NROTC Chances

K

Korse

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2021
Messages
27
Hey everyone. I'm currently a junior in HS and I plan on applying for the NROTC scholarship. I wanted to see what some people who have gone through this process before think are my chances. Since I an not interested in the majors designated as such, I do not plan on going for either a Tier I or Tier II major unless completely necessary.

Academics:

3.79 unweighted (can't confirm this is what it is anymore, I took a college course I really struggled in and passed with a C+ average so it may have dropped)

Taken all honors in HS and now take college courses through a nearby college (Basic & Gen Chem, English Comp I & II, American Politics, US History, Political Research and more)

31 ACT (34 English, 24 Math, 34 Reading, 31 Science)


Sports:

Lettered in Football

Previously ran varsity track

Red-Black Stripe Belt Taekwondo


ECs:

Work Part Time

President and Founder of School Debate

Officer of Academic Challenge Club

Officer and Section Leader for Band

Previously Served on Student Council

Tutor

Going to Boys State

Currently serving an internship for a senatorial campaign

Do some stuff with local Venture Scouts


What are your thoughts? I've been going to marine PTs at the local recruiting station and have participated in some of the big events for the Cleveland area, so I may also go for marine option.

I really want to serve the navy and have always been captivated by it, so any alternatives people have to gain a commission and an education will be greatly appreciated!
 
You should pick up at the very least an ROTC scholarship if you apply and do well on the interviews. My personal opinion would be apply to ALL the academies and ROTC scholarships available. Give yourself the best chance of getting in. Our DS had same scores and GPA and picked up a 3 year scholarship for the Army with no varsity letters to his top 3 schools. We are still waiting on USNA and USMA as he has multiple nominations as well. He plays sports in HS but has several other interest like Orchestra, Student Council along with other activities. You want to have a plan b if your plan a doesn't work out. Good luck
 
The stats look good. However, you MUST list a Tier 1 or 2 Major if applying as a High School Student, UNLESS applying for a Marine or Nurse Option Scholarship. Other Majors are "typically" only approved for "sideload scholarship recipients" sophomore year forward. Also, you MUST have Calculus and Physics on your High School transcript and you MUST take Calculus and Physics in college. You don't need Calculus or Physics if you are competing for NROTC Marine or Nurse Option.
 
Not certain how many college courses you are taking, but this is from NROTC, keep in mind.
  • Students w/ more than 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of college credit upon application or students already enrolled in NROTC College Program are not eligible for four-year NROTC Scholarships; these students should see professors of naval science at host university’s NROTC unit to discuss other scholarship opportunities.
I don't like to opine on your chances, because there are many high caliber applicants who do not receive scholarship offers.
I would only mention that preference will be given to Tier 1 and 2 majors if you are not going MO. I'm also concerned about struggling with the college course you took. Without knowing the circumstance or type of course, and what led to your difficulty, as mentioned previously there will be an expectation of Calculus and Physics. The level of difficulty these courses bring to a packed course load (my DSs had anywhere from 18-20 credit hours the semesters they took these) plus extra curricular can be challenging. Think about why you struggled in the college level course you took.
 
goirish1 said:
Not certain how many college courses you are taking, but this is from NROTC, keep in mind.
  • Students w/ more than 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of college credit upon application or students already enrolled in NROTC College Program are not eligible for four-year NROTC Scholarships; these students should see professors of naval science at host university’s NROTC unit to discuss other scholarship opportunities.
I don't like to opine on your chances, because there are many high caliber applicants who do not receive scholarship offers.
I would only mention that preference will be given to Tier 1 and 2 majors if you are not going MO. I'm also concerned about struggling with the college course you took. Without knowing the circumstance or type of course, and what led to your difficulty, as mentioned previously there will be an expectation of Calculus and Physics. The level of difficulty these courses bring to a packed course load (my DSs had anywhere from 18-20 credit hours the semesters they took these) plus extra curricular can be challenging. Think about why you struggled in the college level course you took.
Click to expand...
The screenshot below is from the NROTC scholarship site.

