NROTC BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEXT YEAR'S CYCLE (2023)

[hopjop]

As far as timing, if the first bord is not until October this year, you should be fine if everything is submitted by mid to late August. This gives the package time to be reviewed and uploaded. As far as the ACT/SAT test scores, remember the minimums are just that, the bare minimum to get looked at. Although your DS is well above that, there is some room for improvement. I'll focus on the ACT, since I am more familiar with that. Although the 31 in math is strong, try to bring that up if possible, same with the science. Especially if your DS plans to apply as a tier 1 or tier 2 major. Unless things have changed in the past couple years, NROTC super scores, so focus test prep on those areas.

thank you! I guess that was our number one concern is the need to get it in as early as possible for the October boards so he would hopefully know before early action college application is due. He'll sign up for the July 16th ACT and should have results back end of July and plan to submit better package early August. He'll also have completed a NROTC summer seminar as well as an impressive internship that will hopefully make his package stronger as well. Thanks for all the great advice.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

thank you! I guess that was our number one concern is the need to get it in as early as possible for the October boards so he would hopefully know before early action college application is due. He'll sign up for the July 16th ACT and should have results back end of July and plan to submit better package early August. He'll also have completed a NROTC summer seminar as well as an impressive internship that will hopefully make his package stronger as well. Thanks for all the great advice.

My one caveat to the above schedule centers on the ACT score. If it isn't near the top and DS believes he can do better, in my opinion, he should take ot again and submit the package with the highest score he can.

 

[Jimdlt19]

thank you! I guess that was our number one concern is the need to get it in as early as possible for the October boards so he would hopefully know before early action college application is due. He'll sign up for the July 16th ACT and should have results back end of July and plan to submit better package early August. He'll also have completed a NROTC summer seminar as well as an impressive internship that will hopefully make his package stronger as well. Thanks for all the great advice.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with submitting the NROTC application AFTER early action college acceptances come in. All of our early college acceptances came in by Thanksgiving. My DS got his NROTC first choice school BEFORE he sent his NROTC application off. You can use those acceptances to your advantage. There is plenty of room to slip it in an essay or mention it during the interview. Submitting in December also allows for max SAT super scoring with the last test being October of Senior Year, maxed out activities, and extracurriculars. My DS' last SAT was August of Senior year.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

Now that our last NROTC board has wrapped up, I wanted to just highlight a couple things that I would put in the lessons learned category.

Once the final results were released, with the final board being the MSI selectees, I received two somewhat panicked emails from parents of applicants who were selected for MSI, but for whatever reason, never actually applied to the HBC.

I honestly was taken aback, but if it needs to be said, let me say it now. At no point does the NROTC organization apply to a university on behalf of your DS/DD. For one thing, we can't! It isn't legal. But, honestly, if a person is not motivated to even apply to the university, I question their general motivation for NROTC. Nevertheless, we called over to the Provost, begged forgiveness, and it is being taken care of.

So, lesson learned, if an applicant clicks the box stating they are interested in an MSI opportunity, then an HBC or HHE needs to be in the list of colleges......and YES, you have to actually apply to it. For most colleges I know of in the Capitol Region, if you go to that university, and they list an enrollment or application fee on the invoice, the NROTC scholarship will cover that.

Last one, (for now), I had two sets of parents stop by with their children last week over the easter break. Both stated their son and daughters wanted to ask questions about the program. In both cases, mom and mom&dad were well prepared with a myriad of questions, concerns, ideas, thoughts, etc. In neither case did the DS or DD ask a single question. And in one case, DS actually dozed off during the discussion

In the spirit of transparency, if either of these two come before me for an officer interview, there will be questions, and neither mom nor dad will be there to answer. And I completely understand that there are children a bit more introverted than others, and it can be intimidating walking into a military-themed officer with all sorts of swag adorning the walls. For future applicants, I am here to tell you that anytime you are within sight or hearing of military officers, you should assume you are being "assessed". I hope that doesn't sound harsh, but this is one of those......."someone needed to say it" moments.

 

[Capt MJ]

Now that our last NROTC board has wrapped up, I wanted to just highlight a couple things that I would put in the lessons learned category.

Once the final results were released, with the final board being the MSI selectees, I received two somewhat panicked emails from parents of applicants who were selected for MSI, but for whatever reason, never actually applied to the HBC.

I honestly was taken aback, but if it needs to be said, let me say it now. At no point does the NROTC organization apply to a university on behalf of your DS/DD. For one thing, we can't! It isn't legal. But, honestly, if a person is not motivated to even apply to the university, I question their general motivation for NROTC. Nevertheless, we called over to the Provost, begged forgiveness, and it is being taken care of.

