NROTC advice

[ATC123]

Hey, just made an account to ask about this. Becoming an officer through NROTC is something I just recently started looking into, but I feel like it’s what I should do going forward. I don’t live in a state with a university that offers it, so I’d be going out of state. I’ve been trying to research on my own, but I feel like some personal advice would help a lot. I’d major in mechanical engineering I’m a sophomore in high school right now. I had a 3.625 (unweighted) GPA last year, but 3 Bs in core classes. I’ve been doing varsity tennis (if that means anything) both years, but I’m also thinking about what other clubs or things I can do would help me get a scholarship. Again, just something I’ve recently started looking into, so just any advice or guidance would be amazing, thanks

 

[Ihavenoidea]

Best advice I can give you is:
1- Take the most difficult classes you can take and do as well as you can. As many AP or higher classes as you can. If your school doesn't have AP, then just take the most difficult math classes you can. The higher GPA with difficult classes will look good on your application.
2- Keep up with Tennis and any other sports your interested in. ROTC units like Varsity letters and leadership positions if possible.
3- Extra curricular with community service and leadership would be great. School clubs, Boy Scouts, JNROTC, Boys State, etc, etc. You really can't have too many, but it would be better to focus on a few where you are leading them rather than several you are just a part of. Try a few and see which ones you like.

 

[Academician]

Great advice from @Ihavenoidea. I would add to start preparing for the fitness tests. Note that each service has a slightly different one, but essentially each one consists of push-ups, sit-up/crunches/planks, and a mile or 1.5 mile run. Your SAT/ACT score will be an important component, so I tell my students to take it 'early and often.' Late this academic year would not be too early for you, as a sophomore, for example. Good luck with your journey!

 

[BJD16]

Agree with all the points above, remember Scholar Athlete Leader. Also, no test optional in ROTC, so performance on SAT/ACT is important.

If you have a little of each, but excel in at least one area, you will be above average. Start running and doing push-ups now, and most kids don't have too much trouble with planks. The Army and Marine Corps more focus on the physical side, while the Navy and Air Force are more academic. As a prospective engineer, you can choose from all four branches. My DS is class of 2025 and wants to go Marine Option.

 

[TCartens]

Recommend researching the Colleges/Universities that have NROTC. Look for those that have good mechanical engineering programs. Also look into colleges/universities that give you free or reduced costs for housing/meals. Housing costs at colleges are sometimes more than the tuition. Then look at the colleges/universities where you could possibly continue playing tennis. By this time, you will have your own ranking system for 5-10 colleges/universities that match your interests. When the time comes, apply to all of those colleges/universities and let them know you are in NROTC. If you get the 4yr scholarship, let the college admissions know that you will receive that scholarship. Your chances of being admitted to that college/university will go up. Eventually, you will need to do an NROTC interview. When that time come (senior), recommend you conduct that interview at your #1 college/university.

For your Jr/Sr year, look at more honors/AP level courses. Get involved in a club. My son was in the yearbook team/club. He became an editor, had a blast with the yearbook. Start running. If you play tennis, you are already in good cardio shape. Get involved in 5k races just to keep running a fun thing to do. When the time comes to take your physical fitness test for the NROTC application, you will likely score high.

 

[ATC123]

Recommend researching the Colleges/Universities that have NROTC. Look for those that have good mechanical engineering programs. Also look into colleges/universities that give you free or reduced costs for housing/meals. Housing costs at colleges are sometimes more than the tuition. Then look at the colleges/universities where you could possibly continue playing tennis. By this time, you will have your own ranking system for 5-10 colleges/universities that match your interests. When the time comes, apply to all of those colleges/universities and let them know you are in NROTC. If you get the 4yr scholarship, let the college admissions know that you will receive that scholarship. Your chances of being admitted to that college/university will go up.

Will applying for NROTC come first, or applying for the colleges? And if I don’t end up getting the 4 year scholarship, is there any other advice you’d have as to what to do next?

 

[Capt MJ]

Will applying for NROTC come first, or applying for the colleges? And if I don’t end up getting the 4 year scholarship, is there any other advice you’d have as to what to do next?

