I have just completed my AFROTC application and was wondering if and who I would be interviewed by. I know for NROTC i just have an interview with the officer at the local recruiting station. For AROTC i have to go to a college to have an interview with the Military Science Instructor. I am just anxious to know because I dont want to dive to the college I plan on going to the interviews at more than 1 time. I would like to knock them both out on the same day. An info would be great, thanks!
Is there an interview for AFROTC?
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Pima
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Yes, you will be interviewed. They actually submit a rec to the board which will be a part of your WCS.
Are you applying for AFA? If so, you may be able to have your ALO do it for you. Our DS did that.
I would also say that it is to your benefit, even if the ALO can do it to visit that college. AFROTC units are unique, they have their own personality just like a college does. You may find the school to be a match, but not the det. You may find the det to be a match, but not the school.
Contact the det. Ask for an appointment to meet them. Ask if you can also meet some POCs (jrs/srs) and talk to them about the unit. If the folks come with you, ask them to leave and meet you somewhere in 45-60 minutes. This will allow you to talk openly and the ability to walk on campus as if you are a student attending. It will give you a glimpse into your future.
I noticed that you are applying for every branch ROTC scholarship. I hope you have investigated not only how each branch operates re:awarding scholarships, but how your ROTC career will impact career choices and if you will even get to go AD at all.
~~~AF/NROTC place emphasis on majors. 85% go to tech fields
~~~N/AROTC tie the scholarship to the school and the cadet, AFROTC ties it to the cadet only.
~~~ AFROTC will require Summer Field Training (SFT) to retain the scholarship and you must compete for it. Selection rate is @50+%. No SFT, no commissioning.
~~~AFROTC all commissioned cadets go AD. AROTC that is not the case.
Are you applying for AFA? If so, you may be able to have your ALO do it for you. Our DS did that.
I would also say that it is to your benefit, even if the ALO can do it to visit that college. AFROTC units are unique, they have their own personality just like a college does. You may find the school to be a match, but not the det. You may find the det to be a match, but not the school.
Contact the det. Ask for an appointment to meet them. Ask if you can also meet some POCs (jrs/srs) and talk to them about the unit. If the folks come with you, ask them to leave and meet you somewhere in 45-60 minutes. This will allow you to talk openly and the ability to walk on campus as if you are a student attending. It will give you a glimpse into your future.
I noticed that you are applying for every branch ROTC scholarship. I hope you have investigated not only how each branch operates re:awarding scholarships, but how your ROTC career will impact career choices and if you will even get to go AD at all.
~~~AF/NROTC place emphasis on majors. 85% go to tech fields
~~~N/AROTC tie the scholarship to the school and the cadet, AFROTC ties it to the cadet only.
~~~ AFROTC will require Summer Field Training (SFT) to retain the scholarship and you must compete for it. Selection rate is @50+%. No SFT, no commissioning.
~~~AFROTC all commissioned cadets go AD. AROTC that is not the case.
In our area the ALO typically does the AFROTC interview as well as the AFA interview. ALO has told DS that there are some changes this year on the AFA side of things. The ALO will not get your package until after it has been reviewed by AFA. This means that the interviews are going to mostly be a little later in the process. This may impact completing an AFROTC interview in time for the first board. Talk to your ALO about this if you are an AFA applicant.
Pima
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I would think that it wouldn't impact AFROTC because the AFA and AFROTC "do not talk" regarding boards. I would assume (we know what that means) the ALO would do AFROTC interview 1st and if they are applying to the AFA also, they would submit that rec. later. At least for our DS that was what they did, just reversed. He was interviewed for AFA rec, and the ALO submitted that rec for AFROTC later on.
They aren't going to hold up an AFROTC candidate for interview just because they are also applying for the AFA.
Now, the question really here is if the poster is applying for the AFA, because if I recall correctly from LY, ALO's did not do ROTC only candidates and those candidates did go to a regional.
