Relative Odds for Tier 3/Non-Tech Major?

[franknd]

It is my impression that as between AROTC, AFROTC, and NROTC (not including Marine option), as a non-tech major it is relatively easiest to be awarded an AROTC scholarship. Is that a general and accurate consensus?

Second, setting aside AROTC, as between NROTC and a Type 7 AFROTC, does anyone here know which offers better odds for a non-tech major?

Third, let's say a non-tech kid enrolls in ROTC with no scholarship (which I did back in the Dark Ages). Do PMS/PAS/PNS encourage non-scholarship kids to apply? We were definitely encouraged and had good results, but my info is way out of date, so I'm wondering if this still holds. If it does, are there relative differences between AROTC/NROTC/AFROTC in this respect? I'll note that based on the data I could find, which is by no means definitive, it seems to me that relatively fewer AFROTC kids commission on scholarship than AROTC or NROTC, but I'd be curious to hear that from someone who knows more than I.

Lots of questions. Thanks for any answers.

 

[kinnem]

It is my impression that as between AROTC, AFROTC, and NROTC (not including Marine option), as a non-tech major it is relatively easiest to be awarded an AROTC scholarship. Is that a general and accurate consensus?

I would definitely agree with that assessment. Army generally doesn't care what your major is. Same with NROTC MO.

Second, setting aside AROTC, as between NROTC and a Type 7 AFROTC, does anyone here know which offers better odds for a non-tech major?

No idea. I wouldn't think numbers are actually available to make a determination. If I were to make a guess it would be that they are about the same.

Third, let's say a non-tech kid enrolls in ROTC with no scholarship (which I did back in the Dark Ages). Do PMS/PAS/PNS encourage non-scholarship kids to apply? We were definitely encouraged and had good results, but my info is way out of date, so I'm wondering if this still holds. If it does, are there relative differences between AROTC/NROTC/AFROTC in this respect? I'll note that based on the data I could find, which is by no means definitive, it seems to me that relatively fewer AFROTC kids commission on scholarship than AROTC or NROTC, but I'd be curious to hear that from someone who knows more than I.

They all encourage non-scholarship kids to enroll. They all must be awarded some form of advanced standing between sophomore and junior year to continue in the program. No idea on relative commission rates and I doubt there are numbers available, only anecdotal evidence.

 

[franknd]

They all encourage non-scholarship kids to enroll. They all must be awarded some form of advanced standing between sophomore and junior year to continue in the program. No idea on relative commission rates and I doubt there are numbers available, only anecdotal evidence.

First, thanks for the answers.
Second, just to clarify on the last question, I was asking if PMS/PAS/PNS encourage non-scholarship kids who are enrolled in the program to apply for scholarships. Back in the day, it was encouraged in my AROTC program (and I was a beneficiary), but I don't know if this was universal and/or is still a normal practice.

 

[EEBTTF]

The goal of a PMS/ROO is to recruit qualified candidates to commission. If your DS/DD is a highly motivated, squared away - non-scholarship cadet, the school will assist in getting them in the scholarship lane. The scholarships that are awarded once enrolled are very competitive. You are basically force ranked against every other cadet vying for the spot.

 

[kinnem]

+1 to @EEBTTF . My son was an NROTC Marine Option who enrolled without a scholarship. He was awarded a scholarship during his sophomore year. AROTC-dad is another parent whose son was not awarded a High School Scholarship but was awarded one while enrolled in NROTC. There are many participants on these forums who won their scholarship the same way.

Squared away, good performer, both academically and in the ROTC program, and doing well on the PFT. Volunteering whenever possible doesn't hurt and positive, cheerful attitude helps.

You want to show them you'd be a spring butt Lt or Ensign with good leadership abilities. When there is a problem you quickly get up off your butt and go fix it.

 

[EEBTTF]

@kinnem has nailed it as usual - Remember - all of the cadets that are vying for the spots are super high achievers. The goal is not to be good...It's to be better than all of the cadets in your battalion. ROTC Scholarships are a lot like life - A big competition where the fast eat the slow!

 

[williamsdr3]

Of course only one data point but I thought it was a little unusual that my son got a relatively rare Tier 3 NROTC scholarship on the first board but then was not awarded an AROTC scholarship on the first board - major selected was International Relations. I would assume from his NROTC performance that he would have a good shot of getting AROTC at a later board though.

 

[EEBTTF]

Of course only one data point but I thought it was a little unusual that my son got a relatively rare Tier 3 NROTC scholarship on the first board but then was not awarded an AROTC scholarship on the first board - major selected was International Relations. I would assume from his NROTC performance that he would have a good shot of getting AROTC at a later board though.

Interesting observation. My DS was awarded a 4-Year on the 1st Board for AROTC, but deferred to the 2nd Board for the NROTC-MO. He is a Civil Eng. major. He is very excited about the AROTC scholarship, but he wants to fly the pointy nose jets in the USMC.
Just goes to show that there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes with the decisions. We are just pawns in this game!

 

[franknd]

@kinnem has nailed it as usual - Remember - all of the cadets that are vying for the spots are super high achievers. The goal is not to be good...It's to be better than all of the cadets in your battalion. ROTC Scholarships are a lot like life - A big competition where the fast eat the slow!

If this is representative, then it has definitely changed. Perhaps it was the school I went to, but most of the kids in our unit came in on scholarship, and I didn't perceive competition among my classmates to get a 3-year. I was a 2.9 in liberal arts (pre-grade-inflation days) freshman year and didn't do anything out of the ordinary as an MS I. Got the scholarship. But I definitely had the impression that the unit encouraged it, which is why I asked the question.
You are describing something different than what I experienced several decades ago.

 

[EEBTTF]

If this is representative, then it has definitely changed. Perhaps it was the school I went to, but most of the kids in our unit came in on scholarship, and I didn't perceive competition among my classmates to get a 3-year. I was a 2.9 in liberal arts (pre-grade-inflation days) freshman year and didn't do anything out of the ordinary as an MS I. Got the scholarship. But I definitely had the impression that the unit encouraged it, which is why I asked the question.
You are describing something different than what I experienced several decades ago.
[/QUOTE

My observation is from that of a SMC. SMCs attract a much higher number of students that are interested in commissioning than non SMCs. The scholarship slots at SMCs are also more competitive (based on the # of applicants that want to go there - remember there are only a certain number of slots per school) My guess is that the program cadets at The Citadel, Norwich, A&M, UNG, VMI, VaTech have more competition for the slots than those students at non SMCs. I agree that times have changed. Back when I was at Norwich - If you made it past your freshman year and wanted to commission - you would most likely get a slot. Again just my opinion.

 

[franknd]

The scholarship slots at SMCs are also more competitive (based on the # of applicants that want to go there - remember there are only a certain number of slots per school)

Really? Is there data on this? My son has been accepted to A&M, and while I know that their overall numbers are large -- they claim to commission more than all other ROTC programs -- I figured that their scholarship numbers were commensurately large. I know that 90% of COC members, ROTC or not, get some sort of "Corps scholarship," which is different from, and I infer on top of, an ROTC scholarship.

 

[EEBTTF]

Really? Is there data on this? My son has been accepted to A&M, and while I know that their overall numbers are large -- they claim to commission more than all other ROTC programs -- I figured that their scholarship numbers were commensurately large. I know that 90% of COC members, ROTC or not, get some sort of "Corps scholarship," which is different from, and I infer on top of, an ROTC scholarship.

Not sure at A&M, at The Citadel - approximately 65% of AROTC cadets end up receiving a 4, 3 or 2 year award. I am only referring to the national schlorship, not other forms of aid.