Reflecting on the process

[Jcleppe]

This has been the second time we have gone through the Scholarship Application process. My first son applied in 2007 for the class of 2012. The process was a bit different then, the individual ROTC programs offered the scholarships and there was a lot less waiting. With the centalized system that is in place now it sure raises the anxioty level for the kids.

It seems that with the downturn in the economy and the perception of winding down combat operations more young people are looking to these scholarships to help pay for school. When my older son started his first year at school they were still trying to give scholarships to anyone that was qualified. Now so many good young people end up dissapointed.

The stats my older son had were about middle of the road compared to some I have read about on this board. He recieved the scholarship to all 5 schools he applied to and recieved a $2,000.00 bonus when he accepted his scholarship to the school he now attends, things have sure changed.

In talking with the PMS at the school my son is attending he has mixed feelings about how the process now works. He says while they get some good cadets, he has to just scratch his head with wonder over some that are selected. He wishes he had more input during the selection process.

My older son had a 3.6 unweighted GPA and an 1120 SAT. In todays standards that would be low, 3 years ago he was higly recruited by all the schools he applied to.

This year my younger son has applied and his stats are 3.5 unweighted GPA and a 24 ACT. I guess we will have to just wait and see how things turn out.

One thing to remember, those high marks in high school do not mean instant success at college and ROTC. It is a whole different world.

Good luck to all those waiting for the news.

 

[educateme]

I believe up to the class of 2013, life was good (I mean the odds of getting scholarship). I remember talking with a recruiting officer of a very popular battalion about a year ago, and he mentioned that for the class of 2013, they gave out 28 national scholarships for 4 year, and when the school started in the fall, they gave out another 12 campus scholarship. In face, anyone who were admitted into the schools they worked with got the scholarship if they wanted. He said, it's much more difficult to get into the schools he worked with than to get the scholarship. (this battalion works with 4 schools. Three of them are in the top 50 range. ALL of them very expensive private schools).

For the class of 2014, the total number of scholarship for this battalion was less than 50% of the number of the previous year. I expect the number will be even smaller this year.

It does appear though that with more cadets applying for the scholarship for the financial reason than ever before, the quality of the scholarship winners in terms of the true military orientation seems to have gone down - based on some conversations I had with the officers. All the more reason that the Cadet Command really need to vet their candidates more thoroughly. I heard that some board members do not read personal statements carefully, and mostly base their selection decision on the number of check marks on activities, SAT, GPA. Perhaps, they should start paying more attention to these non numerical aspects of the application.

 

[Jcleppe]

I have to agree with you. My son has noticed a decline in the number of cadets that seem to be able to cope with ROTC. My son was in the middle stat wise but has escelled in both school and ROTC. He was superior cadet his Sophomore class and is at the top of his Junior class. His MS3 class was at the end of the old process and is by far the superior class in the batallion. You can't always judge the book by it's cover.

My younger son just heard that he recieved his 4 year scholarship to at least his No. 1 choice school, The ROO that we talked to said he would let the other schools contact him themselves. I do think that every ROO handles the notifications differently. You should be hearing something soon. I'm sure glad the we are done with all this application stuff, this was the last one. Good luck