Likely Letter Question

[R360]

Hello!
I am a recruited athlete and received a “Likely Letter” from the Admissions office of my #1 college choice for the class of 2025. It is highly selective for academics and where the admissions rate is very low. Is this something I should put on my ROTC scholarship applications? Meaning, is it helpful that they know I am “likely” to be admitted to my top choice school where admissions can be a stretch/uncertain? Thank you for any input!

 

[Herman_Snerd]

First, congrats that you have a likely letter and that your athletic talents are giving you an admission edge to your top choice - great.

Do you plan on doing all 3 concurrently - thriving at academics at a rigorous school, participating in ROTC on scholarship, and participating in athletics? Putting that letter into your ROTC application will make it clear you are also pursuing participation in an athletic program. It's a fine line - if you actually want to do all 3 then maybe the letter is a good thing but be prepared to discuss your plan to do all openly/ directly and to be able to answer "how" in your interview.

Are you pursuing a ROTC branch that has a lot of activities at the same time as your games? Ex NROTC- Marine Option where Saturdays in the fall could be overnights on the same days as football games? Is this a sport that has 10 matches or 45 (basketball) in the year? Or tennis tourneys that last 2 days out of state? I see a challenge but there are a rare few that make it work. I see a bigger challenge if you're noting this is an academically challenging school - time-management. But if you are going for it, good for you- again rare but it can be done.

If you don't plan to participate in athletics then I'm not sure this letter helps you more than just introduces confusion as to your intended goal. Admissions and ROTC applications are distinct/ separate overall. You can ask the ROTC cadre to advocate with admissions - bottom line is some will and some will not -- and those that will some will walk across Asia for you (direct experience from my DS) and some won't do much (reportedly).

Good luck and thanks for your interest to serve.

 

[R360]

Thank you for your reply and also, addressing/asking about some of the time commitment questions. I am a college recruit with an offer to play a sport that has a fall season and is Division 3, but not a sport like football. I had D1 offers but know the time commitment with a D1 sport would be too much for me with pursuing ROTC as well.

It was actually this college coach that introduced me to the idea of ROTC versus attending one of the academies. The coach has other players that are also doing ROTC and I got to spend time with them. He put me in touch with a couple of alumni who did both so I could learn of their experiences. The coach even reached out to the college ROTC Coordinator before I did, so when I called the Coordinator, he had already heard from the coach and knew about me. As you mentioned, this Coordinator voluntarily offered to weigh in on my application with the school which the coach is obviously already doing, so I would have 2 advocates. I just wanted to say all of this because I have given this a lot of thought and hopefully I have identified an environment where I can succeed at all three.

I was just wondering as far as the scholarship board would consider, would they look favorably on a scholarship candidate that already has a likely letter to a "stretch" school of my choice? The reason I thought of this is because I have read some posts where the advice is to "list schools you will likely get into," and my thought was because this is generally considered a stretch school for admissions, that maybe mentioning the likely letter would make it clear this is a school I should get into and does that matter to the board? And to your other point, I do mention being a sports recruit in one of my essay answers. It seems like the military likes people who can perform well athletically in a team environment too so thought this was a positive but maybe not?

Thank you again! Lots to consider and just want my application to stand out, as does everyone!

 

[ProudDad17]

This is just my opinion, but I do not believe it would matter to the board. The board would assume, if they offer you a scholarship, you are going to be admitted to a college where you can use it. They don't really care where you use it, so long as it meets the requirements of the scholarship offer.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Thank you for your reply and also, addressing/asking about some of the time commitment questions. I am a college recruit with an offer to play a sport that has a fall season and is Division 3, but not a sport like football. I had D1 offers but know the time commitment with a D1 sport would be too much for me with pursuing ROTC as well.

It was actually this college coach that introduced me to the idea of ROTC versus attending one of the academies. The coach has other players that are also doing ROTC and I got to spend time with them. He put me in touch with a couple of alumni who did both so I could learn of their experiences. The coach even reached out to the college ROTC Coordinator before I did, so when I called the Coordinator, he had already heard from the coach and knew about me. As you mentioned, this Coordinator voluntarily offered to weigh in on my application with the school which the coach is obviously already doing, so I would have 2 advocates. I just wanted to say all of this because I have given this a lot of thought and hopefully I have identified an environment where I can succeed at all three.

I was just wondering as far as the scholarship board would consider, would they look favorably on a scholarship candidate that already has a likely letter to a "stretch" school of my choice? The reason I thought of this is because I have read some posts where the advice is to "list schools you will likely get into," and my thought was because this is generally considered a stretch school for admissions, that maybe mentioning the likely letter would make it clear this is a school I should get into and does that matter to the board? And to your other point, I do mention being a sports recruit in one of my essay answers. It seems like the military likes people who can perform well athletically in a team environment too so thought this was a positive but maybe not?

Thank you again! Lots to consider and just want my application to stand out, as does everyone!

Your response was so well written - after reading it I think ultimately whether you include this letter won't matter. I would lean toward not including the letter too, because the scholarship committee is more interested on whether you possess the scholar, athlete, leader skills, that you interview well, that you show leadership potential and awareness and grit/ determination - and yes having shown leadership in athletics and leadership "on the field/ pitch/ court" is imo helpful. my DS was captain of 2 HS teams his senior year and I think it helped when he applied 2 years ago. Good luck and please keep the board posted.

One other thought, a likely letter is not binding - it's nice. it's encouraging. but in and of itself I would not consider this letter or any verbal encouragement a decision. Don't take your foot off the gas pedal and keep applying to other schools, and multiple ROTC branches that would interest you. It doesn't stink to have a lot of choices in front of you by the Spring.

Good luck and I hope you let the board know how things go or advise if any additional suggestions might be helpful.

 

[R360]

Your response was so well written - after reading it I think ultimately whether you include this letter won't matter. I would lean toward not including the letter too, because the scholarship committee is more interested on whether you possess the scholar, athlete, leader skills, that you interview well, that you show leadership potential and awareness and grit/ determination - and yes having shown leadership in athletics and leadership "on the field/ pitch/ court" is imo helpful. my DS was captain of 2 HS teams his senior year and I think it helped when he applied 2 years ago. Good luck and please keep the board posted.

One other thought, a likely letter is not binding - it's nice. it's encouraging. but in and of itself I would not consider this letter or any verbal encouragement a decision. Don't take your foot off the gas pedal and keep applying to other schools, and multiple ROTC branches that would interest you. It doesn't stink to have a lot of choices in front of you by the Spring.

Good luck and I hope you let the board know how things go or advise if any additional suggestions might be helpful.

Thank you Mr. Snerd! I really appreciate the advice. I will keep you posted and hopefully I will have good news to report at some point and will keep you updated either way. I am applying to all 3 ROTC's as they are all available at my school of choice or very close by (within 10 minute walk), and if it goes well, I'll be happy to share what my personal experiences are that might help others.

 

[franknd]

I will dissent in part. If you have legitimate D-I offers that you are turning down, I think that would impress at least some board members. I think high caliber athletic ability is a very good trait to highlight.