October 15, 2012 AROTC Board

I have a quick question. I applied for an AROTC Scholorship for the class of 2017, but did not get selected at the first board. I feel that this may be due to the major that I selected. I selected a pre-med major, but based on how few of the cadets actually go on to medical school and how difficult it is to succeed in a pre-med program, the number of scholorships given out for this major probably is limited (I don't know if this is fact, so please correct me if this is a wrong assumption). So my question is, would it benefit me if I was to switch majors on my application to a major that would increase my likelyhood of receiving a scholorship? Thanks!!
 
^I also selected a pre-med major on my application, and I would like to know the answer to this question also. Thanks in advance for any replies.
 
I have a quick question. I applied for an AROTC Scholorship for the class of 2017, but did not get selected at the first board. I feel that this may be due to the major that I selected. I selected a pre-med major, but based on how few of the cadets actually go on to medical school and how difficult it is to succeed in a pre-med program, the number of scholorships given out for this major probably is limited (I don't know if this is fact, so please correct me if this is a wrong assumption). So my question is, would it benefit me if I was to switch majors on my application to a major that would increase my likelyhood of receiving a scholorship? Thanks!!

What was your actual Major?

Same question for you efirestone14
 
I really do not think your major is going to have a large effect on your chances.
 
If you receive a scholarship your status page will change. When it changes it will only state at first that you received a scholarship. It will take a few days before the status page changes again to show which school/schools the scholarship was awarded. The status change will not tell if the award is a 4 or 3 year scholarship.

After the final status change Cadet Command will send out a confirmation letter with the official notice of award. The letter will tell you whether the scholarship is for 4 years or a 3 year AD. The letter you receive is the Official Notice, until you receive the letter nothing is official even though your status page has changed.

Once you receive the letter you will have 30 days to accept or decline the scholarship award. Do not decline the offer because it was not to a school you wanted thinking you will be reviewed again. If you decline the scholarship, that's it, your done.

If your status page has not changed by the time the letters are sent out then you will be rolled over to the next board.

Good Luck everyone.









I'm also a applicant, my online status hasn't change from everything being "recieved" and "medical: not received". Does this mean I didn't make the first board meeting cut?

Also has anyone else's status changed, I'm curious
 
Yes, you have been reboarded. The First Board has spoken... :thumbdown:

Same situation as my DS. He spoke with his ROO who told him (which echos earlier comments on this board) that the first board is very competitive and only the top percentile of scholarship applications are winners at this board. He went on to say that his school had 3 scholarship winners for 1st board and their average composite ACT score was 31, High School GPA 3.8. This was for Iowa State University.

Of course with scores like that, it begs the question; of those "3" winners, how many will also be receiving a Service Academy appointment? So, come spring 2013, some of these scholarships could be turned back in (in theory at least).

Best of luck to you, be sure to have backup plans as a CYA (cover your a##).

:thumb:
 
Tgun,

I agree for Iowa, that is pretty impressive stats, and I am betting my beloved Myrtle (dog) that Iowa is going to give them a great merit package too. No offense, but they are not what I would consider a Public Ivy like UNCCH, NYU, etc. I am sure it is a great college, just saying 31 and 3.8 is impressive for an IS university, even the flagship when you look at their stats for all of their admitted students.

Theoretically the problem about spring getting some scholarships thrown back in the pot has 3 issues.

1. March is the time frame they do their mass mailings. This means the bulk will probably get an appointment after or around the last AROTC board, so the money is not back in the pot.

2. USMA has stated that this yr., they will be reducing the number of apptmts., like the AFA. I can't recall by how much, but I am sure scout will be able to inform of us how many less will be given out, or tell us all that I am misinformed.

