NROTC scholarship real value?

[d.mcknight]

My DS traveled a bumpy road, as well, toward his final destination and eventual placement off the waitlist.

His scholarship had been placed at his #2 choice back in December. Units at his 1st & 3rd choices were full. We really didn't think he'd have a problem gaining admission to #2...oh boy were we wrong! Because of the great advise provided on this forum we placed his name on the waitlists for #'s 1 &3 in early February (as a back up). The end of March came and he received the TWE from USNA and still no word from #2. By mid April, with no word from #2, we were panicking alittle bit as we were told his 2 & 3 choices for transfer didn't look good. However, we were also given a list of schools that accepted late applications and had openings in their unit.

DS and I had a long talk about the whole situation and what he wanted his end goal to be. He simply told me, "Mom, I've wanted to be an officer in the Navy since I've been 10 so if I have to apply to schools I never considered before, and they will take me, then that's what I have to do." So, in late April he sent off applications to more schools, yup we had to pay for more application fees, and hope for the best. The amount of scholarship dollars was simply not an issue...because who cares how much it is worth? It's a scholarship...a gift...a priviledge.

Good Friday arrived and I received a text from DS telling me to check the email he had just sent me...it was his transfer...to school #3. With no word from #2 and having 3 days to accept he took it. The following Monday he received his "RE" (rejection email) from #2. Tuesday he received "AE" (acceptance email) from #6 and Wednesday he received AE from #7. He earned back-ups to back-ups!

I only share our story because although we followed all the rules and submitted everything in a timely manner sometimes there are road blocks and we are sent on a detour not of our choosing. Some people will look at that detour and grumble the entire way and some, thankfully, will enjoy the view and see things they never imagined or enjoy had they not been sent in another direction.

A long winded reply, sorry, but as others have said on this forum the destination is the same for our DS/DD's it's just many of them will take a detour to get there...and, as parents, we are fortunate to be along for the ride...think I'll get some stronger hairspray for the next chapter in this journey!

Good luck to all DS/DD's and thank you, in advance, for your dedication and eventual service to our country. I am a proud of all of you!

I have to agree with the comment about being sent in another direction. When I found out all five of the schools I had chosen were full, at first I was kinda bummed out and worried I wouldn't be able to use my scholarship. But when I found out I could switch to another school things got a little brighter. I went on the NROTC website and looked for schools. I came across Maine Maritime Academy. Had never heard of it before but something sparked an interest and I found their application was still open. I submitted an application and this past weekend I found out I got in as well as being offered two different merit-based scholarships from MMA. Now, I can't wait for August and I think this school will be a great fit for me.

Long, jumbled story short, if I hadn't encountered the roadblock of all the schools being filled, I never would have known about MMA and wouldn't have this opportunity. So keep an open mind, you never know what will happen.

 

[Jcleppe]

lroddy,

That was a great story, I hope all future applicants take the time to read it. This will help them prepare back up plans and be Proactive instead of Reactive when it might be to late. Great Post

 

[Pima]

In the SA candidates world their advisors always stress making a Plan B (hint, hint apply for the ROTC scholarship). This is equally true for ROTC candidates, always have Plan B ready.

If you are proactive in life and especially as an AD member, your career will be more successful than if you are reactive. I really can't stress that enough. Trust me many officers are reactive and always have the deer in the headlights look when they get hit.

For ex: If you are up for a board i.e. career, check your records before they are submitted. Never take for granted that they have all of the information correct or worse yet ALL of it.

I can't tell you how many officers complain when they are passed over. The common complaint: they were missing things on my record.

Guess what? It is your responsibility to make sure prior to check it over and sorry, but I have no pity that you lose since you were not PROACTIVE or lazy and only pulled them after the fact. They actually do tell you to pull them and review them months prior, just like reviewing your credit. They don't force you too, they just strongly suggest it. Bullet pulled his about once a yr to make sure everything was there that was suppose to be and nothing was there that shouldn't be. Yes, he had to correct them a few times, i.e adding positions, awards, medals, etc.

Traditionally being passed over in zone and getting promoted above is like winning a free car in the church raffle...someone always wins, but the odds are not good.

It is important now to start getting into the mindset of being one step ahead of your career, and that starts with the scholarship process. Make sure you have plan B and make sure you double check what is submitted.