How did I not get AFROTC scholarship

It is clear that the Air Force is downsizing. They probably are selecting far fewer scholarship winners from high school this year - who knows?

Surely, you all know that being rejected from an AF ROTC scholarship doesn't signify the end of an Air Force career. Your kids can still join AF ROTC and also try for a 3 year scholarship.

Yes, I'm sure most of us do know that.

I think some of us are still just a bit shell-shocked at the number of what looked like highly qualified candidates not even being given the chance to come under review at the remaining boards. It makes one wonder if it falls under the proverbial "happened for a reason" umbrella, and I'm sure you'd feel the same way if it was your child.
 
AFROTC is more flexible as to the schools you can submit an application. For him it opens up a chance for MIT, Princeton, and Carnegie Mellon. He is interested in serving in either the Air Force or the Army, so that is not part of the equation.

We realize he is privledged to get what he has been offered, and he will decide soon, get a great education, and serve. This is a great place to vent a little, so thanks for the replies.

Okay, makes sense.
 
I had heard that they reduced the number of AF ROTC scholarships from 40% of the applicants to 35% of the applicants this year compared to last year. I was told it was based on several factors such as too many applicants compared to other years...and that "they don't seem to need much of an incentive if people are coming anyway..."

I don't know if this is a purely AF thing or across the military in general. I have two friends whose sons joined the marines and both had to wait several months before going because they were "overloaded" with applicants. You can see that if you have the applicants you need, you don't need too create more incentives to induce people to join. Most of the sign on bonuses for the military have been reduced or eliminated as well.

Anyway....a possible explanation.

PS. I received the letter in the mail today regarding the AF ROTC scholarship.
 
We received ours too. It was kind of funny, reading all about the qualities the most qualified candidates possessed and thinking "A.) Yeah, check, check, check and check, that's why we applied, and B.)So thanks for telling us why we might not've been good enough."

I'd have preferred a straightforward "We're sorry that we cannot accept all qualified applicants, good luck in ROTC!" instead.

Honestly at this point I think I'd just have preferred, "Hey, what's your damage, you really should've gotten that application in MONTHS earlier!"

No, still not bitter or anything. :wink:
 
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I guess if you want to chalk it up to things "happen for a reason". I prefer to think that things happen because of a plan and a desire to achiece that plan.
It was not the Air Force rejecting your child it was the AF rejecting a scholarship for your child. When they prevent ROTC cadets who have given two years to ROTC from contracting because they are overbooked - then it would the the Air Force rejecting your child.
I know it stings - but if the end goal is to be an Air Force officer, that is certainly attainable. The scholarship is just one incentive to make that goal a little easier.
BTW - my kid has received her share of rejection and heartache.
 
My son actually started this process way back in August and finalized all his application in mid september. He applied to both AF ROTC and USAFA. Still waiting on USAFA.

He received a four year type 7 scholarship from AF ROTC from this second board (he did not get one in the first board) and converted it to a three year type 2 should he decide to go that route.
 
My son actually started this process way back in August and finalized all his application in mid september. He applied to both AF ROTC and USAFA. Still waiting on USAFA.

He received a four year type 7 scholarship from AF ROTC from this second board (he did not get one in the first board) and converted it to a three year type 2 should he decide to go that route.

Ahh, you had the good letter! LOL That is awesome, good luck with the Academy!

We came into the process late (CJ had his AF interview in December) and I know it killed our chances pretty quickly. He's student council president, all district academic athlete for football, involved in every athletic program, president of several clubs, national honor society, 4th in class, recipient of a DAR Good Citizen Award, etc, etc, but I just think the timing was too late. There were a thousand kids just like him already chosen. (Or, however many they needed as aerospace eng. majors.)
 
I guess if you want to chalk it up to things "happen for a reason". I prefer to think that things happen because of a plan and a desire to achiece that plan.
It was not the Air Force rejecting your child it was the AF rejecting a scholarship for your child. When they prevent ROTC cadets who have given two years to ROTC from contracting because they are overbooked - then it would the the Air Force rejecting your child.
I know it stings - but if the end goal is to be an Air Force officer, that is certainly attainable. The scholarship is just one incentive to make that goal a little easier.
BTW - my kid has received her share of rejection and heartache.

