Initial thoughts on the first Army ROTC Scholarship board results

AROTCPMS

Former Army ROTC PMS for Claremont McKenna and USC
Banned
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
118
All,

I’ve done an initial analysis on the Army ROTC candidates who I advise. I have controlled for most of the other variables as my work with them helps them max out other areas such as activities, essays, and the PT test. They are all similarly prepared by me for the interview. I do everything that I know to give them the best shot at competing.

The only area one cannot control is how well a candidate does in their actual interview and how the interviewer writes it up.

Bottom line: I had no “winners” who got below a 29 ACT and a 3.4 GPA. All my “winners” (I put this in quotes because dislike that designation) received four-year scholarships. [I don’t think many (if any) 3-year scholarships were awarded off this first board].

I think ROTC may be holding back some four-year scholarships for the second and possibly third board for candidates who apply late or who will be getting a second look. I don’t know how many--but it does provide some hope for those candidates who “just missed” on this board that they may receive a four-year scholarship in January or possibly March. [For those of you reading this who well below the 29 ACT/3.5 split, a three-year scholarship off the January/March board is probably most likely for you at this point].

Which brings me to an important point of this post—the interview. The interview write-up in particular is read closely by board members and weighs heavily. I have discussed this issue and the interview in general in previous posts:

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...the-army-rotc-scholarship-board-member.67383/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...portance-of-mock-interview-preparation.68213/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...rmy-rotc-professor-of-military-science.67205/

If you were a candidate who had at or over 30 ACT/1400 SAT with mid 3s GPA or higher and felt you did well in other areas you could control, your interview likely did not go as well as you had hoped or the write up was not strong. [Factors such as a particular activity (class president, student council) designated major, or school choice probably had little or no bearing on your overall selection (or lack thereof)].

Questions you may ask yourself at this point about the interview are the following:

1. Did you visit the program you were interviewing several weeks or months before your interview to learn more about Army ROTC and get to know everyone?

2. Did you get to meet the person who was likely going to interview you?

If your answers to either #1 and #2 was “no,” then you probably could have done a bit more to ensure that your interview was a success.

********

The Army ROTC scholarship process is not perfect. It is certainly better IMHO than the Air Force and Navy scholarship process but there are some things that you can’t control for and even explain sometimes. I continue to learn more every year I do this.

*******

Robert Kirkland, LTC (Ret)
"The Insider's Guide to the Army [and Air Force] ROTC Scholarship for High School Students and their Parents" (Amazon)
 
All,

I’ve done an initial analysis on the Army ROTC candidates who I advise. I have controlled for most of the other variables as my work with them helps them max out other areas such as activities, essays, and the PT test. They are all similarly prepared by me for the interview. I do everything that I know to give them the best shot at competing.

The only area one cannot control is how well a candidate does in their actual interview and how the interviewer writes it up.

Bottom line: I had no “winners” who got below a 29 ACT and a 3.4 GPA. All my “winners” (I put this in quotes because dislike that designation) received four-year scholarships. [I don’t think many (if any) 3-year scholarships were awarded off this first board].

I think ROTC may be holding back some four-year scholarships for the second and possibly third board for candidates who apply late or who will be getting a second look. I don’t know how many--but it does provide some hope for those candidates who “just missed” on this board that they may receive a four-year scholarship in January or possibly March. [For those of you reading this who well below the 29 ACT/3.5 split, a three-year scholarship off the January/March board is probably most likely for you at this point].

Which brings me to an important point of this post—the interview. The interview write-up in particular is read closely by board members and weighs heavily. I have discussed this issue and the interview in general in previous posts:

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...the-army-rotc-scholarship-board-member.67383/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...portance-of-mock-interview-preparation.68213/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...rmy-rotc-professor-of-military-science.67205/

If you were a candidate who had at or over 30 ACT/1400 SAT with mid 3s GPA or higher and felt you did well in other areas you could control, your interview likely did not go as well as you had hoped or the write up was not strong. [Factors such as a particular activity (class president, student council) designated major, or school choice probably had little or no bearing on your overall selection (or lack thereof)].

Questions you may ask yourself at this point about the interview are the following:

1. Did you visit the program you were interviewing several weeks or months before your interview to learn more about Army ROTC and get to know everyone?

2. Did you get to meet the person who was likely going to interview you?

If your answers to either #1 and #2 was “no,” then you probably could have done a bit more to ensure that your interview was a success.

********

The Army ROTC scholarship process is not perfect. It is certainly better IMHO than the Air Force and Navy scholarship process but there are some things that you can’t control for and even explain sometimes. I continue to learn more every year I do this.

*******

Robert Kirkland, LTC (Ret)
"The Insider's Guide to the Army [and Air Force] ROTC Scholarship for High School Students and their Parents" (Amazon)
Thank you for your insights! Can you tell me how it works for the second board when an applicant was already boarded but managed to raise their ACT score in the mean time? Yes, upload and email score, got it. But, as I understand it, the file has already been boarded, so how does the new score get added in and accounted for/seen? Thank you!
 
