DS reboarded. Why and what does this mean

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Worriedparent2

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DS got an email today saying that he didn't win a scholarship and will be considered again in November. Is it realistic to expect a different outcome in future board reviews or is it more likely than not that he will not get a scholarship. He thought he was competitive ( at least that's what the interviewing officer told him) he is a varsity swimmer ( four years - CA State CIF Division I Championship team) 33 composite ACT (with 33 in Math and 35 in Science) and a 3.5 GPA ( took a very challenging course schedule with AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, Ap calc ab/ bc) where is the issue? Ecs include beach lifeguard with fire dept, southern Cali swim athlete representative, honor society member(board for 2 years), pool lifeguard? Any insight helps.
 
It is very realistic that he will get a scholarship a little later. Talk to his future CO, if the CO wants him and tells him that, then there is all likelihood he will get his scholarship, just a at a later Board date. Most CO's know what parameters the current years Boards are looking for, and can realistically tell your DS if he is competitive. Communication is key, meet with and talk to the Unit.

Do NOT panic, only a select few 4 yr ROTC Scholarships are offered in October. Many more come in during Jan/Feb..:)
 
Thanks for your report. Is this AFROTC? Because I don't think AROTC or NROTC have made decisions/met yet.
 
Agree with @Impulsive - sage guidance.

I missed the part about being considered in November - so I'm not sure what branch this is for. The timing is off for AROTC. Sound slike while the results may not be officially posted, someone in the know reached out to him to advise he won't be getting a scholarship, this round. There are more boards ahead, and the first ones are traditionally the most selective. Please see other threads on that. But to assuage your concerns, my DS received scholarships from AROTC, AFROTC, and NROTC last year, My DS was considered then re-boarded from the 1st AROTC board, and received a 4 year scholarship to all his top schools in board 2. Do not interpret this news to mean he is not competitive or won't get a scholarship.

If I can offer any unsolicited guidance I recommend you just be careful and pause to make sure even the smallest whiff of any perceived entitled edge, as if his qualifications somehow entitle him to be awarded this opportunity, is absent when communicating with the recruiter or any branch representative. There are a large number of factors. There are kids who have 1590 SATs who are not admitted into top schools- often. Likewise there are young adults who have several outstanding accomplishments but have a bad interview like for example say what I consider to be a very damaging statement like I need this scholarship to pay for college and that's mainly why I'm interested, that won't be awarded the opportunity to train in ROTC under an initial scholarship.. Or a bad counselor recommendation, an annoying essay that reads as a smuggy buggy, etc. On paper though, I do think your son has a very solid chance of getting an offer, as long as his interview went well, guidance recommendation was solid etc. There are so many factors. Hopefully he's applied to multiple branches to maximize his chance to serve.

Good luck and don't be discouraged by this first round. Keep in mind that like your son these young people are just outstanding talents. The best in the nation in many cases. A lot of the kids in this round also may be offered SA or other branch scholarships, so some of these offers may come back to the pool. There are plenty of offers left/ coming. It's great that your son wants to serve and initial scholarship or not I hope he moves forward on a path to do so.
 
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My DS received AROTC and AFROTC but not until the later boards. He told me last year that the first round of scholarships go to the very top kids, athletes, etc, and then there are more offered later on. So hold on and don't give up on hope. I don't miss the waiting from last year!
 
Regardless of which service this is, being considered by subsequent boards when not awarded a scholarship is the normal process. Scholarships are usually awarded on a normal curve. The early boards award scholarships but generally not that many. The final boards also award a "smaller" number of scholarships. The boards in the middle of the timeline generally award the most scholarships. I'm sure I'm over simplifying it but it should give you an idea.

If this is Navy, and I expect it is, you may wait until early to mid-April to receive a positive or negative reply. Be working on plans B, C, D, etc. While your child has as good a chance as anyone at receiving a scholarship, large numbers of applicants do not receive one.
 
Like others have said... Most 1 round offers go to the kids with really high scores. The most number of offers are made in the second and third rounds. Keep the faith.
 
