ROTC as plan B not good?

br1ankim24

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2010
Messages
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So I'm applying to USMA (preferably) and USNA.
Plan B would be Marine Option NROTC or AROTC.
I asked my local MO NROTC coordinator this question:

Is it bad to be applying to Army ROTC and West Point&Annapolis while applying for Marine Option NROTC? I'm worried that it shows uncertainty about whether or not I want to become a Marine Officer

he respnded with:

It is not bad that you are applying for the Army ROTC, West Point, and Annapolis. The question will be asked that if you were awarded the scholarship would you take it to come a Marine Officer? How important is it to you to become a Marine Officer? If I sit on the board and I get asked that question I will need to know the answer. But, it will not be looked at against you for applying to all. It shows you are dedicated to going to school and joining the military as an officer.

The issue is that right now, West Point is my number 1 choice. I want to be reviewed on the ROTC board ASAP, but by then, it would be too early to find out whether I'd be accepted to an SA or not so I wouldn't know how to answer that question. If If I honestly say that USMA is 1st choice, would that be bad? Any advice?
 
So I'm applying to USMA (preferably) and USNA.
Plan B would be Marine Option NROTC or AROTC.
I asked my local MO NROTC coordinator this question:

Is it bad to be applying to Army ROTC and West Point&Annapolis while applying for Marine Option NROTC? I'm worried that it shows uncertainty about whether or not I want to become a Marine Officer

he respnded with:

It is not bad that you are applying for the Army ROTC, West Point, and Annapolis. The question will be asked that if you were awarded the scholarship would you take it to come a Marine Officer? How important is it to you to become a Marine Officer? If I sit on the board and I get asked that question I will need to know the answer. But, it will not be looked at against you for applying to all. It shows you are dedicated to going to school and joining the military as an officer.

The issue is that right now, West Point is my number 1 choice. I want to be reviewed on the ROTC board ASAP, but by then, it would be too early to find out whether I'd be accepted to an SA or not so I wouldn't know how to answer that question. If If I honestly say that USMA is 1st choice, would that be bad? Any advice?

I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Almost all applicants to the Acadamies also apply for the ROTC Scholarship.

Just be honest, if asked tell them that your are committed to serve in the United States Military, you are looking at all the branches and will gather all the information you can so you can decide the best way to serve your country.

The ROTC programs and the Service Academies do not talk to each other and compare who is making applications to both.

Many applicants applied to both AROTC and NROTC, some received scholarships to both.

If asked the question would you become a Marine Officer, again be honest, just tell them that it would be a great honor to become a Marine Officer.

Just make sure you convey your #1 desire which is to become an Officer in the Military and serve your country, no one can fault you for having a goal and back up plans, just make sure you let them know that you main goal is to be an Officer.

Another thing to consider, Take a hard look at the stats for the incoming class at West Point. See how you compare to those admitted. You can also look through the threads on this board and get a feel for how you compare. You will never be admitted if you don't apply so go for it, just be realistic in your expectations. This may help you decide where to focus your energy.

I imagine you are a current Junior in High School, What are you basic stats so far, GPA, SAT/ACT, Sports, Leadership and such.
 
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The ROTC programs and the Service Academies do not talk to each other and compare who is making applications to both.

There is open communication between West Point and Cadet Command. Data is exchanged between the two.
 
There is open communication between West Point and Cadet Command. Data is exchanged between the two.

My Mistake, I apologize.

I forget sometimes that you can't trust everything you read on these boards.

Thanks for correct information.
 
Not a problem.
I can only say that about WP and CC. I don't know about USNA and MO NROTC.
Good advise in the rest of your post. :thumb:
 
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I don't think it reflects negatively. Actually, I believe it shows your true desire to serve this nation and I thank you for it. Keep up the good work and good luck!
 