For sjbd94 you also need to check in and see about this. AFROTC scholarship is tied to the candidate, thus, they may ask you to go to a regional, even though that is not the college you are applying to, it is not A/NROTC where it is tied to the school.
PM Flieger.
They aren't going to hold up an AFROTC candidate for interview just because they are also applying for the AFA.
Now, the question really here is if the poster is applying for the AFA, because if I recall correctly from LY, ALO's did not do ROTC only candidates and those candidates did go to a regional.
For sjbd94 you also need to check in and see about this. AFROTC scholarship is tied to the candidate, thus, they may ask you to go to a regional, even though that is not the college you are applying to, it is not A/NROTC where it is tied to the school.
PM Flieger.
If son was only doing AFROTC his interview would be at a local University AFROTC and that is still an option for him. ALO said she would keep an eye on the board dates and make sure things were taken care of if AFA was going to be too late. They are not going to intentionally hold you up. Point is that it is up to you to be proactive and make the phone calls and find out what you need to do.
i am applying to the air force academy, west point/naval academy and all branches of ROTC. I have my naval academy meeting next week along with my NROTC interview. I still have to schedule an interview for AROTC, i just didnt want to do so if I have to have an interview with a schools AFROTC detachment. I have meet with the ALO in person before and have been emailing him frequently keeping him up to date on my progress, so should i email him about my interview for AFROTC or will it be at a college?
Yes - college applications are separate from ROTC scholarship applications. Some ROTC scholarships (NROTC & AROTC) can only be used at the specific college(s) that they are awarded/assigned and that is what is meant by "tied to the school". One of the reasons that it is important to list colleges on your ROTC college "wish" list that you are going to apply and stand a fairly good shot of being accepted. You wouldn't want to be awarded a scholarship to a college that wouldn't accept you. Of course you could apply for a transfer of a scholarship if you weren't able to get accepted at the college that it was assigned....but that request presents other risks and is not automatically approved.
If you are awarded a ROTC scholarship to a specific college you do not need to apply to that college's ROTC program. You are in. Again, you still need to apply (separately) to the college and get accepted.
AFROTC scholarships are not awarded/assigned to a specific college. They are awarded by three different "Types". Each type has specific criteria about how much it pays (tuition) and what type (in-state, private ect) of college it can be used. As long as you use the AFROTC scholarship within the guidelines (and of course there is an approved AFROTC Detachment available) then you can choose which college to attend.
http://afrotc.com/scholarships/high-school/scholarship-types/
Good Luck!
Pima
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One thing to also understand is that regardless of the branch, some schools will give an admittance edge to ROTC candidates. VT comes to mind.
HOWEVER, if you get in using ROTC, even without a scholarship and drop out before a certain date, the college can opt to give you the boot. DD told me for VT it is the 1st 8 weeks (mid-terms) for freshman.
This usually applies to college that have Corps of Cadets, I believe there are only 7 nationally. At these schools you can be in the Corps, but not in ROTC, however, you cannot be in ROTC and not the Corps.
Agagles explained perfectly what "tieing" implies.
For A/NROTC the units have a limited amount of scholarships that will be offered; spreading the wealth. For AFROTC, they do not care if 1 school has 100% on scholarship while another has 0%. Their approach is from a nationalistic POV. Let's assume they have 1000 scholarships. Top 1000 candidates from across the nation will be awarded a scholarship that is tied to their major (tech or non-tech) regardless of the school.
The further you go through the system, you will also find out that some ROTC units "talk" to admissions. If a scholarship is in hand and they talk the cadet may have a better chance of getting in even if the school was a reach.
No lie. DS did not apply to UNCCH or NYU, but both send him "congrats you are admitted" letters. The letter even acknowledged that he didn't apply. I called admissions and they stated that the AFROTC det at these schools placed his name into the pile, and they accepted him due to their rec. Of course because we knew he was a scholarship recipient we knew it meant to them guaranteed money with no merit, grants or loans. They showed them the stats, and he was in their "match". He didn't go there.