@Worriedparent2 I've gone back over your original post. I was looking to see if I could glean any additional info on which service, and noticed you didn't mention anything about leadership. I expect that was a mere oversight, but if not, then perhaps what is lacking, if anything, is leadership. He seems strong otherwise although we weren't in any interview and don't know his physical fitness scores etc.
 
kinnem said:
@Worriedparent2 I've gone back over your original post. I was looking to see if I could glean any additional info on which service, and noticed you didn't mention anything about leadership. I expect that was a mere oversight, but if not, then perhaps what is lacking, if anything, is leadership. He seems strong otherwise although we weren't in any interview and don't know his physical fitness scores etc.
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Hey kinnem, this is for afrotc, as all other branches haven't met yet. His physical scores were good, and leadership was mixed in where I wrote ecs. We both agreed leadership is a bit lacking as he dedicated his time to lifeguarding, NHS, and swim volunteering.
 
Thanks! Glad to hear there is some leadership there. IMPO life guarding is a job full of responsibility and shows leadership potential regardless of actually leading a team of lifeguards... but that's just me and leading the team is on another level. Nevertheless he has attributes he can "sell". Good luck to your DS.
 
Impulsive said:
It is very realistic that he will get a scholarship a little later. Talk to his future CO, if the CO wants him and tells him that, then there is all likelihood he will get his scholarship, just a at a later Board date. Most CO's know what parameters the current years Boards are looking for, and can realistically tell your DS if he is competitive. Communication is key, meet with and talk to the Unit.

Do NOT panic, only a select few 4 yr ROTC Scholarships are offered in October. Many more come in during Jan/Feb..:)
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Appreciate your note above. My DS was Reboarded on Dec 20th. Needless to say, it was a very tough day for him.
Question: When you say talk to his future CO, does that mean he should reach out to the Commanding Officer at the University for which he is hoping to receive the HSSP scholarship? Is it better to maintain communication with the CO? He wasn't sure if he should reach out or if that is considered bad form.
 
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AirDad said:
Appreciate your note above. My son was Reboarded on Dec 20th. Needless to say, it was a very tough day for him.
Question: When you say talk to his future CO, does that mean he should reach out to the Commanding Officer at the University for which he is hoping to receive the HSSP scholarship? Is it better to maintain communication with the CO? He wasn't sure if he should reach out or if that is considered bad form.
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YES! DS had his interview with the CO of his #1 University. The CO reached out to him and asked him to visit the campus and meet.
 
ThePatternisFull said:
YES! DS had his interview with the CO of his #1 University. The CO reached out to him and asked him to visit the campus and meet.
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DS did do a campus visit and met with the COs of both his #1 (out of state) and his #2 (in state) Universities.
Just wasn't sure if it was considered good bad or indifferent to reach back out to each of them after the interview.
I will be sure to let him know.
Thank you very much for the quick reply!
 
Just personal experience, but our twin that is now at WP originally wanted to go to an in-state private school that he really liked. He visited, met with and interviewed with the CO (for lack of a better knowledge of AROTC Unit Command). He took copies of his junior year transcript, and a resume with all his additional info. They were together for over an hour, and when DS came out, the CO told him and I both, he wanted his "package" in for the October Board. The CO gave DS his private cell phone number and encouraged him to stay in touch. Three more times DS spoke with or visited with the CO between August and December and in January got his 4 yr award. He was very upfront with his AROTC CO and told him about WP being his first choice (CO went to WP). They stayed in constant touch until DS accepted WP's offer (in early March) and then he made sure his ROTC CO was on board and supportive (you never know when you may need another option), and the CO was thankful for DS keeping him advised and he could use the opportunity for another deserving cadet.
 
Impulsive said:
Just personal experience, but our twin that is now at WP originally wanted to go to an in-state private school that he really liked. He visited, met with and interviewed with the CO (for lack of a better knowledge of AROTC Unit Command). He took copies of his junior year transcript, and a resume with all his additional info. They were together for over an hour, and when DS came out, the CO told him and I both, he wanted his "package" in for the October Board. The CO gave DS his private cell phone number and encouraged him to stay in touch. Three more times DS spoke with or visited with the CO between August and December and in January got his 4 yr award. He was very upfront with his AROTC CO and told him about WP being his first choice (CO went to WP). They stayed in constant touch until DS accepted WP's offer (in early March) and then he made sure his ROTC CO was on board and supportive (you never know when you may need another option), and the CO was thankful for DS keeping him advised and he could use the opportunity for another deserving cadet.
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Thank you @Impulsive for the update. And a heartfelt congratulations to your DS for attending WP. Looks like twin #2 is attending NROTC as well. I am sure you are very proud.
DS is planning to reach out to both COs (in-state & out-of-state) early next week (so as not to interrupt over the holiday break). Will be anxious to hear feedback.
Again Congrats to both of your twins. There is nothing so good in life as watching our DDs & DSs succeed.
 
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