So, lesson learned, if an applicant clicks the box stating they are interested in an MSI opportunity, then an HBC or HHE needs to be in the list of colleges......and YES, you have to actually apply to it. For most colleges I know of in the Capitol Region, if you go to that university, and they list an enrollment or application fee on the invoice, the NROTC scholarship will cover that.

Last one, (for now), I had two sets of parents stop by with their children last week over the easter break. Both stated their son and daughters wanted to ask questions about the program. In both cases, mom and mom&dad were well prepared with a myriad of questions, concerns, ideas, thoughts, etc. In neither case did the DS or DD ask a single question. And in one case, DS actually dozed off during the discussion

In the spirit of transparency, if either of these two come before me for an officer interview, there will be questions, and neither mom nor dad will be there to answer. And I completely understand that there are children a bit more introverted than others, and it can be intimidating walking into a military-themed officer with all sorts of swag adorning the walls. For future applicants, I am here to tell you that anytime you are within sight or hearing of military officers, you should assume you are being "assessed". I hope that doesn't sound harsh, but this is one of those......."someone needed to say it" moments.

Superb guidance, right from leadership with real-life observations. So valuable.

I am simply amazed by the parental involvement. Amazed. Support, cheerleading, active listening, hugs, sure… My parents just hugged me and sent me off to interviews, college visits and tours, Admissions events, scholarship panel interviews (terrifying!), and went to get coffee somewhere. No doubt they were inwardly nail biting, but were always serene outwardly and expressed confidence in me. Best gift they gave me, teaching me I could fight my own battles.

 

[ProudDad17]

And I completely understand that there are children a bit more introverted than others, and it can be intimidating walking into a military-themed officer with all sorts of swag adorning the walls.

This reminds me, DS and I toured some universities and NROTC units during spring break his fresh man year. Then right after school got out that year, we took a family trip and visited another university and unit. This time DW was going on the university tour and to visit the NROTC unit with DS. She is completely non-military and can be a bit naïve. Before they left, she asked DS if she was supposed to meet the officer they were meeting with. I about choked on my coffee. DS told her "yes" with a straight face. A minute or two later, he must have thought about his own embarrassment if mom were to do that and let her off the hook.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

This reminds me, DS and I toured some universities and NROTC units during spring break his fresh man year. Then right after school got out that year, we took a family trip and visited another university and unit. This time DW was going on the university tour and to visit the NROTC unit with DS. She is completely non-military and can be a bit naïve. Before they left, she asked DS if she was supposed to meet the officer they were meeting with. I about choked on my coffee. DS told her "yes" with a straight face. A minute or two later, he must have thought about his own embarrassment if mom were to do that and let her off the hook.

I have actually had a mom show me baby pictures of DS (without the diaper) and watched the true horror and PTSD of the DS as he sat there helpless and not wanting to scream.

 

[Capt MJ]

I have actually had a mom show me baby pictures of DS (without the diaper) and watched the true horror and PTSD of the DS as he sat there helpless and not wanting to scream.

 

[ProudDad17]

This reminds me, DS and I toured some universities and NROTC units during spring break his fresh man year. Then right after school got out that year, we took a family trip and visited another university and unit. This time DW was going on the university tour and to visit the NROTC unit with DS. She is completely non-military and can be a bit naïve. Before they left, she asked DS if she was supposed to meet the officer they were meeting with. I about choked on my coffee. DS told her "yes" with a straight face. A minute or two later, he must have thought about his own embarrassment if mom were to do that and let her off the hook.

Boy this post was a complete dumpster fire. That's what I get for not proofreading. This occurred DS' junior year of high school and DW asked if she was supposed to SALUTE the officer they were meeting with. The incident still frequently comes up in various ways as a family joke.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

Boy this post was a complete dumpster fire. That's what I get for not proofreading. This occurred DS' junior year of high school and DW asked if she was supposed to SALUTE the officer they were meeting with. The incident still frequently comes up in various ways as a family joke.

Now I think it's funny

 

[ProudDad17]

Now I think it's funny

Amazing what a coherent sentence can do.

 

[kinnem]

Boy this post was a complete dumpster fire. That's what I get for not proofreading. This occurred DS' junior year of high school and DW asked if she was supposed to SALUTE the officer they were meeting with. The incident still frequently comes up in various ways as a family joke.

And there you have the rest of the story.

 

[Next MilGen Mom]

For our NROTC nation of potential selectees (and parents),

Please see the attached pdf file for the latest and greatest information for the NROTC application process. The season has just started. In the interest of getting a bit of a jump on the various questions that will inevitably arise.

One major change for next year is that current MIDN 4/C College Programmers will not be able to apply for the NROTC National Scholarships next season. After several discussions on this, the common consensus was that it's a bit unfair to have college personnel competing against essentially HS juniors or first semester HS seniors. Those individuals can still compete for 3 year sideload scholarships. They can also compete for the PNS nomination for USNA if desired.

