NROTC

C

cmsullivan18

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How hard is it to get a NROTC scholarship? I have been working through the application process for the Naval Academy, and recently got accepted to the summer seminar.

I know getting in is no easy task, and nothing is certain. I've started making a backup plan, which is (hopefully) receiving a NROTC scholarship.
 
The level of competition for a NROTC is high - you would be competing with talented young people who would like to serve as an officer in the Navy but prefer a more "normal" college experience.

You would not need a nomination for the scholarship, but many of the other application steps are similar in nature to those for the USNA application.
 
+1 to FMHS-79. NROTC stats are comparable to USNA stats if not just a smidge higher. NROTC doesn't have the geographic requirements that USNA has so they can be a bit more selective in some sense. However, it's possible to get one and there is the alternative of doing NROTC in college without the scholarship. In fact, that would be a good plan C if you are serious about becoming a Naval officer.
 
I agree with both of the above. We did not find much difference at all in the competition for the national scholarships vs. the academies. What makes you good for one makes you good for the other and from where I'm sitting it seems the ROTC funds are being focused more on the 3 years, so people can prove themselves at their school before the money becomes available.
 
eljay60 said:
I agree with both of the above. We did not find much difference at all in the competition for the national scholarships vs. the academies. What makes you good for one makes you good for the other and from where I'm sitting it seems the ROTC funds are being focused more on the 3 years, so people can prove themselves at their school before the money becomes available.
Click to expand...

Is Naval OCS also a good option?
 
It's an option, but NROTC is better. Here's why. OCS is used to fill up the officer pipeline as needed. If, between USNA and NROTC, the Navy sees it will need an additional 200 new ensigns that year, they will open p OCS for 200 new ensigns. If they don't need any additional new ensigns, then the will be zero OCS slots available. (I'm just using hypothetical numbers here as an illustration. I've no idea what average OCS numbers are). If you get into NROTC you have a surer path to a commission, and you spend four years getting prepared, developing your leadership skills, etc.
 
kinnem is exactly right about OCS - it's a flexible valve allowing top-offs of a year's expected production of Navy ensigns across all sources in a given officer accession year. The Navy can be very choosy as it shops through applicants to fill various recruiting goals.

If you are a STEM type and have any interest in submarines, explore the NUPOC program:

https://www.navy.com/joining/college-options/nupoc
 
OCS can be a great option as well, with important caveats...

Pro's -
You apply for and are accepted to a specific warfare community (Pilot, NFO, SWO, SEAL, etc) before you commit
You get to enjoy college life as a regular student with no military obligations

Con's -
You get to pay for college on your own
As stated above, OCS spots are limited, competitive, and change all the time based on needs of the Navy

Once in the fleet, nobody cares how you were commissioned
 
It is pretty hard, and may even be harder than getting into the college you want to attend for NROTC... There are a lot of moving parts (literally, like the PFT) and the interview, which actually matters unlike many college interviews.
But the key is that's it's not impossible.
 
Just for reference, I was accepted to USMA, denied to USNA, and received at 4 Year NROTC scholarship. So there really is so guessing how easy or difficult it is, I really think it varies
 
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