Tier 2 NROTC question

[Slatetcc]

Hello, my DD, high school junior, has started her application this month for the NROTC scholarship. Her Coordinator has told her that her major does not matter and they aren’t allowed to discuss majors during the application process. She has narrowed her major to either environmental science or business. I know business would be Tier 3 and lower her chances, but is environmental science considered Tier 2 if it is a BS ? Some lists have it as tier 2 and some tier 3.

Thank you for any information, as it appears it is harder for a business major to get a NROTC scholarship.

 

[BJD16]

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps - Home Page

I was a business major in college. I recommend Statistics (Tier 2) with a business minor. Much harder to get a scholarship as Tier 3 major. If DD wants to really major in business, then I would consider Marines and Army.

Tier 1 Academic Majors​ Aerospace, Aeronautical, Astronautical Engineering Chemical Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Naval Architecture & Marine/Naval Engineering Nuclear Engineering Ocean Engineering Systems Engineering

Tier 2 Academic Majors​
Agricultural/Biological Engineering & Bioengineering Architectural Engineering/Architectural Engineering Technologies Astrophysics Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Biomathematics & Bioinformatics Biomedical/Medical Engineering Biotechnology Cell/Cellular Biology & Anatomical Sciences Ceramic Sciences & Engineering Chemistry Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Programming Computer Science/Info. Tech. Construction Engineering Electronics & Comm. Engineering Engineering Mechanics Engineering Physics Engineering Science		General Engineering General Science Industrial Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Materials Engineering Mathematics Metallurgical Engineering Microbiological Sciences and Immunology Mining & Mineral Engineering Nuclear & Industrial Radiologic Technology Oceanography Petroleum Engineering Pharmacology & Toxicology Physics Physiology, Pathology & Related Sciences Polymer/Plastics Engineering Quantitative Economics Statistics Textile Sciences & Engineering

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Hello, my DD, high school junior, has started her application this month for the NROTC scholarship. Her Coordinator has told her that her major does not matter and they aren’t allowed to discuss majors during the application process. She has narrowed her major to either environmental science or business. I know business would be Tier 3 and lower her chances, but is environmental science considered Tier 2 if it is a BS ? Some lists have it as tier 2 and some tier 3.

Thank you for any information, as it appears it is harder for a business major to get a NROTC scholarship.

While the percentages are more limited with a cap on how many Tier 3 scholarships are awarded (reportedly), you'll oft see general guidance that the candidate should pursue their dream major that floats their boat/ gets them out of bed in the morning vs picking a major that they perceive as providing a higher percent chance of receiving the scholarship - who would want to be miserable or looking over at their dream cohort from next door? Read older posts on this board for folks who put down a Tier 1 major to earn a Type 1 in AFROTC for example but then were Les Miserables.

There are no guarantees so she should research multiple branch ROTC and SA paths and apply to more than 1 to increase her chances.

WRT Environmental Science, Duke, NC State, U Maryland list it as a Tier 2 major, but of course you should confirm that yourselves.

Good luck.

 

[Jimdlt19]

I agree with my brother above and will go further to say a female US Marine Ground Officer NROTC-MO Graduate coming off Active Duty with an MBA would be a fantastic Resume if she wants to leave active duty after her 4-year NROTC-MO commitment. I have a female Marine Officer contact who mentors high schoolers. PM me.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

First to address the issue with the recruiting officer and discussing majors. Recruiters are advised not to influence a decision on majors and there is a good reason for that. If they push for or give a sales pitch for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 major, and the person can't handle the curriculum, it gets mentioned at a disenrollment board and winds up causing problems.

As to specific majors at specific universities, each one is unique in terms of the amount of math they require. So each NROTC unit has a chance each year to request tier upgrades through Naval Service Training Command. They have a curriculum standards expert with a PhD in education who ensures that the university is meeting the Navy's requirements. In other words, environmental science at say Duke may be a Tier 2 and at GWU it may be tier 3.

As to chances, tier 3 is capped at 15% of total scholarships awarded at the 4 year level.

 

[Slatetcc]

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps - Home Page

I was a business major in college. I recommend Statistics (Tier 2) with a business minor. Much harder to get a scholarship as Tier 3 major. If DD wants to really major in business, then I would consider Marines and Army.

Tier 1 Academic Majors​ Aerospace, Aeronautical, Astronautical Engineering Chemical Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Naval Architecture & Marine/Naval Engineering Nuclear Engineering Ocean Engineering Systems Engineering

Tier 2 Academic Majors​
Agricultural/Biological Engineering & Bioengineering Architectural Engineering/Architectural Engineering Technologies Astrophysics Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Biomathematics & Bioinformatics Biomedical/Medical Engineering Biotechnology Cell/Cellular Biology & Anatomical Sciences Ceramic Sciences & Engineering Chemistry Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Programming Computer Science/Info. Tech. Construction Engineering Electronics & Comm. Engineering Engineering Mechanics Engineering Physics Engineering Science		General Engineering General Science Industrial Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Materials Engineering Mathematics Metallurgical Engineering Microbiological Sciences and Immunology Mining & Mineral Engineering Nuclear & Industrial Radiologic Technology Oceanography Petroleum Engineering Pharmacology & Toxicology Physics Physiology, Pathology & Related Sciences Polymer/Plastics Engineering Quantitative Economics Statistics Textile Sciences & Engineering

Thank you so much! She is leaning toward environmental science at this time.

 

[Capt MJ]

First to address the issue with the recruiting officer and discussing majors. Recruiters are advised not to influence a decision on majors and there is a good reason for that. If they push for or give a sales pitch for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 major, and the person can't handle the curriculum, it gets mentioned at a disenrollment board and winds up causing problems.

As to specific majors at specific universities, each one is unique in terms of the amount of math they require. So each NROTC unit has a chance each year to request tier upgrades through Naval Service Training Command. They have a curriculum standards expert with a PhD in education who ensures that the university is meeting the Navy's requirements. In other words, environmental science at say Duke may be a Tier 2 and at GWU it may be tier 3.

As to chances, tier 3 is capped at 15% of total scholarships awarded at the 4 year level.

I always learn from your posts.

 

[Slatetcc]

First to address the issue with the recruiting officer and discussing majors. Recruiters are advised not to influence a decision on majors and there is a good reason for that. If they push for or give a sales pitch for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 major, and the person can't handle the curriculum, it gets mentioned at a disenrollment board and winds up causing problems.

As to specific majors at specific universities, each one is unique in terms of the amount of math they require. So each NROTC unit has a chance each year to request tier upgrades through Naval Service Training Command. They have a curriculum standards expert with a PhD in education who ensures that the university is meeting the Navy's requirements. In other words, environmental science at say Duke may be a Tier 2 and at GWU it may be tier 3.

As to chances, tier 3 is capped at 15% of total scholarships awarded at the 4 year level.

Thank you for the information!

 

[Slatetcc]

I agree with my brother above and will go further to say a female US Marine Ground Officer NROTC-MO Graduate coming off Active Duty with an MBA would be a fantastic Resume if she wants to leave active duty after her 4-year NROTC-MO commitment. I have a female Marine Officer contact who mentors high schoolers. PM me.

Thank you and I will talk to her about it!

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

I agree with my brother above and will go further to say a female US Marine Ground Officer NROTC-MO Graduate coming off Active Duty with an MBA would be a fantastic Resume if she wants to leave active duty after her 4-year NROTC-MO commitment. I have a female Marine Officer contact who mentors high schoolers. PM me.

I missed the fact she was an MO. Marines do not get into the tier major issues like the Navy options do.