NROTC Tier Inquiry

Thank you everyone for the support and advice!
I'm aware that statistically if I were to apply for the tier 3 scholarship it would set me at a massive 15-85% disadvantage, but I was curious how that percentage is calculated. Is the percentage low because of certain quotas, or is it because of a selection bias toward stem majors in the Navy? Also besides the 20-30 spots reserved for the LREC program, does the selection of major matter outside of what tier it falls under?
I'm assuming that regardless of what scholarship or program I pursue, the competition is going to be rough but I'm wondering what kind of stats I'd be going against. One of my NJROTC friends has similar stats to mine right now, and she was awarded an 'immediate scholarship' by the Navy Talent Acquisition group near our school and I was very curious about that. I looked at a couple of posts on this forum about the ISR scholarship, but I'm still a bit confused; what constitutes an immediate scholarship?
Sorry for asking so many questions, I truly appreciate everyone's helpfulness!
 
Our resident PNS @GWU PNS has posted about this before if you care to search his previous posts. Basically, yes, there is a "selection bias" towards stem majors in the Navy. Really it is a requirement. They are mandated to maintain a certain percentage of technical majors on scholarship, all the way from the awarding of the 4 year scholarship, to the awarding of 2 and 3 year side loads, to commissioning. I can't speak to how the tier 3 scholarships are awarded. One thing to consider is that, yes, only about 15% of the 4 year scholarships awarded are for tier 3 majors, but there are also fewer people applying as tier 3 majors.

As far as the ISR (Immediate Scholarship Reservation), that is out of your control, other than putting forth the very best application you can. Each NTAG commander has a fixed number of ISRs they can award (I believe the number is 5). They can do this in pretty much any way they see fit, so ling as the applicant meets to qualifications for the ISR. You do not apply for the ISR. Your application has to be selected by the NTAG. The NTAG commander must personally interview any candidate they award the ISR to. Some commanders make this a competitive process, interviewing more candidates than they have ISRs for and then deciding who to award them to. While others select the recipients, then interview them to confirm their choices. I've seen recent cases on here where NTAG commanders did not want to award ISRs to USNA applicants who had USNA as their first choice. When my DS was awarded an ISR (fall of 2016) the NTAG commander made it clear that the ISR was his so long as he planned to use it, but it would be fine to accept the ISR, then decline it if he was applying to USNA and was admitted. Since DS was not applying to USNA, this was not an issue. ISRs are often used to lock in top talent early in the process and some NTAG commanders may use them to award scholarships to exceptional applicants who may not otherwise be awarded a scholarship (such as an outstanding tier 3 applicant). As far as what constitutes an ISR, the benefits are the same as the regular 4 year, but it is awarded by the local NTAG commander, so it bypasses the selection boards. If an application is selected for an ISR, it is removed from consideration by the selection boards. Once the ISR is awarded, the application still has to be reviewed in Pensacola to ensure all qualifications are met and for assignment to a unit. Again, @GWU PNS has posted an much more in depth explanation of the process somewhere on the forum.
 
ProudDad17 said:
As far as the ISR (Immediate Scholarship Reservation), that is out of your control, other than putting forth the very best application you can. Each NTAG commander has a fixed number of ISRs they can award (I believe the number is 5). They can do this in pretty much any way they see fit, so ling as the applicant meets to qualifications for the ISR. You do not apply for the ISR. Your application has to be selected by the NTAG. The NTAG commander must personally interview any candidate they award the ISR to. Some commanders make this a competitive process, interviewing more candidates than they have ISRs for and then deciding who to award them to. While others select the recipients, then interview them to confirm their choices. I've seen recent cases on here where NTAG commanders did not want to award ISRs to USNA applicants who had USNA as their first choice. When my DS was awarded an ISR (fall of 2016) the NTAG commander made it clear that the ISR was his so long as he planned to use it, but it would be fine to accept the ISR, then decline it if he was applying to USNA and was admitted. Since DS was not applying to USNA, this was not an issue. ISRs are often used to lock in top talent early in the process and some NTAG commanders may use them to award scholarships to exceptional applicants who may not otherwise be awarded a scholarship (such as an outstanding tier 3 applicant). As far as what constitutes an ISR, the benefits are the same as the regular 4 year, but it is awarded by the local NTAG commander, so it bypasses the selection boards. If an application is selected for an ISR, it is removed from consideration by the selection boards. Once the ISR is awarded, the application still has to be reviewed in Pensacola to ensure all qualifications are met and for assignment to a unit. Again, @GWU PNS has posted an much more in depth explanation of the process somewhere on the forum.
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My DS was screended for ISR recently. How long does it take (approximately) to reveiw/screen/interview applicant's package to make a decision and approval by Pensacola?
 
Post in thread 'NROTC ISR' https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/nrotc-isr.87798/post-912048

Once an NTAG CO has submitted the ISR package up to NSTC, it typically gets put in front of the next board.

Assuming all required signatures are in the right place, the AFA was completed properly, and the teacher evals are complete, then that's pretty much it. There isn't really a vote to select the candidate, it's more like a sanity check that congressional statutory requirements were met. I don't ever recall one being rejected.
 
