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clarksonarmy, should we keep this thread going? Or do we start a new "Let the games begin" thread? My vote would be that we keep this one going!!!
January 4, 2011 AROTC Board
- Thread starter Ohio2015Parent
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clarksonarmy, should we keep this thread going? Or do we start a new "Let the games begin" thread? My vote would be that we keep this one going!!!
bjkuds
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ADMIT it!
Ohh man, so I'm hoping that "soon" means by the end of this week, I'm not sure if I can take it any longer, 
. At least we have reliable imformation, but I can't help but to wonder what this "Its not going to be pretty, and some kids are going to make hard decisions" statement is about.
. At least we have reliable imformation, but I can't help but to wonder what this "Its not going to be pretty, and some kids are going to make hard decisions" statement is about.Ohh man, so I'm hoping that "soon" means by the end of this week, I'm not sure if I can take it any longer,
Marie, I just sent you a PM.
bjkuds
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Patentesq.. Agreed that so many here have selflessly made the complicated process we are enduring almost fun..EXCEPT for the waiting...but even that has been much more tolerable because of the common bond of wanting to see our fantastic kids serve their country as Officers. Just wanted to say thank you to all that have answered all my questions directly or indirectly by sharing your knowledge. This forum has been a blessing. Its pretty cool to have a plan b and c for my DS which I would not have known existed if it weren't for here. That makes SAF invaluable to me as a parent. Guidance counselors, recruiters etc don't have the pool of knowledge that is exhibited in this place when it comes to ROTC and the options. just waiting now for Clarkson to start his posts
Sigh...
Sigh...well after catching up on today's posts, my blood pressure is through the ceiling of my 4 story dormitory. Clarkson's post is certainly a zinger. I believe now is a splendid time to send an email over to my #1's ROO. All the best to all of your DSs and DDs as well as any other candidates out there. Class of '15 represent.
Sigh...well after catching up on today's posts, my blood pressure is through the ceiling of my 4 story dormitory. Clarkson's post is certainly a zinger. I believe now is a splendid time to send an email over to my #1's ROO. All the best to all of your DSs and DDs as well as any other candidates out there. Class of '15 represent.
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If I were king . . . .
clarksonarmy and Marist College ROTC probably won't like this (neither would my alma mater), but if I were king, I would only permit AROTC scholarship awardees to redeem their awards at the applicant's state school(s). Period. No state schools where the applicant is not a resident. No fancy ivy-league schools, either. This would serve three objectives:
(1) It would save the Army money because in-state tuition is cheaper;
(2) Money from the federal government in the form of scholarships would flow to the states, who are in a world of hurt right now; and
(3) It would distribute the scholarships across the country more evenly.
Wouldn't this substantially reduce the cost to the Army but also provide a pipeline of officers and help out the states with their fiscal woes? Does the Army really need gold-plated, ivy-league diplomas adorning the offices of our junior grades?
clarksonarmy and Marist College ROTC probably won't like this (neither would my alma mater), but if I were king, I would only permit AROTC scholarship awardees to redeem their awards at the applicant's state school(s). Period. No state schools where the applicant is not a resident. No fancy ivy-league schools, either. This would serve three objectives:
(1) It would save the Army money because in-state tuition is cheaper;
(2) Money from the federal government in the form of scholarships would flow to the states, who are in a world of hurt right now; and
(3) It would distribute the scholarships across the country more evenly.
Wouldn't this substantially reduce the cost to the Army but also provide a pipeline of officers and help out the states with their fiscal woes? Does the Army really need gold-plated, ivy-league diplomas adorning the offices of our junior grades?
bjkuds
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I bet it would reduce the number of applicants at least.
agreed
I have followed this thread from the beginning. My DS was lucky enough to receive a scholarship first board and have been watching and praying for the rest of you to find out soon. I know how hard it was to wait just that short aount of time. I would be a complete wreck by now. You all have been amazing. My DS accepted at a local state school in Texas. Not expensive but a very good school. I think there would be much more to go around if there were caps on the amounts in some way. My DS was going to join the Army either way so this is a very nice perk. I will continue to pray for everyone to find out soon.
I have followed this thread from the beginning. My DS was lucky enough to receive a scholarship first board and have been watching and praying for the rest of you to find out soon. I know how hard it was to wait just that short aount of time. I would be a complete wreck by now. You all have been amazing. My DS accepted at a local state school in Texas. Not expensive but a very good school. I think there would be much more to go around if there were caps on the amounts in some way. My DS was going to join the Army either way so this is a very nice perk. I will continue to pray for everyone to find out soon.
