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- Oct 21, 2010
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+1 to AROTC-dad regarding PLC as a top off. There are good chances of winning a scholarship while in the program but it is still competitive. He will need to get great grades and excel at PT and leadership. That being said, if my son can do it so can yours. DS was a B student in high school but he finally started applying himself in college and made Dean's list 6 of 8 semesters and every semester his freshman year. He excelled at PT always hitting 300 at the final record PFT and showed great leadership skills. One of the MECEPs who happened to show me one of his evaluations said that no one at his livel gets those scores.... no one. He was awarded a scholarship which kicked in for the second semester of sophomore year. PLC was always DS's backup plan if somehow NROTC didn't pan out for him, and then OCC after that if necessary.My son applied for the MO NROTC but is also working on Plan B. He is considering still being an NROTC member and applying for the college program with hopes of scholarship opportunities his second year but also knows of the PLC option. As a parent, I'm wondering if scholarships for 2nd year students are few or is there a good amount given to outstanding students? He has always been a great student (4.0 and see that continuing into college) and very focused on his end goal of Marine Corps Officer. From a financial standpoint, where he would go if he did the PLC option would be less financially, but I want him to go whatever route is best for him in regards to meeting his end goal, and being the best he can be at it. Does anyone have any advice regarding the two options? Pros/cons?
I'd recommend the NROTC MO route at a school you can afford in case there are snags along the way. OK to try expensive stretch schools but if pne decides NROTC isn't for them then you have difficult decisions to make. I sent the kid to an out-of-state school but he won a scholarship which got it down to close to what it cost to attend an in-state school. I made him borrow the difference just so he would have some skin in the game.
NROTC brought out the best in my son. I don't think he would have done as well in college without his participation in NROTC. He still keeps in touch with the midshipmen he commissioned with and some a year ahead and behind him. They just all had a "reunion" in San Diego recently with Marines from Pendleton, and Navy guys from San Diego and nearby air bases.