Chances of Getting Scholarship

[USNA2016bound]

Hi All - I am applying for NROTC, AFROTC, and AROTC.

I believe that I am a good candidate for this scholarship, but the only thing I worry about is my SAT scores. My GPA is pretty high at about a 3.7 unweighted and a 4.2 weighted. I have multiple athletic awards such as being placed on my state’s all star teams multiple years in a row, winning state championships in multiple sports, and being a team captain. However, I didn’t realize SAT scores were such a big deal. I got an 1140 on my SAT, and I’m taking the ACT December 10. I participate in interact club, church group, and I started my own business for my job. I have 4 older siblings who have participated in ROTC, and one of them transferred to the Naval Academy. My dad and grandfather also graduated from the Naval Academy, so I have a pretty impressive legacy. Basically my question is: what are my chances in receiving a ROTC scholarship (particularly navy).

P.S - my top choices for schools are University of San Diego and San Diego State.

 

[ChatterMom2]

I can't tell you your chances but I can say you have zero chance if you don't apply. My opinion is you need to improve your test scores.

Don't know if you have been prepping for your ACT but you should be. You have one week before your test. Go to prepscholar or reddit using google to find their ACT old tests/practice tests. Google and look at the (free) prepscholar articles of ACT tips/strategies for each section Take a practice test. Focus on your weakest areas to fix. A week is not a lot of prep time but is doable. If you need any links or want some more detailed suggestions PM me. A week is not a lot of time but if you are motivated and commit some time daily between now and your test you can see improvement. You can do it! Good luck!

 

[NavyHopefulMom2027]

I have no inside knowledge and there are certainly experts on ROTC that will hopefully chime in, but I will say that most people that will be applying will have similar EC activities/grades, and many will have higher standardized test scores. I think the base score is 1100 so you can at least apply, but if you were my child, I would encourage you to do your best on the ACT and then if time permits before deadlines try the SAT again. I believe they will superscore so if you did well on one section of the SAT and not as well on the other, really focus on the lower scoring section.

I'm not sure that legacy will help but you definitely have a great pool of resources to help you put together the most compelling application you can. And just like everything else, you never know until you try.

 

[MidCakePa]

I have 4 older siblings who have participated in ROTC, and one of them transferred to the Naval Academy. My dad and grandfather also graduated from the Naval Academy, so I have a pretty impressive legacy.

The powers that be at ROTC (and USNA, for that matter) are far more interested in what YOU have done to demonstrate your worthiness for a scholarship. Not in what your family members have done. The decision makers are impressed by one’s accomplishments and potential, not by one’s lineage.

“Legacy” can be helpful for admission to places such as the Ivies and Stanford. For an ROTC scholarship, I wouldn’t count on it. Also, be careful that you don’t throw it around like it’s some kind of entitlement. That may not be your intent, but it can be construed as such.

 

[Cmac154]

Hi All - I am applying for NROTC, AFROTC, and AROTC.

I believe that I am a good candidate for this scholarship, but the only thing I worry about is my SAT scores. My GPA is pretty high at about a 3.7 unweighted and a 4.2 weighted. I have multiple athletic awards such as being placed on my state’s all star teams multiple years in a row, winning state championships in multiple sports, and being a team captain. However, I didn’t realize SAT scores were such a big deal. I got an 1140 on my SAT, and I’m taking the ACT December 10. I participate in interact club, church group, and I started my own business for my job. I have 4 older siblings who have participated in ROTC, and one of them transferred to the Naval Academy. My dad and grandfather also graduated from the Naval Academy, so I have a pretty impressive legacy. Basically my question is: what are my chances in receiving a ROTC scholarship (particularly navy).

P.S - my top choices for schools are University of San Diego and San Diego State.

In my opinion it's going to be hard to get a scholarship with an 1140 SAT. Agree that if you have a lower section to focus on that and retake the SAT if the ACT isn't significantly better. AROTC has three boards so you would have another chance to submit in advance of the March board. If you haven't maxed out on the fitness portion definitely work on that. Work for every point you can get towards that score. I would not submit for AROTC for January with that score if there's a chance of bringing it up with a super score.

