NROTC at UCSD or Platoon Leaders Class at Cal Poly SLO

UCSD or Cal Poly SLO?

  • UCSD

    Votes: 4 50.0%
  • Cal Poly SLO

    Votes: 4 50.0%

  • Total voters
    8

soph4

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2018
Messages
27
I have been offered admission to both schools as a political science major. I did not receive the NROTC scholarship but my friend who is in the San Diego unit said that I could most definitely get the college program scholarship within the first year of doing it. Therefore, both schools would be practically free because SLO offered me a generous amount of financial aid. A gunnery Sgt emailed me offering to sit down and discuss opportunities as she knows I applied for NROTC and I filled out the prescreening questionnaire she sent me so I am hoping to speak with her soon. So my question is, which program is better for me? I want to do JAG Corps and I know there is no guarantee for ed delay to go to law school if I do ROTC. I am more drawn to the ROTC program because I want to be constantly busy and have the commitment of showing up to PT, etc. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated!
 
Last edited:
Thoughts:
1. You will not definitely get College program; you need to work for it very hard. Shoot a PM to Kinnem, his DS had experience in that department.
2. JAG: I work with Naval Officers every day. There is one that is an LT and will finish his time in the Navy at an NROTC Unit going to law school. He had to wait to get were he is for 4 years. “IF” they take him as JAG he will stay.

You are young with a bright future .... suggestions!?!

Sit down this weekend with an empty sheet of paper and ask yourself this:

Where do I want to be in 5 years.... “this is your goal”
How do I get to where I want to be in 5 years.... “these are the steps you need to take in order to achieve your goal

Hope this is somewhat helpful
 
I don't know about the different pathways, but comparing the schools academically, UCSD is without question the place where you will get a better educational foundation prior to law school.

If you go to UCSD, you would do well to enroll in Revelle college, work hard in their five Humanities required courses, and develop as much as possible your understanding of how logic and language come together to frame strong arguments. The more critical thinking, close reading and careful argumentation you can do as an undergrad, the better.
 
Thoughts:
1. You will not definitely get College program; you need to work for it very hard. Shoot a PM to Kinnem, his DS had experience in that department.
2. JAG: I work with Naval Officers every day. There is one that is an LT and will finish his time in the Navy at an NROTC Unit going to law school. He had to wait to get were he is for 4 years. “IF” they take him as JAG he will stay.

You are young with a bright future .... suggestions!?!

Sit down this weekend with an empty sheet of paper and ask yourself this:

Where do I want to be in 5 years.... “this is your goal”
How do I get to where I want to be in 5 years.... “these are the steps you need to take in order to achieve your goal

Hope this is somewhat helpful
Thank you, sir. It was very helpful. My friend said that his San Diego unit was downsizing this year so that's why I didn't get the scholarship because they gave them out like candy last year. I know this is no guarantee that I will get it; I just want to stay hopeful!
 
I don't know about the different pathways, but comparing the schools academically, UCSD is without question the place where you will get a better educational foundation prior to law school.

If you go to UCSD, you would do well to enroll in Revelle college, work hard in their five Humanities required courses, and develop as much as possible your understanding of how logic and language come together to frame strong arguments. The more critical thinking, close reading and careful argumentation you can do as an undergrad, the better.
I've been accepted into Marshall College but I do know a little about Revelle. I am majoring in political science and apparently their program is #7 in the country! Thank you sir for your response.
 
Even if UCSD was downsizing that doesn’t change scholarship chances. Downsizing overall awards would impact your chances. You put down more than one college.

If you want to go JAG on the Navy or USMC side ROTC is not the best path. Ed Delay for JAG is not really how it goes. Going to Law school then applying for JAG or going to the fleet then applying for one of the several programs that transition you to JAG are your most direct paths. The goal via ROTC or USNA is to produce line officers.

Also you mention NROTC and PLC, assuming you are targeting Marine Option? Very different lives in these two services.
 
