I know you posted this on the AFA, but to make it start moving along here, I will answer some of the questions.
1. Is that gpa w or uw? The AFA and AFROTC will convert that to a pt scale. This is why it matters. A wgpa of 3.6 is going to hurt on the PAR side of the WCS. UW of 3.6 is competitive, BUT then the next question will be the rigor of your course curriculum. 3.6 UW and no Honors/APs/IBs and you will be hurt. 3.6 with only Honors and 6-9 APs/IBs and you are sitting prettier.
2. There are many different types of Tier 4 scholarships. The better your stats the better chance of getting the golden egg (Type 1).
ROTC scholarships are awarded on a national basis. It is not like the AFA where you compete from your region and then if you do not win the nom, you may go into the NWL. They are not going to say well, X is from CA, Y is from TX and Z is from NY. You all compete together based on your stats.
3. Your intended major is played into the equation. The AF awards the majority of Type 1 to engineering majors. Thus, even if your major is foreign language, specifically a highly desired one...i.e. not French, it is still stiff competition.
4. If you are also applying for the AFA, it is highly likely that your ALO will not interview for the AFROTC scholarship since they have already interviewed already.
Your DoDMerb exam will be used fo both processes.
You will need to take the PFA since the CFA is a different format. You will need to resubmit all of the same info...transcripts, recs, etc. The AFROTC board is held at Maxwell. The AFA is held at the AFA. 2 different boards and board members.
5. The AFROTC scholarship is different than the NROTC or AROTC board. You can take that scholarship to any school approved by AFROTC. You do not have to submit a list and have them award to those specific schools.
6. Classes you must take at college are what if is required for your major at the college. That is on top of ROTC Lab. 2x a week will be ROTC days, where you will do PT and have ROTC classes.
You will be required to maintain a specific min for the gpa. The important thing to understand here is that when you are a soph. that gpa will be used to fight nationally against all of the ROTC dets for summer training. The gpa will be used again when you are a jr to compete for your career (AFSC) within the AF.
7. Anyone who is considering ROTC should do a college visit to the schools of interest. Make an apptmt with the Det and ask to speak to the command and some of the cadets.
Every det is a family, but like any family they are unique in their own nature. Do not think because 1 det does something that is true for every det. At our DS's det., they are very active in the school community, plus they have 3 military fraternities, which many cadets join.
If you attend a college and have to do x-town for ROTC, then the life will be much different since your life will be at your home college. At our DS's college there are about 5 schools that come from x-town. Many of these cadets will walk out with a different perspective because for the socialization POV this occurs at night, i.e. GMC's hang out Thursday night in the det lounge for pizza and to play crud or foosball. X-town cadets usually are not there since it doesn't start until @7 p.m. Same when pledging the military frats, they meet at night.
Also, by meeting with the det command, feel free to inform them that you are also applying for the AFA. Again, since the system is different than the other branches, this will have no impact on whether you get a scholarship. A good command will tell you that if you decide to take ROTC over the AFA, they will try to support you next yr for an AFA apptmt if you change your mind. Most leadership will do this for a multitude of reasons, but the most popular are:
~~~ Can tell other new cadets they have historically supported their cadets in getting them into an SA.
~~~ Relieves the fear that this is a permanent life changing decision.
~~~Illustrates to the cadet that it is about making the best officer, not ROTC vs AFA.
8. Many ROTC cadets go this route because they want to serve the country, but at this time they still want to experience the traditional college life. You will walk out with both civilian friends and military colleagues.
One thing that is important to understand when looking at colleges if you are picking them for UPT is to read through their bragging points. For example, ERAU indeed gives out the 2nd most UPT slots after the AFA. HOWEVER, the % of the cadets receiving them are lower than many other colleges. The reason why is the det is so large that the competition is fierce. Ask and look at what the actual % is, because being no.2 is great in theory, but if only 50% get it from ERAU and that is the number 1 reason you went there, it will stink for you if you are 50%+1.
Best of luck, I hope this helps in answering the majority of your queries.
