ROTC Resumes

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ArmyROTCApplicant

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Hello everyone, I am currently applying to the Army ROTC scholarship but am having doubts over my ability to receive one. For anyone that was awarded one, what did your resume look like?
 
You’re not going to get much insight by looking at a few scattered resumes here. It’s a very small sample size and surely not a representative sample. Also ROTC isn’t just about stats but about the “whole candidate.” You won’t divine the entire story by just looking at a candidate on paper (the interview, for one, is a major piece).

While not everyone in ROTC wants to attend an SA, much of your competition for an ROTC scholarship will be SA applicants. So to get one view — certainly more reliable than random postings on SAF — see the latest class profiles for USMA, USNA and USAFA. Those stats can be very indicative.

Some observers will say to take that profile and shift it down a notch (a bit less competitive). Others will say shift it up a notch (a bit more competitive), because ROTC scholarships are awarded on a national basis while SA appointments are (at least initially) a local completion. Either way, you’ll have something more concrete to consider.
 
MidCakePa said:
You’re not going to get much insight by looking at a few scattered resumes here. It’s a very small sample size and surely not a representative sample. Also ROTC isn’t just about stats but about the “whole candidate.” You won’t divine the entire story by just looking at a candidate on paper (the interview, for one, is a major piece).

While not everyone in ROTC wants to attend an SA, much of your competition for an ROTC scholarship will be SA applicants. So to get one view — certainly more reliable than random postings on SAF — see the latest class profiles for USMA, USNA and USAFA. Those stats can be very indicative.

Some observers will say to take that profile and shift it down a notch (a bit less competitive). Others will say shift it up a notch (a bit more competitive), because ROTC scholarships are awarded on a national basis while SA appointments are (at least initially) a local completion. Either way, you’ll have something more concrete to consider.
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Thank you for the insight and advice! Having to compete with SA applications does worry me a bit as I am one of those individuals that is applying to somewhere that isn't a service academy. As for the interview, I've just reached the step of scheduling it, is there anywhere that can help indicate what questions they will ask and such?
 
I understand your concern but what I can tell you is if you don't apply, you definitely won't get a scholarship. I would go ahead and apply and just endeavor to "play to your strengths" whether they be scholar, athlete or leader. I would focus on that versus taking time to try and examine previous profiles. As was mentioned it is a whole-person concept and you never know exactly what mix will work on which board. Go For IT!!
 
ArmyROTCApplicant said:
Thank you for the insight and advice! Having to compete with SA applications does worry me a bit as I am one of those individuals that is applying to somewhere that isn't a service academy. As for the interview, I've just reached the step of scheduling it, is there anywhere that can help indicate what questions they will ask and such?
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My DS had his AROTC interview back and said it was a great interaction, he felt very good about it when he left. He thought they were mostly standard interview questions. However, he just had his NROTC-MO interview last week. He said it was the hardest interview he's ever had. (has already competed FFR, BGO, Boys' State, student cabinet, job, volunteer, Scouts...) Marine Captain had his résumé, and he dug DEEP into it. Some of the activities he asked 9-10 questions about before moving onto the next line. My DS got the impression that he was testing him to see how truthful he was in his involvement in these activities. Also asked some very intriguing questions, that my DS said, had he not been so involved and dialed in during high school, he would have had NO answer. I was happy to hear this. It shows they are really trying to get to know the students and choose the best candidates. Being involved in extracurriculars that you have a passion about, an interest in, and can talk about makes a difference!
 
One thing you can do is go to the Army ROTC website and look at the minimum requirements. This will give you a gauge of the MINIMUM they are looking for as far as academics. If your figures are much higher than those minimums, then you know you are in better shape. If some of your figures are near the minimum, then you have a idea what you need to work on. Some you can control. If ACT/SAT numbers are lower. You can work in the short term to study, take prep classes, etc to get them up. GPA is different. Not alot you can do in the short term.

I would still recommend going for it if you want to serve in the Army as a officer. Even if you don't get it, you still have other options available to you to serve as a Army officer. Listen to the above advice others have posted. Highlight your strengths!
 
There are a lot of intangible/qualitative items in the selection process. Don't jut rely on stats. Communication, bearing, leadership are all factors that are hard to quantify but come into play. Apply. You have nothing to lose. You can also attend a college without the scholarship, which I assume is plan B, and participate in ROTC if the college you attend has a unit. There are opportunities to be awarded a scholarship as such a participant.
 
I'll give you an overview of my Son's. He received a 3 year scholarship. He was above the minimum for the SAT by a couple hundred points. GPA in the 3.7 range. Track athlete all 4 years, with letter each year. 2 years of wrestling on JV. Very part time job during school, and more hours during summer, significant amount of community service hours every year during school and summer, Civil Air Patrol with promotions, although he did not get the Mitchell Award, which is the big one that everyone tries for. He applied in January of his senior year, was offered the 2 year Military School program scholarship, but declined, and was given his 3 year award in March that year. He was also offered an upgrade to 3.5 year scholarship once he was in the Battalion and doing well. This is of course anecdotal because every year, every student, and every school is different. But you have some great advice. If you don't try, you'll never know, and there's lots of other options offered by the Army if you are hoping they can help you with your College expenses. You can also look into National Guard if the scholarship program doesn't work out and do duel National Guard/ROTC.
 
