Re-applying to the next board after being denied

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NavyHopefulMom

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We've searched high and low for this answer but can't find it. Hoping someone can help us out here. Our son is a senior and is applying for the NROTC scholarship. His math SAT isn't quite where it needs to be, so he'll take the text again in October. He'd like to apply for the first board October 17th, but that means submitting the current score. Our question is: If he's denied/rejected in the first board, can he re-apply for the November board? We've heard different answers. One person told us that he can re-apply in April, but we've also heard that he can apply to next board. Thank you!
 
NavyHopefulMom said:
We've searched high and low for this answer but can't find it. Hoping someone can help us out here. Our son is a senior and is applying for the NROTC scholarship. His math SAT isn't quite where it needs to be, so he'll take the text again in October. He'd like to apply for the first board October 17th, but that means submitting the current score. Our question is: If he's denied/rejected in the first board, can he re-apply for the November board? We've heard different answers. One person told us that he can re-apply in April, but we've also heard that he can apply to next board. Thank you!
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I promise you, as one of a half dozen people who sit several boards each year, there is no such thing as "reapplying". There is one application which is submitted somewhere from late spring up to the end of January of 2023. Then starting October, the NSTC team pulls all of the applications currently in the queue and they go in front of a board of 9 PNS folks. The scores which were submitted is what the board sees. A person is either selected, placed on an alternate list, or not selected.

Those on the alternate list will not hear any news until late April/May and then the alternates get chosen based on slots available. If someone believes they can do better on SAT/ACT, then it is better to get the new/better score, and submit that package, then to send in something which isn't the best.

Assuming the applicant does not get selected, then they can either try again the following year, and those applications start over in April, or they can sign on at their college as a College Programmer, and try to get one of the sideload scholarships.

If you wanted to mention which NTAG you have been dealing with, I can try to make the recruiters smarter. They are supposed to know these things and help get the word out.
 
Thank you very much for your response; very helpful and grateful for the clarity.

It sounds like it's best to wait for the November board as long as he can get his score up. The NTAG also told him that the first board has the most slots and he should just apply with his current scores and assets (630 English; 590 Math; 3.98 GPA; Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Civil Air Patrol; licensed pilot; excellent letters of recommendation) because there are the most spots available, but we've also heard that they're looking for a 700 math and with his low score he will likely be rejected. He wants this more than anything; longs to serve as a Naval Officer. Do you think it's best to wait until November?

We live in Colorado so it's the NTAG associated with this region.
 
The first board in October is in some ways like the first gymnast to show at the Olympics. The judges will be hesitant to hand out 10's because they don't know how many other great gymnasts are behind the first one.
 
GWU PNS said:
The first board in October is in some ways like the first gymnast to show at the Olympics. The judges will be hesitant to hand out 10's because they don't know how many other great gymnasts are behind the first one.
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Thank you for your insight Capt. Meyers.
I have seen many discussions on here about applicants trying to go in for the first board. What would be the benefit of doing that beside more available spots? Would it be better to avoid going in for the first board and just wait for the second?
I have also seen some posts about being boarded in October, but was not selected until the second/third board. Would that mean the application went to the alternate list after the first board and got pulled out for reconsideration at the second/third board?
 
GWU PNS said:
I promise you, as one of a half dozen people who sit several boards each year, there is no such thing as "reapplying". There is one application which is submitted somewhere from late spring up to the end of January of 2023. Then starting October, the NSTC team pulls all of the applications currently in the queue and they go in front of a board of 9 PNS folks. The scores which were submitted is what the board sees. A person is either selected, placed on an alternate list, or not selected.

Those on the alternate list will not hear any news until late April/May and then the alternates get chosen based on slots available. If someone believes they can do better on SAT/ACT, then it is better to get the new/better score, and submit that package, then to send in something which isn't the best.

Assuming the applicant does not get selected, then they can either try again the following year, and those applications start over in April, or they can sign on at their college as a College Programmer, and try to get one of the sideload scholarships.

If you wanted to mention which NTAG you have been dealing with, I can try to make the recruiters smarter. They are supposed to know these things and help get the word out.
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I see PLC007 beat me to this.....I am a bit confused as my son's recruiter saying get his package in asap so he can at least be considered on as many boards as possible.
 
bubblehead#22 said:
I see PLC007 beat me to this.....I am a bit confused as my son's recruiter saying get his package in asap so he can at least be considered on as many boards as possible.
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And by "considered", I don't mean reviewed, but whatever "score" he was given in the first board is thrown in and compared to scores in all subsequent boards. Capt. Meyers, you are the expert, but my weak understanding is that each package is given a raw score, one time. So in the fist board any raw score above, say, 100 is selected, the rest "rolled" into subsequent boards. So if your raw score was 95, you don't get selected at that board but if the third board cutoff comes in at 94, you would then get selected at that third board. Sorry if this is completely off base.
 
bubblehead#22 said:
And by "considered", I don't mean reviewed, but whatever "score" he was given in the first board is thrown in and compared to scores in all subsequent boards. Capt. Meyers, you are the expert, but my weak understanding is that each package is given a raw score, one time. So in the fist board any raw score above, say, 100 is selected, the rest "rolled" into subsequent boards. So if your raw score was 95, you don't get selected at that board but if the third board cutoff comes in at 94, you would then get selected at that third board. Sorry if this is completely off base.
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You are close to the ground truth. Each board ranks independently of the others. Over time as the boards are held, we get an idea of where the cut line will settle out. But it takes at least 3 months or so to start seeing that. And last year, perhaps because of covid, there was a deluge of applications submitted in January.

