Shifting NROTC-MO scholarship to new school - tricky timing

[rholt]

My son has an NROTC scholarship in hand to his first choice school - Notre Dame. He was deferred in in the Early Action round for ND. We are hopeful that he will get in in the RD round - but it is definitely not a given - Notre Dame is a bit of a reach. He and I want to be ready to transfer his scholarship immediately if he fails to get into ND. He has gotten into VATech and Penn State which are the 4th and 5th schools on his scholarship list. He is also still waiting to hear from UVA (2nd on his list) and Michigan (3rd on his list). We anticipate hearing from ND prior to UVA or Michigan.

Two questions -

a) If he is denied from ND - should he try to transfer the scholarship to UVA - with the hope that he gets in there - and then try to transfer it again he he fails to get into UVA?
b) Is there any value in proactively reaching out to the UVA NROTC leadership to discuss the situation?

Thanks!

 

[FastFood44]

a) There’s no direct answer as to whether this is better or not. As a current MIDN, I’ve heard horror stories about someone not getting into their top school, then by the time they want to switch their scholarship to their 2nd school, their unit was filled up and navy would not let them transfer it. They then tried for their 3rd and 4th school same thing. They are now at their 5th choice school which they still love, but still not their top choice. I personally was lucky enough to transfer my scholarship to my number 2 school, but that is because my unit is much smaller and in need of MIDN. Moral of story, choose wisely, because depending on when you hear back from the number 1 school (IE if it is in late April vs. early March, it may be too late to transfer)

B)can’t hurt to reach out to them, and see what the unit staff / CO thinks

Best of luck, let me know if you have any other questions

 

[kinnem]

a) There’s no direct answer as to whether this is better or not. As a current MIDN, I’ve heard horror stories about someone not getting into their top school, then by the time they want to switch their scholarship to their 2nd school, their unit was filled up and navy would not let them transfer it. They then tried for their 3rd and 4th school same thing. They are now at their 5th choice school which they still love, but still not their top choice. I personally was lucky enough to transfer my scholarship to my number 2 school, but that is because my unit is much smaller and in need of MIDN. Moral of story, choose wisely, because depending on when you hear back from the number 1 school (IE if it is in late April vs. early March, it may be too late to transfer)

There is another recent thread that discusses a change to NROTC scholarships this year..... there is no longer a set aside number of slots for scholarship holders at any school. So anyone should be able to transfer their scholarship anywhere with no difficulties. I can't confirm the authenticity of the posts on that thread but certainly a unit's staff should know about this if it's accurate. That info might change one's approach to this situation.

Personally I'd transfer it to VT assuming your DS is looking for an SMC experience, but that's just me. If he's not looking for an SMC experience (and he should be sure to understand what he's signing up for) then VT is not the place for him.

 

[rholt]

There is another recent thread that discusses a change to NROTC scholarships this year..... there is no longer a set aside number of slots for scholarship holders at any school. So anyone should be able to transfer their scholarship anywhere with no difficulties. I can't confirm the authenticity of the posts on that thread but certainly a unit's staff should know about this if it's accurate. That info might change one's approach to this situation.

Personally I'd transfer it to VT assuming your DS is looking for an SMC experience, but that's just me. If he's not looking for an SMC experience (and he should be sure to understand what he's signing up for) then VT is not the place for him.

Boy - I really hope that other thread is correct with the no fixed limit per school point - that would certainly take a lot of pressure off.

And - I agree - the Corp of Cadets experience at Tech is a big positive

 

[kinnem]

Boy - I really hope that other thread is correct with the no fixed limit per school point - that would certainly take a lot of pressure off.

And - I agree - the Corp of Cadets experience at Tech is a big positive

Well I don't think I said it's a positive. It is for some. Others wouldn't care for it. Your DS ought to know what he's signing up for and it sounds like he does.

 

[Go Dores!]

Yes, the NSTC instruction governing scholarship caps at NROTC units has been cancelled. If you have a scholarship, and gain enrollment to a school with NROTC, you can place your scholarship at that school.

When ready to move your scholarship placement.....

After You Are Selected
If you have been awarded an Navy ROTC scholarship and have questions about placement or if you have a school change request:

1.800.NAV.ROTC Option 3, Ext. 8,9

Contact the Navy ROTC Unit Placement Office: pnsc_nrotc.placement@navy.mil

 

[MegND95]

Not directly related to your question, but I would highly recommend your son connect directly with the NRTOC unit at Notre Dame. Explain that ND is his first choice, and he already has the scholarship in hand. My DS is a junior interested in NROTC and ND is his first choice. He met with an LT on staff at the NROTC unit this fall to get some information, and the officer indicated that, while they can't necessarily influence admissions, they do have a relationship with the staff. I would absolutely contact admissions as well and let them know your son has been given the scholarship. It can't hurt to reach out to both. Good luck!

 

[rholt]

Not directly related to your question, but I would highly recommend your son connect directly with the NRTOC unit at Notre Dame. Explain that ND is his first choice, and he already has the scholarship in hand. My DS is a junior interested in NROTC and ND is his first choice. He met with an LT on staff at the NROTC unit this fall to get some information, and the officer indicated that, while they can't necessarily influence admissions, they do have a relationship with the staff. I would absolutely contact admissions as well and let them know your son has been given the scholarship. It can't hurt to reach out to both. Good luck!

Thanks - I am pretty sure my son communicated with both the Admissions office and the NROTC staff at ND about his scholarship. My recollection is that both responded with polite but completely non-committal language - which I guess isn't too surprising.