NROTC Marine Option Chances

[Flaps]

Hello, I am an applicant for the 2019 NROTC scholarship and I was wondering if some insight could be given into my chances of receiving it; keep in mind this is for the Marine Option so the stats are different. I’ve been confused on what to believe about the accepted statistics, looking at the official Marine numbers I seem qualified, but looking at some people’s stats on here I feel outclassed to say the least. Anyways, here are my stats:

1. 3.5 unweighted GPA (9-12 cumulative)

2. All AP classes senior year, 4.3 GPA junior year, 4.4 GPA my senior year

3. 1320 SAT (average accepted according to Marines is around 1220)

4. Varsity letters in two sports, particated for all four years non-stop (Track and Cross Country)

5. Captain of both teams 2 years in a row (4 consecutive seasons of captaincy)

6. Entered into the DEP program

7. Roughly 200 hours of community service (local food bank, assisting mobility challenged veterans at appreciation events, restoring vintage aircraft at local air museum as part of school STEM field)

8. 92/99 on the ASVAB (I don’t know how much this plays in but I’ve read from the official Marine Corps stats that the average for accepted is 88)

9. I have two separate Congressional nominations to the Naval Academy which I have been told is equivalent to a recommendation by them. One from a member of the Senate and one from the House. I included this in my package.

10. A 272 on the PFT, again, the official Marine stats place this score above average (from the stats given directly to me by a Marine the average accepted for the west coast is around 267). I did 13 pull ups, 108/105 sit-ups, and an 18:14 run time for 3 miles.

11. Multiple accolades regarding my athletics and academics, specifically scholar athlete awards given by my league for a perfect GPA my junior year and a near perfect GPA my senior year (a dip due to the AP workload, still above 4.0) while participating in varsity sports. Earned “beat first year runner” as a freshman.

12. Junior year track team won league championship while I was the captain. Senior year cross country team went undefeated in league and won the championship.

Am I literally wasting my time even trying for this scholarship? If the official stats are to be trusted the only weak point I have is my GPA (average accepted according to the Marines is a 3.6 unweighted). Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Dadof2]

So you've applied for the NROTC-MO scholarship and you are a Sr in HS, correct? At this point you've done all you can do and you can't change anything, so why worry about it? Any opinion you get on here won't change your chances, so wait it out and see what happens. In the meantime finish up HS strong, stay out of trouble and work on plan B, C, etc. Having said that, IMO (which means absolutely nothing) your stats appear to be competitive.

 

[USMCGrunt]

Am I literally wasting my time even trying for this scholarship?

No.

In my opinion, points 6,8,9, and 12 have no impact on your application.

Don't forget that there were essays, an interview and teacher recommendations that are part of your package (and everyone else's).

@Dadof2 gives good counsel. I would add that since you want to become a Marine (and because you are in the DEP program) work on your pull ups.

 

[TheZooElCid]

You sound like quite a strong candidate - where are you thinking of taking this scholarship?

 

[kinnem]

You have a chance. My son's stats were similar to your with a little lower GPA, not as much leadership, and a higher SAT score and he did not receive a 4 year high school scholarship. YMMV especially given the AP course load and the captainships. If you do not receive an appointment or even a scholarship consider doing NROTC anyway. DS earned an NROTC MO scholarship that kicked in during his sophomore year, while he was participating in the program. Failing that, take a look at the Platoon Leaders Course. There are many ways to skin this cat.

 

[rocatlin]

Agree with USMCGrunt... 6,8,9,12...don't matter. Your pullup count was low, but that may or may not factor in. I've known of some with lower get the scholarship, but then quickly drop or get dropped during Freshman year.

Really, when it comes down to it, there is not a magic statistical formula that says whether you made it or not. A lot depends on the interview, the other candidates in your RS region, the accession rates, etc. I've known kids get in with higher stats, I've known kids get in with lower stats. I've known kids with higher stats not get in.