Oh, I didn't mean to imply your daughter hadn't - haven't they all? (Remember when you could fix it all with a hug and her favorite Barney video?)

I'm also sure you didn't mean to imply that we're just floating along with no plan. :smile:
 
You never know...I know someone who did not get an AF ROTC and did not get into USAFA but got into the USAFA Prep school, did really well and eventually graduated from the USAFA....you just never know....
 
Blue, that's sort of why we're rolling with the punches for the moment as bitter as I sound. LOL I've learned that sometimes (not always) you actually do have to roll with what you've been given just enough to be open to whatever crazy opportunities come next.

Our son will be going to TX A&M for aerospace eng. and joining their Corps of Cadets, and if the NROTC scholarship doesn't come through, I actually look at that as another opportunity to reassess & confirm the direction in which he wants to go.

Because as you said, sometimes you just never know.
 
Also, I just want to agree with what PotentialParent said above - it is so nice to have a place to vent. Many of my friends have kids that're graduating this year and aren't looking at anything close to the "problems" we're having right now, so it's nice to be able to unload a little w/out sounding like a KidSnob.
 
Blue, that's sort of why we're rolling with the punches for the moment as bitter as I sound. LOL I've learned that sometimes (not always) you actually do have to roll with what you've been given just enough to be open to whatever crazy opportunities come next.

Our son will be going to TX A&M for aerospace eng. and joining their Corps of Cadets, and if the NROTC scholarship doesn't come through, I actually look at that as another opportunity to reassess & confirm the direction in which he wants to go.

Because as you said, sometimes you just never know.

Excellent! You know....with all the problems out there and messed up kids that I see all the time....we are all very very fortunate!
 
Excellent! You know....with all the problems out there and messed up kids that I see all the time....we are all very very fortunate!

I was thinking something very similar about this forum - it's so NICE to see so many parents involved.
 
We received ours too. It was kind of funny, reading all about the qualities the most qualified candidates possessed and thinking "A.) Yeah, check, check, check and check, that's why we applied, and B.)So thanks for telling us why we might not've been good enough."

I'd have preferred a straightforward "We're sorry that we cannot accept all qualified applicants, good luck in ROTC!" instead.

Honestly at this point I think I'd just have preferred, "Hey, what's your damage, you really should've gotten that application in MONTHS earlier!"

No, still not bitter or anything. :wink:

hahaha i have to say that was exactly the thought process I went through when I read my letter... It basically listed all the strong points of my application in order when saying what they were looking for. I was looking for a 'Your application was rejected as a result of ______' but none such statement was to be found... Ah well 3 Year express scholarship is still in the air.
 
shanagan - believe me I get it and understand how your feel. How is your son doing?
As a parent, we often take our child's rejection much harder and more personally than they. good luck to him - somehow it will all work out. Of that, I am reasonably sure.
 
Randy, how're your parents? You'd mentioned being concerned about telling them.

And you're absolutely right - get into school, give it everything, and plan on next year.
 
shanagan - believe me I get it and understand how your feel. How is your son doing?
As a parent, we often take our child's rejection much harder and more personally than they. good luck to him - somehow it will all work out. Of that, I am reasonably sure.

That is the plain truth. He was stung - hard - at first. As I'd outlined a little above, we're not talking pie-in-the-sky hope, he was a great candidate.

In some ways I think this is good for him (don't tell him that) because he's used to getting everything he wants or needs academically.

And yeah, all we can ever be as parents is reasonably sure.
 
Randy, how're your parents? You'd mentioned being concerned about telling them.

And you're absolutely right - get into school, give it everything, and plan on next year.

I told them that I was still up for the next boards but told them my chances are slim... Figured I'd wean them off as they were convinced that I was going to get selected... But I also informed them about the express scholarship so it's okay... On a better note this now opens up a couple of schools that I had applied to that didn't have afrotc...
 
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