Does a D deep six NROTC Scholarship

[prouddad04]

DS applied for NROTC scholarship while still a senior in hs (graduated in June 2013). GPA 4.40 - all AP classes. SAT 670 math. Graduated with several academic awards. He was contacted by NROTC to ask if he would consider a Tier 2, vice Tier 3 major. He said no, he was not given a scholarship. He reapplied, choose a Tier 2 major. Just received the scholarship for Fall 2014. Here's the problem, he took calculus 2 his first semester (fall) of college and is surely getting a D. He had last had APcalculus (grade B) his junior year in hs, so it had been 16 months of no math. He also drew the short stick and was stuck with a crazy hard professor - by the professors own admission. Anyway, he just received word he got the scholarship. Does this D end it for him? Anyone know if there is any chance NROTC will allow him to retake the class? How to proceed?

 

[Pima]

Before you start worrying, the bigger question is what will be his overall cgpa? He still has a final, doesn't he? If so he can pull that D into a C.

 

[prouddad04]

Before you start worrying, the bigger question is what will be his overall cgpa? He still has a final, doesn't he? If so he can pull that D into a C.

He does have a final, but is certain final grade will be a D. He got into a top-ranked public institution as a spring admit, so he didn't need to take any classes. He took a few to stay in "school-mode", and he worked and did an internship. So he only took a total of 4 classes. One over summer, History (A), and in the fall, two Chems (most likely A's, possibly B's - trying to worst case scenario-it), and the calc (D).

 

[USMCGrunt]

DS applied for NROTC scholarship while still a senior in hs (graduated in June 2013). GPA 4.40 - all AP classes. SAT 670 math. Graduated with several academic awards. He was contacted by NROTC to ask if he would consider a Tier 2, vice Tier 3 major. He said no, he was not given a scholarship. He reapplied, choose a Tier 2 major. Just received the scholarship for Fall 2014. Here's the problem, he took calculus 2 his first semester (fall) of college and is surely getting a D. He had last had APcalculus (grade B) his junior year in hs, so it had been 16 months of no math. He also drew the short stick and was stuck with a crazy hard professor - by the professors own admission. Anyway, he just received word he got the scholarship. Does this D end it for him? Anyone know if there is any chance NROTC will allow him to retake the class? How to proceed?

Just pulled out my son's paperwork (NROTC) and it says scholarship students must earn a 2.5 semester GPA and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

It also states that if a Midshipman earns an "F" in any class required by NROTC or his major, he will be placed on academic probation. (Nothing written about a "D")

Since he is not yet a scholarship student, not sure if any of the above applies.

If he needs a C or better to continue in Calculus, you will need to retake the course at the current school or perhaps during summer school.

Not definitive but hope that helps.

 

[prouddad04]

Just pulled out my son's paperwork (NROTC) and it says scholarship students must earn a 2.5 semester GPA and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

It also states that if a Midshipman earns an "F" in any class required by NROTC or his major, he will be placed on academic probation. (Nothing written about a "D")

Since he is not yet a scholarship student, not sure if any of the above applies.

If he needs a C or better to continue in Calculus, you will need to retake the course at the current school or perhaps during summer school.

Not definitive but hope that helps.

Helps a lot. Thank you. We are hoping the fact that he is not yet on scholarship, and he is surely willing to take the class again, he will be able to salvage the scholarship. Again, thank you.

 

[GoBlue1984]

It only "ends" it for him if he lets it. My advice is to tell him to kill himself for the final to do all he can to improve his grade. That includes turning in any late assignments if missing. If the professor knows he is hard, you never know what the final grade might hold.

As for the scholarship, I believe as pointed out already, that Cumulative GPA is the biggest factor.

 

[kinnem]

Just pulled out my son's paperwork (NROTC) and it says scholarship students must earn a 2.5 semester GPA and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

It also states that if a Midshipman earns an "F" in any class required by NROTC or his major, he will be placed on academic probation. (Nothing written about a "D")

Since he is not yet a scholarship student, not sure if any of the above applies.

If he needs a C or better to continue in Calculus, you will need to retake the course at the current school or perhaps during summer school.

Not definitive but hope that helps.

+1 to USMCGrunt. Keep in mind that 2 semesters of Calculus and Calculus based Physics are required for Navy Options. I would think building a firm foundation here (perhaps by repeating if necessary) would be important. Perhaps the final grades will be based on a curve. You never know.

