No ROTC, but Good Grades

Temple17

Temple17

5-Year Member
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Jan 30, 2017
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Hey!!!
I was recently talking to someone who works with my Congressman. I am on the Navy Wait List, but I am currently solidifying my "Plan B." I told the man that I was planning to do ROTC at my plan B school during my Freshman year, and reapply to the USNA.
He discouraged me from participating in a ROTC program. He said I should spend my time making sure I make all A's. He felt that ROTC would not really effect my application that much. He felt that all that really mattered was that I make a 4.0 in classes similar to the ones that I would take at the Academy.

Can anyone give me a second opinion on this???
 
I know many people that came to the Academy after doing a year of college at a civilian school. Some did participate in ROTC on scholarship, but many did not. It is by no means a requisite. Personally, I would think that getting good grades is the most important thing to focus on for a re-applicant. If you can get good grades and be involved in ROTC, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, but again I don't think its a requirement.

Just my .02 cents, I'm sure some BGO's or older folks with more insight than I do on the admissions process can give better advice.
 
There are two rules of thought on this as you can see. Some say to go without ROTC and focus 100% on grades, ECAs and other activities that will support a reapplicant. I guess the question is if you don't get in on round #2? Then you have 1 year to prove yourself and obtain advanced standing. Others say to do ROTC as it gives another Nom source, does help an application with things such as ECAs, volunteering done with the unit and a chance for a LOR from a PNS. Also if your goal is to be a Naval Officer it also provides another path.

It isn't a requirement. Top grades in a Plebe like schedule is a requirement to be successful as a reapplicant. It's really personal preference. Take a look at it from all anglesand choose what is right for you.
 
My view (FWIW) - Do ROTC and get good grades !

Grades are certainly the priority --demonstrate you can excel at College Level Academics., but if your Plan B school has an NROTC unit, this demonstrates your Interest and Motivation/Commitment to serving. In addition, as NavyHoops points out, it gives you another Nom source.

One thing to keep in mind.. the advice came from a Congressional staffer. I presume you already had a Nom from that MOC, so you did everything you needed to meet their criteria. Your object is to boost your record so USNA selects you from the Nom pool, and anything you can do to set yourself apart from your competition is good.
 
I would think that the academy would want to see both good grades and ROTC. That seems to somewhat parallel the academy plebe year. By demonstrating success with balancing the academic rigor and demands of ROTC you are showing admissions you will be successful at the academy. Of course I am just a mom, that's my thinking I could be wrong. :)
 
If you want to be a Naval Officer--and you do or you wouldn't be applying to USNA--then you should do NROTC and get good grades.
The second application may not produce the result you want--and then you are 1/4 of the way to achieving your dream of becoming a Naval Officer.
 
Isn't the end game to be an officer in the Navy? If USNA doesn't work out NROTC will be your best option. Do ROTC. Manage your time. Give up the parties on Thursday night instead.
 
There is plenty of time at college to participate in ROTC and get good grades in your classes, it is all about your priorities. If you cannot handle both at a civilian college, you will probably struggle at the academy.

The answer to "Why do you want to attend USNA" has to be be "I want to serve as a Naval Officer". In my humble opinion, I do not see how you can answer that question if you are in college and not working towards that goal.
 
Thanks for the input.

I am finalizing my "Plan B" school this week. One of the schools has NROTC, but I do not have that many scholarships. I a lot of scholarships to my second option, but it does not have NROTC. However, it has AFROTC. I would obviously prefer to attend the school that is a lot cheaper, but could i get an appointment to the USNA if I was doing AFROTC instead of NROTC???
 
Temple17 said:
Thanks for the input.

I am finalizing my "Plan B" school this week. One of the schools has NROTC, but I do not have that many scholarships. I a lot of scholarships to my second option, but it does not have NROTC. However, it has AFROTC. I would obviously prefer to attend the school that is a lot cheaper, but could i get an appointment to the USNA if I was doing AFROTC instead of NROTC???
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Absolutely. But just realize that if USNA does not happen, will you be happy in the Air Force?

Another point. If you join xROTC as a college programmer, and the workload gets too hard or it is just not your cup of tea, you can just drop out at anytime. You may be bound to the academic class, but you can complete that without doing the other ROTC activities.
 
One more thing to go along with ROTC, all colleges do not have all services on campus but there should be a regional NROTC in your area. My DD travels across Dallas one day a week to attend Army ROTC as her campus does not have a unit. It can be done if you make it a priority.
 
Temple17 said:
Thanks for the input.

I am finalizing my "Plan B" school this week. One of the schools has NROTC, but I do not have that many scholarships. I a lot of scholarships to my second option, but it does not have NROTC. However, it has AFROTC. I would obviously prefer to attend the school that is a lot cheaper, but could i get an appointment to the USNA if I was doing AFROTC instead of NROTC???
Click to expand...

Yes, you can.

Anecdotally, there are two people in my class that were actually in the same AROTC unit at Gonzaga, who both left after a year to go to the Naval Academy. I'm not sure whether or not they were on scholarship though.
 
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