The 2nd board *usually* meets in February, although some regions meet in March. You'll probably hear by April if you get in. Did you get your application in for the first board back in the November time frame? Did you get any feedback?

Not a waste of time. All you can do is wait and make sure backup plans are solid.

 

[Flaps]

So you've applied for the NROTC-MO scholarship and you are a Sr in HS, correct? At this point you've done all you can do and you can't change anything, so why worry about it? Any opinion you get on here won't change your chances, so wait it out and see what happens. In the meantime finish up HS strong, stay out of trouble and work on plan B, C, etc. Having said that, IMO (which means absolutely nothing) your stats appear to be competitive.

Yes, I have applied for the Marine Option and I am currently a senior in high school. My plan B is to attend the Citadel in South Carolina and get a flight contract through the mandatory ROTC program that all students have to participate in at that school.

 

[Flaps]

Am I literally wasting my time even trying for this scholarship?

No.

In my opinion, points 6,8,9, and 12 have no impact on your application.

Don't forget that there were essays, an interview and teacher recommendations that are part of your package (and everyone else's).

@Dadof2 gives good counsel. I would add that since you want to become a Marine (and because you are in the DEP program) work on your pull ups.

Thank you for this advice, I may be chasing after nothing but I specifically remember for my officer interviews one of the XOs that interviewed me said that my interview was “very impressive” and she “hopes to work together in the future.”

 

[Flaps]

You sound like quite a strong candidate - where are you thinking of taking this scholarship?

I have not decided yet, I have been accepted to 3 of my 4 colleges: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, The University Of South Carolina, and The Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

 

[Flaps]

You have a chance. My son's stats were similar to your with a little lower GPA, not as much leadership, and a higher SAT score and he did not receive a 4 year high school scholarship. YMMV especially given the AP course load and the captainships. If you do not receive an appointment or even a scholarship consider doing NROTC anyway. DS earned an NROTC MO scholarship that kicked in during his sophomore year, while he was participating in the program. Failing that, take a look at the Platoon Leaders Course. There are many ways to skin this cat.

Thank you for this reply and yes, one thing I’ve learned is that there are plenty of ways to “skin this.” My plan B if I don’t get the scholarship is to attend the Citadel in South Carolina and get a flight contract through the unfunded ROTC program... my ultimate goal is to fly, I don’t care how I get there all I care about is being a Marine officer and flying.

 

[Flaps]

Agree with USMCGrunt... 6,8,9,12...don't matter. Your pullup count was low, but that may or may not factor in. I've known of some with lower get the scholarship, but then quickly drop or get dropped during Freshman year.

Really, when it comes down to it, there is not a magic statistical formula that says whether you made it or not. A lot depends on the interview, the other candidates in your RS region, the accession rates, etc. I've known kids get in with higher stats, I've known kids get in with lower stats. I've known kids with higher stats not get in.

The 2nd board *usually* meets in February, although some regions meet in March. You'll probably hear by April if you get in. Did you get your application in for the first board back in the November time frame? Did you get any feedback?

Not a waste of time. All you can do is wait and make sure backup plans are solid.

Thank you for this info and yes if I am reading your reply correctly, you’re asking if I applied and received feedback from the early board. Yes I did and they basically said that my only weak link is my PFT, actually believe me or not, I had a PFT of roughly 235 only two-three months ago, I worked my ass off every day and got it up to 273 in time for the main board. The XO of my region said that this “vast improvement” would actually weigh into the application.

 

[rocatlin]

Yes I did and they basically said that my only weak link is my PFT, actually believe me or not, I had a PFT of roughly 235 only two-three months ago, I worked my *** off every day and got it up to 273 in time for the main board. The XO of my region said that this “vast improvement” would actually weigh into the application.

This could weigh into your application in that you showed that you really "want" the scholarship and are willing to work at it. My son didn't make it the first go around (a paperwork ball drop between the early and 2nd board), but reapplied for the 4 year scholarship as soon as it opened up in April of his senior year. His backup was joining as a college program midshipman. The MOI at his unit was on the early board -- which having seen his original app, his reapplication, and witnessing his performance in the unit, my son was awarded the 4 year (although only 3 counted) on the early board during his Freshman year. He would have also had a backup of both the 2nd board as well as a sideload.