There are also colleges that do not "talk" to ROTC. Notre Dame, UVA are 2 of them, so even if you have a scholarship in hand this will not be placed into the equation.
Talk to the college and ask if they talk to ROTC for admission decisions. Another reason that you should go to the school and do a visit. Also ask them specific questions for their unit.
I.E.
~ % that went to SFT for 2011
~ % that gets their career choice
~ GPA(min) needed to feel safe in getting that career choice
~ Military fraternities?
~ GMC nights?
HOWEVER, if you get in using ROTC, even without a scholarship and drop out before a certain date, the college can opt to give you the boot. DD told me for VT it is the 1st 8 weeks (mid-terms) for freshman.
This usually applies to college that have Corps of Cadets, I believe there are only 7 nationally. At these schools you can be in the Corps, but not in ROTC, however, you cannot be in ROTC and not the Corps.
Agagles explained perfectly what "tieing" implies.
For A/NROTC the units have a limited amount of scholarships that will be offered; spreading the wealth. For AFROTC, they do not care if 1 school has 100% on scholarship while another has 0%. Their approach is from a nationalistic POV. Let's assume they have 1000 scholarships. Top 1000 candidates from across the nation will be awarded a scholarship that is tied to their major (tech or non-tech) regardless of the school.
The further you go through the system, you will also find out that some ROTC units "talk" to admissions. If a scholarship is in hand and they talk the cadet may have a better chance of getting in even if the school was a reach.
No lie. DS did not apply to UNCCH or NYU, but both send him "congrats you are admitted" letters. The letter even acknowledged that he didn't apply. I called admissions and they stated that the AFROTC det at these schools placed his name into the pile, and they accepted him due to their rec. Of course because we knew he was a scholarship recipient we knew it meant to them guaranteed money with no merit, grants or loans. They showed them the stats, and he was in their "match". He didn't go there.
There are also colleges that do not "talk" to ROTC. Notre Dame, UVA are 2 of them, so even if you have a scholarship in hand this will not be placed into the equation.
Talk to the college and ask if they talk to ROTC for admission decisions. Another reason that you should go to the school and do a visit. Also ask them specific questions for their unit.
I.E.
~ % that went to SFT for 2011
~ % that gets their career choice
~ GPA(min) needed to feel safe in getting that career choice
~ Military fraternities?
~ GMC nights?
Pima,
Thanks for letting me know that about UNCCH! That is really helpful! UNCCH is my first choice outside of service academies of course. I am scheduling my ROTC interviews there so hopefully that can help me out in the admissions process!
Thanks for letting me know that about UNCCH! That is really helpful! UNCCH is my first choice outside of service academies of course. I am scheduling my ROTC interviews there so hopefully that can help me out in the admissions process!
I completed my AFROTC application almost 3 weeks ago now, and I still have not heard anything about an interview yet. My application tracker has been saying "all forms have been submitted for review" for some time now. Just wandering if anyone has been interviewed for AFROTC HSSP yet this year?
Pima
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It is called hurry up and wait. The fact is they get to you through a queue system. That means whoever was in front of you will be reviewed before you. Believe it or not there could be hundreds if not thousand+ in front of you.
Additionally, ALO's are volunteers with jobs and families, July/August are PCS months, and so the ALO may not be there yet. It is also summer vacation time for them too. Things will start to really move early Sept.
Additionally, ALO's are volunteers with jobs and families, July/August are PCS months, and so the ALO may not be there yet. It is also summer vacation time for them too. Things will start to really move early Sept.
Aglages and Pima, your answers were SUPER informative- thank you!! Never would have thought to ask those questions you listed at the end of your answer, Pima. We actually visited VMI this summer and now wish we asked them! Guess DS will be making a phone call to them soon 
When you talk about the % that get their career choice.... Do you generally see a huge difference from SMC to SMC? I would expect maybe a larger difference from SMC to traditional college.? Our focus has been on our DS's first choice (the SAs) and we have just started working on his plan B and C. A long and confusing process
Thank you again for your help.
