Chances of receiving AFROTC scholarship

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CaptainObvious

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Sep 22, 2016
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Hello,
Over the last year or so I have stalked this forum quite frequently and have learned a plethora about ROTC and active duty. I plan on majoring in Computer Science in college. I was curious about my chances of receiving an AFROTC scholarship. I am a Junior at a challenging Catholic Prep School in Massachusetts. My Weighted GPA is a 4.30 and I have taken all honors and AP classes (excluding religion, which is CP for everyone). Sophomore year I took AP European History and AP Computer Science A. I received a four on the Euro exam and a Five on the computer science exam. This year I am taking AP Calculus AB and AP Physics 1 both of which I received an A in last quarter. I am also taking a post-AP IOS programming course at my school. I got a 1330 on the PSAT, but I was sick that day and I didn't try too hard. Next year I plan on taking AP Physics C, AP Statistics, AP English and AP Calculus BC. For extra-curricular I work with the admissions and alumni relations department giving tours and helping in phone-a thons and a member of national honor society. I also have been a member of the robotics team since freshman year where I write software. We participate in the VEX robotics competition and have made it to states every year. I was recently told my a few senior that I also will most likely be captain next year. Lastly, I am the Undersecretary for External Affairs for the Model UN conference that my school hosts (we have about 700 people come to the conference). I am also in the running to be Secretary General next year as I the only Junior member of the secretariat.

Thanks so much.
 
Hi @CaptainObvious. It is obvious that you have an impressive academic record and you are showing leadership through many EA. The on think I don't see is any leadership through sports. Participation in sports, may be something you would want to add to your resume.
 
Thanks for your reply @5Day. I expected someone to say that. I would like to participate in athletics, but robotics is from 2:45 - 5 six days a week from September to May. Much like any sports team I have to show up or I will be cut. So as you can see it would be next to impossible to fit that into my schedule without making cuts. What do you think would be the most advantageous for me to do?
 
The cool thing about AFROTC is that you don't need an AFROTC scholarship to participate and in fact, most cadets aren't on scholarship. You've definitely got a good shot at an AFROTC scholarship, but also at a great academic scholarship at whatever school you end up wanting to go to. I just wanted to let you know that you've got a lot of options, and your great academic performance has definitely gotten you there.
 
CaptainObvious said:
Thanks for your reply @5Day. I expected someone to say that. I would like to participate in athletics, but robotics is from 2:45 - 5 six days a week from September to May. Much like any sports team I have to show up or I will be cut. So as you can see it would be next to impossible to fit that into my schedule without making cuts. What do you think would be the most advantageous for me to do?
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Make time. Sounds obvious I know, but I'll explain. You have practice from 2:45-5, what do you after 5? Or early in the morning? While varsity athletics may be preferred, there are always other options. Train and start running 5Ks, 10Ks, maybe even a half or full marathon. Join a gym, try karate out, etc. You need to demonstrate that your fit enough to be in the military and while you are very committed to a few activities, there are other candidates out there that may be able to show that they're able to do what you do and more. Try not to focus so much on school related activities and think outside the box. You have a great academic record and a solid list of extracurricular activities that show leadership potential, you just need something athletic and I would say you have a great shot at some type of scholarship.
 
trackandfield's suggestions are good. Start martial arts, put the time to earn belts and develop into a trainer for new kids. Or start a running program to do 5k's consistently and then a marathon. Athletics are looked at, but you don't have to be a star. I don't know how big your Catholic school is but at my kid's the coaches are very flexible about athletes doubling up on activities and splitting practice time. Have you explained your circumstances to the various coaches? But maybe your best options are outside of school as mentioned above, like with martial arts and/or running.
 
when DD answered the prompt "What does your weekly schedule look like during the school year," it reminded me of what she endures on a daily basis. The point is, she has made everything ROTC and the Service Academy's want in a candidate a priority in her schedule including sports. Most nights, studying doesn't even start until 9 p.m. This is how it's going to be in college so its good practice.
 
At what point are these kids being allowed to just be kids and chill for an hour or so a day? This is getting ridiculous IMPO.
 
sheriff3 said:
At what point are these kids being allowed to just be kids and chill for an hour or so a day? This is getting ridiculous IMPO.
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Great question, and one I've had to keep asking myself as we raised our kids, while keeping them competitive for the schools they wanted to attend. I came to realize that they can still be competitive and have free time. I think some kids are going overboard thinking that too much is needed (either for admission to competitive colleges or to ROTC and service academies). My college son got a scholarship from all three services, and my high school senior daughter got an NROTC ISR and an AF scholarship, and they both had plenty of time to chill, play PS4, watch Netflix, go to school games, hang out with friends, etc. And their activities included sports in Fall and Spring, debate in Winter, senate, clubs, scouts/CAP, and maintaining a high GPA at an academically rigorous college prep curriculum.
Selective schools don't want a ton of activities, they want commitment to a few activities of interest and a well rounded person. From my experience with ROTC it is the same thing.
And the other good news is that the availability of free time plays out in college. My son has time for ROTC, a double language major, and a couple school clubs - all while still using my Netflix account, and enjoying Boston and surrounding college frat parties. Of course the college class schedule frees up a lot more time than a high school schedule.
 
My DD is not in many EC but what she's in are big responsibilities. Student Body President, President of the local chapter of Soroptomist club (a global women's empowerment organization assisting women in 3rd world countries, and runs the school's tutoring program. It helps that she loves what she's doing to the point that its almost a substitute for a social life. But I do agree, doing a bunch of activities and not really "owning" them is too much. One or two leadership ones along with a sport should make these kids well rounded enough!
 
Mere2033 said:
My DD is not in many EC but what she's in are big responsibilities. Student Body President, President of the local chapter of Soroptomist club (a global women's empowerment organization assisting women in 3rd world countries, and runs the school's tutoring program. It helps that she loves what she's doing to the point that its almost a substitute for a social life. But I do agree, doing a bunch of activities and not really "owning" them is too much. One or two leadership ones along with a sport should make these kids well rounded enough!
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"Soroptomist club (a global women's empowerment organization assisting women in 3rd world countries" - that is really cool! Good for her.
 
It really is a unique experience. too. I highly recommend looking into this organization if your Daughter or Son wants to make a real difference in the world and they get huge kudos if they can start a chapter at their high school. My DD started her chapter after hearing about what the Soroptomist club does and now has 70 members. They have made toiletries for females of all ages in various struggling counties, blankets for their families and taught these people how to take charge of their life. Great project for High Schoolers!
 
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