Does it look bad if you apply to only ROTC and not the academies as well?

palmettoag

Texas A&M Corps of Cadets 2026
Joined
Feb 4, 2020
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96
I know the academies look if you apply for ROTC scholarships(as a Plan B) and it has a slight impact on your application. I wonder if not applying to the academies would make my ROTC application look worse. I have a deep desire to serve, but believe ROTC(hopefully at a SMC) is my Plan A and I don't think the academies are a right fit for me(for many reasons I do not want to get into).

Thanks,
 
Sounds like you know what you want. That’s a good thing. Nothing wrong with going after ROTC and not the academy. They are not for everyone. I don’t believe this decision will negatively impact you at all. Maybe someone with more experience will have more info but all I have to say is Best of Luck to you.
 
I don’t think being an academy applicant factors into the boarding process for Army ROTC scholarships. Not sure about AF and Navy.
 
No impact. I didn't want to go to the Academy and the recruiting officer conducting my interview actually saw that as a plus in his book (not that it would have hurt my chances if I had also applied for the Academy). ROTC cadre love the ROTC program and in most cases probably commissioned through it themselves. They'd be thrilled to see it's not just a back-up plan.
 
I know the academies look if you apply for ROTC scholarships(as a Plan B) and it has a slight impact on your application. I wonder if not applying to the academies would make my ROTC application look worse. I have a deep desire to serve, but believe ROTC(hopefully at a SMC) is my Plan A and I don't think the academies are a right fit for me(for many reasons I do not want to get into).

Thanks,
It won't make your application look worse to pursue ROTC at an SMC as your primary path to commission. Make sure you have a plan B if ROTC doesn't work out and prepare for the questions during your ROTC as to why, 'only' ROTC and not an academy. Some years ago it was a question asked by the officer conducting my HS Sr's interview. Learned during the interview he was a West Point Grad...LOL. He fully understood the response... 'I want a regular college experience'.
 
In my DS’s case, he could say “I would love to go to USNA” but I need to improve my academics first (in other words, he would not be a competitive applicant based on his academics.). But nothing wrong with explaining that you want the college experience and talk about some of the college EC activities you plan to pursue.
 
It won't make your application look worse to pursue ROTC at an SMC as your primary path to commission. Make sure you have a plan B if ROTC doesn't work out and prepare for the questions during your ROTC as to why, 'only' ROTC and not an academy. Some years ago it was a question asked by the officer conducting my HS Sr's interview. Learned during the interview he was a West Point Grad...LOL. He fully understood the response... 'I want a regular college experience'.
Thanks for the advice, I have a Plan A through E right now. The Academies used to be my #1 for around 5 years but then a lot has changed through growth and maturity from the end of Junior year till now. I've realized the academy isn't for me anymore(again, for reasons I don't want to discuss on this forum, bc some people might get mad lol). I'm trying to get a lot more info about SMC's and ROTC at State schools right now and it really seems like my type of people I want to be around. I live right next to a SMC (El Cid) and many of my '21 friends from my HS are knobs there now and I get some great advice from them too. I'm glad to see this thread I posted had a positive response to ROTC being my Plan A.
 
Nicely covered by others so I'll just reinforce too by stating my DS did not apply to the academies nor did he entertain a recruitment offer from one (that Academy saw his application to ROTC somehow, and he caught their eye when they saw him compete at some sporting events) and was offered scholarships to Army, Air Force, and Navy ROTC. He was able to point out how HS was a crazy mix of captaining 3 sports / , leadership in activities, working 20 hours a week, getting his pilots license, eagle scout, multiple APs/ honors/dual credit, etc and he was just ready for a normal college experience with some unstructured time too and I think it was clear to them he very much wanted to serve, knew himself, and it didn't count against in the slightest. Just be ready to answer the questions of why do you want to serve, why Y/N on also applying to the academies, why do you want to serve in this branch specifically, and what role(s) do you envision yourself being in while serving. Be ready to answer "what if you get offers from multiple branches" in an honest and sincere way. Good luck.
 
No, ROTC doesn't care if you apply for the SAs. In fact we prefer you attend ROTC, as we often lose cadets to the SAs. If you are considering SMC's then why not the SAs? Why pay for that "environment" at a SMC, when you can get it for "free" at a SA. Regardless of the source of commissioning, the Army doesn't care, a 2LT is a 2LT. The only thing the Army cares about is what are you doing for me now? The only people who care that you went to SMC or USMA are the other people who went to an SMC or USMA.
 
My DS also didn't apply to the academies. First, AFA didn't have the major he wished to pursue. Second, he preferred the non-academy environment. If that is what you desire as well, you may want to reevaluate your preference for a SMC as was stated above by @MohawkArmyROTC . Even with not being at an academy or SMC, ROTC and academics are dominating my DS's life. He rarely has free time. However, he also is choosing to be as engaged in as many optional activities as possible.
 
My DS also didn't apply to the academies. First, AFA didn't have the major he wished to pursue. Second, he preferred the non-academy environment. If that is what you desire as well, you may want to reevaluate your preference for a SMC as was stated above by @MohawkArmyROTC . Even with not being at an academy or SMC, ROTC and academics are dominating my DS's life. He rarely has free time. However, he also is choosing to be as engaged in as many optional activities as possible.
I hope to go to TAMU and be in the Corps. My backups are either a state school w/ROTC or El Cid. Being in a 24/7 military environment was not a turn off for me when debating not going to the academies(again, other issues I don't want to discuss on SAF). Thanks for the advice.
 
I hope to go to TAMU and be in the Corps. My backups are either a state school w/ROTC or El Cid. Being in a 24/7 military environment was not a turn off for me when debating not going to the academies(again, other issues I don't want to discuss on SAF). Thanks for the advice.
Interesting perspective considering your user name!
 
My experience was that ROTC didn’t care either way. To echo the above, why pay for an SMC if the academy experience is comparable and free?

No need to answer, I’m just curious.
I LOVE YOUR TAG @Skipper07 ⚓😎
 
I know the academies look if you apply for ROTC scholarships(as a Plan B) and it has a slight impact on your application. I wonder if not applying to the academies would make my ROTC application look worse. I have a deep desire to serve, but believe ROTC(hopefully at a SMC) is my Plan A and I don't think the academies are a right fit for me(for many reasons I do not want to get into).

Thanks,
If you are certain that you don't want to apply to a service academy, then you shouldn't apply. It's a waste of everyone's time.
 
My experience was that ROTC didn’t care either way. To echo the above, why pay for an SMC if the academy experience is comparable and free?

No need to answer, I’m just curious.
The SMC I want to go to kinda just beat the #1 team in the nation a couple days ago so....(lol, that's not the reason I want to go). I want to go to TAMU as it is a top school in the country with many military and non-military opportunities. I love the environment around the school and to sum it up feels like the best fit for me.
 
No I don’t think so. My one buddy and I were the only two out of our friend group of about 15 or so who applied to USMA.
 
The SMC I want to go to kinda just beat the #1 team in the nation a couple days ago so....(lol, that's not the reason I want to go). I want to go to TAMU as it is a top school in the country with many military and non-military opportunities. I love the environment around the school and to sum it up feels like the best fit for me.
Gig 'em!
 
I do not think it matters at all.. My son did not apply to any of the service academies and got an NROTC scholarship.
 
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