Introduction and my questions

JD1995

5-Year Member
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Aug 15, 2013
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Hello, I'm new here. I am a High School senior this year, I go to JROTC (I am a Cadet Major and the Battalion's S3) at a regular high school however my classes are taken at an academy (Marine Science) attached to that school.
I've wanted to serve for sometime and talked with people and sent in an application for a NROTC scholarship. However after talking with some people I really want to go into the Marine Corps (The Navy Petty Officer that talked with me said it was possible for me to sideload into the Marine Option, but its not guaranteed) and I have a Marine Recruiter trying to convince me to join the Delayed Entry Program.
However my family is steadfast against the later. They fully support me joining the military however my current weighted GPA is 4.5 and I've taken 4 AP tests (3 fives, one 4) I took the ACT and had a 26 cumulative and had I believe around an 1800-2000 SAT score. Also I have also already been offered full scholarships from places like Stetson.
I've also been invited to apply by Annapolis and West Point and I am also interested in Norwich and the Citadel. However since I applied for the Navy ROTC is it possible for me to get the Marine Option from on of these colleges? What are yalls opinion on the delayed entry program?
I know an ROTC scholarship is no guarantee but I really want to join the military and I pretty set on joining the Marine Corps. Do I need to change my application, I would like to hear your opinions.
 
1. Judging by your interests, you should also consider VMI
2. Why so dead-set on the Marine Corps?
3. If you want to be an officer, don't do Delayed Entry
4. Stetson ain't easy to get a full ride to. Academically, you must be doing something right. I would research Stetsons's ROTC programs, if they have any, and any other schools that you may apply to.

If you've already submitted an NROTC application, inquire about changing it to a Marine option if you're SURE that's what you want to do (this has been done, I'm pretty sure they'll do it if your selected major is not a STEM major). Otherwise, apply to AROTC and AFROTC. Honestly, if there's anything I've learned about going to a school where everything operates around 3 giant ROTC programs, is that there's cool stuff to do in every branch. Keep an open mind.
 
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Oh, I'm planning on checking out many schools, its just I've visited Norwich and love the area and I've visited the area around the Citadel.
Mostly because I like many options in the Marine Corps as well as influences from family/friends.
 
Hello, I'm new here. I am a High School senior this year, I go to JROTC (I am a Cadet Major and the Battalion's S3) at a regular high school however my classes are taken at an academy (Marine Science) attached to that school.
I've wanted to serve for sometime and talked with people and sent in an application for a NROTC scholarship. However after talking with some people I really want to go into the Marine Corps (The Navy Petty Officer that talked with me said it was possible for me to sideload into the Marine Option, but its not guaranteed) and I have a Marine Recruiter trying to convince me to join the Delayed Entry Program.
However my family is steadfast against the later. They fully support me joining the military however my current weighted GPA is 4.5 and I've taken 4 AP tests (3 fives, one 4) I took the ACT and had a 26 cumulative and had I believe around an 1800-2000 SAT score. Also I have also already been offered full scholarships from places like Stetson.
I've also been invited to apply by Annapolis and West Point and I am also interested in Norwich and the Citadel. However since I applied for the Navy ROTC is it possible for me to get the Marine Option from on of these colleges? What are yalls opinion on the delayed entry program?
I know an ROTC scholarship is no guarantee but I really want to join the military and I pretty set on joining the Marine Corps. Do I need to change my application, I would like to hear your opinions.

When you fill out the NROTC application you check whether you're apply for Navy, Marine, or Nursing option. Are you saying you filled out the application and checked Navy? If so, you can call or contact the folks to have it changed to Marine Option.

You can switch from Navy Option to Marine Option if you win a scholarship after you start college. However you need permission to do this and it's not easy to get. Actually it's generally done by folks who aren't cutting the tech courses for their major after getting the Navy Option scholarship. I certainly don't recommend making that your plan. It's a fallback course for Navy Options who are in great physical shape but having trouble with grades.

I certainly understand you're being set on the Marine Corps. My DS was as well. He wanted to enlist but Mom insisted he go to college first, and if he was going in, he was going in as an officer. She grew up not too far a drive from Camp Lejeune and knows the difference between the military as enlisted and the military as on officer.

DEP is a program for enlisted. If you were to join DEP you might still win a NROTC scholarship and they would release you. But if you don't win an NROTC scholarship, then guess what? You're heading to Parris Island as enlisted. From your grades, demonstrated leadership, and the fact that colleges are seeking you out, you are obviously too smart to delay college. Go now and become an officer.

BTW, you can do NROTC without the scholarship. It's called being a 'college programmer'. That's how my son started out. He won a sideload scholarship the second semester of his sophomore year. A friend of his, Navy Option, does not have a scholarship and has not won one. But he has been approved for Advanced Standing which means his last two years of college he'll be getting the monthly stipend. Every little bit helps.

If you are given an academic scholarship from a school that has an NROTC program that could be a viable plan B if you're forced to go the college programmer route. Good luck! You sound like officer material to me. And BTW, always be wary of recruiters. I've met many who are stand up guys and would never steer you wrong. I also hear of folks who are just trying to meet their quota. Sounds like yours is one of the latter. Go to college. Avoid DEP. You can always enlist later if college plans don't work out for one reason or another.
 
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