Contacting NROTC Units

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guydelarosa

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I currently writing an email that I am planning on sending to the NROTC units at my top choice schools. Is there anything in particular that I should include in the email (e.g resume)? Also, should I mention any details about the school in particular? The reason I'm asking is because many of my top choices wheren/t my top choice when I applied for the navy Scholarship. It was pretty early in the cycle, so I had not done much research into each school. I don't want to come off as "fake" since some of these schools weren't even on my school list.
 
I'm not sure what you hope to accomplish by contacting them. I'm not against contacting units, just wondering what the purpose is. What action would you expect they would or might take upon the receipt of your email? Do you want to arrange a visit, perhaps?
 
kinnem said:
I'm not sure what you hope to accomplish by contacting them. I'm not against contacting units, just wondering what the purpose is. What action would you expect they would or might take upon the receipt of your email? Do you want to arrange a visit, perhaps?
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A while back I posted asking about units with strongest relationship with admission. One comment or mentioned that his DS had “mini interviews” over the phone with their top schools. I wanted to email to possibly have one of these 10-15 minute interviews where a PMS asks be why that school and the navy. Now that my time is freed up with applications being over, I think these conversations would be a good way to show interest in a particular unit
 
Sounds like a fair request to me. You might mention any questions you have about each particular unit in your email, just as a starter. I'd direct question about the college to admissions but if you get in a conversation with the PNS or one of the advisers you might work appropriate school questions into the conversation.
 
kinnem said:
Sounds like a fair request to me. You might mention any questions you have about each particular unit in your email, just as a starter. I'd direct question about the college to admissions but if you get in a conversation with the PNS or one of the advisers you might work appropriate school questions into the conversation.
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I just don’t really know what to write in the email. Should I say something along the lines of I’m an applicant to the schools and I’m very interested in the info as well” and then ask if they have any time soon for me to call regarding the unit?
 
Good God man! You should put in the email that which you want them to know.

I would of course mention you're applying to the school and are interested in finding out about their unit. Mention some questions you might have, and then ask if they can set aside a particular time to speak with you. You might provide contact info. You might provide times when, in general, you're available.

This is about what you want. Put that in the email, professionally and politely.
 
You don’t want to come off as a “bother”. Emailing just to email. Have a legitimate reason for your inquiries. Whatever that reason is, is why you are emailing. Don’t be disingenuous.

Im still am not clear what your intention is. Are you wanting the PMS to “want you” and therefore pull for you through admissions? If so, don’t be disappointed if that doesn’t happen.

Nothing wrong with sending someone an email. But be clear in your intentions/reasons. Not wishy-washy. That can backfire, imo.
 
justdoit19 said:
You don’t want to come off as a “bother”. Emailing just to email. Have a legitimate reason for your inquiries. Whatever that reason is, is why you are emailing. Don’t be disingenuous.

Im still am not clear what your intention is. Are you wanting the PMS to “want you” and therefore pull for you through admissions? If so, don’t be disappointed if that doesn’t happen.

Nothing wrong with sending someone an email. But be clear in your intentions/reasons. Not wishy-washy. That can backfire, imo.
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Makes sense. Like I said above, I’m emailing to see if we can have a phone call where I can ask about the school
 
If I recall correctly, you had applied to 20 schools, including the Ivies and had been looking for ways to get admitted to all of them, or at least as many as possible, and were hoping the NROTC units could help with admissions decisions. Some of the advice you received was to narrow your focus and decide on your top few schools and focus on those. That is still solid advice. I imagine if you actually get the phone calls you are talking about, one of the questions they may have of you is, where else are you looking at. If you rattle off 19 other schools, the next thing you may hear is a dial tone. (Or dead air since the chances you are on a land line are slim) Like @kinnem said, if your questions are about the school, they should be directed to the school. If they are about the NROTC unit, those would go to the unit. Keep in mind, most of your time will be spent as a student, not a midshipman. The fit of the school is the most important thing. While different units may have activities, customs and traditions that are unique to them, they all teach the same curriculum and unit staff turn over on a regular basis. How many of the schools you have applied to have you visited in person? If possible, try to visit your top schools. Contact the NROTC units in advance of your visit and see if you can schedule a meeting with them during your visit.
 