College credits earned while applicant is still in HS do not count. They do count for HS graduates. HS students doing dual enrollment should not be impacted. No impact until they are actually college students, and then the credits can add up.


C612358E-7EDE-4C08-A076-200E2AE2D146.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Korse said:
Hey everyone. I'm currently a junior in HS and I plan on applying for the NROTC scholarship. I wanted to see what some people who have gone through this process before think are my chances. Since I an not interested in the majors designated as such, I do not plan on going for either a Tier I or Tier II major unless completely necessary.

Academics:

3.79 unweighted (can't confirm this is what it is anymore, I took a college course I really struggled in and passed with a C+ average so it may have dropped)

Taken all honors in HS and now take college courses through a nearby college (Basic & Gen Chem, English Comp I & II, American Politics, US History, Political Research and more)

31 ACT (34 English, 24 Math, 34 Reading, 31 Science)


Sports:

Lettered in Football

Previously ran varsity track

Red-Black Stripe Belt Taekwondo


ECs:

Work Part Time

President and Founder of School Debate

Officer of Academic Challenge Club

Officer and Section Leader for Band

Previously Served on Student Council

Tutor

Going to Boys State

Currently serving an internship for a senatorial campaign

Do some stuff with local Venture Scouts


What are your thoughts? I've been going to marine PTs at the local recruiting station and have participated in some of the big events for the Cleveland area, so I may also go for marine option.

I really want to serve the navy and have always been captivated by it, so any alternatives people have to gain a commission and an education will be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
A couple thoughts......

Your ACT's are decent, and I have seen several applicants offered scholarships with those scores or even a bit lower. If you can retake and do better, then that's better.

For sports, being involved is good. Being varsity for 3 or 4 years is better. Being varsity in one or more sports for all 4 years combined with Team Captain or other leadership positions is best.

For anything where a person claims to be a founder, when I review the application, I'd like to see a teacher, guidance counselor, or coach mention this in their letter of recommendation. Otherwise, it becomes too easy for people to claim to have started or founded something.

I see people claim to be tutors quite often. How many students, which subjects, is this with concurrence of high school teachers? Do they note this in their letters of recommendation?

Some things I didn't see but maybe I scanned too quickly on a Sunday night....
Honor Society.....any NJROTC or CAP......recognition beyond local school such as All State in Football, Regional Band Champions, etc. It adds to the points for the whole person score.

Eagle Scout.....CPR instructor....any type of activity that shows community wide effort.

Just a few things to gnaw on. I am going to guess your college chemistry was your C+. As politely as I can say it......the Navy wants people who are technically capable. Everyone doesn't have to be the next Stephen Hawking, but you have to get through Calculus and Physics.

Lastly, as a Navy guy it doesn't matter to me. But if you opt to go Marine Option, spell Marine with a Capital "M" or some Gunnery Sergeant's head will explode 😎

Kudos for getting started early. And you want to send in the strongest package you can. Don't race to submit something half baked.
 
GWU PNS said:
But if you opt to go Marine Option, spell Marine with a Capital "M" or some Gunnery Sergeant's head will explode
Click to expand...
Pay heed to @GWU PNS!

And not just “some Gunnery Sergeant.” I know a certain USNA firstie and Marine select whose head would explode if she saw Marine spelled with a small m. 😠
 
My son received the 4 year NROTC one the second board (his first eligible) and the 3 year AROTC. His weighted GPA is was 98.something, but his ACT scores were considerably lower than yours. But he has a TON of leadership: NHS, CO of JROTC, Drill Team CO, Eagle Scout, pretty much every Scouting leadership position, PVSA, Boys State, student publication editor, band, etc. Honestly when I've seen some of the non-selects, I'm pleasantly surprised he received the scholarships. He has a tier 3 major.

I think your resume looks very strong. Definitely apply EARLY! Good luck, lots of great info on the forums.
 
One thing to add ... you can apply for Navy Option, or Marine Option, but not both.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top