Thank you for your insights! Can you tell me how it works for the second board when an applicant was already boarded but managed to raise their ACT score in the mean time? Yes, upload and email score, got it. But, as I understand it, the file has already been boarded, so how does the new score get added in and accounted for/seen? Thank you!
Little impact, in any, (unfortunately) unless there is a significant rise in the super score.
 
A rise in the ACT super score from a 24 to a 28 would amount to 30 additional points out of 1400. It might make a slight difference at this point. It would have had a greater impact if that higher score went in front of the board (you are only boarded once). That's why I encourage my candidates who think they can raise their ACT/SAT score significantly to wait to be boarded until they have gotten the higher score.
 
Good info. Thank you. Mine just missed being board ready for the 1st. Ready now though and hoping for the best. 3.7-ish, Mid 1400s, excellent athlete. The AROTC interview was realistically the first interview he has had for anything and I think it went ok at least. I guess we'll find out.
 
A rise in the ACT super score from a 24 to a 28 would amount to 30 additional points out of 1400. It might make a slight difference at this point. It would have had a greater impact if that higher score went in front of the board (you are only boarded once). That's why I encourage my candidates who think they can raise their ACT/SAT score significantly to wait to be boarded until they have gotten the higher score.
 
Does it make a difference to update the essay and upload additional documents if the file has already been boarded?
 
Does it make a difference to update the essay and upload additional documents if the file has already been boarded?
The essay won't be reviewed because you have already been boarded. The only thing that will move the needle (barely) at this point is an increase in SAT/ACT.
 
This is unfortunate as my school does not have a JROTC nor is there anywhere in my district which has any knowledge of this process. My school is in an impoverished areas and there is zero guidance. Regardless, I was told my interview was strong but I see my activities and essay sections were a weakness. Prior to the selection process, I personally felt they were strong. I did the best I had for the resources at hand. So unfortunate.
 
This is unfortunate as my school does not have a JROTC nor is there anywhere in my district which has any knowledge of this process. My school is in an impoverished areas and there is zero guidance. Regardless, I was told my interview was strong but I see my activities and essay sections were a weakness. Prior to the selection process, I personally felt they were strong. I did the best I had for the resources at hand. So unfortunate.

Don’t be discouraged!! My oldest applied AFROTC, didn’t receive an award but didn’t have the knowledge/understanding to realize that one can still join and apply as a freshman (I have no knowledge of the AROTC Program but would think they have similar...check into it!). So I’m chiming in to point out (to anyone) that just because you don’t receive a high school scholarship...still join and apply if you want it. My own didn’t, but is on his own path (ANG), where he is doing well.
 
All,

I’ve done an initial analysis on the Army ROTC candidates who I advise. I have controlled for most of the other variables as my work with them helps them max out other areas such as activities, essays, and the PT test. They are all similarly prepared by me for the interview. I do everything that I know to give them the best shot at competing.

The only area one cannot control is how well a candidate does in their actual interview and how the interviewer writes it up.

Bottom line: I had no “winners” who got below a 29 ACT and a 3.4 GPA. All my “winners” (I put this in quotes because dislike that designation) received four-year scholarships. [I don’t think many (if any) 3-year scholarships were awarded off this first board].

I think ROTC may be holding back some four-year scholarships for the second and possibly third board for candidates who apply late or who will be getting a second look. I don’t know how many--but it does provide some hope for those candidates who “just missed” on this board that they may receive a four-year scholarship in January or possibly March. [For those of you reading this who well below the 29 ACT/3.5 split, a three-year scholarship off the January/March board is probably most likely for you at this point].

Which brings me to an important point of this post—the interview. The interview write-up in particular is read closely by board members and weighs heavily. I have discussed this issue and the interview in general in previous posts:

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...the-army-rotc-scholarship-board-member.67383/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...portance-of-mock-interview-preparation.68213/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...rmy-rotc-professor-of-military-science.67205/

If you were a candidate who had at or over 30 ACT/1400 SAT with mid 3s GPA or higher and felt you did well in other areas you could control, your interview likely did not go as well as you had hoped or the write up was not strong. [Factors such as a particular activity (class president, student council) designated major, or school choice probably had little or no bearing on your overall selection (or lack thereof)].

Questions you may ask yourself at this point about the interview are the following:

1. Did you visit the program you were interviewing several weeks or months before your interview to learn more about Army ROTC and get to know everyone?

2. Did you get to meet the person who was likely going to interview you?

If your answers to either #1 and #2 was “no,” then you probably could have done a bit more to ensure that your interview was a success.

********

The Army ROTC scholarship process is not perfect. It is certainly better IMHO than the Air Force and Navy scholarship process but there are some things that you can’t control for and even explain sometimes. I continue to learn more every year I do this.

*******

Robert Kirkland, LTC (Ret)
"The Insider's Guide to the Army [and Air Force] ROTC Scholarship for High School Students and their Parents" (Amazon)
Thank you for your guidance. If anything this board has shown me that there are amazing young people out there. Choosing scholarship winners must be a very difficult task.
 