ProudDad17 said:
If I recall correctly, you had applied to 20 schools, including the Ivies and had been looking for ways to get admitted to all of them, or at least as many as possible, and were hoping the NROTC units could help with admissions decisions. Some of the advice you received was to narrow your focus and decide on your top few schools and focus on those. That is still solid advice. I imagine if you actually get the phone calls you are talking about, one of the questions they may have of you is, where else are you looking at. If you rattle off 19 other schools, the next thing you may hear is a dial tone. (Or dead air since the chances you are on a land line are slim) Like @kinnem said, if your questions are about the school, they should be directed to the school. If they are about the NROTC unit, those would go to the unit. Keep in mind, most of your time will be spent as a student, not a midshipman. The fit of the school is the most important thing. While different units may have activities, customs and traditions that are unique to them, they all teach the same curriculum and unit staff turn over on a regular basis. How many of the schools you have applied to have you visited in person? If possible, try to visit your top schools. Contact the NROTC units in advance of your visit and see if you can schedule a meeting with them during your visit.
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The questions I have in particular are about each NROTC unit in specific. I've only visited one school's unit, MIT, since it is the only one I live close to. With a junior hockey schedule I don't have time to go across the country visiting units. Don't get me wrong, I would love to visit each schools, it just isn't feasible.

As you may recall, on that previous thread a user mentioned that their DS had done these 10-15 minute interviews over the phone with top school unit he was interest in. This is why I want to email. I don't want to ask "will you help me with admissions?" I just want to let them know I'm interested in their schools and want to get on their radar by letting them get to know me. The reason I'm asking on this thread is because I have no idea how to request this without sounding distasteful and demanding an "interview"
 
guydelarosa said:
The questions I have in particular are about each NROTC unit in specific. I've only visited one school's unit, MIT, since it is the only one I live close to. With a junior hockey schedule I don't have time to go across the country visiting units. Don't get me wrong, I would love to visit each schools, it just isn't feasible.
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Fair enough. Still, if you haven't already, the first thing you should do is narrow down your schools and identify your top 3-5 schools and focus your efforts there. Then think about what you want to know about each of those units. Be sure to visit there web pages and social media to look for the the answers to your questions before asking them. These resources may also help come up with things you want to know. Once you have done this, contact the unit through email or phone call. I would be surprised if you actually speak to the PNS. It will likely be the Recruiting Officer for the unit you speak to. Once you have admissions decisions, I'd really try to visit your top couple of choices, going while classes are in session. Nothing like actually being on campus to get a feel for the campus.
 
guydelarosa said:
With a junior hockey schedule I don't have time to go across the country visiting units. Don't get me wrong, I would love to visit each schools, it just isn't feasible.
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guydelarosa said:
I just want to let them know I'm interested in their schools and want to get on their radar by letting them get to know me.
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So start with explaining those things just like that, along with a request to speak by phone or FB or whatever if they have the time. Having some general questions in your email, or specific questions about that unit will be appropriate. That's not demanding. It explains what you're after and is polite and respectful. The questions also give the conversation a starting point.

They may be too busy to get back to you but at least you're on their radar. They may reply to questions via email and you could follow up via email. Either way you're on their radar.

EDIT: You could do a similar thing with admissions if you have questions about the college.
 
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kinnem said:
So start with explaining those things just like that, along with a request to speak by phone or FB or whatever if they have the time. Having some general questions in your email, or specific questions about that unit will be appropriate. That's not demanding. It explains what you're after and is polite and respectful. The questions also give the conversation a starting point.

They may be too busy to get back to you but at least you're on their radar. They may reply to questions via email and you could follow up via email. Either way you're on their radar.

EDIT: You could do a similar thing with admissions if you have questions about the college.
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Thanks for the advice. I narrowed down the schools I'm going to contact to my 6 absolute favorites. Most of them weren't on my scholarship placement list when I applied, so I'm most likely going to mention that after research I found that x school fits my interest for x reason.
 
ProudDad17 said:
most of your time will be spent as a student, not a midshipman.
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+1 to @ProudDad17 ..... I would concentrate on finding a school that is a good fit for you, as a student first. Why try to 'schmooze' your way in thorough an ROTC back door when / if the actual Admissions office of a school does not see you as being a successful student on that campus??

Like a job interview, that is the easy part... the hard part is showing up every day! Best of luck to you!
 
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