It is getting really tough for scholarships. My DS was told that it takes a 3.7 now to be competitive for a Marine nrotc side-load. He was bummed (he had a 3.3 at the end of the first semester). He is not nearly as bummed as I am. Let's not forget that the average gpa for the Ratmass at the end of the first semester is around 2.02. Our kids are doing ok.
Grades Rat Year
- Thread starter bjkuds
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It is getting really tough for scholarships. My DS was told that it takes a 3.7 now to be competitive for a Marine nrotc side-load. He was bummed (he had a 3.3 at the end of the first semester). He is not nearly as bummed as I am. Let's not forget that the average gpa for the Ratmass at the end of the first semester is around 2.02. Our kids are doing ok.
I agree...they are doing okay. A 3.7 for the side-load? Wow! And I do understand about the parents being bummed---same situation here, out of state tuition and all...new year tho, so time to refill out the Financial Aid paperwork if nothing else!
Groan....
bjkuds
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Sprog, Bruno you were right
Changes since Breakout according to DS. "It's quiet in Barracks", He is rested, He is feeling great, grades are going up
. I'm guessing his taste buds must have died because he is able to eat Crozet without too many complaints now. Maybe it's that he can now choose whatever food rather than that which is easily eaten without really being able to look at it.. First big snow ball fight last night was an "epic time". He also really enjoyed the Midwinter Formal last weekend. He actually sounds happy. Recent facebook post;
Life as a Rat
Life as a Cadet
Life as an ECE major
Still seems buried in class work, but he seems organized and on top of things. He sounds very confident now. The sleep factor has made such a big difference for him. It's still early in the semester and the class that he is most worried about is swimming.
"I sink Mom.. umm son you chose the NAVY!! You swam and dove as a child all the time? Whats the problem? I dunno... I sink when they have me do certain things and I end up drinking half the pool.. They are helping me Mom.. don't worry about it, I'll be fine."
Send son to far away prestigious military college for phenomenal Engineering program.. GPA killer is likely 
SWIMMING
Changes since Breakout according to DS. "It's quiet in Barracks", He is rested, He is feeling great, grades are going up
. I'm guessing his taste buds must have died because he is able to eat Crozet without too many complaints now. Maybe it's that he can now choose whatever food rather than that which is easily eaten without really being able to look at it.. First big snow ball fight last night was an "epic time". He also really enjoyed the Midwinter Formal last weekend. He actually sounds happy. Recent facebook post;Life as a Rat
Life as a Cadet
Life as an ECE major
Still seems buried in class work, but he seems organized and on top of things. He sounds very confident now. The sleep factor has made such a big difference for him. It's still early in the semester and the class that he is most worried about is swimming.
"I sink Mom.. umm son you chose the NAVY!! You swam and dove as a child all the time? Whats the problem? I dunno... I sink when they have me do certain things and I end up drinking half the pool
.. They are helping me Mom.. don't worry about it, I'll be fine." Send son to far away prestigious military college for phenomenal Engineering program.. GPA killer is likely SWIMMINGI understand...reservation fee for returning cadets due in a few weeks, when DH contacted my DS he wanted to make sure DS was planning on returning back next year as it is non-refundable...reply--I want to go back so bad, there is nothing I want more.
So I guess that is the answer...
Of course, still have FAFSA and whatever we can get him back in next year but we'll try
So I guess that is the answer...
Of course, still have FAFSA and whatever we can get him back in next year but we'll try
bjkuds
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Yep..Due March 15.. I didn't ask DS.. No way he is leaving by choice at this point. Sent you a pm.
Changes since Breakout according to DS. "It's quiet in Barracks", He is rested, He is feeling great, grades are going up
My DS seems to be going opposite direction. While a Rat, he was more focused on his studies and finished first semester with 2.9 GPA. Now he is struggling, complaining about everything, goofing off in barracks at night, failing 2 classes so far - and now wants to see his buddy at Radford this weekend! Calls for advice and we have given it, but he won't take it. I told him what I needed to say, now it's up to him to get his act together. I think he'll snap out of it, but it's frustrating as heck......
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Bird- this is a phenomenon seen in a lot of Rats- the post Ratline slump. Frustrating but common- just hope that he pulls his head out before he's too far down the well.Good luck and best wishes from a Dad of a son similarly afflicted.
my thoughts exactly!
Bird- this is a phenomenon seen in a lot of Rats- the post Ratline slump. Frustrating but common- just hope that he pulls his head out before he's too far down the well.Good luck and best wishes from a Dad of a son similarly afflicted.
This is so hard and I worry about it too.
The let down after the intensity of the Ratline has to be huge. So far, at least, my DS is not so afflicted but he is striving for an eventual NROTC side load or a PLC Marine slot and that is big motivation for him. The competition for those is tough! The secret, I think, is you gotta have a goal in which grades play a big part. Ultimately, the kids have to got to figure it out for themselves and, apart from encouragement, there isn't a lot we can do. They are on their own now.I certainly don't hear much from my DS at this point---was glad to hear he wanted to go back and from the sounds of it was aspiring to something. Last I knew grades suffered beginning of the semester-before break-out but was working on getting them in the right direction.
Hoping to finish the dang FAFSA to get off our plate, has already applied for a side load AROTC scholarship but unknown when that decision will be made (at least I hadn't been told). We try not to talk about funds as he thinks the money tree is in bloom and gets me to the point of LOL!
Hoping to finish the dang FAFSA to get off our plate, has already applied for a side load AROTC scholarship but unknown when that decision will be made (at least I hadn't been told). We try not to talk about funds as he thinks the money tree is in bloom
and gets me to the point of LOL!I certainly don't hear much from my DS at this point---was glad to hear he wanted to go back and from the sounds of it was aspiring to something. Last I knew grades suffered beginning of the semester-before break-out but was working on getting them in the right direction.
Hoping to finish the dang FAFSA to get off our plate, has already applied for a side load AROTC scholarship but unknown when that decision will be made (at least I hadn't been told). We try not to talk about funds as he thinks the money tree is in bloom
What? Your money tree isn't blooming yet? Goodness. It must need an extra dose of entitlement food. (Sorry, couldn't help myself).