I have been offered admission to both schools as a political science major. I did not receive the NROTC scholarship but my friend who is in the San Diego unit said that I could most definitely get the college program scholarship within the first year of doing it. Therefore, both schools would be practically free because SLO offered me a generous amount of financial aid. A gunnery Sgt emailed me offering to sit down and discuss opportunities as she knows I applied for NROTC and I filled out the prescreening questionnaire she sent me so I am hoping to speak with her soon. So my question is, which program is better for me? I want to do JAG Corps and I know there is no guarantee for ed delay to go to law school if I do ROTC. I am more drawn to the ROTC program because I want to be constantly busy and have the commitment of showing up to PT, etc. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated!
Congratulations on your offers of admission. Although I do not have any advice or insight regarding the path to JAG, what I do know is that both Cal Poly and UCSD are excellent universities. Certainly, they offer different college environments, so if the curriculum and rankings are similar, you may want to ask yourself what type of college experience you’re seeking. SLO is a fabulous college town and the La Jolla area is beautiful. Perhaps it would be worth a last minute visit to both. Best wishes!
 
Having to choose between living in San Diego and San Luis Obispo for 4 years? Tough life right there...

All joking aside, they're both great schools. I don't know how they compare to each other Poly Sci wise, but I'd also recommend trying to set up a visit to both and see if you can track down some students who are in the program you're going after (both academically and ROTC/PLC wise) to see how quality of life compares.
 
PLC vs. MO NROTC? Very different college experiences. Making this simple, you could do PLC at UCSD. So, same institution, which do you choose?
Also, your major really isn't going to mean that much. You are going to be seen as a Marine Officer first. Schools are equal, GPA and LSAT is going to drive what law school you attend.
I'm a Californian, free school at Cal Poly with no other commitments other than one long summer. Sign me up...
OS
 
.....So my question is, which program is better for me? I want to do JAG Corps and I know there is no guarantee for ed delay to go to law school if I do ROTC. I am more drawn to the ROTC program because I want to be constantly busy and have the commitment of showing up to PT, etc. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated!

JAG is very competitive. I have 6 colleagues that are current, former and reserve JAG. Ivy, Big 10, Pac 12 graduates that attended top 20 law schools. Passed the California State Bar (the toughest in the country). Obtained federal clerkships (very selective). Gained DOJ and private practice experience at big firms - prior to JAG.

Because I live in San Diego, I'd recommend UCSD. More internship/volunteer/networking opportunities in San Diego than SLO for a poly sci major (bigger city and close to the border). Score high on the LSAT. Attend law school and pass the California State Bar. Since USD is headquarters for NROTC in the region and has a reputable law school, visit the departments and gain some insight on the career path that you're about to embark.
 
With or without a scholarship, NROTC is always the surer path to a commission. PLC and OCS are valves that get opened and closed to achieve the numbers the Corps wants in any given year. There could be years where no one is taken in via these programs. You never know whether the military will be downsizing or up-sizing in 4 years.

There will be opportunities to apply for a scholarship. There are never, ever, any guarantees of receiving one. Most officers commission without receiving a scholarship. DS worked very hard, volunteered for everything. got on the Dean's List each semester, excelled in PT with numbers above 295 all the time and at least one 300 each semester, but he didn't receive a scholarship until the middle of his sophomore year. Can you get a scholarship with hard work and determination? Yes. Is it likely? Not knowing anything about you, but given that most officers commission without a scholarship, it may not be likely. This isn't to discourage you, but to make sure you go in with your eyes open. The most important thing is to make sure you can afford and complete college. You always have PLC as a backup plan. It was DS's backup plan as well.

BTW, I'm assuming you're interested in Marine Option since you mentioned PLC and have a tier 3 major. It's hard work to be a Marine Option and get through OCS when the time comes. Be prepared and be extremely physically fit. You will probably need PFT numbers around 280-285 to even get into the Bulldog/OCS course.

Hoping this helps you understand your options a bit better. Since, at the end of the day, this all involves financial considerations, you should make sure Mom and Dad are involved in it. Good Luck! I hope all your dreams come true.
 
Even if UCSD was downsizing that doesn’t change scholarship chances. Downsizing overall awards would impact your chances. You put down more than one college.

If you want to go JAG on the Navy or USMC side ROTC is not the best path. Ed Delay for JAG is not really how it goes. Going to Law school then applying for JAG or going to the fleet then applying for one of the several programs that transition you to JAG are your most direct paths. The goal via ROTC or USNA is to produce line officers.

