NROTC FCB Questions

M

mbmilitary

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Apr 24, 2020
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I recently learned that I received a 4 year FCB scholarship. I am extremely honored for this opportunity, but I am having a difficult time deciding what to do. In addition to the scholarship, which places me at Clark Atlanta University, I also learned that I have been accepted in George Washington University's Honors Program (My absolute dream school). Since GWU is not a HBCU I cannot transfer my scholarship there. While I would do NROTC at GWU without a scholarship, I feel like turning down a full ride may not be the best option. Either way, I am dedicated to becoming an officer, yet I just wanted to inquire about my options. I am no longer excited about the prospect of attending Clark Atlanta, so I was wondering if anyone has experience with transferring a FCB scholarship from one HBCU to another. I was thinking I could attend a semester at CAU and transfer to Howard after the first semester. I'm not positive how this process works or if it's reasonable, but I was hoping to get some insight. Also, if I decide to turn down the scholarship and attend GWU, I wanted to know what the odds are to try for a side load scholarship for the next academic school years. I didn't know if the chances of receiving a scholarship are lessened if you have turned one down in the past. I don't want to let anyone down, and I would hate for my captain to feel as if I'm not serious about the program, but I'm just having a difficult time navigating my options. I appreciate any input anybody may have. Thank you!
 
Did you also apply for NROTC Marine Option scholarship or only the Frederick C. Branch (FCB) Leadership Scholarship? (You can apply for both).
 
FCB for MO and MSISR for NO and designated for HBS and Hispanic Serving schools (BTW you don’t have to be a minority to obtain this scholarship but are required to attend at HBS/Hispanic institutions San Diego State, New Mexico etc).
Some ideas
You accept the FCB and reapply for a 3 year side load national scholarship after receiving the FCB that would allow you to reapply to GWU after your freshman year.
You can forgo your FCB and attend GWU and apply to be a NRTOC college programer (a non scholarship member of the unit) and reapply for a 3 year side load scholarship.
You can attend GWU and when you graduate and apply for OCS and obtain your commission in that manner.
I am not sure about hopping for One unit to another, maybe someone else has experience with that.

I hope this helps

Good luck and Semper Fi
 
CalifStrongDad said:
FCB for MO and MSISR for NO and designated for HBS and Hispanic Serving schools (BTW you don’t have to be a minority to obtain this scholarship but are required to attend at HBS/Hispanic institutions San Diego State, New Mexico etc).
Some ideas
You accept the FCB and reapply for a 3 year side load national scholarship after receiving the FCB that would allow you to reapply to GWU after your freshman year.
You can forgo your FCB and attend GWU and apply to be a NRTOC college programer (a non scholarship member of the unit) and reapply for a 3 year side load scholarship.
You can attend GWU and when you graduate and apply for OCS and obtain your commission in that manner.
I am not sure about hopping for One unit to another, maybe someone else has experience with that.

I hope this helps

Good luck and Semper Fi
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Thank you for your response! Do you think I will have a decreased chance in receiving a side load scholarship if I decline the offer I have now? I don't want to come across as ungrateful or disinterested in the program, but GWU is my dream school, and I would hate to feel like I passed up the opportunity to attend.
 
CatDog99 said:
Did you also apply for NROTC Marine Option scholarship or only the Frederick C. Branch (FCB) Leadership Scholarship? (You can apply for both).
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Yes, I should have specified. This is the one that I received. Thanks!
 
mbmilitary said:
Thank you for your response! Do you think I will have a decreased chance in receiving a side load scholarship if I decline the offer I have now? I don't want to come across as ungrateful or disinterested in the program, but GWU is my dream school, and I would hate to feel like I passed up the opportunity to attend.
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sorry that’s Something I don’t know much about ... I hope someone else can help
 
@mbmilitary You have a tough choice to make. If you go to GWU there is no guarantee that you will pick up a sideload, but picking up the FCB and admission to prestigious GWU mean you are a very strong candidate and with hard work you should have a good shot. It’s hard for me to argue with anyone wanting to pursue the very best education they can get.

I really don’t know what impact (if any) that turning down FCB would have on future sideload application. Have you talked to MOI from GWU unit? I understand that the prospect of talking to your OSO and/or Clark Atlanta MOI about your dilemma is daunting, but you need to do it soon if you want to keep GWU as an option.
 
JMHO but I think a call to Howard University admissions on Monday is in order. If you're taking any Dual Enrollment courses, you might be able to angle it as a "transfer application"...(30 Apr deadline). Explain your situation. As you know, Howard is a part of the GWU NROTC orbit. I'd start writing my application essay today and get your entire (.pdf SAT, Transcript, etc) application ready to launch. I would think that working within the GW NROTC consortium schools could be to your great benefit downstream.
 
CatDog99 said:
@mbmilitary You have a tough choice to make. If you go to GWU there is no guarantee that you will pick up a sideload, but picking up the FCB and admission to prestigious GWU mean you are a very strong candidate and with hard work you should have a good shot. It’s hard for me to argue with anyone wanting to pursue the very best education they can get.

I really don’t know what impact (if any) that turning down FCB would have on future sideload application. Have you talked to MOI from GWU unit? I understand that the prospect of talking to your OSO and/or Clark Atlanta MOI about your dilemma is daunting, but you need to do it soon if you want to keep GWU as an option.
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The issue was that I committed to GWU after I learned that I did not get accepted for the National Scholarship during the early board. I didn't want to pass up GWU, as it's an excellent opportunity to further my education; however, when I learned of the FBC scholarship I was put into a predicament because I wasn't thinking about Clark Atlanta at all at that point. I've reached out to the GWU NROTC unit in hopes of gaining some information. Thank you for your feedback!
 
DAB42 said:
JMHO but I think a call to Howard University admissions on Monday is in order. If you're taking any Dual Enrollment courses, you might be able to angle it as a "transfer application"...(30 Apr deadline). Explain your situation. As you know, Howard is a part of the GWU NROTC orbit. I'd start writing my application essay today and get your entire (.pdf SAT, Transcript, etc) application ready to launch. I would think that working within the GW NROTC consortium schools could be to your great benefit downstream.
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I emailed the admissions office at Howard, and they indicated that I could not attend via regular admissions during their fall semester. I was looking at attending CAU and transferring once I accomplish the required 15 credit hours. I would just hate to pass up GWU and have Howard not accept me when I attempt to transfer, leaving me stuck at Clark Atlanta. Thank you for responding!
 
My gut tells me turning down the FCB in order to attend the Honors program at GWU would not hurt future scholarship chances. An expression of your appreciation for the opportunity and an explanation of the offer you have received, along with expressing your plans to join NROTC at GWU and apply for a side load should explain any questions and demonstrate your commitment to commissioning. You said you've reached out to the NROTC unit at GWU, so it sounds like you are on the right track to get the information you need to make an informed decision. Good luck!
 
ProudDad17 said:
My gut tells me turning down the FCB in order to attend the Honors program at GWU would not hurt future scholarship chances. An expression of your appreciation for the opportunity and an explanation of the offer you have received, along with expressing your plans to join NROTC at GWU and apply for a side load should explain any questions and demonstrate your commitment to commissioning. You said you've reached out to the NROTC unit at GWU, so it sounds like you are on the right track to get the information you need to make an informed decision. Good luck!
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Thank you for your input! I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I'm currently awaiting a response from the GWU NROTC unit; however, once I receive an answer, I will know if I should reach out to my officer to reject the scholarship and explain my situation. I have explained the complications briefly, yet have not given a definitive answer to what path I wish to take. Thanks again!
 
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