NROTC Question in regards to majors

[rviad92o]

DD has received a 4 year NROTC scholarship (Tier 2 majors) to her #1 college which she has not been accepted to yet. She received an information letter today from the college that made her realize she picked a specific program "College of Agriculture and Life Sciences" to be categorized in for admission decision rather than "College of Sciences" -which would have been a broader science based program in which most of the Tier 2 major falls under. The program that she applied for only has one major in it that falls under Tier 2 and it's not what she is interested in. When she initially applied-she was still in the "I don't know what I want to do" and just chose the first thing she thought would interest her. We're just afraid that this would decrease her chances of getting into the college and the fact that the particular program she's applied for only has 1 of the Tier 2 majors is concerning. Was wondering if anyone else has had this experience and what did you do? Is it too late for her to call the college admissions office to change the program she wants to be under? She has already spoken to the ROTC officer there and introduced herself. He told her that she did not need to call admissions about having the ROTC scholarship as one does not depend on the other. Was just wondering if anyone had any advice or info on this. Thank you.

 

[The Big Slides]

This problem has not happened to me, but I would highly suggest to constantly "press" the college that she applied to in changing her major. The weird problem that I see in your situation is that she has already applied for a major right when she is still applying to the school. Normally, I see college students, whether or not they are in the ROTC program, choose their official major during their sophomore year. Definitely call college admissions to change the program she wants to be under. Best of luck to your ROTC cadet on her military training and academic endeavors. Hopefully, I was able to answer your question.

 

[rviad92o]

This problem has not happened to me, but I would highly suggest to constantly "press" the college that she applied to in changing her major. The weird problem that I see in your situation is that she has already applied for a major right when she is still applying to the school. Normally, I see college students, whether or not they are in the ROTC program, choose their official major during their sophomore year. Definitely call college admissions to change the program she wants to be under. Best of luck to your ROTC cadet on her military training and academic endeavors. Hopefully, I was able to answer your question.

Thank you for responding! I agree that she definitely needs to call admissions office! I'm not sure if her chances are better getting into the CALS program vs the CoS program but the latter will be more have more Tier 2 major options for her. Thanks again and we will see what happens when she calls this week.

 

[Impulsive]

ROTC scholarships usually are not major dependent. Her Cadre normally will not dictate major, only recommend that her major should be in concert with what she wants to do in the army if something specific. And normally students are not required to declare a major until they are entering their junior year (the end of the sophomore year). If your daughter received her scholarship package it should have had her top three school choices, if her primary isn't flexible, go to #2. She should have applied to all three of her choices for insurance (ROTC does not control school admissions), in case she were not to be accepted at her first choice. I have no idea as to the differences between Life Sciences and Sciences as far as having a BS when you graduate, but it may effect your career path in the military.

Don't worry about not yet being accepted, normally as in the SA's the majority of acceptances are sent out in March and April. Call her admissions counselor and talk with them. Best of Luck to your Daughter!!!!

 

[Ew3081]

DD has received a 4 year NROTC scholarship (Tier 2 majors) to her #1 college which she has not been accepted to yet. She received an information letter today from the college that made her realize she picked a specific program "College of Agriculture and Life Sciences" to be categorized in for admission decision rather than "College of Sciences" -which would have been a broader science based program in which most of the Tier 2 major falls under. The program that she applied for only has one major in it that falls under Tier 2 and it's not what she is interested in. When she initially applied-she was still in the "I don't know what I want to do" and just chose the first thing she thought would interest her. We're just afraid that this would decrease her chances of getting into the college and the fact that the particular program she's applied for only has 1 of the Tier 2 majors is concerning. Was wondering if anyone else has had this experience and what did you do? Is it too late for her to call the college admissions office to change the program she wants to be under? She has already spoken to the ROTC officer there and introduced herself. He told her that she did not need to call admissions about having the ROTC scholarship as one does not depend on the other. Was just wondering if anyone had any advice or info on this. Thank you.

Was she awarded the scholarship today? Sorry, I’ve been waiting anxiously for the February board results.

 

[navypmw]

ROTC scholarships usually are not major dependent. Her Cadre normally will not dictate major, only recommend that her major should be in concert with what she wants to do in the army if something specific. And normally students are not required to declare a major until they are entering their junior year (the end of the sophomore year).

I believe she said this is an NROTC scholarship. If that is the case then the scholarship is major dependent.

 

[rviad92o]

ROTC scholarships usually are not major dependent. Her Cadre normally will not dictate major, only recommend that her major should be in concert with what she wants to do in the army if something specific. And normally students are not required to declare a major until they are entering their junior year (the end of the sophomore year). If your daughter received her scholarship package it should have had her top three school choices, if her primary isn't flexible, go to #2. She should have applied to all three of her choices for insurance (ROTC does not control school admissions), in case she were not to be accepted at her first choice. I have no idea as to the differences between Life Sciences and Sciences as far as having a BS when you graduate, but it may effect your career path in the military.

Don't worry about not yet being accepted, normally as in the SA's the majority of acceptances are sent out in March and April. Call her admissions counselor and talk with them. Best of Luck to your Daughter!!!!