Also, if you don't get an AROTC national scholarship there's always the opportunity to get a campus-based scholarship once you start college. At that point, your current college-level performance will be a better indicator than your high school SAT scores. Good luck!

 

[kinnem]

Simple answer - get that SAT/ACT up.

 

[Heatherg21]

Make them tell you no, and work on test prep. Someone famous (Michael Jordan ??) once said, "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take". Wise person.

RE legacy. It's nice, honestly, my DS is 4th generation at USNA, but it wasn't something he talked about. When asked why he was interested in USNA, he did say family history put it on his radar, but that was the end of it. Evaluators and admissions are looking at YOU. Not anyone in the past. Heck, in our case, my Grandfather had a great career and reputation, and my Dad? Nope. Bringing up his name might have actually hurt.

This process forces candidates to be confident in their experiences and accomplishments. It's a dangerous road to walk in that you want to be confident, without appearing to be cocky or arrogant. This is not always easy to do. Humility is a magnificent trait.

Good luck to you on your upcoming ACT.

 

[Jabor3]

I can’t give advice on what’s needed for a successful NROTC application but regarding the advice to retake the test(s) and go for the February or March board:

That sounds good in theory but just be VERY careful with that. Make sure the test scores are sent (and by sent I mean a score report is downloaded by you and emailed by you directly to your recruiter the second it comes out, not just relying on an expedited score send request from College Board, which you should also do) well and I mean WELL in advance of that board date. They don’t just get it and in it goes - they have to review it and verify everything and that can take weeks in some cases.

My son’s HS guidance office has had a ton of turnover and a counselor also is sadly out with illness, and they’ve been late (or missing) a lot of deadlines for the seniors this year. Parents have been losing their minds but it’s just a sad situation all around and in need of some compassion frankly. I don’t know where he’d be if he hadn’t started so early and been as on top of things as humanly possible. This one document (the counselor LOR) has required easily 2 dozen emails, meetings, and checks. Good character building stuff here.😁

So my point is, don’t cut it too close to the wire! Especially if you’re aiming for that last board.

Good luck to you!

 

[USNA2016bound]

I can’t give advice on what’s needed for a successful NROTC application but regarding the advice to retake the test(s) and go for the February or March board:

That sounds good in theory but just be VERY careful with that. Make sure the test scores are sent (and by sent I mean a score report is downloaded by you and emailed by you directly to your recruiter the second it comes out, not just relying on an expedited score send request from College Board, which you should also do) well and I mean WELL in advance of that board date. They don’t just get it and in it goes - they have to review it and verify everything and that can take weeks in some cases.

My son’s HS guidance office has had a ton of turnover and a counselor also is sadly out with illness, and they’ve been late (or missing) a lot of deadlines for the seniors this year. Parents have been losing their minds but it’s just a sad situation all around and in need of some compassion frankly. I don’t know where he’d be if he hadn’t started so early and been as on top of things as humanly possible. This one document (the counselor LOR) has required easily 2 dozen emails, meetings, and checks. Good character building stuff here.😁

So my point is, don’t cut it too close to the wire! Especially if you’re aiming for that last board.

Good luck to you!

Is it possible to submit scores after the online application is due?

 

[PLC007]

You can still improve SAT/ACT scores, and AFA if you have not already submitted that. You may already know this. ACT is a fast pace testing, less time per question comparing to SAT. Best way to go about it is to do as many as timed practice tests as you can. I don't know about Air Force and Army ROTC, but for NROTC, focus on math and english sections. Make sure you get a lot of rest the night before the test.

 

[Jabor3]

Is it possible to submit scores after the online application is due?

I don’t think so, no. But ask your recruiter.

 

[TBVADAD]

My part for AROTC.

I would add not to discourage you but being realistic 3.7 isn't that high with a 1140 SAT. You need a higher score. Young men and women going for these scholarships will have 3.9 and above with higher test scores.

Also, nail your interview and fitness test.

 

[flightdeck]

Pulling the GPA to a 3.9 is obtainable, the 1140 to a middle to high 1400 may be a bit more challenging, but not impossible.