NROTC Scholarship Chances???

csm474

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Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Messages
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Hi everyone, bear with me, it's my first time here.
I'm currently a high school junior, and I'm considering applying for the NROTC scholarship next year. (I'm also a girl and a minority, don't know if that would help or hurt, so let me know). I was also considering applying to USNA, but then I looked into it a little more, and I don't think I'll be accepted with my stats (and I want a regular college experience). Planned major would probably be Pure Mathematics. I feel like I'm pretty strong academically, but sports is going to be my downfall. Thank you for your help!

Academics:
Current GPA: 4.6 W/3.8 UW
Will have 11 APs by the end of high school + nearly all the rest are Honors
1330 PSAT, 31 PreACT (Haven't taken SAT or ACT yet)

Clubs:
Founded/Captain of Speech Team
Co-President of another club that would identify me
Girls Who Code
National Honors Society
Science Fair
200+ hours community service
1 Artificial Intelligence research publication (Was through a paid summer program though)

Sports:
5 years of competitive figure skating - I skate for a club, Regional level. I would say I'm definitely decent, but probably not going to the Olympics.
1 year of Varsity Swim (I was the the worst person on the team, really don't think I'm going back)
 
CSM - you are incredibly competitive for any of the SAs or a ROTC option.

Apply to the Summer Seminar programs at USMA, USNA, USAF and USCG. You have a good chance of attending with the STEM background. It is a box (or boxes) to check on the NROTC application. Look them up now, seems like applications open in January.

Keep the grades up.

Stay in Varsity swim. Get there early, stay late and offer to help. It is important to show currently active in varsity sport. Captain of the team is not always the best athlete.

Get into the Khan Academy SAT prep (free) and treat it like a job. It will help on the SAT. Your PSAT appears to put you in the middle 90% range. Great stuff. Sign up for May (and June) SAT now. They will fill up. If you are going to take ACT, start signing up there also - they will superscore.

Get in touch with your local navy recruiting office and let them know you are interested. They will be hunting you down next year. Be good to get on their radar now. When the recruiter finds out how competitive your stats are, and your intent to go NROTC, they will help with the process (my kid went through this and they were extremely helpful).

Narrow down your top five choices for schools -
1 Reach school;
1 top tier;
2 mid-tier
1 gimme

If you are selected for the scholarship, they will apply the scholarship toward any NROTC school, you can get into, (pay attention to which schools also supplement room and board because the scholarship does not cover that).

Quoting Capt. MJ (great resource on these forums) "PT (run, run, run) and keep your fitness levels up."

Feel free to PM me if you need some additional help.

Godspeed.
WJF
 
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1 year of Varsity Swim (I was the the worst person on the team, really don't think I'm going back)
I am currently applying for USNA and I was on the Varsity swim team at my school Sophomore and Junior year (no senior year bc of COVID). I was far from the fastest kid on the team, I was competing against kids that swam year-round and were breaking school and state records. However, I stuck with the team and during my BGO and Congressmen interviews, I was able to talk about the experience of being on the team and learning from the more experienced kids I practiced with. I compared my experience on the team as pretty much a back-up swimmer to my captainship of the Varsity crew team and how those two positions required different mindsets (adapt to different situations). I was also awarded the most improved swimmer award as a result of my time drop over the course of the season due to the work I put in with my teammates.

In summary, stick with swim. Even if it is not your strongest point it will increase your ECs and give you a talking point during interviews- plus it is an area that you can show improvement in.
 
Thanks, could you elaborate?
"What are my chances" are some of the most common posts from newer members of the forum. You are asking people to chance you based on very limited information. In the end - no one knows. Every year there are numerous candidates that don't get a Scholarship/Appointment that seem over qualified. We have not seen your essays, won't be able to sit in on your interview and have very little information about you. Most importantly we are not sitting on the selection Boards. This is a national competition (NROTC) so it all depends on the other applicants.

With that being said - your stats look very competitive. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. Don't sell yourself short on USNA. It is a very special place and worthy of consideration. I agree with @honeybadger regarding swimming. It looks like you are a great candidate and driving in the right direction. Good luck to you!
 
The only thing that guarantees you do not get into an Academy or a ROTC program is NOT applying. You don't need to be a stellar athlete. You need to be fit enough to do well on the CFA and PT when you get into whatever program you join. While athleticism/fitness is important what they are more interested in is the things you learn in athletics - how to be a goof follower, how to be a member of a team, discipline needed to participate, and should the opportunity arise, lead. Stick with swim. If you can add track or cross-country that would be good and would help you prepare for the CFA. Go for it.

I do understand the desire for a regular college. DS never finished his application to USNA because he wanted a more "regular" college experience. He went the NROTC route and started without a scholarship. He was awarded a scholarship in his sophomore year. There is more than one way to skin a cat. That being said, it can't hurt to apply to one of the Academies and if you win an appointment, decide on the route you wish to take then.
 
PS - (and I want a regular college experience)

Not really sure "a regular college experience" exists in our current pandemic climate. A lot of college kids are attending online or confined to their rooms. At least at the SAs, once you quarantine and are "in the bubble" you have the opportunity to interact.
 
Hi everyone, bear with me, it's my first time here.
I'm currently a high school junior, and I'm considering applying for the NROTC scholarship next year. (I'm also a girl and a minority, don't know if that would help or hurt, so let me know). I was also considering applying to USNA, but then I looked into it a little more, and I don't think I'll be accepted with my stats (and I want a regular college experience). Planned major would probably be Pure Mathematics. I feel like I'm pretty strong academically, but sports is going to be my downfall. Thank you for your help!

Academics:
Current GPA: 4.6 W/3.8 UW
Will have 11 APs by the end of high school + nearly all the rest are Honors
1330 PSAT, 31 PreACT (Haven't taken SAT or ACT yet)

Clubs:
Founded/Captain of Speech Team
Co-President of another club that would identify me
Girls Who Code
National Honors Society
Science Fair
200+ hours community service
1 Artificial Intelligence research publication (Was through a paid summer program though)

Sports:
5 years of competitive figure skating - I skate for a club, Regional level. I would say I'm definitely decent, but probably not going to the Olympics.
1 year of Varsity Swim (I was the the worst person on the team, really don't think I'm going back)
As others have stated, you can't earn admittance or scholarship if you don't apply. Our son applied for NROTC and received the scholarship in the first boards. He ended up at USNA, but it was an excellent plan B and he was able to discuss it with interview panels for nominations.

Stay physically fit, seek out leadership roles where you can and maintain your academics at the highest level.

Anything you see as a deficiency, try to improve. Also, be able to discuss any deficiency in interviews without making excuses. Good luck to you.
 
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I think you have a tremendous chance for ROTC; apply to all the branches! Shoot your shot!
 
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