HS, then min. 3.6.

I think with his UW GPA and ACT, better off making his run for Marine Option, and hoping for the best.

 

[USMCGrunt]

Ngraham10: Lots of good advice here. You have taken a good first step by applying - no one can get the scholarship without doing so.

Rather than offer an opinion on your chances, let me offer some advice. Regarding the interview, search this forum for advice on how to prepare. You will most likely take the PFT at the same time. Since you have sent in your application, you will be contacted soon about the interview. You can't really manipulate the time too much. You have to be ready when they are. So work out every day.

Also consider the other ways of commissioning in the USMC including PLC (Platoon Leader's Course) and/ or joining NROTC without a scholarship. Won't go into details at this time, just wanted you to know there are other options for a commission.

Good luck

 

[kinnem]

Maybe so, but 24 or even 28 ACT won't cut it for NROTC - Navy Option. I would be looking at 30+ to feel comptitive for the Navy Option, and an unweighted GPA of at least 3.8, unless it is an unusually competitive HS, then min. 3.6.

I think with his UW GPA and ACT, better off making his run for Marine Option, and hoping for the best.

You may be right. In either case ACT definitely needs improvement.

 

[Ngraham10]

Thanks for the replies! I sent my application in 2 days ago, when do you think they will notify of my interview? I want a date to work towards for my pft. Also, am I allowed to take the pft multiple times or just once? I am ranked 31/409 in my class. I have look into the PLC program and will definitely do that if NROTclC doesn't pan out.

 

[Run5K]

Ngraham, as a peer, I'll give you my best assessment. First, there's a big difference between your weighted and unweighted GPA. That will need some explanation. Second, your SAT and ACT math scores are just too low, and it's probably too late to get some higher scores on the books before the review board gets swamped. Your math score carries much more weight than your reading or english scores.

While you can crunch, push and pull OK, a 24 minute run won't cut it, and there's no time to log the miles it will take to bring down your time.

Your schools are not "stretch" schools. They're all good state schools that I happen to know well. I expect you'll be accepted to all of them if you apply. You're academic record looks strong enough to qualify for the Bright Futures scholarship.

Bottom line: there are much fewer scholarships available due to budget cuts and higher retention. Back in 2008, there was approximately 5000 applications and 2500 scholarships awarded. This year, I'd bet there are 5k+ applications, but just 1200 scholarship available. The Marine option will get just a fraction of those 1200. I just don't think you're competitive enought for that small fraction.

Best solution path: join the unit at the best engineering school that accepts you on a non-scholarship basis. Bust your butt, get great grades, run A LOT, and try for a side load.