The OC Josh
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The problem with this approach is that the Army has to balance their desire for the the best and brightest leaders with their fiscal responsibility. While many state schools are excellent institutions, the type of applicant that attends a private school is often more competitive. You would have applicants having to choose between getting the best education for themselves and serving the Army. I understand where you are coming from, but I don't think that is a good answer.
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My guess is that the "best and brightest" would find state schools MUCH more attractive if they are fully funded.
Exactly. Tough choice.
I don't have the numbers in front of me now, but about a week ago I did some math. The only two pieces of information I had were the # of scholarships, and the Budget.
Somehow I came up with 85%-90% of ROTC scholarships are of the $10,000 -$14,000 variety (State School Tuition/Fees/Books/Stipend), with 10-15% being the $37,000 - $46,000 variety (Private School Tuition/Fees/Books/Stipend)
Private school scholarships are already in the very, very small minority. My math used some guesstimation, and the Private School scholarships could be well under 10% of the total even now.
Somehow I came up with 85%-90% of ROTC scholarships are of the $10,000 -$14,000 variety (State School Tuition/Fees/Books/Stipend), with 10-15% being the $37,000 - $46,000 variety (Private School Tuition/Fees/Books/Stipend)
Private school scholarships are already in the very, very small minority. My math used some guesstimation, and the Private School scholarships could be well under 10% of the total even now.
When my oldest son received a 4 year scholarship in '03 it didn't cover full tuition. I believe the cap was $18,000 and we were responsibe for the rest. Certain schools were designated high cost and the scholarship paid a few thousand dollars more. During his junior it changed and covered the full tuition. Maybe they are going back to putting a dollar cap on the scholarships.
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What about folks who received an AROTC scholarship from the October board?
I've been lurking on this thread for a long time and one thing I can say is that the longer the wait, the crazier you all get with your thinking. Cabin fever has set in.
When Clarkson made a suggestion that things would result in some difficult choices, this became very evident.
If I were a betting man, I'd say that given the compressed time frame to get this year's scholarships awarded (look at the calendar and try to figure out how many boards they can squeeze in) they will do one, two or all of the following:
1) Reduce the number of choices (perhaps only 2 schools?) a recipient can choose from so they can offer scholarships to more candidates (getting more accepted in this round).
2) Reduce the timeframe which you have to accept the scholarship to 2 weeks, so they can get the March board done in March.
3) Increase the number of 3-year AD scholarships, decreasing the number of 4-year scholarships. This would address some of the potential funding issues caused by a lack of a clear budget. They could upgrade some of these additional 3-year scholarships if Congress comes through with enough money.
Note that none of these things would be a change in the rules of operation (capping the scholarship value, redistributing the scholarships to reward less expensive schools, etc.). All of these could make the decision more difficult for the recipients to make. Choosing between a 3-year at your #1 school and a 4-year at another school, with only 2 weeks, could be very stressful.
I'm hoping for all of you regulars here that you find a situation you are happy with. Best of luck.
When Clarkson made a suggestion that things would result in some difficult choices, this became very evident.
If I were a betting man, I'd say that given the compressed time frame to get this year's scholarships awarded (look at the calendar and try to figure out how many boards they can squeeze in) they will do one, two or all of the following:
1) Reduce the number of choices (perhaps only 2 schools?) a recipient can choose from so they can offer scholarships to more candidates (getting more accepted in this round).
2) Reduce the timeframe which you have to accept the scholarship to 2 weeks, so they can get the March board done in March.
3) Increase the number of 3-year AD scholarships, decreasing the number of 4-year scholarships. This would address some of the potential funding issues caused by a lack of a clear budget. They could upgrade some of these additional 3-year scholarships if Congress comes through with enough money.
Note that none of these things would be a change in the rules of operation (capping the scholarship value, redistributing the scholarships to reward less expensive schools, etc.). All of these could make the decision more difficult for the recipients to make. Choosing between a 3-year at your #1 school and a 4-year at another school, with only 2 weeks, could be very stressful.
I'm hoping for all of you regulars here that you find a situation you are happy with. Best of luck.
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Welcome back, goaliedad!
No one here is crazy. Please refrain from making accusations of that sort on this thread. Many thanks.
I seriously hope you are joking.
I understand it to be a scholarship offer not yet a contract and the offer could be changed. I'm not saying that it will be just giving some insight on what has happened in the past.
OK counselor, please reread my quote and note that I didn't call anyone crazy, but said the thinking was getting crazier. Perfectly sane people can have crazy thoughts. Stress can bring that out in people.