Hello all, so I was awarded a NROTC scholarship under a Chemical Engineering major at USC. Now I was lucky enough to be accepted at USC and UCLA, but I’m a chemistry major at UCLA. I am seriously leaning towards UCLA now. I’ve looked more into grad school options and I think chem is the right major for me. UCLA also gave me a 12k university grant which could seriously help with room and board. The main reason I chose USC as my 1 is because of the room and board assistance. So I know have to request a change in unit, but what about my major? I’m going from a tier 1 to tier 2. How do I notify them of this?
Switching units and majors
- Thread starter Ew3081
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I'm not sure if you can do anything right now, or during the summer, but call your unit and ask.
Here's what I know, assuming you do this in the fall. Once you're in the unit, talk to your designated Officer Instructor. After letting them know, you will need to provide two different degree plans signed by the advisors of the majors you're switching from and to. You'll also have to submit a memo/letter about what you're changing to, why, and how it is in the Navy's best interests. There is a board that convenes at the end of each semester, so you may not have an unofficial transcript, but you usually need to include one as well.
Keep the above things in mind so it's easier to pull the info together. If you have any other questions, PM me.
Here's what I know, assuming you do this in the fall. Once you're in the unit, talk to your designated Officer Instructor. After letting them know, you will need to provide two different degree plans signed by the advisors of the majors you're switching from and to. You'll also have to submit a memo/letter about what you're changing to, why, and how it is in the Navy's best interests. There is a board that convenes at the end of each semester, so you may not have an unofficial transcript, but you usually need to include one as well.
Keep the above things in mind so it's easier to pull the info together. If you have any other questions, PM me.
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First step, if I'm reading your post correctly, is to see if you can transfer without losing the scholarship. Then tackle the major change which will definitely be another hurdle since your changing tiers. I would not be surprised if the answers were no, and no.
Pima
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How big is this in your decision making process? If no grad school was in your future would you still want UCLA over USC?
I ask this bc most people will tell you that getting a grad school slot straight out of ROTC is slim. We are basically talking single digit percentages are selected for grad school right out of the gate.
NROTC is like AFROTC and not like AROTC. What I mean by that is upon commissioning you will go AD, there is no Reserve or Guard option where going to grad school on your own dime while you go Reserves/Guard (weekend warrior --- AROTC) is an option.
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Here's how I interpreted the OP's situation. Currently in HS, has the NROTC scholarship in hand, currently placed at USC (applied under Chem Eng major), accepted into UCLA as well (applied under Chem major), and is looking to switch his scholarship placement and major.
If my understanding is correct, then Ew3081, this is not complicated.
You should call UCLA NROTC unit, advise them that you are thinking about moving your scholarship from USC to UCLA, with the intent to study Chemistry, a Tier 2 major. The PNS at the NROTC unit (in this case UCLA) is the approval authority to move from Tier 1 to Tier 2. Ask them to confirm if this is something the CO would support/approve. Contrary to another post here, there is no tier change board for moving from Tier 1 to Tier 2, only a board for moving to Tier 3 or LREC.
If the UCLA NROTC unit is supportive (and I expect they would be), you will then send an email or call the number below and request your scholarship to be moved to UCLA:
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
BUT, as Pima correctly points out, graduate school opportunities out of NROTC are rare and should not drive this decision.
If my understanding is correct, then Ew3081, this is not complicated.
You should call UCLA NROTC unit, advise them that you are thinking about moving your scholarship from USC to UCLA, with the intent to study Chemistry, a Tier 2 major. The PNS at the NROTC unit (in this case UCLA) is the approval authority to move from Tier 1 to Tier 2. Ask them to confirm if this is something the CO would support/approve. Contrary to another post here, there is no tier change board for moving from Tier 1 to Tier 2, only a board for moving to Tier 3 or LREC.
If the UCLA NROTC unit is supportive (and I expect they would be), you will then send an email or call the number below and request your scholarship to be moved to UCLA:
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:
BUT, as Pima correctly points out, graduate school opportunities out of NROTC are rare and should not drive this decision.
As a native of Los Angeles, congrats on getting into USC and UCLA. As a native of Los Angeles, staying at USC or switching to UCLA is going to piss one side or the other. Big rival schools. Personally I like USC better but UCLA is an excellant school. Then again i root against them when they play Stanford
Congrats on all your acceptances. Not sure how much it has changed in 2 years, however my DD changed both her school, then her major from tier 1 to 2. It was explained that tier 1 to 2 is not usually a problem, but that if attempt to change to tier3 it would be. There is a form you need to complete and send out asap to change the unit where the scholarship was first assigned, but I would also call the unit and ensure that they are not at capacity as that will also dictate whether you will be approved. once my dd was in the new unit, and at the start of the school year, she changed her major. best of luck and congrats again!
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What has changed in two years is that there is no longer a max cap on scholarship students at units. If you have the scholarship, you can place it at any school you've been admitted to. The instruction that governed this policy was cancelled last November.
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Well, they still assign schools but transferring is far more a formality. AF requests what schools you would like but once awarded the scholarship you can tell them you're using it for any school that has a unit. I guess the end result is the same but the process of getting there is a bit different.
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Yes, an NROTC scholarship is tied to the individual and major.
The 'assignment' is not really an assignment at all. This year, and until policy is changed, Navy placed the scholarship at the school the applicant listed #1 on their application. Placement changes are a result of change of heart by the scholarship winner or a declined admission status at the #1 choice.
The 'assignment' is not really an assignment at all. This year, and until policy is changed, Navy placed the scholarship at the school the applicant listed #1 on their application. Placement changes are a result of change of heart by the scholarship winner or a declined admission status at the #1 choice.