When you talk about the % that get their career choice.... Do you generally see a huge difference from SMC to SMC? I would expect maybe a larger difference from SMC to traditional college.? Our focus has been on our DS's first choice (the SAs) and we have just started working on his plan B and C. A long and confusing process Thank you again for your help.
Pima
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sjbd,
You just wait now. If AFROTC deems you competitive they will initiate the next step in the process. If they don't deem you competitive they will snail mail you a letter informing you "AT THIS TIME...". aka TWE.
The ALO will contact you. Also as I stated before they have other jobs and for some they may have 15-20 candidates to review. It takes time for them to get to all of them.
alparent,
Basically it is not so much SMC to SMC, but the gpa, AFOQT and TBAS that makes the difference for rated boards. Overall, SMC's do have the higher % compared to traditional colleges.
Where you want to look regarding % for now is the SFT selection rate. As I have stated, don't get SFT and there is no chance for a rated board at all. Get it on the 2nd shot (rising sr) and you still are a long shot because part of the OML is your SFT and rank out of SFT (DG, top 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% or below) will be awarded points. The board will see that you went after you were suppose to (think above promotion zone).
I believe even last yr some SMCs had only a 65-70+ selection rate. That is much better than the national avg., BUT it is not 100% and nobody suspects it will hit 100% anytime soon. That means there still is that 1 in 3 chance. Typically these are the kids that are just holding on by the skin of their teeth from hitting academic probation or losing their scholarship.
Keep a strong gpa and your child will be fine. That is why I said ask the min gpa. I am not inferring to aim for just above it, because those mins change yr to yr depending on selection rates, but use it as that min = Failing. The past couple of yrs for SFT at traditional colleges the gpa for tech cadets was @3.0,, for non-tech it was @3.2.
Even those were the mins. these cadets had other things to help them, such as jobs in the cadre, strong PFT scores and AFOQT scores. These boards are like the scholarship and admission boards...Whole Cadet, not just the highest gpa cadet, but Whole Cadet.
You just wait now. If AFROTC deems you competitive they will initiate the next step in the process. If they don't deem you competitive they will snail mail you a letter informing you "AT THIS TIME...". aka TWE.
The ALO will contact you. Also as I stated before they have other jobs and for some they may have 15-20 candidates to review. It takes time for them to get to all of them.
alparent,
Basically it is not so much SMC to SMC, but the gpa, AFOQT and TBAS that makes the difference for rated boards. Overall, SMC's do have the higher % compared to traditional colleges.
Where you want to look regarding % for now is the SFT selection rate. As I have stated, don't get SFT and there is no chance for a rated board at all. Get it on the 2nd shot (rising sr) and you still are a long shot because part of the OML is your SFT and rank out of SFT (DG, top 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% or below) will be awarded points. The board will see that you went after you were suppose to (think above promotion zone).
I believe even last yr some SMCs had only a 65-70+ selection rate. That is much better than the national avg., BUT it is not 100% and nobody suspects it will hit 100% anytime soon. That means there still is that 1 in 3 chance. Typically these are the kids that are just holding on by the skin of their teeth from hitting academic probation or losing their scholarship.
Keep a strong gpa and your child will be fine. That is why I said ask the min gpa. I am not inferring to aim for just above it, because those mins change yr to yr depending on selection rates, but use it as that min = Failing. The past couple of yrs for SFT at traditional colleges the gpa for tech cadets was @3.0,, for non-tech it was @3.2.
Even those were the mins. these cadets had other things to help them, such as jobs in the cadre, strong PFT scores and AFOQT scores. These boards are like the scholarship and admission boards...Whole Cadet, not just the highest gpa cadet, but Whole Cadet.
Pima
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OBTW,
One other question to ask all ROTC units, including SMCs.
What is your commissioning rate?
What you are looking for is how many made it through the 4 yrs. You may need to ask a follow up question of how many left because it wasn't for them, and how many academically couldn't handle it.
