Marine Option NROTC Scholarship

bradster1993

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2010
Messages
38
Alrighty, well its been a pretty long time since I have been on here. I listened to the advice I was given on here and it really helped. I am currently pursuing the Marine Option NROTC Scholarship. I think I have a pretty good shot now that I beefed up my application. I have already started the application process and plan to have it completed maybe next week. Well now I will start by asking how I can further improve my application in the little amount I have left.

Academics​
GPA-3.96 weighted 3.8 unweighted
National Honor Society member
ASVAB- 93
SAT- 580 Math, 580 CR, 520 Writing
ACT- Haven't taken yet but plan to

NJROTC​


  • Administration Chief- Leadership billet
    Armed Squad Regulation drill team commander
    Graduated Basic Leadership Training 3 times once as a platoon member, guide, and then a platoon commander.
    Graduated Leadership Academy in top 25%
    Graduated Sail Academy
    Going to Commander Course over the next summer
    Going to Basic Leadership Training again
    Doing a local Leadership program in my county, only 15 people got selected
    and a few others I cant recall at the moment

    Athletics​

    Ran about 4 5K's
    I'm on a white water rafting race team
    My NJROTC units athletic team
    Played basketball

    Extracurriculars​

    Helped my dad with Toys for Tots a lot as he is the area coordinator for it
    Volunteered for Bring the Heat Foundation, I helped elderly people get heating assistance over the winter
    Did a lot of community service through my NJROTC unit as well

    Thanks for reading I just want to know what my chances are as is and what i could do yo improve them besides SAT I know that is garbage haha but it was my first time taking it.
 
I received the Marine Option Scholarship, but I can't really tell you what your chances are because it doesn't seem like one set "stat sheet" is the golden ticket. What I can tell you is the interview counts for a lot (my interview was 2.5 hours long). That is when you can shine and really put yourself ahead of others how may have the same "stats" as you. Also, the PFT is very VERY important. During the interview I was told that you need to be first class (225+) in order to have a realistic shot. The board also likes to see varsity sports, but your JROTC involvement will most likely take place of no varsity leter.
 
Thanks for replying, and yeah I just wanted to know if I was in the ball park with it. Also, I am either going to have my SNSI do my interview or go to my local OSO. I also consistently do very good in PT I always get 100 crunches (Max), 67 Push-Ups (Max), and run the mile and a half in about 10:30 but I haven't taken the actual Marine Corps PFT yet, I think I will do great though. About the varsity letters, I will get about 5 for being a "starter" on the drill teams when I graduate. I already have 2 for academics. I do a lot of athletic stuff, I just don't do it through my school.
 
The Marine PFT is a 3 mile run, crunches, and pull-ups. Good for you about the varsity letters, the board looks very favorably upon that. To give you an idea here are my stats:

3.67 GPA (Weighted)
Top 20% in High School (Well know in the area)
Varsity Baseball, Varsity Wrestling
National Honor Society Member
SAT: 530 Math 630 Reading 540 Writing
Lots of Honors Classes, but could have pushed myself harder. Biggest regret of senior year.
PFT: Around a 270
Interview: What I think got me the scholarship. Make sure you know why you want to serve, especially in the Marine Corps. Also, don't give the regular B.S. answers that you think they want to hear. When asked the "If you could pick any job to do right now, what would you choose?", I told him to build and race cars. That caught him off guard and he told me how most people say things they want to hear. If you really have the desire and right reasons to want to be a Marine, they will see that and you will get the scholarship.
 
I have ran a 3 mile run before for a PT postal and if my memory is correct I got around a 23:30 or so is that any good at all? How big of a deal is the varsity letter thing? I had no idea they were actually that important. I am also in the top 14% of my class but, i'm hoping I will be able to push it within the 10 percentile. I am also planning to take around 5 Honors/AP classes next year. The interview is probably what will make or break the application that is why i'm going to be very serious about it. I mean I have always known I wanted to be a Marine. I grew up in a Marine Corps household. My dad was a Marine Corps Drill Instructor, he only did one tour on the drill field though. Is that worth noting on my application?
 
As long as you max the pull ups and crunches, the run is not that bad. It is also something that is easier to train for than training your body to do five more pullups in the same time span. I maxed the pullups, crunches, and ran the 3 miles in 22:xx minutes. About the varsity letters, they like them because they show you are an athlete and have some an idea of what being a team player means. You have leadership positions and that is what they are looking for, so in that regard you are fine. It is very much worth it to let them know you come from a Marine/Armed Service background. My father was also a Marine and it gives you the ability to say you have been around the lifestyle and you have some type of knowledge of what you are getting into. In the essays, I wrote a little bit about how I grew up around it, so I would note it on your application. I think the application asks if you have any parents or brothers/sisters serving/served, so you will note it at least once.
 
Your SAT scores are low. Definitely retake it and take the ACT as well. Your SNSI will not do your interview. A recruiter wll contact you and set one up. The NJROTC PFT is very easy compared to the Marine PFT. Double the run and take away the push ups and add pull ups. Pull ups are a very important aspect of the PFT. NJROTC drill team varsity letters don't count. When they say varsity letter, they mean for a varsity sport at your high school. What is your 5k time? It's basically the same distance as the PFT run (.1 mile difference). Make sure you elaborate a lot in your application and be sure to include all of your clubs, activities, community service, etc. Is there a reason you arent involved in sports at your high school? Be sure to include that you are athletically involved outside of school as well. What are your college choices? Your application looks okay but it has potential to be great if you make it great. There are a lot of students applying with fewer spots every year so you want to do everything you can to make yours stand out. Best of luck.
 
When asked the "If you could pick any job to do right now, what would you choose?", I told him to build and race cars. That caught him off guard and he told me how most people say things they want to hear. If you really have the desire and right reasons to want to be a Marine, they will see that and you will get the scholarship.
I agree. Be really honest. My stats are lower than both yours and StateChamp's, both in academics and athletics. But my interviewer loved me. I received an Army scholarship. When he asked me if I could see myself making a career out of the Army, I told him that I honestly couldn't make a judgment on that at such an early point, and that I wouldn't guarantee the Army anything. What he liked most about me, I think, is my complete honesty.
 
I am taking them again soon so hopefully I get a higher score. My SNSI also is trying to get a Naval Academy graduate to do my interview. I am also having a person that is currently at the Naval Academy to come review my application. The reason I'm not involved in sports through my high school is ROTC takes up most of my time. I stay everyday until 5 sometimes 6 all year so, I cant be on teams at the high school. I do play sports outside of school because, the practices start later. My college choices are UNC-CH, NC State, The Citadel, University of Savannah State, and UMD-CP. I am a resident of North Carolina.
 
I am about to submit my application next week. Is there anything I can do short term? I had a person that got the Marine Option 3 years ago from my school come and look over it. He helped me so much. I feel like my application is so much stronger now. I have so many awards and medals that there isn't enough room to list and explain them in that measly 1000 character space. Would that pose a problem to me? Thanks in advance.
 
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