NROTC Marine Option

[Noir Sterben]

Hello to everyone on the website as this will be my first time posting.

I wanted to ask a selfish question because it has been weighing heavily on my back but I know I wont have an answer for it as it concerns my chances getting the Marine Option Scholarship.

I have applied for the Marine Corps Scholarship through the 12th Marine District and the 1st Lieutenant of my RS and now I am just playing the waiting game for the 1st Lieutenant to go down to San Diego in February for the Board and I just want to gauge my chances of getting it based on the feedback from everyone here.

My Stats and Scores are as follows:

• 230 PFT (I know, pretty low)
• 4.2 GPA
• Top 5% of my school
• Part of the DEP/Poolee program of my RSS
• Leadership positions in Cross Country
• Former Editor and Current Editor-in-Chief of my school's yearbook
• In very good standing with my RSS (I help and volunteer for everything)
• Accepted into a four-year senior military college
• Major selected on application was Business Admin
• High praise from my teachers based on leadership and work ethic
• 94 ASVAB Score
• Minority Group (I don't know if that has any effect but it asked me about it)
• Speaks a second language (Spanish)
• Top Candidate from 1st Lieutenant (I don't know if this is relevant but that is what the 1st Lieutenant told my Staff Sergeant about me after the interview)

Please be brutally honest with me because I might have to defer my enrollment in order to go through Boot Camp and thanks for the feedback in advance.

 

[EEBTTF]

Welcome and good luck to you in your journey. Ok - here it is:

1. PFT is not competitive, - 270 is average for winners. This is a big deal for NROTC-MO

Question - What are your standardized test scores?

Lets start with the end goal in mind. You mention you have been admitted to a SMC. Do you mind sharing which one? There are certain SMCs that have really good scholarships/financial aid. Don't rush into enlisting, there are many paths to get you to a commission - you have come to the right place for some guidance.

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

No one here can provide any solid insight to your chances in a meaningful way, i.e., 90% likelihood of acceptance, 50%, etc. How did you do on SAT/ACT?

As you acknowledge, the PFT is your one short-coming in that everything else looks solid and indicates you as a strong applicant. But I believe you a need a 260+ to really be competitive (it's been a long time and I'm a Navy guy in the end). Possible option is the college program route, workout with the Marine options and MECPs, crush the PFT, get selected as a sophomore.

Good luck and keep pushing!

Edit: I see I wasn't too far off with my vague PFT recollection!

 

[Noir Sterben]

The website for the NROTC-MO was allowing ASVAB Scores over SAT/ACT and I chose to use my ASVAB Score since I did not have and SAT/ACT available due to the pandemic. I will not blame my 1st Lieutenant for my PFT Score but she told me it was good and I took in stride continuing my application but I have no one to blame but me for that score. As for the SMC, I have been selected to attend Texas A&M but the reason I am thinking of deferring is because I have already gone through MEPS, signed, and swore in so I can't just leave that all behind.

 

[Noir Sterben]

Welcome and good luck to you in your journey. Ok - here it is:

1. PFT is not competitive, - 270 is average for winners. This is a big deal for NROTC-MO

Question - What are your standardized test scores?

Lets start with the end goal in mind. You mention you have been admitted to a SMC. Do you mind sharing which one? There are certain SMCs that have really good scholarships/financial aid. Don't rush into enlisting, there are many paths to get you to a commission - you have come to the right place for some guidance.

Left a general reply for both questions at bottom

 

[Noir Sterben]

No one here can provide any solid insight to your chances in a meaningful way, i.e., 90% likelihood of acceptance, 50%, etc. How did you do on SAT/ACT?

As you acknowledge, the PFT is your one short-coming in that everything else looks solid and indicates you as a strong applicant. But I believe you a need a 260+ to really be competitive (it's been a long time and I'm a Navy guy in the end). Possible option is the college program route, workout with the Marine options and MECPs, crush the PFT, get selected as a sophomore.

Good luck and keep pushing!

Edit: I see I wasn't too far off with my vague PFT recollection!

The SAT/ACT were optional and I chose to use my ASVAB Score due to me not having an SAT/ACT available

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

The SAT/ACT were optional and I chose to use my ASVAB Score due to me not having an SAT/ACT available

Copy. You crushed the ASVAB.

Regarding your other post, I get that the recruiters have invested time with you in going through MEPS and such. My advice is don't rush anything because while the two paths before you lead toward being a Marine, the difference of enlisted vs officer is understandably large.