I’m very appreciative you shared this information. I want to serve my country while gaining valuable experience as an Army Officer. However, like your son, I was not knowledgeable of this process. It would appear the ROTC high school scholarship is actually a tremendous grooming and consulting process over several years. I have been educating my younger brother on what I’ve learned in hopes it will give him a better advantage. But YES, provided I do not receive anything over the next two boards, I will be applying and joining the program. Thanks Again!
 
I’m very appreciative you shared this information. I want to serve my country while gaining valuable experience as an Army Officer. However, like your son, I was not knowledgeable of this process. It would appear the ROTC high school scholarship is actually a tremendous grooming and consulting process over several years. I have been educating my younger brother on what I’ve learned in hopes it will give him a better advantage. But YES, provided I do not receive anything over the next two boards, I will be applying and joining the program. Thanks Again!

And perhaps you can give back to your community/school as well, offering your help with mentoring. Through our oldest sons experiences, our younger ones were able to build upon his mistakes/lack of knowledge. It worked as his next bother is a USNA youngster and youngest brother has his nomination as a candidate.

We all learn from others, and giving back is a great way to “pay it forward”. And yes, never give up!
 
All,

I’ve done an initial analysis on the Army ROTC candidates who I advise. I have controlled for most of the other variables as my work with them helps them max out other areas such as activities, essays, and the PT test. They are all similarly prepared by me for the interview. I do everything that I know to give them the best shot at competing.

The only area one cannot control is how well a candidate does in their actual interview and how the interviewer writes it up.

Bottom line: I had no “winners” who got below a 29 ACT and a 3.4 GPA. All my “winners” (I put this in quotes because dislike that designation) received four-year scholarships. [I don’t think many (if any) 3-year scholarships were awarded off this first board].

I think ROTC may be holding back some four-year scholarships for the second and possibly third board for candidates who apply late or who will be getting a second look. I don’t know how many--but it does provide some hope for those candidates who “just missed” on this board that they may receive a four-year scholarship in January or possibly March. [For those of you reading this who well below the 29 ACT/3.5 split, a three-year scholarship off the January/March board is probably most likely for you at this point].

Which brings me to an important point of this post—the interview. The interview write-up in particular is read closely by board members and weighs heavily. I have discussed this issue and the interview in general in previous posts:

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...the-army-rotc-scholarship-board-member.67383/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...portance-of-mock-interview-preparation.68213/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...rmy-rotc-professor-of-military-science.67205/

If you were a candidate who had at or over 30 ACT/1400 SAT with mid 3s GPA or higher and felt you did well in other areas you could control, your interview likely did not go as well as you had hoped or the write up was not strong. [Factors such as a particular activity (class president, student council) designated major, or school choice probably had little or no bearing on your overall selection (or lack thereof)].

Questions you may ask yourself at this point about the interview are the following:

1. Did you visit the program you were interviewing several weeks or months before your interview to learn more about Army ROTC and get to know everyone?

2. Did you get to meet the person who was likely going to interview you?

If your answers to either #1 and #2 was “no,” then you probably could have done a bit more to ensure that your interview was a success.

********

The Army ROTC scholarship process is not perfect. It is certainly better IMHO than the Air Force and Navy scholarship process but there are some things that you can’t control for and even explain sometimes. I continue to learn more every year I do this.

*******

Robert Kirkland, LTC (Ret)
"The Insider's Guide to the Army [and Air Force] ROTC Scholarship for High School Students and their Parents" (Amazon)

I actually had a 26 ACT and a 3.6 GPA in high school but I still got a 4 yr scholarship last year. Even though my ACT was a bit ehhh, the interview is super important
 
I actually had a 26 ACT and a 3.6 GPA in high school but I still got a 4 yr scholarship last year. Even though my ACT was a bit ehhh, the interview is super important
My son’s exact stats...hoping for a similar result! The interview does seem to be super important. The change in timing this year likely meant more candidates were reviewed by the first board than in previous years. It will likely also mean fewer additions to the OML for the second board. Realistically, there were only 2 weeks between the document due date for board 1 and board 2 where candidates could have completed their interview and become board ready (although 4 weeks, most schools were out of session for 2 of those). My DS’s interview happened to fall in that small window. Good luck of those waiting to hear from the second board. Stay positive and dream big.
 
I received an ECP scholarship despite not requesting consideration for one. What's up with that?

I have a 28 ACT and a 3.4 GPA (GPA's a little low but ACT score is good) I'm also an Eagle Scout and 4 year varsity letterman. I was told by the PMS I interviewed with I was very competitive and I'd receive at least a 3 year AD offer.

So, what gives? Why the ECP scholarship on the first board?
 
Clearly the board was advised that “the line” they were looking for was 30 ACT and above. IMHO the ONLY thing that is not biased on any ROTC/SA application is the SAT/ACT score. Everything else is highly subjective..the interview (completely subjective - it can be 3-5 mins or 30 mins plus), physical fitness scores....I imagine many of the scores are inflated and not scored/judged to real Army PT standards. GPA - so much deviation in high schools. The essay...it’s probably quickly scanned. Bottom Line - the SAT/ACT scores trump all.
 
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