Usually to get a handle on which it is, you need to ask:
1. % of cadets that leave after freshman yr.
~~~This is usually a not for me issue
2. % of cadets that leave before Jr yr.
~~~ This is usually academic...not selected for SFT.
You may also want to ask when discussing SFT, if their unit has kept the cadets on scholarship even if not selected for SFT.
The CC has the ability to fight for the cadet with AFROTC HQ and try to keep them on scholarship. It happens, but don't assume that it happens often.
If they answer in numbers, always rephrase the question so you can find out %. For example, a det can say 0 for the retaining the scholarship, but only have 50 people in that yr group. Another det can say 4, but have 300, so in essence the odds are the same.
That is the only way you can compare them from the same perspective.
Finally,
To Parents.
REPEATING MYSELF so it is pounded into your cranium
Yes, meet with the CC with your child, BUT at a certain point excuse yourself and leave. Have a pre-planned meeting spot and time.
Let them have that private time. Children tend to act differently with a parent in the room. He may feel uncomfortable asking certain questions because you might "butt" in.
You will not be able to sit in on the ALO interview. You will not be able to sit in on the MOC interview (if they are applying SA). They will be a pro at this time regarding how to interact. Trust them.
It also does give them that freedom to walk the campus by themselves as a college kid. There is a feel to every campus and it is important for them to get a snippet of that feel. I can't tell you of any kid who given the opportunity to do this didn't walk away with at least one of their selections changing up or down on their list. This doesn't mean #1 will drop to number 5, but it may drop to number 3 or vise a verse.
Our DS did this and his number 1 dropped to number 2. His number 3 went to number 1. One of them went off the list completely, it was his safety. Ironically he never finished that application; April 15th rolled around and he got a Congrats letter. Selected with MERIT!
A good indication of if the list changed...meet them at the Student Union where you can grab a bite to eat while waiting for them. In almost every SU there is a book store. Before leaving ask them if they want to get a T-shirt. If they say no, than you know that this school is now on the bottom of the pile. Our DS only bought 3 shirts.
SJBD,
I forgot to say, this was for our DS back in 07/08 re:UNCCH. He was also a NMSF. His stats were match + (SAT was 1390, ACT was 33 or 34). I don't want you to walk in thinking that if it is a reach they will also do this. Plus, the system may have changed. Most IS colleges now are much more competitive now than they were 3-4 yrs ago.
Also, all posters should understand that some ROTC branches have an "in" with admissions, whereas the others on the same campus do not. It comes down to size. For example: If the school is not the host ROTC unit, they really don't have any pull. If they are incredibly big (%) of incoming freshman they will have a pull.
Look at VT. If you say on the application you will be in the CoC and ROTC (any branch), admissions gives you points for that. However, if you enter and drop out of ROTC before a certain date, VT can cut you loose. They accepted you on the condition you would be in ROTC and/or the CoC. Scholarship or no scholarship.
For many this is a problem.
1. They realize early on that their dream of what the military is and reality do not match, but because of that condition placed upon them they need to suffer through it for a yr.
2. They realize they chose the wrong branch, but are stuck for a yr before they can transfer over to the other branch.
Traditional colleges, will allow the student to drop out of ROTC in the 1st yr.
One other question to ask all ROTC units, including SMCs.
What is your commissioning rate?
What you are looking for is how many made it through the 4 yrs. You may need to ask a follow up question of how many left because it wasn't for them, and how many academically couldn't handle it.
Usually to get a handle on which it is, you need to ask:
1. % of cadets that leave after freshman yr.
~~~This is usually a not for me issue
2. % of cadets that leave before Jr yr.
~~~ This is usually academic...not selected for SFT.
You may also want to ask when discussing SFT, if their unit has kept the cadets on scholarship even if not selected for SFT.
The CC has the ability to fight for the cadet with AFROTC HQ and try to keep them on scholarship. It happens, but don't assume that it happens often.
