Possible to Graduate in 3.5 or 3 years when on ROTC Scholarship? (Just Curious)

[Herman_Snerd]

Hi All,

Just curious - is it possible to complete NROTC training, graduate with a bachelors degree, and start your commission sooner, for those who are in a position to graduate in 3 or 3.5 years?

Ex. If a student starts college with a lot of AP credits (more than 30), takes a couple of six week summer semesters around Cortramid etc. needs (at own expense), maybe takes a couple of 18 credit semesters, and fulfills the requirements for the degree in 3 or 3.5 years.

My understanding is that if you earn the degree, you can commission. But what about the stuff NROTC would train you on, over all 4 years? You'd miss a year. What about the third/second/first summer training needs for such a path?

Pure hypothetical - honestly our focus right now is getting ready for semester 1 and getting through NSI/ NSO. also honestly I want DS to have every minute of school, But it just would be good to know if this has been done, and how if so.

I did a quick search as I thought I asked this already, but didn't find it. Ah the joy of getting old

Thanks!

 

[kinnem]

I personally know a Marine Option who did it in 3.5 years and that was with a semester abroad. Of course it required doubling up on Naval Science classes but it's not so difficult for a Marine Option as it would be for a Navy Option.

3 years is probably not doable because the final summer "cruise" has critical required training for both Navy and Marine options. Never hurts to ask the cadre though. It might be possible to complete everything except that required training in 3 years but commissioning wouldn't occur until the required training is completed.

 

[5centsmom]

Our experience is much more limited than Kinnem’s. DS is saying more MDNs in his unit are looking at 4.5 to meet all the requirements of Navy, University, and major. DS came into his program with bountiful AP credits and a very advanced math & science standing. This has allowed him to plan a 4y university schedule (if he didn’t have 2nd y calc already nailed he couldn’t do his major in 4y in terms of course progression) but bc of when courses are offered (which semesters as well as possibly conflicting day/times), he’s taking classes some summers and winter sessions. His uni also is particular about what is taken where. Is there a reason to compress the schedule to 3y for your MDN?

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Thanks for the guidance here @5centsmom and @kinnem - this is helpful. Just to clarify, no, this isn't a real plan or need. I'm 95% sure my DS will just hopefully enjoy 4 years of training for his commission at university. I suspect he too will look to use the credits toward a 4 year degree and navigate around any challenges. But if he takes 16 credits for a couple of semesters, and maybe one summer session - he'll finish 1-2 semesters early early given the surprisingly high number of credits he got now that the dust settled from AP/ Dual credit courses and for his FAA licenses. I just don't know what else there will be for him to do for 8 full semesters, as the navy does not want to pay for a second major/ grad courses sprinkled in, so the details you both provided are helpful just for us to tuck away, for now. Thanks again!

[QUOTE=" Is there a reason to compress the schedule to 3y for your MDN?[/QUOTE]

 

[kinnem]

Thanks for the guidance here @5centsmom and @kinnem - this is helpful. Just to clarify, no, this isn't a real plan or need. I'm 95% sure my DS will just hopefully enjoy 4 years of training for his commission at university. I suspect he too will look to use the credits toward a 4 year degree and navigate around any challenges. But if he takes 16 credits for a couple of semesters, and maybe one summer session - he'll finish 1-2 semesters early early given the surprisingly high number of credits he got now that the dust settled from AP/ Dual credit courses and for his FAA licenses. I just don't know what else there will be for him to do for 8 full semesters, as the navy does not want to pay for a second major/ grad courses sprinkled in, so the details you both provided are helpful just for us to tuck away, for now. Thanks again!

Is there a reason to compress the schedule to 3y for your MDN?

One way to approach the "what will I do with the extra semesters issue" is to just make sure you don't meet all your requirements for graduation, such as some required major course not yet completed). I think as long as he is fully matriculated and will graduate on time (4 years) they'll let him take any courses he wants (at least I can't imagine why they wouldn't) . Of course this would be a perfect topic for discussion with his NROTC adviser when they cover his course plan each semester.

EDIT: I would add that Navy Option MIDNs have 8 semesters worth of Naval Science classes that they have to complete, which might help with this.

 

[Torero_dad]

Hi All,

Just curious - is it possible to complete NROTC training, graduate with a bachelors degree, and start your commission sooner, for those who are in a position to graduate in 3 or 3.5 years?

Ex. If a student starts college with a lot of AP credits (more than 30), takes a couple of six week summer semesters around Cortramid etc. needs (at own expense), maybe takes a couple of 18 credit semesters, and fulfills the requirements for the degree in 3 or 3.5 years.