Also you mention NROTC and PLC, assuming you are targeting Marine Option? Very different lives in these two services.
Yes, I am doing Marine Option. My friend doing NROTC at USD is pre-med so he is trying to do ed delay for medical school but I know these are different scenarios. I am going to speak with Captain Simmons about the possibility of ed delay.
 
I have been offered admission to both schools as a political science major. I did not receive the NROTC scholarship but my friend who is in the San Diego unit said that I could most definitely get the college program scholarship within the first year of doing it. Therefore, both schools would be practically free because SLO offered me a generous amount of financial aid. A gunnery Sgt emailed me offering to sit down and discuss opportunities as she knows I applied for NROTC and I filled out the prescreening questionnaire she sent me so I am hoping to speak with her soon. So my question is, which program is better for me? I want to do JAG Corps and I know there is no guarantee for ed delay to go to law school if I do ROTC. I am more drawn to the ROTC program because I want to be constantly busy and have the commitment of showing up to PT, etc. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated!
Congratulations on your offers of admission. Although I do not have any advice or insight regarding the path to JAG, what I do know is that both Cal Poly and UCSD are excellent universities. Certainly, they offer different college environments, so if the curriculum and rankings are similar, you may want to ask yourself what type of college experience you’re seeking. SLO is a fabulous college town and the La Jolla area is beautiful. Perhaps it would be worth a last minute visit to both. Best wishes!
Thank you so much!! I appreciate your response :) I actually live in San Diego so La Jolla would be nothing new. But I have visited SLO and I loved the area as well.
 
With or without a scholarship, NROTC is always the surer path to a commission. PLC and OCS are valves that get opened and closed to achieve the numbers the Corps wants in any given year. There could be years where no one is taken in via these programs. You never know whether the military will be downsizing or up-sizing in 4 years.

There will be opportunities to apply for a scholarship. There are never, ever, any guarantees of receiving one. Most officers commission without receiving a scholarship. DS worked very hard, volunteered for everything. got on the Dean's List each semester, excelled in PT with numbers above 295 all the time and at least one 300 each semester, but he didn't receive a scholarship until the middle of his sophomore year. Can you get a scholarship with hard work and determination? Yes. Is it likely? Not knowing anything about you, but given that most officers commission without a scholarship, it may not be likely. This isn't to discourage you, but to make sure you go in with your eyes open. The most important thing is to make sure you can afford and complete college. You always have PLC as a backup plan. It was DS's backup plan as well.

BTW, I'm assuming you're interested in Marine Option since you mentioned PLC and have a tier 3 major. It's hard work to be a Marine Option and get through OCS when the time comes. Be prepared and be extremely physically fit. You will probably need PFT numbers around 280-285 to even get into the Bulldog/OCS course.

Hoping this helps you understand your options a bit better. Since, at the end of the day, this all involves financial considerations, you should make sure Mom and Dad are involved in it. Good Luck! I hope all your dreams come true.
Thank you, kinnem! As always sir, your response is very helpful!!
 
.....So my question is, which program is better for me? I want to do JAG Corps and I know there is no guarantee for ed delay to go to law school if I do ROTC. I am more drawn to the ROTC program because I want to be constantly busy and have the commitment of showing up to PT, etc. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated!

JAG is very competitive. I have 6 colleagues that are current, former and reserve JAG. Ivy, Big 10, Pac 12 graduates that attended top 20 law schools. Passed the California State Bar (the toughest in the country). Obtained federal clerkships (very selective). Gained DOJ and private practice experience at big firms - prior to JAG.

Because I live in San Diego, I'd recommend UCSD. More internship/volunteer/networking opportunities in San Diego than SLO for a poly sci major (bigger city and close to the border). Score high on the LSAT. Attend law school and pass the California State Bar. Since USD is headquarters for NROTC in the region and has a reputable law school, visit the departments and gain some insight on the career path that you're about to embark.
Thank you, sir. That's very understandable. I appreciate your advice!!
 
Yes, ma'am. I am aware that UCSD isn't the primary campus. I didn't apply to SDSU or USD though.

My husband and I both went to UCSD and loved it! My DS was recently accepted there and SLO as well but unfortunately (for us) he wants to go out of state. I didn’t realize he could potentially use his NROTC scholarship at UCSD. Best of luck to you!
 
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