If they answer in numbers, always rephrase the question so you can find out %. For example, a det can say 0 for the retaining the scholarship, but only have 50 people in that yr group. Another det can say 4, but have 300, so in essence the odds are the same.
That is the only way you can compare them from the same perspective.
Finally,
To Parents.
REPEATING MYSELF so it is pounded into your cranium
Yes, meet with the CC with your child, BUT at a certain point excuse yourself and leave. Have a pre-planned meeting spot and time.
Let them have that private time. Children tend to act differently with a parent in the room. He may feel uncomfortable asking certain questions because you might "butt" in.
You will not be able to sit in on the ALO interview. You will not be able to sit in on the MOC interview (if they are applying SA). They will be a pro at this time regarding how to interact. Trust them.
It also does give them that freedom to walk the campus by themselves as a college kid. There is a feel to every campus and it is important for them to get a snippet of that feel. I can't tell you of any kid who given the opportunity to do this didn't walk away with at least one of their selections changing up or down on their list. This doesn't mean #1 will drop to number 5, but it may drop to number 3 or vise a verse.
Our DS did this and his number 1 dropped to number 2. His number 3 went to number 1. One of them went off the list completely, it was his safety. Ironically he never finished that application; April 15th rolled around and he got a Congrats letter. Selected with MERIT!
A good indication of if the list changed...meet them at the Student Union where you can grab a bite to eat while waiting for them. In almost every SU there is a book store. Before leaving ask them if they want to get a T-shirt. If they say no, than you know that this school is now on the bottom of the pile. Our DS only bought 3 shirts.
SJBD,
I forgot to say, this was for our DS back in 07/08 re:UNCCH. He was also a NMSF. His stats were match + (SAT was 1390, ACT was 33 or 34). I don't want you to walk in thinking that if it is a reach they will also do this. Plus, the system may have changed. Most IS colleges now are much more competitive now than they were 3-4 yrs ago.
Also, all posters should understand that some ROTC branches have an "in" with admissions, whereas the others on the same campus do not. It comes down to size. For example: If the school is not the host ROTC unit, they really don't have any pull. If they are incredibly big (%) of incoming freshman they will have a pull.
Look at VT. If you say on the application you will be in the CoC and ROTC (any branch), admissions gives you points for that. However, if you enter and drop out of ROTC before a certain date, VT can cut you loose. They accepted you on the condition you would be in ROTC and/or the CoC. Scholarship or no scholarship.
For many this is a problem.
1. They realize early on that their dream of what the military is and reality do not match, but because of that condition placed upon them they need to suffer through it for a yr.
2. They realize they chose the wrong branch, but are stuck for a yr before they can transfer over to the other branch.
Traditional colleges, will allow the student to drop out of ROTC in the 1st yr.
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A note on SMC's
It is difficult to get meaningful numbers on SFT, commissioning rates etc from the SMC's. Reason being is that everyone is part of the Corps and takes ROTC but many of them have no desire to commission and would not even be in the program at a traditional college. Therefore the raw numbers on selection will be surprisingly low. If you talk to them you will get some sense of how many that wanted SFT, commissioning, etc got it but it is difficult to get hard numbers. Some of the SMC's are better at being able to provide this info than others. None of them are trying to diguise anything it is just that the SMC's operate under different rules.
It is difficult to get meaningful numbers on SFT, commissioning rates etc from the SMC's. Reason being is that everyone is part of the Corps and takes ROTC but many of them have no desire to commission and would not even be in the program at a traditional college. Therefore the raw numbers on selection will be surprisingly low. If you talk to them you will get some sense of how many that wanted SFT, commissioning, etc got it but it is difficult to get hard numbers. Some of the SMC's are better at being able to provide this info than others. None of them are trying to diguise anything it is just that the SMC's operate under different rules.
Pima
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I agree you can be in Corps without being in ROTC, BUT and this is a big BUT if you are contracted AFROTC as a POC, you will go ADAF for 4 yrs.
This occurs after SFT. It means if you leave now, as a POC you can owe money and time.