Her NROTC scholarship was awarded with Tier 2 majors which lists specific majors that she can choose from. Her college lists what they consider Tier 2 majors and the CALS program at the college she applied to only has one that is considered aTier 2 degree which is Agricultural/Biological Engineering-and unfortunately, she is not interested in this. She does have a 2nd a 3rd choice school. She has not heard anything yet from #2 school but she has been accepted to #3 school. Thank you for your input!

 

[rviad92o]

DD has received a 4 year NROTC scholarship (Tier 2 majors) to her #1 college which she has not been accepted to yet. She received an information letter today from the college that made her realize she picked a specific program "College of Agriculture and Life Sciences" to be categorized in for admission decision rather than "College of Sciences" -which would have been a broader science based program in which most of the Tier 2 major falls under. The program that she applied for only has one major in it that falls under Tier 2 and it's not what she is interested in. When she initially applied-she was still in the "I don't know what I want to do" and just chose the first thing she thought would interest her. We're just afraid that this would decrease her chances of getting into the college and the fact that the particular program she's applied for only has 1 of the Tier 2 majors is concerning. Was wondering if anyone else has had this experience and what did you do? Is it too late for her to call the college admissions office to change the program she wants to be under? She has already spoken to the ROTC officer there and introduced herself. He told her that she did not need to call admissions about having the ROTC scholarship as one does not depend on the other. Was just wondering if anyone had any advice or info on this. Thank you.

Was she awarded the scholarship today? Sorry, I’ve been waiting anxiously for the February board results.

She was awarded her scholarship 1/23/19.

 

[kinnem]

. Normally, I see college students, whether or not they are in the ROTC program, choose their official major during their sophomore year.

Huh? This certainly is not true of folks in NROTC and AFROTC programs where the selected major is part of the application and is factored into the awards process. This is independent of what how the college allows one to choose their major.

 

[rviad92o]

ROTC scholarships usually are not major dependent. Her Cadre normally will not dictate major, only recommend that her major should be in concert with what she wants to do in the army if something specific. And normally students are not required to declare a major until they are entering their junior year (the end of the sophomore year).

I believe she said this is an NROTC scholarship. If that is the case then the scholarship is major dependent.

Yes it's a 4 year NROTC scholarship with Tier 2 Majors. At her college of choice, Tier 1 Majors are basically all engineering courses- Mech, EE, ECE, Nuke, Ocean, etc. Tier 2 has some engineering but mostly general sciences and math. Tier 3 is very vague "whatever is not listed in Tier 1 and 2. She hasn't declared a specific major but apparently, when she applied to the college she chose CALS program which has specific majors in it and only one of the majors is considered at Tier 2.

 

[kinnem]

It's never too late to call the college and attempt to make changes. The worst that can happen is they say no and she gives her #2 and #3 colleges reconsideration. In any case she'll need to work with the unit to make the major change and permission is required. When switching between majors in the same tier it's usually no an issue but nothing is ever guaranteed. It's possible they granted the scholarship because they feel they need someone who majors in that (whatever that is).

 

[rviad92o]

. Normally, I see college students, whether or not they are in the ROTC program, choose their official major during their sophomore year.

Huh? This certainly is not true of folks in NROTC and AFROTC programs where the selected major is part of the application and is factored into the awards process. This is independent of what how the college allows one to choose their major.

She is not definitely sure yet about what she specifically wants to major in, but she knows that she does not want to do engineering but more on the science side and is aware that SA and NROTC programs want you to be in some type of STEM major. NROTC awarded her Tier 2 majors because those were more of the sciences rather than engineering. The problem will be is if she can still change her application to her college.

 

[ProudDad17]

. Normally, I see college students, whether or not they are in the ROTC program, choose their official major during their sophomore year.

Huh? This certainly is not true of folks in NROTC and AFROTC programs where the selected major is part of the application and is factored into the awards process. This is independent of what how the college allows one to choose their major.

She is not definitely sure yet about what she specifically wants to major in, but she knows that she does not want to do engineering but more on the science side and is aware that SA and NROTC programs want you to be in some type of STEM major. NROTC awarded her Tier 2 majors because those were more of the sciences rather than engineering. The problem will be is if she can still change her application to her college.

Unless something changed in the last year, I believe your DD had to list a specific intended major on her NROTC application. What falls into a specific tier is dictated by the Navy, not the school. For example, my DS applied to NROTC as one type of tier 1 engineering major and applied to the university's college of engineering. At the college, you do not declare your specific major (engineering discipline) until the end of your freshman year). During his freshman year, his interest shifted to a different engineering major, that was also tier 1. He had to apply for and get permission from his PNS to switch majors. You are correct about what typically falls into each tier. There may be some difference in what the Navy calls a specific major and what the school calls it. In those cases, the Navy would look at the curriculum and decide where it falls. In any case, I agree your DD needs to contact her admissions adviser and see if she can switch her application to the program she is interested in.