Thanks all for the advice!
i was just worried that MO NROTC scholarships are awarded to students who already set on serving in the Marines.

will do as suggested :thumb:
 
Thanks all for the advice!
i was just worried that MO NROTC scholarships are awarded to students who already set on serving in the Marines.

will do as suggested :thumb:

You should create as many options as possible, including plans C, D, E, F . . . Also, apply to a local cheap school because you may not get an appointment to a SA and may have to tread water for a year (about 1/3 of SA cadets are those who have applied twice or three times). Hopefully, you won't need it. But plan for it just in case.
 
I imagine you are a current Junior in High School, What are you basic stats so far, GPA, SAT/ACT, Sports, Leadership and such.

academics
3.56 UW GPA 3.8 W GPA (got 3.35 W and UW in freshman year, but got over 4.0 W in 10th and 11th)
760 Math, 650 CR, 660 Writing (waiting for 2nd SAT scores)
competative college-prep school doesn't rank (http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/listings/high-schools/california/oxford_academy)

Sports
3 years of kendo (everyday outside of school)
1 year of JV tennis w/ most improved
will join cross country/track next year b/c i just got my 2nd degree :D

volunteering/leadership
2 year Counselor-in-Training program participant for my city and volunteered over 160 hours
3 year church altar server leader
VP of Junior Statesmen of American chapter at my school
3 year volunteer at city's senior center w/ over 150 hours
1 year student kendo dojo president

clubs/other program partcipatio
2 year National Honor Society Member
2 year Speech and Debate; won 1st in a novice tournament
3 years in CTY program (went to their events)
2 year of HOSA and FBLA, but stopped

idk if this counts for anything for ROTC, but got accepted to USMA SLS and USNA SS

might do police explorer senior year (thoughts?)
 
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It looks like you're doing well. Don't participate in something because you want to look good. Do it because you enjoy it and will excel in it. Keep up the good work you're doing and improving whatever you can and you should do fine. Good luck
 
academics
3.56 UW GPA 3.8 W GPA (got 3.35 W and UW in freshman year, but got over 4.0 W in 10th and 11th)
760 Math, 650 CR, 660 Writing (waiting for 2nd SAT scores)
competative college-prep school doesn't rank (http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/listings/high-schools/california/oxford_academy)

Sports
3 years of kendo (everyday outside of school)
1 year of JV tennis w/ most improved
will join cross country/track next year b/c i just got my 2nd degree :D

volunteering/leadership
2 year Counselor-in-Training program participant for my city and volunteered over 160 hours
3 year church altar server leader
VP of Junior Statesmen of American chapter at my school
3 year volunteer at city's senior center w/ over 150 hours
1 year student kendo dojo president

clubs/other program partcipatio
2 year National Honor Society Member
2 year Speech and Debate; won 1st in a novice tournament
3 years in CTY program (went to their events)
2 year of HOSA and FBLA, but stopped

idk if this counts for anything for ROTC, but got accepted to USMA SLS and USNA SS

might do police explorer senior year (thoughts?)

The one thing that concerns me with regards to what you presented is the fact that your school does not rank. We had the same problem (ranks only for val and sal), but when we requested it (for the AROTC transcript request) my daughter's school put in the time to calculate her rank. I suggest you ask the same of your guidance counselor.

You need to understand that your GPA when taken out of context (compared to other applicants) doesn't mean a whole lot as some schools have dozens of kids with 4.0 UW GPAs. You school may not even have one. My daughter's school didn't have a single perfect 4.0 the 4 years she was there. Point here is that some schools grade harder than others. Also important (your school should do this as part of your transcript) is to give a synopsis of the grade spread of the graduating class as well as the historical college placement statistics (what percentage went ot 4-year or 2-year institutions etc.) This also helps to clarify your level of achievement against a larger (and defined) population.

By and large, you look like a fairly well-rounded candidate who should be competitive for AROTC scholarships (I am not experienced in the academy area). If you read a lot of the threads here, you will find that the highly competitive colleges (i.e. expensive privates) didn't seem to get as many scholarships this year. Have a variety of schools in your list that you will be happy to attend and you will likely get a good outcome.

Best of luck.
 
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