My understanding is that if you earn the degree, you can commission. But what about the stuff NROTC would train you on, over all 4 years? You'd miss a year. What about the third/second/first summer training needs for such a path?

Pure hypothetical - honestly our focus right now is getting ready for semester 1 and getting through NSI/ NSO. also honestly I want DS to have every minute of school, But it just would be good to know if this has been done, and how if so.

I did a quick search as I thought I asked this already, but didn't find it. Ah the joy of getting old

Thanks!

If a scholarship recipient, I'm not sure why one would do this. You'll have 4 years of school paid, why not explore a double major or second minor. Something which might broaden horizon or prepare MDN for life after service. Seems it would shortchange student edcuationally and shift the overall economics of the agreement towards the Navy favor.

 

[thibaud]

Agree with Torero_dad. It's very difficult to do any technical major in 4 years without risking overload or burnout.

Better to take the full 4 years and do a reasonable course load that allows at least some exploration of areas and courses that will broaden your outlook and understanding of the world.

You'll likely never have the chance to consider big issues and dive deep into abstract subjects in this way, on a university campus, again in your life. Take advantage of it while you can.

 

[thibaud]

To the OP: Not to belabor the point, but have you looked at your target school's concentration pathways?

Most undergraduate Engineering programs and many Science B.S. programs require a prescribed set of courses taken in a strict sequence, and many of those prescribed courses are only offered in Fall or Spring. Which means, if you miss a step in the sequence, it may be literally impossible for you to graduate in 4 years.

Do your due diligence. Go to the webpage for the particular department of your intended major and look up their graduation requirements - often they will have a link to .pdf file that either shows a flow chart highlighting the course sequence or else a "bingo card" ie a table indicating which courses are offered when and in what order.

Make sure you can complete those requirements on your intended schedule.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Thanks @Torero_dad, @kinnem and @thibaud

Excellent points and detail about Naval Science needs - thanks. Not in disagreement.

Just to share for those who may read this in the future, we did speak with the NROTC Accessions Officer at his school during the application process repeatedly, and at his school he was very specific - the Navy is not OK to fund courses at the grad level or for a second major, or minor, but there is some leeway otherwise. Also have the full details for his courses needed for his major and sequence of those from the college site - from that perspective (not navy but his bachelors) my DS could easily graduate in 3 years at this point.

The details y'all have shared helps us better understand options and we can tuck this away for now -- for the reasons you stated, I think he'll enjoy at -least 4 years of college. I hope he does, and even takes a summer abroad around cortramid,/ summer cruises because I want him to have the best experience he can. After a couple of semesters and maybe some summer work next year where he might isolate some physics and calc work and just get that tackled, if he finds himself interested in graduating early - it's good to know the options - thanks again.

One way to approach the "what will I do with the extra semesters issue" is to just make sure you don't meet all your requirements for graduation, such as some required major course not yet completed). I think as long as he is fully matriculated and will graduate on time (4 years) they'll let him take any courses he wants (at least I can't imagine why they wouldn't) . Of course this would be a perfect topic for discussion with his NROTC adviser when they cover his course plan each semester.

EDIT: I would add that Navy Option MIDNs have 8 semesters worth of Naval Science classes that they have to complete, which might help with this.

 

[ProudDad17]

Thanks @Torero_dad, @kinnem and @thibaud

Excellent points and detail about Naval Science needs - thanks. Not in disagreement.

Just to share for those who may read this in the future, we did speak with the NROTC Accessions Officer at his school during the application process repeatedly, and at his school he was very specific - the Navy is not OK to fund courses at the grad level or for a second major, or minor, but there is some leeway otherwise. Also have the full details for his courses needed for his major and sequence of those from the college site - from that perspective (not navy but his bachelors) my DS could easily graduate in 3 years at this point.

The details y'all have shared helps us better understand options and we can tuck this away for now -- for the reasons you stated, I think he'll enjoy at -least 4 years of college. I hope he does, and even takes a summer abroad around cortramid,/ summer cruises because I want him to have the best experience he can. After a couple of semesters and maybe some summer work next year where he might isolate some physics and calc work and just get that tackled, if he finds himself interested in graduating early - it's good to know the options - thanks again.

One way to approach the "what will I do with the extra semesters issue" is to just make sure you don't meet all your requirements for graduation, such as some required major course not yet completed). I think as long as he is fully matriculated and will graduate on time (4 years) they'll let him take any courses he wants (at least I can't imagine why they wouldn't) . Of course this would be a perfect topic for discussion with his NROTC adviser when they cover his course plan each semester.