3. Many appointees will hold onto their scholarships until they report to the SA, for fear of injury before reporting in July.
~~~ That is always a hot topic on the SA threads...do I keep my scholarship, pay the school deposit now that I have an appointment?

LY there was talk that candidates who did not get an appointment, nor a scholarship that AROTC holds a mini board in late April/May for those applicants. I can't recall the answer, but I think it was no, they didn't do that.

This is not the time to worry at all, because this is just a small awarding compared to the next few boards. It is not uncommon to be re-boarded and get a scholarship later on. Just make sure you have plan B, C and D in place when it comes to how you will attend your dream college.
 
Thanks Pima!

Our DS has been starting to think about his plan B which is SMP (Army ROTC and National Guard). I've helped him with some research into the tuition assistance benefits available to him. We compared State level National Guard tuition assistance programs and found that Minnesota seemed to be the most comprehensive.

Once you complete basic training, you are eligible for 100% tuition reimbursement up to $12000 per year, plus the Federal Tuition Assistance (paid directly to the school) of $4500 per year (the two combined cannot exceed the total annual tuition however). I have found no restrictions on using the state program for an out of state school in the documentation I read thus far.

On top of that, you would have your monthly weekend drill pay of $196, and the MN GI Bill of $1000 per semester (not limited to tuition maximum).

Once you complete AIT (technical school for us Air Force blue-suiters), you would also be eligible for the MGIB (Mongomery GI Bill, pre-911) which is $356per month and GI Bill kicker of $350 per month (while attending school full time 12 credits or more per semester).

If and when you Contract with Army ROTC, your monthly drill-pay increases to $287 per month (E-5 rate), and you would then also receive your ROTC stipend of $300 per month. While enlisted NG SMP with college ROTC, you would also qualify for $7500 annually for Federally backed student loan repayment (which would stop once you commission and leave NG for active duty).

Of course there are drawbacks... DS would need a vehicle to drive from college to Armory for drill weekends, it is another committment on top of normal college and daily ROTC requirements, and you effectively have no summer breaks (Basic prior to Freshman year, AIT prior to Sophomore year).
Would also need to be careful to ensure you have an SMP slot so that you are not in a deployable status which would certainly interfere with completing college in 4 consecutive years if you deployed for 6-12 months.

If you truly want active duty, you would need to be careful to not be swooned into accepting a GRFD scholarship, which would lock you into Guard duty only (two years scholarship: Junior and Senior years).

The one big question I have is if DS signs up for enlisted NG and they schedule him for Basic Training, can he rescind this enlistment contract in the event he receives an AFROTC scholarship, AROTC scholarship or AFA/USMA/CGA appointment prior to departing for Basic? I think the answer is Yes, but we do need to verify.

DS' ROO at ISU stated he needed to meet with a NG recruiter very soon if he wants to attend Basic Training in time (summer 2013) to start college Fall 2013.

DS is hopeful for a 3-year AFROTC type 7 scholarship to either ISU or University of North Dakota for Meteorlogy (ISU is his 1st choice, UND 2nd). ISU is out of state tuition for us, as MN and IA do not have tuition reciprocity. UND would be in-state tuition (ND and MN have tuition reciprocity). DS does qualify for a $4500 merit scholarship from ISU (good for all 4 years), so that does help reduce the out of state tuition down to a more manageable amount.

I wish the AF had an SMP type of program. The only path to AF commissioning in that Plan ("C" perhaps), would be to enlist in the MN Air National Guard, qualify and use the above noted tuition bennies, not do ROTC at all (which also means no cadet stipend, no E-5 drill pay bump), and when in senior year, meet with Air Force Officer Accessions (recruiter) to apply and qualify for an OTS (Officer training school) slot and complete the application paperwork for ANG release. :thumb:
 
I don't want to hijack an AROTC thread, so I will answer this now in a general perspective, but would suggest you start a new thread AFROTC vs, AROTC.

1. NG enlistment and AFROTC scholarship
I cannot and will not answer that because I don't know of anyone on this board that has ever chosen this route.

