ROTC

[Littledebbie3]

I want to attend a service academy and if I don't get in, what should I do?(I would want to apply again) Will doing ROTC WITH SCHOLARSHIP not allow me to apply again to an SA since I am committed to that college?

 

[Ihavenoidea]

I want to attend a service academy and if I don't get in, what should I do?(I would want to apply again) Will doing ROTC WITH SCHOLARSHIP not allow me to apply again to an SA since I am committed to that college?

You can reapply to a SA next year. Your best bet is to go to a ROTC unit and complete a plebe like class schedule to show you can handle the courses. Do awesome at the ROTC unit will also help. If you have not already applied for a scholarship for next year with a ROTC, then it is too late to do it for this cycle. You can join as a college programmer though.

 

[Academician]

I recommend to all of my students to put together a Plan A - B - C. "A" is USMA (and the SAs), Plan "B" is one or several ROTC scholarships, and then "C" is the set of civilian universities that you apply to as part of the ROTC application process. I have had three students who won a scholarship or simply joined ROTC on campus (as part of Plan C) and then won an appointment the following year. One of the students is graduating this May, USAFA C/O '23. Some 25 - 30% of all cadets at USMA did not come directly out of high school as many attended a prep school, or a year or two of college, prior to becoming cadets. I hope that helps

 

[aetosArmy]

I recommend to all of my students to put together a Plan A - B - C. "A" is USMA (and the SAs), Plan "B" is one or several ROTC scholarships, and then "C" is the set of civilian universities that you apply to as part of the ROTC application process. I have had three students who won a scholarship or simply joined ROTC on campus (as part of Plan C) and then won an appointment the following year. One of the students is graduating this May, USAFA C/O '23. Some 25 - 30% of all cadets at USMA did not come directly out of high school as many attended a prep school, or a year or two of college, prior to becoming cadets. I hope that helps

So if I understand right, you can still go to an SA (the next year) after already contracted for an ROTC scholarship at another school?

 

[Academician]

Yes, correct . . . In fact, you can earn an ROTC nomination from your college unit for the corresponding Academy (e.g., AROTC -> USMA, or it can be an Honor Unit from other services).

 

[Littledebbie3]

I recommend to all of my students to put together a Plan A - B - C. "A" is USMA (and the SAs), Plan "B" is one or several ROTC scholarships, and then "C" is the set of civilian universities that you apply to as part of the ROTC application process. I have had three students who won a scholarship or simply joined ROTC on campus (as part of Plan C) and then won an appointment the following year. One of the students is graduating this May, USAFA C/O '23. Some 25 - 30% of all cadets at USMA did not come directly out of high school as many attended a prep school, or a year or two of college, prior to becoming cadets. I hope that helps

Thank you for always responding quickly and giving the best in depth answers. Looking forward to applying.

 

[wmap]

I recommend to all of my students to put together a Plan A - B - C. "A" is USMA (and the SAs), Plan "B" is one or several ROTC scholarships, and then "C" is the set of civilian universities that you apply to as part of the ROTC application process. I have had three students who won a scholarship or simply joined ROTC on campus (as part of Plan C) and then won an appointment the following year. One of the students is graduating this May, USAFA C/O '23. Some 25 - 30% of all cadets at USMA did not come directly out of high school as many attended a prep school, or a year or two of college, prior to becoming cadets. I hope that helps

I've heard the chances of acceptance into an SA are much higher after a year of ROTC and almost guaranteed. Is this true?

 

[JohnMcLane]

I've heard the chances of acceptance into an SA are much higher after a year of ROTC and almost guaranteed. Is this true?

It depends on your performance at college and in ROTC. An "also participated" award will ensure you won't get an appointment. You need to prove you are a rock star, both to get an appointment or to get an ROTC scholarship and get the ROTC commissioning program outcomes you want. As far as an "almost guaranteed appointment" goes, not even close.

 

[wmap]

It depends on your performance at college and in ROTC. An "also participated" award will ensure you won't get an appointment. You need to prove you are a rock star, both to get an appointment or to get an ROTC scholarship and get the ROTC commissioning program outcomes you want. As far as an "almost guaranteed appointment" goes, not even close.

What do you mean by an "almost participated award"?

 

[Academician]

I agree with JohnMcLane -- no guarantees. You will need to 'lean into' ROTC, be a strong cadet, good college student, continue to expand your résumé, especially around leadership engagements, and compete well as a candidate for appointment. I've had three students follow this path, and all three earned Academy appointments as freshmen so it can be an effective way to reach your goals.

 

[JohnMcLane]

What do you mean by an "almost participated award"?

"ALSO participated award". It means you showed up and didn't "lean into it" as AcadAdmCoach mentioned. You are not competing for a free education, you are competing to be worthy of having America entrust the lives of our sons and daughters as well as the security of the nation to you. The bar is high for this privilege and honor.

 

[Aglahad]

Also consider that after a year of ROTC you might figure out that that is a better fit for you anyways. Win-win.