Additionally, I stated ask the commission rate? That will give insight, even for the scenario you posed.
Granted, maybe they should ask how many in the Corps get SFT, but do not commission. However, I would doubt in this economic times that the AFROTC Commander is going to give "my number 1 selection" to the cadet that has shown no interest in an AF career.
DD's BFF is VT ROTC, in the Corps obviously, but by Thanksgiving she wanted out of AROTC and in NROTC. She had to wait until her sophomore year. She will not be commissioned Army, she will now be commissioned Navy. This is another reason to ask commission rate for an SMC, since they can transfer branches.
Which brings us back to square one for AFROTC. No SFT, no commissioning, scholarship, SMC, Corps whatever. Contract as a POC even non-scholarship and the AF owns you.
So many posters believe that once the scholarship is in hand the path is just about following the yellow brick road.
IT ISN'T!
4 yrs from now when your child is up for their AFSC, you will realize the scholarship was a perk, nothing more. It won't guarantee anything. Their performance in college will be the real test.
If you don't investigate the units you may actually harm their ability to achieve their military goals.
ROTC and SMCs are very unique compared to SAs. The ROTC cadets live in a dual world. They want that college social experience, while at the same time they want that military career goal. They are forced to learn how to balance each aspect on their own.
Lose sight of one aspect and you will risk the ultimate goal...military career.
Too much fun tailgating, not enough studying. Too much studying, not enough socializing...socialization in college is huge regarding personal fulfillment.
The most successful cadet will address all of these issues before deciding SA, SMC or traditional ROTC.
OBTW, I don't think any SMC tries to disguise the stats. I am sorry if you took it that way. I am saying that if you use %, you will be able to compare the SMC to the traditional college.
I am also saying that nobody knows what the future budget will be, so don't walk in with a pre-conceived perspective. DS's college even with the AFROTC cuts has kept close to their % for SFT and AFSC, but they are considered a large unit for traditional ROTC.
This occurs after SFT. It means if you leave now, as a POC you can owe money and time.
Additionally, I stated ask the commission rate? That will give insight, even for the scenario you posed.
Granted, maybe they should ask how many in the Corps get SFT, but do not commission. However, I would doubt in this economic times that the AFROTC Commander is going to give "my number 1 selection" to the cadet that has shown no interest in an AF career.
DD's BFF is VT ROTC, in the Corps obviously, but by Thanksgiving she wanted out of AROTC and in NROTC. She had to wait until her sophomore year. She will not be commissioned Army, she will now be commissioned Navy. This is another reason to ask commission rate for an SMC, since they can transfer branches.
Which brings us back to square one for AFROTC. No SFT, no commissioning, scholarship, SMC, Corps whatever. Contract as a POC even non-scholarship and the AF owns you.
So many posters believe that once the scholarship is in hand the path is just about following the yellow brick road.
IT ISN'T!
4 yrs from now when your child is up for their AFSC, you will realize the scholarship was a perk, nothing more. It won't guarantee anything. Their performance in college will be the real test.
If you don't investigate the units you may actually harm their ability to achieve their military goals.
ROTC and SMCs are very unique compared to SAs. The ROTC cadets live in a dual world. They want that college social experience, while at the same time they want that military career goal. They are forced to learn how to balance each aspect on their own.
Lose sight of one aspect and you will risk the ultimate goal...military career.
Too much fun tailgating, not enough studying. Too much studying, not enough socializing...socialization in college is huge regarding personal fulfillment.
The most successful cadet will address all of these issues before deciding SA, SMC or traditional ROTC.
OBTW, I don't think any SMC tries to disguise the stats. I am sorry if you took it that way. I am saying that if you use %, you will be able to compare the SMC to the traditional college.
I am also saying that nobody knows what the future budget will be, so don't walk in with a pre-conceived perspective. DS's college even with the AFROTC cuts has kept close to their % for SFT and AFSC, but they are considered a large unit for traditional ROTC.