Thank you all for the advice and information! I definitely feel a lot more confident about my application, after looking through all these responses. I will be applying mainly to SMCs, primarily VMI, The Citadel, and Norwich University. For reference my list of accomplishments:
- 1 Year Cross Country Varsity
- 2 Year Indoor Track Varsity
- 3 Year Outdoor Track Varsity
- Team Captain of all three teams
- Have around 3-4 years of work experience
- GPA: 3.5
- World Language Honor Society
-SAT: 1200( Going to take it 1-2 more times. Aiming for 1300>)
Along with having taken 2 AP classes and 7 honor classes

I think the experiences these all have gave me more confidence to apply now especially after looking through all these responses emphasizing traits such as leadership. Probably going to be doing my interview in around a month. I still have to do the PFA and complete the essay responses.
 
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ArmyROTCApplicant said:
Thank you all for the advice and information! I definitely feel a lot more confident about my application, after looking through all these responses. I will be applying mainly to SMCs, primarily VMI, The Citadel, and Norwich University. For reference my list of accomplishments:
- 1 Year Cross Country Varsity
- 2 Year Indoor Track Varsity
- 3 Year Outdoor Track Varsity
- Team Captain of all three teams
- Have around 3-4 years of work experience
- GPA: 3.5
- World Language Honor Society
-SAT: 1200( Going to take it 1-2 more times. Aiming for 1300>)
Along with having taken 2 AP classes and 7 honor classes

I think the experiences these all have gave me more confidence to apply now especially after looking through all these responses emphasizing traits such as leadership. Probably going to be doing my interview in around a month. I still have to do the PFA and complete the essay responses.
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Looks great so far. With regard to the SAT, if you dont improve by much, get yourself a hired tutor. That is the one mistake I made with my son. He kept getting similar scores each time he took the SAT. Keep shooting for 1300+
 
x2 on recommending getting help with SAT. We used a online service for DS. It was a month long and he had a online class on the weekends. I think it was 1 or 2 a week for a few hours. He also had to take some practice tests. It really helped him get a better score. Its not cheap. I think it was like $500, but he got over 100 points more from where he took it 2 before that year.
 
Class of 2025 son used the free Khan Academy resources over the summer and his SAT score jumped from 1200 in May to 1340 in August.

Only two more SATs in the old format. The digital exam begins in March 2024, which will be an unknown for class of 2025.
 
ArmyROTCApplicant said:
Thank you for the insight and advice! Having to compete with SA applications does worry me a bit as I am one of those individuals that is applying to somewhere that isn't a service academy. As for the interview, I've just reached the step of scheduling it, is there anywhere that can help indicate what questions they will ask and such?
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They're going to ask vague, open ended questions about your motivations, your goals, what leadership challenges and successes you've had. They'll ask about influential people in your life (at least for me they did). The only thing you need to practice is speaking clearly, and remember everything of why you want to be a Marine/Soldier/Sailor/etc.
 
ArmyROTCApplicant said:
Thank you all for the advice and information! I definitely feel a lot more confident about my application, after looking through all these responses. I will be applying mainly to SMCs, primarily VMI, The Citadel, and Norwich University. For reference my list of accomplishments:
- 1 Year Cross Country Varsity
- 2 Year Indoor Track Varsity
- 3 Year Outdoor Track Varsity
- Team Captain of all three teams
- Have around 3-4 years of work experience
- GPA: 3.5
- World Language Honor Society
-SAT: 1200( Going to take it 1-2 more times. Aiming for 1300>)
Along with having taken 2 AP classes and 7 honor classes

I think the experiences these all have gave me more confidence to apply now especially after looking through all these responses emphasizing traits such as leadership. Probably going to be doing my interview in around a month. I still have to do the PFA and complete the essay responses.
Click to expand...
I recommend trying out the ACT. I got a 1270 on my SAT in March. Took an ACT in July after studying relatively little (next to nothing lol), and got a 31. The tests may speak to you depending on what type of person you are, I highly recommend taking both and seeing which you're stronger in.
 
ArmyROTCApplicant said:
Thank you for the insight and advice! Having to compete with SA applications does worry me a bit as I am one of those individuals that is applying to somewhere that isn't a service academy. As for the interview, I've just reached the step of scheduling it, is there anywhere that can help indicate what questions they will ask and such?
Click to expand...
Here is my take on the interview https://goldenknightbattalion.com/2017/12/29/the-interview-2017-edition/. There is no way to tell you what questions to expect because each program and interviewer is different. Find the score sheet that the PMS will use (it’s in the link above). That will give you some idea, but just come ready to have a good conversation and you’ll be fine.
 
My oldest two kids really improved their SAT scores taking these SAT practice exams.

SAT | Applerouth

www.applerouth.com www.applerouth.com

My oldest from what I remember his scores really improved.
 
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