I'm sure your DD already has this page, but here is a list of what tier majors fall into: https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/scholarship_criteria.html

 

[Impulsive]

I stand corrected, thank you all for your knowledge. As a parent I only saw my son's AROTC Scholarship Award, and it had no major on it, only the top three schools he chose of which he had to chose one. I am not sure if during the application package they asked him for a general type of major or not since he did that totally on his own. He knows what he wants to do, but never told us that ROTC required him to pick an exact major.

 

[kinnem]

I stand corrected, thank you all for your knowledge. As a parent I only saw my son's AROTC Scholarship Award, and it had no major on it, only the top three schools he chose of which he had to chose one. I am not sure if during the application package they asked him for a general type of major or not since he did that totally on his own. He knows what he wants to do, but never told us that ROTC required him to pick an exact major.

You are right that in general, AROTC doesn't care what your major is. I don't know if one needs to be listed on the application or not. Once in college you still need permission to change majors while in AROTC but it's really just to ensure the cadet can complete college and commission on time (at least that's how I understand it). Thanks for your contributions to the forum.

 

[rviad92o]

. Normally, I see college students, whether or not they are in the ROTC program, choose their official major during their sophomore year.

Huh? This certainly is not true of folks in NROTC and AFROTC programs where the selected major is part of the application and is factored into the awards process. This is independent of what how the college allows one to choose their major.

She is not definitely sure yet about what she specifically wants to major in, but she knows that she does not want to do engineering but more on the science side and is aware that SA and NROTC programs want you to be in some type of STEM major. NROTC awarded her Tier 2 majors because those were more of the sciences rather than engineering. The problem will be is if she can still change her application to her college.

Unless something changed in the last year, I believe your DD had to list a specific intended major on her NROTC application. What falls into a specific tier is dictated by the Navy, not the school. For example, my DS applied to NROTC as one type of tier 1 engineering major and applied to the university's college of engineering. At the college, you do not declare your specific major (engineering discipline) until the end of your freshman year). During his freshman year, his interest shifted to a different engineering major, that was also tier 1. He had to apply for and get permission from his PNS to switch majors. You are correct about what typically falls into each tier. There may be some difference in what the Navy calls a specific major and what the school calls it. In those cases, the Navy would look at the curriculum and decide where it falls. In any case, I agree your DD needs to contact her admissions adviser and see if she can switch her application to the program she is interested in.

I'm sure your DD already has this page, but here is a list of what tier majors fall into: https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/scholarship_criteria.html

Thank you for the information. I agree that DD just needs to just call the college and see if she can switch to the College of Sciences program. This is an out of state school and she is already up against odds of getting in as they only take 18% out of state students. I don't know if her odds are better getting into the CALS program vs CoS program but since most of the Tier 2 majors already fall in the latter program-it would be easier for her to be in the right program now vs applying and switching programs later. We will see what the college says after she speaks with her admissions adviser.

 

[rviad92o]

Just wanted to give an update! DD was still waiting to hear about admission to the#1 college she received her NROTC scholarship. She contacted the school and explained the situation about the degree she originally chose and the Tier 2 majors she's been given by the NROTC scholarship. They told her that she can just send an email to reflect what she wants to change the degree to. Before she's even had the chance to respond, she found out this past Friday that she has been accepted there!! We're so very happy for her! Although this is Plan B for her-it is such a relief and it will be just as great as her Plan A which is a SA school. She had not gotten a denial yet from the SA school but we found out this past Friday as well that her application had been deferred because they said her Dobmerb was not complete which it had been since December and she would not have gotten the NROTC scholarship if it was not completed and she was cleared by Dobmerb. DH found out the SA school didn't download it like they were supposed to and they did it the same day he called them so it's updated now. On our end, our DD did not know this was going on. There was nothing on her app she could see where she was missing anything. Not sure at this point now what will happen with her application. We're just very happy for her that Plan B is in place. Lesson learned, even if she didn't know she was admitted yet, the college was willing to allow her to change her major and update her application.

 

[kinnem]

she would not have gotten the NROTC scholarship if it was not completed and she was cleared by Dobmerb.

Not to burst your bubble, but I want to make sure lurkers understand that this statement is not true. The ROTC programs almost always only start the DoDMERB process AFTER awarding a scholarship, so they wouldn't even know that the DoDMERB was "incomplete". I'm glad the DoDMERB stuff appears to be straightened out and NROTC will end up using those results that were uploaded.

Good luck to your DD. Sounds like a great plan A2.

 

[rviad92o]

she would not have gotten the NROTC scholarship if it was not completed and she was cleared by Dobmerb.

Not to burst your bubble, but I want to make sure lurkers understand that this statement is not true. The ROTC programs almost always only start the DoDMERB process AFTER awarding a scholarship, so they wouldn't even know that the DoDMERB was "incomplete". I'm glad the DoDMERB stuff appears to be straightened out and NROTC will end up using those results that were uploaded.

Good luck to your DD. Sounds like a great plan A2.

Thank you! She's still waiting to hear from Plan A but she is very happy about Plan "A2" and has even said that she will stay with the NROTC program and not reapply to Plan A. I think she understands at this point that it will be the same outcome but just a different path and she is going to make the best of whatever hand she is dealt.