2. Scholarship

They do not offer Type 2 3 yr as a HS candidate option. It is type 2 or 7 4 yr. He will be offered the option to convert it to a type 2 3 yr. after being awarded a type 7.

For HS candidates there is no:
Type 1 4 yr
Type 2 4 yr
Type 2 3 yr
Type 7 4 yr

It is straight shot 1,2 or 7 4 yrs.

3. Merit/Costs

Remember merit can go to R &B. Have you talked to ISU to see if they waive any of their rates for ROTC cadets? Look at the sticky here to see if they are on the list. If they aren't on the list don't assume anything. That list was comprised by posters and it is a couple of yrs old Things change. Contact the bursar or the det.


Again, I would suggest creating a thread regarding NG AFROTC option, hopefully grads like Nick4060, and AFROTC cadets will chime in.

Back on topic. AROTC if you have heard zip at this point the answer is you were not awarded a scholarship.
 
I'm going through the same process. Based on my research their is a deployable possibility after your DS completes AIT going into their sophomore year. Just be wary of that fact. If your ok losing GI bill benefits and the kicker you can still recieve the federal tuition assistance and state benefits as a guardsmen by not completing AIT or basic. Correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Thanks Pima!

Our DS has been starting to think about his plan B which is SMP (Army ROTC and National Guard). I've helped him with some research into the tuition assistance benefits available to him. We compared State level National Guard tuition assistance programs and found that Minnesota seemed to be the most comprehensive.

Once you complete basic training, you are eligible for 100% tuition reimbursement up to $12000 per year, plus the Federal Tuition Assistance (paid directly to the school) of $4500 per year (the two combined cannot exceed the total annual tuition however). I have found no restrictions on using the state program for an out of state school in the documentation I read thus far.

On top of that, you would have your monthly weekend drill pay of $196, and the MN GI Bill of $1000 per semester (not limited to tuition maximum).

Once you complete AIT (technical school for us Air Force blue-suiters), you would also be eligible for the MGIB (Mongomery GI Bill, pre-911) which is $356per month and GI Bill kicker of $350 per month (while attending school full time 12 credits or more per semester).

If and when you Contract with Army ROTC, your monthly drill-pay increases to $287 per month (E-5 rate), and you would then also receive your ROTC stipend of $300 per month. While enlisted NG SMP with college ROTC, you would also qualify for $7500 annually for Federally backed student loan repayment (which would stop once you commission and leave NG for active duty).

Of course there are drawbacks... DS would need a vehicle to drive from college to Armory for drill weekends, it is another committment on top of normal college and daily ROTC requirements, and you effectively have no summer breaks (Basic prior to Freshman year, AIT prior to Sophomore year).
Would also need to be careful to ensure you have an SMP slot so that you are not in a deployable status which would certainly interfere with completing college in 4 consecutive years if you deployed for 6-12 months.

If you truly want active duty, you would need to be careful to not be swooned into accepting a GRFD scholarship, which would lock you into Guard duty only (two years scholarship: Junior and Senior years).

The one big question I have is if DS signs up for enlisted NG and they schedule him for Basic Training, can he rescind this enlistment contract in the event he receives an AFROTC scholarship, AROTC scholarship or AFA/USMA/CGA appointment prior to departing for Basic? I think the answer is Yes, but we do need to verify.

DS' ROO at ISU stated he needed to meet with a NG recruiter very soon if he wants to attend Basic Training in time (summer 2013) to start college Fall 2013.

DS is hopeful for a 3-year AFROTC type 7 scholarship to either ISU or University of North Dakota for Meteorlogy (ISU is his 1st choice, UND 2nd). ISU is out of state tuition for us, as MN and IA do not have tuition reciprocity. UND would be in-state tuition (ND and MN have tuition reciprocity). DS does qualify for a $4500 merit scholarship from ISU (good for all 4 years), so that does help reduce the out of state tuition down to a more manageable amount.

