Sideload GPA window

[Jmansine]

Quick question regarding sideload scholarship selection. I did poorly on the NROTC MO interview and ended up not receiving a scholarship, however I'll be majoring in aerospace engineering next year as a college programmer. To my understanding, GPA is a huge factor in determining sideload application success and as a result I feel like a very rigorous major such as aerospace engineering is a poor choice. Would it be smart to choose an easier major for a higher GPA or does the board compensate an applicant's GPA with regard to the rigor of their major.

One more thing, would anyone happen to know (generally) how many midshipmen enter a unit as sideload as opposed to scholarship winners?
Thanks!

 

[Ihavenoidea]

Quick question regarding sideload scholarship selection. I did poorly on the NROTC MO interview and ended up not receiving a scholarship, however I'll be majoring in aerospace engineering next year as a college programmer. To my understanding, GPA is a huge factor in determining sideload application success and as a result I feel like a very rigorous major such as aerospace engineering is a poor choice. Would it be smart to choose an easier major for a higher GPA or does the board compensate an applicant's GPA with regard to the rigor of their major.

I wouldn't try to "game the system" by trying to figure out what major I can get the best GPA in to get a scholarship. Just pick the major you want to do and show skills in. Your major might change in college anyway. Just like the national scholarship, having a Tier 1 or Tier 2 major is going to look better on your sideload than a tier 3. Maybe pick a tier 1 to maximize your chances at a sideload, but do what you want even if it is hard. Things that are hard are the things that are worth doing.

One more thing, would anyone happen to know (generally) how many midshipmen enter a unit as sideload as opposed to scholarship winners?
Thanks!

I think that this probably varies greatly between each unit. It probably even varies greatly every year at one specific unit. Too many variables skew the numbers. Call the unit are are joining and ask what they usually get.

 

[Jmansine]

Gotcha, thank you for the advice. I could be wrong but I heard marine option doesn't weigh tiers, I'm considering changing to political science if this is the case as I'm a little behind in math proficiency.

 

[Ihavenoidea]

Gotcha, thank you for the advice. I could be wrong but I heard marine option doesn't weigh tiers, I'm considering changing to political science if this is the case as I'm a little behind in math proficiency.

Sorry, you are right. I read the MO in your post but quickly forgot it in my post. Tiers don't matter to MO. I still think you should do a major you want to do right now. You can always change it later to something else you want to do.

 

[BJD16]

Gotcha, thank you for the advice. I could be wrong but I heard marine option doesn't weigh tiers, I'm considering changing to political science if this is the case as I'm a little behind in math proficiency.

If you are behind in Math, then you probably shouldn't consider Aero. In order to major in Aero, you should have an A in Calc AB and a B in Calc BC in high school. AP scores don't matter, as most schools make you take Calc I and Calc II at their school. Should also have one year of high school Physics at a minimum.