Chances of Marines NROTC Scholarship?

Pr1zzle

5-Year Member
Joined
May 22, 2010
Messages
3
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Hey Guys,

I am planning on joining NROTC marines option and need some input on what my chances are. I know they only give out around 300 scholarships nationwide, sinces its marines, and I want to know where you think i might stand. Im class of 2011.

-GPA:3.5 Cum
-Taking an AP statistics Math Class Senior Year.
-ACT: 25 with 9 writing (plan on taking in June. Horrible standardised tes taker)
-Class rank: School Got rid of ranking
-Had part time job through out Softmore and Jr. Year
-3 Years of Gymnastics, 1 Year of Varsity
-Clubs: 2 years of Culinary club, 2 years of Business Law Club (an Officer next year), 2 years of Business professionals of America Club, 2 years of and Wallstreet Club.
-Was Gymnastics Gym Leader for freshman girls and boys Gym class for half a semester.
-Attend a weekly Jr. Marines PT class and hopefully a squad leader soon
-Done 50 hours of community service with Local Childrens safety class
-Plan on getting another 150 hours of community service this summer
-Have very good letters of recomondation from 3 teachers and 1 gym coach
-Interested in majoring in Business at University of Minnesota or Ohio State University
-Have a PFT score of about 275.

Maybe some input on my chances and/or what i can do to increase them. Thanks
 
Have you started your NROTC app? If not, that should be one of your top priorities. That's one of the biggest things stressed on these forums, start as early as possible! Some people have already had their officer interviews for the class of 2015. As far as my progress, I just have to finish up the second essay, and make sure my counselor gets the transcript and recommendation in (which is a task in itself).

GPA and ACT, can't lie they aren't strong. I'm on the same boat as you. I've got a 3.5 GPA and an 1170 SAT which I think is equivalent to like a 26 on the ACT. What is your courseload like? How many AP's, Honors, etc.?

Extracurriculars, you probably have lacked a bit of leadership...so make sure you can solidify that officer and squad leader spot. Don't do community service just to do it. Make sure it's something you're interested in.

PFT score is good. I bet you can max it by the end of the summer, if not atleast hit 290.

Get in contact now with the people in charge of the OSU and Minnesota unit. Express interest early. If you don't get the 4 year scholarship, you still can get a sideload, and expressing interest early will show that you are committed.
 
While you should study what you are interested in, your major will probably hurt your chance. Most Navy related scholarships (which include marine) tend to be awarded to more technical majors such as engineering. If you are interested in anything in that field, look into it.

You can get more information about this at https://www.nrotc.navy.mil
 
I was told by the scholarship officer at Texas A&M that for the Marine Option scholarship your major does not factor into your chances of getting a scholarship.
 
Have you started your NROTC app? If not, that should be one of your top priorities. That's one of the biggest things stressed on these forums, start as early as possible! Some people have already had their officer interviews for the class of 2015. As far as my progress, I just have to finish up the second essay, and make sure my counselor gets the transcript and recommendation in (which is a task in itself).

GPA and ACT, can't lie they aren't strong. I'm on the same boat as you. I've got a 3.5 GPA and an 1170 SAT which I think is equivalent to like a 26 on the ACT. What is your courseload like? How many AP's, Honors, etc.?

Extracurriculars, you probably have lacked a bit of leadership...so make sure you can solidify that officer and squad leader spot. Don't do community service just to do it. Make sure it's something you're interested in.

PFT score is good. I bet you can max it by the end of the summer, if not atleast hit 290.

Get in contact now with the people in charge of the OSU and Minnesota unit. Express interest early. If you don't get the 4 year scholarship, you still can get a sideload, and expressing interest early will show that you are committed.

I have started my application. I have 3 good solid leters of recomendation from Math, Science, and English teachers and 1 from my Gymnastics Coach.

I am trying to find leadership positions but its hard. I do not technically have leadership postions, but am looked up to by many people as a leader, from what I've heard.

I hope to increase my ACT score which might make a difference, and am taking an AP course my senior year, but at this point i feel like I have no chance.

I have already been to University of Minnesota and talked with the Captian of the Marines NROTC.

Not to mention I will be trying to start an Airsoft Club at my school next year, hopefully in time to put down on my application. That way i can have a leadership role.
 
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I have started my application. I have 3 good solid leters of recomendation from Math, Science, and English teachers and 1 from my Gymnastics Coach.

Marine option asks for three letters. One from the counselor, english teacher and a third source of your choice. Don't send anymore than they ask for.

I am trying to find leadership positions but its hard. I do not technically have leadership postions, but am looked up to by many people as a leader, from what I've heard.

Make sure you give an ancedote of your leadership in one of the essays. And bring up how you may not hold a specific title, but you practice leadership in everything you are involved in.

I hope to increase my ACT score which might make a difference, and am taking an AP course my senior year, but at this point i feel like I have no chance.

Have you taken pre-cal? If so take AP Calc, and work your butt off. If you haven't taken pre-cal look into AP Physics. AP Stat is probably the most applicable math class (imo), but viewed as the lowest to the service. I took stats at a community college and loved stats and now look at everything involving statistics differently. Look I'm not a math and science person either, but you have to deal with the system. Make sure you get one or two strong math/science classes in (stats not included).

You never know about your chance until you apply. Thats why you see few "what are my chance threads" on this site because unlike civ colleges where you have X GPA, Y SAT, and Z extracurriculars and you are in...the military is looking for future officers. Not all valedictorians are cut out for military service. Sure you need to have excellent academics, but this isn't an indicating factor of officer potential. I'm not starting a debate here about what qualifies for officer potential, but I'm trying to give you some motivation that just because you aren't academically the best, your dreams of becoming an officer aren't out of the question. Fact of the day: Longstreet graduated 54 out of 56 and Grant graduated 21 out of 39, both from WP. There are 11 ways to commission in the Marine Corps, if you have what it takes and put everything forward (and are medically qualified) you'll get the end result.

I have already been to University of Minnesota and talked with the Captian of the Marines NROTC.

Awesome! Make sure you stay in contact now.

Not to mention I will be trying to start an Airsoft Club at my school next year, hopefully in time to put down on my application. That way i can have a leadership role.

Go ahead and scrap that idea. It'll just look like a last ditch effort to throw some clubs on. You have enough clubs. Remember it isn't quantity but quality. Go ahead and focus on academics and working towards those leadership positions in the clubs you are already apart of. That should keep you pretty busy.


Good luck!
 
I was told by the scholarship officer at Texas A&M that for the Marine Option scholarship your major does not factor into your chances of getting a scholarship.

My son was awarded a Marine option NROTC scholarship last year with a psychology major.
 
Hey Pr1zzle im applying for USNA and NROTC- Marine Option as well.
I've spoken to many people about the scholarship because ive been very anxious and confused as well. Frankly, you seem to be freaking out that you might not get it but ive gotta tell you everything you're doing so far sounds about right from what ive heard. I think your chances are very good just keep trying hard and working hard within your means. Do your best and keep yourself motivated and remember that there are many ways to become a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps, not just NROTC. If you dont get it it's not the end of the world, if its what you really want everything will work out, dont worry. You and I are in the same boat :/ I feel the same stress and so do many other people on this forum. Hopefully you take comfort in the fact that you're not alone lol
Good luck!!
 
Major

S#2 has received a NROTC-MO with intended Major of Agronomy and Soil Science. (He's going to see alot of it.)
 
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