ProudDad17 said:
Our resident PNS @GWU PNS has posted about this before if you care to search his previous posts. Basically, yes, there is a "selection bias" towards stem majors in the Navy. Really it is a requirement. They are mandated to maintain a certain percentage of technical majors on scholarship, all the way from the awarding of the 4 year scholarship, to the awarding of 2 and 3 year side loads, to commissioning. I can't speak to how the tier 3 scholarships are awarded. One thing to consider is that, yes, only about 15% of the 4 year scholarships awarded are for tier 3 majors, but there are also fewer people applying as tier 3 majors.

As far as the ISR (Immediate Scholarship Reservation), that is out of your control, other than putting forth the very best application you can. Each NTAG commander has a fixed number of ISRs they can award (I believe the number is 5). They can do this in pretty much any way they see fit, so ling as the applicant meets to qualifications for the ISR. You do not apply for the ISR. Your application has to be selected by the NTAG. The NTAG commander must personally interview any candidate they award the ISR to. Some commanders make this a competitive process, interviewing more candidates than they have ISRs for and then deciding who to award them to. While others select the recipients, then interview them to confirm their choices. I've seen recent cases on here where NTAG commanders did not want to award ISRs to USNA applicants who had USNA as their first choice. When my DS was awarded an ISR (fall of 2016) the NTAG commander made it clear that the ISR was his so long as he planned to use it, but it would be fine to accept the ISR, then decline it if he was applying to USNA and was admitted. Since DS was not applying to USNA, this was not an issue. ISRs are often used to lock in top talent early in the process and some NTAG commanders may use them to award scholarships to exceptional applicants who may not otherwise be awarded a scholarship (such as an outstanding tier 3 applicant). As far as what constitutes an ISR, the benefits are the same as the regular 4 year, but it is awarded by the local NTAG commander, so it bypasses the selection boards. If an application is selected for an ISR, it is removed from consideration by the selection boards. Once the ISR is awarded, the application still has to be reviewed in Pensacola to ensure all qualifications are met and for assignment to a unit. Again, @GWU PNS has posted an much more in depth explanation of the process somewhere on the forum.
Click to expand...
Ironically, I posted in a thread called "NROTC ISR" 😎
 
TCartens said:
My DS was screended for ISR recently. How long does it take (approximately) to reveiw/screen/interview applicant's package to make a decision and approval by Pensacola?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "screened". If he was just interviewed by the NTAG commander, but no decision has been made, it would partially depend on when the commander makes a decision and forwards the application package. It would also depend on the timing of upcoming boards and the holidays could affect timing. In DS case, he was awarded the ISR in the second week of September. I believe he received the official notification and school placement in mid November.
 
GWU PNS said:
Ironically, I posted in a thread called "NROTC ISR" 😎
Click to expand...
Well, you post so much good, useful information that I wasn't sure exactly where you posted it. I figured with the bread crumbs in place a motivated applicant could find what they were looking for. 🔍;). I hope I didn't butcher the explanation too badly.
 
ProudDad17 said:
Well, you post so much good, useful information that I wasn't sure exactly where you posted it. I figured with the bread crumbs in place a motivated applicant could find what they were looking for. 🔍;). I hope I didn't butcher the explanation too badly.
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You were fine. I just felt like being mildly funny since my retirement orders just popped into my inbox.
 
GWU PNS said:
You were fine. I just felt like being mildly funny since my retirement orders just popped into my inbox.
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I can see I'm going to have to visit you before too long on my next trip to DC. Pretty soon every day will be Saturday for you too!
 
As a current tier 3 freshman, please don’t apply with a major you don’t genuinely think you’ll like. Hearing the other midshipmen talk about the courses they have to take for engineering has just made me more glad I didn’t try to apply with a tier 1/2 major. I could have done it, but I seriously doubt I would be enjoying myself as much as I do in my current classes. I’m looking at adding a second major (also tier 3), which should definitely be doable, just means I won’t have as easy of a senior year as I otherwise would (an advantage over higher tier majors—still doable to double major but more difficult). However, I would recommend saving that decision for once you get there. Also, I’m fairly sure all majors within a tier are considered equal (possibly a small difference for things like poli sci/international relations/languages the navy wants, but I’ve never heard anything definitive either way. Again, apply for something you’ll enjoy and the pieces will fall into place one way or another.)
 
kiri_45 said:
I want to serve first and foremost, regardless of money and/or if JAG is a feasible possibility or not.
I'm in my school's NJROTC program right now and I truly believe that I want to serve in the military (preferably the Navy) because of how much it shaped me as a character, as well as the duty and commitment I feel toward the military. Also, a lot of my family members have served and I want to follow in their footsteps (but neither my mother nor father served).
I'm not completely sure if I qualify for financial aid because my mother makes over $100k, but my parents are not together so my father does pay child support but the amount I'm not exactly sure. That's why I was primarily looking towards the NROTC scholarship, not only does it align with my morals and values but it would save my parents some stress.
But yes, I am absolutely aware of the kind of commitment expected of me if I win the scholarship and even if all else fails, I would likely enlist because my main priority is building my future with the US armed forces.
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Federal FASFA submittal requires BOTH parents to submit all financials regardless of supporting status. Unless, a parent has legally "signed over" all rights and responsibilities.
 
The CSS profile requires both parents, while FAFSA is primary custodial (188 days or more per year) parent only.
 
This is a great thread. I wish the well spoken, articulate, thoughtful OP the best in their pursuits.
 
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