Grades are a significant factor. Most of these kids take on rigorous engineering majors at top universities and enter the ROTC environment that - unlike the service academies - is not geared toward helping them succeed. Think long and hard about this option and walk in with eyes wide open.
If you find a program that is not geared to help a engineer major succeed, look for a different program. There are ROTC programs out there that prioritize academic success (like Clarkson's program)
So, Clarkson, here's a question. How would we know if the ROTC program at any particular university supports academic success? What are the questions we should be asking, and who should we be asking them to? My son has received a 4-year offer to his top three schools.