 

[Packer]

+1 to USMCGrunt. Keep in mind that 2 semesters of Calculus and Calculus based Physics are required for Navy Options. I would think building a firm foundation here (perhaps by repeating if necessary) would be important. Perhaps the final grades will be based on a curve. You never know.

A long time ago I went into a physics final with a D in the class and came out with a B. The final was easy and the course had a very generous curve.

 

[FutureOfficerMom]

Proud Dad--my DS had the exact same issue, though with AFROTC. 3-yr scholarship slated to start this past semester. Started last year as freshman straight into Calc2 due to AP scores, and rec'd a D. (And USMCGrunt is spot on--had to retake class before moving to vector calc.) Other grades were good, so he thought he was OK, until the cadre called. Turns out the university drops the D when replaced by better grade upon retake--AFROTC doesn't. Long story short--he didn't lose scholarship, but was given a 1-semester postponement/waiver in order to bring grades up (had to be approved at national level). His 3 mistakes: 1) did not seek guidance from cadre when scheduling classes to start; 2) did not seek guidance from cadre when the "D" happened, and 3) did not read his paperwork closely so he understood how everything was calculated. But this was the kick in the pants he needed to buckle down and focus, so I'm confident he will do fine. (Now just to bring grades up enough to qualify for SFT).

I'm new to this, and there is a lot of very good information above from better sources than me--but IMHO, if he hasn't done so already, your DS should meet with appropriate cadre to seek advice & then follow it. (And if scholarship kicks in fall 2014, he still has spring semester to work on the overall GPA.) Best of luck to him!

 

[dunninla]

Just pulled out my son's paperwork (NROTC) and it says scholarship students must earn a 2.5 semester GPA and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

wait, what? How is it possible to earn minimum 2.5 per semester and have to be concerned with maintaining a cumulative 2.0? Are you sure it's not the reverse? If not, whoever wrote that contract needs a course in logic.

 

[USMCGrunt]

wait, what? How is it possible to earn minimum 2.5 per semester and have to be concerned with maintaining a cumulative 2.0? Are you sure it's not the reverse? If not, whoever wrote that contract needs a course in logic.

I think I copied it correctly but admit that I was multi-tasking and am now traveling. The essence is correct...

A student could have one individual semester with all D's earning a 1.0 GPA for the semester but his cumulative could still be 2.0 or greater if his other semesters were higher.

At least I think that is what was meant.

 

[Non Ducor Duco]

For AFROTC your cgpa has to stay at 2.5+ and you need at least a 2.5 to activate a scholarship. If your cgpa goes below that your scholarship is postponed til you can pull it back up. Your term gpa can slip below 2.5, but if it does, you are issued what's called a conditional event (i think this is only for contracted cadets, your not given one for crappy grades before contracting). Goes on your record that you were counseled about your grades and what not. 2 conditional events means they have a more serious discussion (may or may not be considered for dis-enrollment, not sure exactly), after 3 though you are seriously considered for dis-enrollment. And you can get issued conditional events for things other than grades.

It may be that NROTC and AROTC are different in that you need to maintain a 2.0, but generally the 2.0 cgpa thing comes from the school, it's what you need to be in good standing and be able to graduate.

 

[FutureOfficerMom]

NDD--Just to clarify, per my DS' cadre, his Type 2 scholarship would have been cancelled without the waiver from national. Apparently, for AFROTC, the requirement for college gpa is at least 2.5 per semester, 2.5 overall, BUT also must not drop below 2.5 in spring for scholarships that are due to activate the following fall or the scholarship is lost (unless, as I said above, a waiver is granted, which in this situation is not a common occurrence, we were told). You are right that if scholarship is already in place, dropping below the threshold is a "conditional" event and you have opportunity to bring grades up next semester. Fortunately, in all other areas DS had impressed his cadre and commander was willing to go to bat for him.

 

[USMCGrunt]

wait, what? How is it possible to earn minimum 2.5 per semester and have to be concerned with maintaining a cumulative 2.0? Are you sure it's not the reverse? If not, whoever wrote that contract needs a course in logic.

dunninla: I checked the contract - I had it correct.

As far as the logic... I suppose there are a few scenarios where it could apply but the point is that if you fall below a 2.5 semester gpa you will be on "probation"

Having earned a spot on the Dean's list (the wrong list) during my undergraduate studies I can assure you that this is not a great place to be. Mom and Dad won't be putting that letter on the refridgerator! Much better to keep your grades above the minimum acceptable level!