I wish the AF had an SMP type of program. The only path to AF commissioning in that Plan ("C" perhaps), would be to enlist in the MN Air National Guard, qualify and use the above noted tuition bennies, not do ROTC at all (which also means no cadet stipend, no E-5 drill pay bump), and when in senior year, meet with Air Force Officer Accessions (recruiter) to apply and qualify for an OTS (Officer training school) slot and complete the application paperwork for ANG release. :thumb:

Tgun,

Is it essential for your DS to do BCT prior to freshman year? DS waited out AROTC scholarship boards and swore into the Ohio Guard in June, right after graduation and was promised(and it was kept) that he would attend BCT summer AFTER freshman year. He was still given Ohio tuition reimbursement and drill pay while in his freshman year. Since he could not attend AIT prior to sophomore year(again, promised by his recruiter and ROO) he didn't need to worry about deployment and recently did contract AROTC. He will not attend AIT and will not receive any GI Kicker funds (his package of scholarships(merit and NGuard/AROTC unit benefits are already exceeding his cost of attendance at his university). Stipend and E5 drill pay are a bonus at this time(which I'm trying to get him to SAVE for potential grad or law school!)

About having a car, yes, my DS does have one on campus, but many of them carpool to and from drill(plus split the cost of hotels when needed).

After suriving DS's summer of BCT, please consider the emotional and physical toll of NOT having summers off for two years. He had approximately 4 days after finals until he reported for BCT and 3 days after graduation until classes began. It was stressful for all involved. Also, remember, if something happens while at BCT (injury, illness) he could face recycle and miss the beginning of his freshman year. DS had many BCT recycles in his platoon due to such things as heat exhaustion(Benning in the summer:wink:) injuries as simple as a bad ankle sprain etc... DS knew this risk(as did I) but I felt better knowing he had his freshman year under his belt. These are just thoughts I'm sharing - only you and your DS know what is right for your family situation and his future military career:thumb:
 
Mom421,

I sent you a PM. Please check your inbox when you have a chance.

Ulysses
 
4yr awarded

My son was awarded the 4year (to Auburn) from the first board. He now has to accept or decline. Incidentally, his sister is also at Auburn on NROTC. He is also applying NROTC (MC option), AFROTC, USNA, USAFA, and USMA. He just received word that he got a Senator's nomination to USAFA, and he interviews with our congressman tomorrow for the USNA nomination. Since he may not hear from the Academies until March, what happens if he accepts the AROTC scholarship and then receives an appointment to, say, USNA in March?

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of scenario? I'm not sure how to advise him.
 
My son was awarded the 4year (to Auburn) from the first board. He now has to accept or decline. Incidentally, his sister is also at Auburn on NROTC. He is also applying NROTC (MC option), AFROTC, USNA, USAFA, and USMA. He just received word that he got a Senator's nomination to USAFA, and he interviews with our congressman tomorrow for the USNA nomination. Since he may not hear from the Academies until March, what happens if he accepts the AROTC scholarship and then receives an appointment to, say, USNA in March?

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of scenario? I'm not sure how to advise him.

He can accept the scholarship now and turn it down if he's offered an appointment to an academy or another ROTC scholarship later. My son was in that same situation last year and he accepted both ROTC scholarships that were offered and released one when he had all his ducks in a row to make up his mind. Congratulations to your son!
 
Hello pfhsfco, first off congratulations to your son on being awared the AROTC scholarship! I was wondering if you don't mind sharing your son's stats, And is your daughter on scholarship for NROTC or just a programer? I am currently an applicant for AROTC and NROTC scholarships and my #1 choice for both is Auburn, I'm hoping more for the NROTC scholarship though. Thanks in advance for any reply and again congrats! I can't imagine how excited he is.
 
Many of you did not receive an offer from the OCT Board. A lot may have happened between OCT and now. Take a look at your list of schools. My advice is to remove the ones that did not accept you. Replace them with other schools, don't just leave those spots blank. If your opinion of certain programs has changed since your initial ranking, rank them again based on your cureent preferences.
 
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