Now, why recruiters tell people to hurry and submit? Perhaps they think we keep scoring those records but that just isn't the case. I really think they tell people to hurry because they don't want to deal with the big crunch at the last minute.
 
And I forgot one thing. Some people really want to get an early decision from their university of choice. Sometimes, being able to upload the NROTC scholarship letter can help with that.
 
Back when our DD and DS applied they knew they were not going to have any improvements to test score and they really strong packages, so they wanted to get their top choice college (when there were only a certain number allocated to each college). For them, their strategy worked and they were awarded the scholarships to their top college choice. They had taken the SAT/ACT multiple times their Junior year and early summer prior to senior year, though, so that they would be able to submit their best package early. If there is good reason to believe that the October test scores will be more competitive, I would wait to submit. All of the other requirements could be worked on now though, so as soon as the test scores come in, then the completed packet can be ready to submit.
 
@GWU PNS provides awesome details that underline and reinforce the recurring advice on SAF: Submit the best application you can, as early as you can — with the emphasis on best.

Every year we see here applicants for ROTC and the SAs who, in their rush to be “early” or “first,” neglect pieces of information, forget certain points, overlook specific instructions. They either double back to take care of what they missed, or they lament the lost opportunity. So yes, emphasis on “best” and not “early” or “first.”
 
NavyHopefulMom said:
his current scores and assets (630 English; 590 Math; 3.98 GPA; Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Civil Air Patrol; licensed pilot; excellent letters of recommendation)
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I took a look at how our first board went from last year. Those selected had very good SAT scores -- read that as >1300 with most >1400. And very much most (weird expression I know) were Tier 1. And we look at all the teacher evaluations......but we  really look at the math teacher comments. Why? Because 85% of those who get placed on academic probation struggle with calculus and physics.
NavyHopefulMom said:
we've also heard that they're looking for a 700 math and with his low score he will likely be rejected.
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We want as high a math score as possible for the reasons I mentioned above.

Not to discourage anyone from sending in an early package. But folks should be fully aware that we know what we're looking for and when it just isn't there, an early submission does not equal greater chance of success. Good luck this year to everyone!
 
Again, thank you very much, Captain Meyers. My husband, son, and I are reading your comments closely. He'll definitely wait until November and pour himself into studying for the October 1 SAT. He'll be a Tier 1 (aerospace engineering) as aerospace, aviation, military have been his passion since he was two years old (quite literally). And one of the recommendations is from his math teacher, who also gave him the math award at his school last year. He excels in math and science, but his creative brain struggles with these standardized tests. Nevertheless, he'll stay at it until he gets the 700 that he needs in order to have a chance at the scholarship. Thank you.
 
GWU PNS said:
I took a look at how our first board went from last year. Those selected had very good SAT scores -- read that as >1300 with most >1400. And very much most (weird expression I know) were Tier 1. And we look at all the teacher evaluations......but we  really look at the math teacher comments. Why? Because 85% of those who get placed on academic probation struggle with calculus and physics.

We want as high a math score as possible for the reasons I mentioned above.

Not to discourage anyone from sending in an early package. But folks should be fully aware that we know what we're looking for and when it just isn't there, an early submission does not equal greater chance of success. Good luck this year to
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GWU PNS said:
I took a look at how our first board went from last year. Those selected had very good SAT scores -- read that as >1300 with most >1400. And very much most (weird expression I know) were Tier 1. And we look at all the teacher evaluations......but we  really look at the math teacher comments. Why? Because 85% of those who get placed on academic probation struggle with calculus and physics.

We want as high a math score as possible for the reasons I mentioned above.

Not to discourage anyone from sending in an early package. But folks should be fully aware that we know what we're looking for and when it just isn't there, an early submission does not equal greater chance of success. Good luck this year to everyone!
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Sorry Captain Meyers, I have one last ask on this matter. Given that my son is a tier 2, and considering your gymnastics reference above, I am wondering if he’s better off waiting until the second board. He has a 1510 SAT and his package might be ready for the first board, but maybe he has a better chance waiting? Or am I overthinking this? Thank you, again, for your guidance.
 
bubblehead#22 said:
Sorry Captain Meyers, I have one last ask on this matter. Given that my son is a tier 2, and considering your gymnastics reference above, I am wondering if he’s better off waiting until the second board. He has a 1510 SAT and his package might be ready for the first board, but maybe he has a better chance waiting? Or am I overthinking this? Thank you, again, for your guidance.
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You could be overthinking a bit, which is understandable. Things change every year. I have faith in the process. The folks who stick with it and are dedicated usually figure it out and get selected.
 
Everyone in here is only mentioned SAT scores. What if the candidate only submitted ACT scores? What are the mins they want to see for those?
 
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