ROTC scholarship test scores waiver

Ant345

Ant345

Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Messages
91
If my SAT score is right below 1000 (970) is it possible to request a waiver or I am automatically disqualified? Especially if all the rest of my application is very strong?
 
I am not aware of a waiver mechanism for the standardized test minimums. For AROTC. your standardized test score is a big part of your overall score. In past years, the average for 3 and 4 year offerings is 1250.

Have you tried a SAT prep course? Can you take the test again? Many threads on SAF about bettering your test scores.
Good luck
 
Have you taken the ACT? Both of my kids did much better on the ACT than the SAT.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: RH3
EEBTTF said:
I am not aware of a waiver mechanism for the standardized test minimums. For AROTC. your standardized test score is a big part of your overall score. In past years, the average for 3 and 4 year offerings is 1250.

Have you tried a SAT prep course? Can you take the test again? Many threads on SAF about bettering your test scores.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, there's no other chance for me to try to retake it, I am also in a very peculiar situation where I was at a great disadvantage in taking this test. I tried to send them various emails, but no one seems to answer.
 
Ant345 said:
Unfortunately, the ACT is not available where I live
Click to expand...
I agree with @EEBTTF. I am not aware of any waiver mechanism for the required SAT/ACT score. This requirement is a minimum score to be considered. Most people who are awarded a scholarship with have a score substantially above that minimum AND be very strong in the other areas of their application. The SAT/ACT score is seen as a good indicator of your potential be be successful in a college environment. That said, the only way for you to know for sure will be to contact someone from the particular ROTC program you are applying to for an official answer.
 
Referencing 1000 as a min score, you are talking about a Marine Corps or Army scholarship, correct? Just be aware Navy Option - NROTC and Air Force min scores are slightly higher with navy having minimums for components. Currently, a qualifying SAT or ACT score remains a requirement to be considered for an Army ROTC scholarship. The Marine Corps requires a 1000 min composite score.

That being said, if accepted to a university that has an Army ROTC unit, you could join ROTC without a scholarship as a college programmer, and compete for a scholarship while being a member of the program. Your SAT score may DQ you from the scholarship from HS, but not does not DQ you from joining any branch ROTC as a College Programmer.

If you decide to buckle down to improve your SAT there are free online tutorials like Khan academy that could help you. I'm not sure whether to recommend that but I'll just pass the data along in case it might help you.

Good luck.
 
If you join as a college programmer and want to pursue a sideload scholarship (if it's NROTC) you'll need to bring that SAT score up to be considered.
 
Unfortunately, and I apologize for being blunt, but 970 is extremely low and I don't think you would come close to qualifying for a scholarship, nor have I ever heard of a waiver. I would also encourage you to try the ACT if you can, though you not that that is no longer an option. I am not sure where you are located, but if distance were the issue, and travel would be possible, I would suggest traveling, even if it means a great distance. The 970 translates to a roughly high 18/low 19 ACT score, and the average for my class year was a 32.

It is impossible for me to give more advice without seeing some of your other stats, but if they are very strong as you say, I would personally try every way to take the test again or take the ACT in order to be competitive.
 
Herman_Snerd said:
Referencing 1000 as a min score, you are talking about a Marine Corps or Army scholarship, correct? Just be aware Navy Option - NROTC and Air Force min scores are slightly higher with navy having minimums for components. Currently, a qualifying SAT or ACT score remains a requirement to be considered for an Army ROTC scholarship. The Marine Corps requires a 1000 min composite score.

That being said, if accepted to a university that has an Army ROTC unit, you could join ROTC without a scholarship as a college programmer, and compete for a scholarship while being a member of the program. Your SAT score may DQ you from the scholarship from HS, but not does not DQ you from joining any branch ROTC as a College Programmer.

If you decide to buckle down to improve your SAT there are free online tutorials like Khan academy that could help you. I'm not sure whether to recommend that but I'll just pass the data along in case it might help you.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
I am well aware of this, the problem is that I am in a very peculiar situation and I found myself in a position of great disadvantage taking it. My High School GPA is 3.92 and my College GPA is 3.70. Unfortunately, there are no other chances available for me to retake it (I would have to go to another country).
 
Ant345 said:
I am applying to Army ROTC
Click to expand...
Would still be a good idea to retake. I know for a fact SAT scores are looked at by NROTC sideload scholarship process. Not certain about Army but better safe than sorry.
 
Ant345 said:
I am well aware of this, the problem is that I am in a very peculiar situation and I found myself in a position of great disadvantage taking it. My High School GPA is 3.92 and my College GPA is 3.70. Unfortunately, there are no other chances available for me to retake it (I would have to go to another country).
Click to expand...

I see a blind spot in your evaluation mirror. I’m not sure if taking the SAT and when is what you should do. But, Over time you should look at challenges like this with a how I can, not why I cannot lens.
Example. I’ll get a part time job, wait for a deal then fly to another country to take the SAT so I can live my dream. Solution based focus.
I can’t because I would have to fly to another country to take the SAT. Excuse based focus that leads to failure in even being considered.

If you’re going to a US university you could also schedule the Sat for your arrival there next fall which would still count for sideloads et al.

That how we can mindset has gotten my kids through many a perceived obstacle. And they go work if they want more money for a want vs need. The opposite mindset last year caused many a candidate to not complete their rotc application because they had their own why I can’t excuse.
 
Herman_Snerd said:
I see a blind spot in your evaluation mirror. I’m not sure if taking the SAT and when is what you should do. But, Over time you should look at challenges like this with a how I can, not why I cannot lens.
Example. I’ll get a part time job, wait for a deal then fly to another country to take the SAT so I can live my dream. Solution based focus.
I can’t because I would have to fly to another country to take the SAT. Excuse based focus that leads to failure in even being considered.

If you’re going to a US university you could also schedule the Sat for your arrival there next fall which would still count for sideloads et al.

That how we can mindset has gotten my kids through many a perceived obstacle. And they go work if they want more money for a want vs need. The opposite mindset last year caused many a candidate to not complete their rotc application because they had their own why I can’t excuse.
Click to expand...
For flying to another country I mean a 500$ intercontinental flight + Hotel and the effects of Jet lag.
 
Ant345 said:
For flying to another country I mean a 500$ intercontinental flight + Hotel and the effects of Jet lag.
Click to expand...
One, two, three excuses. Muah, ahh, ahhh …

Again, focus on solutions vs. excuses , or join the pile of people who start but don’t finish their ROTC application. The process weeds out a lot of people this way. Or, find a solution, improvise, adapt, overcome. Good luck.
 

Attachments

  • C4FE443A-635D-48CE-ABC4-AD1859EF8C76.jpeg
    C4FE443A-635D-48CE-ABC4-AD1859EF8C76.jpeg
    229.9 KB · Views: 3
Herman_Snerd said:
One, two, three excuses. Muah, ahh, ahhh …

Again, focus on solutions vs. excuses , or join the pile of people who start but don’t finish their ROTC application. The process weeds out a lot of people this way. Or, find a solution, improvise, adapt, overcome. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thankfully I just received an email from ROTC, they said that because my application was almost complete with strong records and taken into consideration my peculiar situation I don't have to worry and I can proceed with the SMP interview 😙
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top