EDIT: I would add that Navy Option MIDNs have 8 semesters worth of Naval Science classes that they have to complete, which might help with this.

Just a word of caution about taking physics and calculus courses over the summer. If he is planning to take them at a school other than his host university, he needs to clear it with his NROTC unit first. My son was telling me last year that some mids from his unit were planning to take these classes at universities close to home over the summer but were told by the unit that those classes would not count. These specific classes must be taken at the host university, although I believe they could be taken at another NROTC host university.

 

[Torero_dad]

ProudDad17 makes a good point that is true for any course away from the enrolled institution, many will have home/away unit requirements.

From the MO NROTC perspective, How would ProjectGo https://www.rotcprojectgo.org/ fit into the schedule of summer training events? It doesn't seem wise to skip any of the ones detailed (NSI, cortamid, MWS, OCS). But I'm reading that periodically these are cancelled.

Can one or other be skipped? Appears most of ProjectGo are full summer events covering May to August @45 to 60 hours of coursework/practice per week.

 

[kinnem]

ProudDad17 makes a good point that is true for any course away from the enrolled institution, many will have home/away unit requirements.

From the MO NROTC perspective, How would ProjectGo https://www.rotcprojectgo.org/ fit into the schedule of summer training events? It doesn't seem wise to skip any of the ones detailed (NSI, cortamid, MWS, OCS). But I'm reading that periodically these are cancelled.

Can one or other be skipped? Appears most of ProjectGo are full summer events covering May to August @45 to 60 hours of coursework/practice per week.

There are no other summer training events beyond those you mention. OCS will never be cancelled and is required to commission. DS skipped Mt Warfare and did a cruise on an Amphib ship instead but if need be I think one might skip that summer if it conflicts with Project go... but the MIDB should check with the cadre on that. DS was not on scholarship at the time so did not attend CORTRAMID. That cold be another project Go opportnity especially for a Marine Option, since exposure to the other areas of the Navy is probably not so important, unless the MIDN wants to fly. Just my thoughts. Always check with cadre.

 

[Torero_dad]

Thanks, I did not understand those other training sessions (post NSI and NSO) are only for Scholarship/Advanced Standing students.

 

[PurplePanther]

ProudDad17 makes a good point that is true for any course away from the enrolled institution, many will have home/away unit requirements.

From the MO NROTC perspective, How would ProjectGo https://www.rotcprojectgo.org/ fit into the schedule of summer training events? It doesn't seem wise to skip any of the ones detailed (NSI, cortamid, MWS, OCS). But I'm reading that periodically these are cancelled.

Can one or other be skipped? Appears most of ProjectGo are full summer events covering May to August @45 to 60 hours of coursework/practice per week.

MWS is no more as of this year and the current 2/C cruise can be waived for PGO as most programs are 8-12 weeks.

 

[5centsmom]

DS has had the experience where his Uni declined to allow him to miss 2-3 days of a summer course at their campus and refused to accept another local-to-his-home Uni’s credits too (this Uni also has NROTC). His unit was fine with either plan. Best laid plans and all...

I also wonder about how the msg “not paying for a double major” was perceived versus intended. Now I get that the NROTC program isn’t going to pay extra course fees (some Uni’s charge by credit hour above & beyond a set credit hour number per semester). But double majors happen. As do minors and concentrations (or whatever the individual Uni calls it). I’ve read a lot of Navy bios, and there are a lot of these.

I’ll add this one bit more of DS’ experience: his GPA was so good 1st semester his intended major’s Department threw another scholarship at him. A nice chunk of change he got to deposit (or pay toward future expenses) and he never had to apply for it. This type of thing happens when you do well: people open up opportunities for you. Just another example that doing well is sometimes better than doing more.

 

[FastFood44]

To answer the overall question, yes very possible as long as you juggle your naval science classes.

To give some stats, in 2018 my unit graduated everyone on the normal 4 year schedule. Last year (2019) we graduated one MIDN early (out of 18). Next year for the 2019-2020 academic year we plan on graduating two out of roughly 15 early.

 

[NavyMom98]

My son just completed his second year. He is on track to finish in 3 1/2 years, but will need approval from his unit to double up on Naval Science this spring. He just realized it at the end of spring semester, so he'll seek approval this fall when he returns. I've tried to talk him into sticking around and maybe taking a bit lighter load, but especially now that he did his 2/C cruise, and loved it, he is anxious to move on to the next step. They have 1-2 early graduates per year from his unit.