Civilian college to USMA

[thedream20]

Hello all,

I am currently a freshman at a top undergrad institution. I have had a strong desire to attend USMA since early on in HS. I am currently a D1 athlete who took the opportunity after trying and not receiving an offer to play athletics at WP. I plan to apply to the class of 2023 after some serious thought, but my major concern is that I am not currently apart of the ROTC program at my college. I was just wondering how much of a setback that would make it? My college GPA is okay as I am on the pre med track. My HS stats were good. I plan on joining the ROTC program next fall, as I will try to get my self set up to do so this spring. After starting the application process, I was wondering how much not being in ROTC will hurt me? It is also worth noting that the school I attend on has an ROTC program for the Air Force. The only way to be apart of the Army ROTC program is to join at a school 20 minuets away.

Thank you

 

[AROTC-dad]

Not being in ROTC, eliminates one nomination source. Other then that, you are also competing against other re-applicants who ARE participating in AROTC, while doing everything you are doing.

Your reapplication package must be competitive against those candidates to gain admission.

Are you seeking to become a physician first or an Army platoon leader first?

 

[USMA 1994]

The path of least resistance for a college re-applicant is taking a challenging class load and participating in your desired service's ROTC program. AFROTC cannot nominate you to USMA, they could nominate you to USAFA.

Many colleges have cross-town AROTC units and many students figure it out.

My DD was also a Div I athlete who had a 45 minute drive to attend AROTC across the Dallas Metroplex while completing her freshman year as a pre-med major. She is now almost done with her second freshman year at USMA.

You do realize that you are looking at applying after your Sophomore year? You will start over at USMA and have to complete four more years of education. You may be allowed to validate some basic courses but they do not accept "transfers".

If you are serious about your desire, you will need to figure a way to get it all done. As @AROTC-dad says, it is possible without it, but you are competing against others who have figured out how to do it all.

 

[thedream20]

Thank you for the responses. I would like to be a physician in the Army and think that staying where I am at and joining the ROTC program would be the best option than restarting school again. After reading the responses this seems to be more clear to me.

Thank you

 

[kinnem]

Well, again.... do you wish to lead a platoon in the Army first? Or do you wish to become a doctor first. It's extremely rare for the military to release you to continue pursuing your education, etc. to become a doctor. Many folks pursue this path (or a similar one) to become a military doctor or dentist.
https://www.medicineandthemilitary....9FnIkmLmT_QVU4AMGT0aArVKEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

If you want to be an officer first, then pursue ROTC, otherwise my suggestion would be to get your undergraduate degree and try to get the military to pay for your further education.

By the way my dentist, at the civilian practice I go to, is actually an active duty Naval officer. He did his undergraduate degree on his own dime and got the military to pay for the dental degree. He uses his day(s) off to explore what it's like in a private practice. Damn good dentist too. Last week I told him I was happy people of his caliber were taking care of my son's teeth in Okinawa. He said Marines aren't the best at caring for their teeth. He thinks some of them get a haircut more often than they brush their teeth.