Parallel processes. Apply for scholarship. Apply for colleges with NROTC units.

If you do not receive a 4-year scholarship, there is the “college programmer” option. You join the unit, work hard, excel, you can earn a scholarship while a midshipman.

Google a string like this:
“NROTC non-scholarship program option at KU (or school of your choice)”

And you’ll get:

Non-Scholarship Options

kunrotc.ku.edu

 

[justdoit19]

Great points already. My add: practice interviewing. And by that I mean practice confidence. Speaking clearly and confidently. Exuding confidence (neat attire, sitting up straight, firm handshake and solid eye contact, loosing the ‘filler words’ like ummmmmm, etc) will do wonders for your interview score. Also make sure you have researched XX military services websites. IOW, be prepared.

You say ‘I got a B’ in a couple courses. Remember this is a whole person look. Dont fall into the thinking that you MUST have straight A’s, or there isnt a chance. Thats not true. Be someone that can demonstrate their leadership (yes, your varsity sport is a good thing…be the Captain!!). Don’t join clubs just to join clubs.

Another thing you can do is to prep for the ACT/SAT. Practice, test, practice, test. Scores are super scored, but you probably already know that. And, lastly, if you are able, I always recommend adding a visit to XX unit as part of an admissions visit to the college. It’s a good chance to see the culture, ask questions if you have them. Not mandatory by any means, but if convenient, its a good thing to do, imo.,

 

[TCartens]

Will applying for NROTC come first, or applying for the colleges? And if I don’t end up getting the 4 year scholarship, is there any other advice you’d have as to what to do next?

My son applied to his top 5 (actually top 8) colleges at the same time he was applying to NROTC. It took my son about 2 months to get his NROTC application complete, but a glitch in the systems kept saying something was missing. He missed two "looks" because of the glitch. We waited almost 3 months for the NROTC decision.

His #1 pick was Univ of South Florida Tampa. But USF admissions accepted him to the St Petersburg campus. That would really be inconvenient because of the drive across the bay. So, my son requested a scholarship transfer to Univ of Tampa (UT), which is a cross-town of USF NROTC. That request to transfer took about 4 days to switch from USF St Petersburg to Univ of Tampa. So, my point is: don't get hung up on going to the "best unit", all the NROTC units seem to be good. I rarely hear of major complaints on this form. Look for the school with a degree program you kid likes, even the crosstown colleges/universities. The big difference in the NROTC units are their sizes and their proximity to Navy bases.

If you don't get the 4 year scholarship, join the unit and do well academically, fitness, and participation in the unit. One gal at UT didn't get the 4 year scholarship. She joined the unit, did well and the unit helped her apply the the 3-yr, and she got it. The unit can tell who is really trying and who is just trying to get a free ride.

Right now, go online and apply for all the scholarships, grants, etc from other sites you can find. If you get a few scholarships, grants, etc... that could help offset the 1st year cost of college.

A tip I heard about merit scholarships from a college/university. If a college/university gives your kid a $xxx amount of a merit scholarship, you can request more. If you get a NROTC scholarship, that school may give your kid a merit scholarship. My son got accepted to USF St Pete and he got $0 merit scholarship. When he got his acceptance to UT, they gave him $14k. That covers his room and meals. UT was a "no-brainer" for my son.

 

[Thegirlinthefireplace]

Will applying for NROTC come first, or applying for the colleges? And if I don’t end up getting the 4 year scholarship, is there any other advice you’d have as to what to do next?

I didn't see this in the above replies, but while you're making your college list, make sure to pick schools that you would enjoy attending, and that you can pay for in case something happens. You can find horror stories online about kids who didn't end up getting the scholarship as a Programmer or got injured and had to separate from ROTC, then had to transfer schools because they couldn't afford to keep paying at the school they attended.

Make sure you check the Net Price Calculator for schools you are interested in and figure out what need-based or merit scholarships you might be eligible for, as well as any other scholarships outside of the schools that you might be eligible for. Hopefully, you will receive an ROTC scholarship and it won't be an issue, and as stated above, sometimes those extra scholarships can be used for room and board, but in case that doesn't happen have a plan to not be forced to choose between going into debt or transferring schools. Good luck!