Another change, or maybe we are just advertising this a bit more, but there will be a Candidate Midshipman Guidance Office (CMGO) --- if you want to sound really high speed and low drag, we pronounce that as "Sim-Go". Candidates with general questions on the application can send an email to the CMGO. ***** Do not ask them if you have been selected, how you get selected, or other questions not pertaining to the application process. *****

The question will always come up if you have to take the SAT or ACT. If your school isn't offering it, and it isn't offered nearby, and your guidance counselor or NJROTC instructor is willing to sign a letter stating so, then please see the section on minimum GPA required. I would offer that when people sit on the boards, you stand out a bit if you are one of the few who hasn't taken the SAT or ACT.

For anyone who checks the box that they are interested in an MSISR scholarship -------- YOU MUST BE INTERVIEWED BY AN NROTC CO (PNS) OR AN NTAG CO
There is Z-E_R_O flexibility on this.

The board dates are listed in the attachment. And at this point, everyone has stopped reading and clicking to see the board dates, so I'll end here. Just trying to keep everyone as up to date as I can from my little world here in the nation's Capital.

Thanks for the great information and updates for the class of 23. You all are very gracious for making calls to provost. It is a little insulting as a HBCU alumni & officer that they click MSI but have not even applied to the university.

 

[Toolman002]

For our NROTC nation of potential selectees (and parents),

Please see the attached pdf file for the latest and greatest information for the NROTC application process. The season has just started. In the interest of getting a bit of a jump on the various questions that will inevitably arise.

One major change for next year is that current MIDN 4/C College Programmers will not be able to apply for the NROTC National Scholarships next season. After several discussions on this, the common consensus was that it's a bit unfair to have college personnel competing against essentially HS juniors or first semester HS seniors. Those individuals can still compete for 3 year sideload scholarships. They can also compete for the PNS nomination for USNA if desired.

Another change, or maybe we are just advertising this a bit more, but there will be a Candidate Midshipman Guidance Office (CMGO) --- if you want to sound really high speed and low drag, we pronounce that as "Sim-Go". Candidates with general questions on the application can send an email to the CMGO. ***** Do not ask them if you have been selected, how you get selected, or other questions not pertaining to the application process. *****

The question will always come up if you have to take the SAT or ACT. If your school isn't offering it, and it isn't offered nearby, and your guidance counselor or NJROTC instructor is willing to sign a letter stating so, then please see the section on minimum GPA required. I would offer that when people sit on the boards, you stand out a bit if you are one of the few who hasn't taken the SAT or ACT.

For anyone who checks the box that they are interested in an MSISR scholarship -------- YOU MUST BE INTERVIEWED BY AN NROTC CO (PNS) OR AN NTAG CO
There is Z-E_R_O flexibility on this.

The board dates are listed in the attachment. And at this point, everyone has stopped reading and clicking to see the board dates, so I'll end here. Just trying to keep everyone as up to date as I can from my little world here in the nation's Capital.

First post.

First and foremost, thank you all for your efforts in keeping us informed. We've been watching this forum closely since about Thanksgiving and your posts have given us an inside look at how the process works. It's clear that you are truly committed to the success of the NROTC program and I believe that our Nation is a better place for it. We just wrapped up our last college visit with our DS and have started the application process. Thanks to you all, we're actually looking forward to checking the boxes rather than scrambling to find our where they all are

Have a question about GPA: The application instructions describe the requirements for GPA, but we can't find anyplace where it says we will input this value. Will this be pulled from the official HS transcript and will the local scholarship coordinator request that? (DS is planning on asking him but trying to get my posts up to 5 so I can PM some folks directly )

 

[kinnem]

First post.

First and foremost, thank you all for your efforts in keeping us informed. We've been watching this forum closely since about Thanksgiving and your posts have given us an inside look at how the process works. It's clear that you are truly committed to the success of the NROTC program and I believe that our Nation is a better place for it. We just wrapped up our last college visit with our DS and have started the application process. Thanks to you all, we're actually looking forward to checking the boxes rather than scrambling to find our where they all are

Have a question about GPA: The application instructions describe the requirements for GPA, but we can't find anyplace where it says we will input this value. Will this be pulled from the official HS transcript and will the local scholarship coordinator request that? (DS is planning on asking him but trying to get my posts up to 5 so I can PM some folks directly )

There may be a box where you self report. Eventually they will use the high school transcript to recalculate a GPA based on their standards, since the way it is calculated is different across the country.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

One of the emails that the recruiting coordinator will send out goes to the principal or guidance counselor. The form asks for GPA and also a class ranking if the school maintains that.

Aside from GPA, board members will view AP and honors courses favorably, assuming the grades are good.