He graduates TBS during the last week of April and will report to Pensacola sometime after that.

Bottom line. Keep working hard and keep all options on the table if you want it.

 

[Flaps]

Yes I did and they basically said that my only weak link is my PFT, actually believe me or not, I had a PFT of roughly 235 only two-three months ago, I worked my *** off every day and got it up to 273 in time for the main board. The XO of my region said that this “vast improvement” would actually weigh into the application.

This could weigh into your application in that you showed that you really "want" the scholarship and are willing to work at it. My son didn't make it the first go around (a paperwork ball drop between the early and 2nd board), but reapplied for the 4 year scholarship as soon as it opened up in April of his senior year. His backup was joining as a college program midshipman. The MOI at his unit was on the early board -- which having seen his original app, his reapplication, and witnessing his performance in the unit, my son was awarded the 4 year (although only 3 counted) on the early board during his Freshman year. He would have also had a backup of both the 2nd board as well as a sideload.

He graduates TBS during the last week of April and will report to Pensacola sometime after that.

Bottom line. Keep working hard and keep all options on the table if you want it.

Congratulations to your son! That’s amazing, obviously he’s trying to be a Naval Abiatior if he’s going from TBS to Pensacola; I don’t want to get too far into it but I’ll just say if your son is in fact going to flight school, he’s currently living my hopes and dreams! Thank you for this advice I greatly appreciate you taking time out to discuss this.

 

[rocatlin]

@Flaps

Actually being an aviator wasn't his expectation. The Marine Corps needed them. It was suggested he take the ASTB -- he did and did well. He was given a flight contract and he decided to pursue the opportunity.

 

[TheZooElCid]

You sound like quite a strong candidate - where are you thinking of taking this scholarship?

I have not decided yet, I have been accepted to 3 of my 4 colleges: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, The University Of South Carolina, and The Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

that last one I can give two thumbs way up!

 

[Flaps]

@Flaps

Actually being an aviator wasn't his expectation. The Marine Corps needed them. It was suggested he take the ASTB -- he did and did well. He was given a flight contract and he decided to pursue the opportunity.

Well I wish they would do the same for me! Lol I hope to be so lucky.

 

[Flaps]

You sound like quite a strong candidate - where are you thinking of taking this scholarship?

I have not decided yet, I have been accepted to 3 of my 4 colleges: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, The University Of South Carolina, and The Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

that last one I can give two thumbs way up!

I have only heard good things about this college! I’m honored to have been accepted, currently I’d say it’s my number one.

 

[USMCGrunt]

@Flaps: can you help me understand what you have been told relative to the DEP if you don't get a scholarship? You will be required to go to Boot Camp - how are you going to time it such that you can go to college in the fall? What has your recruiter or OSO told you?

Also, the path to a flight MOS is a long and difficult one. There are plenty of "fallen angels" in the fleet serving in combat arms roles. While you can dream of becoming an Aviator, you need to be committed to leading Marines in whatever MOS you end up with.

 

[TheZooElCid]

You sound like quite a strong candidate - where are you thinking of taking this scholarship?

I have not decided yet, I have been accepted to 3 of my 4 colleges: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, The University Of South Carolina, and The Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

that last one I can give two thumbs way up!

I have only heard good things about this college! I’m honored to have been accepted, currently I’d say it’s my number one.

obviously a man of distinction and discernment beyond your years ... all kidding aside there are many good paths that all lead where you want to go

 

[rocatlin]

The key point I want to make, and USMCGrunt alluded to, you have to want to be a Marine Officer first. My son's flight contract was a bonus opportunity, so he took it. By all means, have goals. Also have backups. One of my friends in college was a flight contract -- and got tired of waiting -- and served as an artillery officer.