Transfer to USNA

Klaf22

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Aug 31, 2018
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Next semester I am attending Binghamton University but my ultimate goal is to transfer to USCGA or USNA for the Class of 2024. While I am at Binghamton, one way I look to prove myself and strengthen my application for both would be to join a ROTC program. Being my goals lie with the Coast Guard or the Navy, it would make the most sense to join a NROTC program, but Binghamton only offers Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC (Cross town affiliates through Cornell). That being said, which would make the most sense between Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC? I don't plan on becoming a pilot in either the Navy or Coast Guard but I really do not have a preference over the two and just need an opinion on the best choice to fulfill my goals. I would appreciate any advice.
 
First, keep in mind there is no such thing as a "transfer". You would be a "reapplicant", start as a Plebe and spend 4 years at USNA, no matter where you come from or how you get there.

Second, read the Sticky at the top of the page. Some good gouge there about reapplications.

Finally, with respect to whether AF or Army ROTC is better, it probably doesn't matter. The advantage of NROTC is that it gives you another nomination option if you do well. I really can't say what AF or Army ROTC adds to the equation, other than learning how to wear a uniform, march, and some military orientation will give you a boost Plebe summer. (As an aside, I think this is one of those circumstances where an extra Letter of Recommendation might be helpful-- I don't know where a non-USNA ROTC program fits into the application, but if they don't already ask for a CO recommendation, it couldn't hurt.

Good luck.
 
You don't just 'join' ROTC. It is a scholarship program with specific application requirements and deadlines. Same goes for attending a SA. You don't transfer. You apply and if you receive an appointment, you start as a Plebe.
 
You don't just 'join' ROTC. It is a scholarship program with specific application requirements and deadlines. Same goes for attending a SA. You don't transfer. You apply and if you receive an appointment, you start as a Plebe.

Pretty sure that isn't true. Every NROTC recruiter I've spoken with has characterized the first couple courses of ROTC as electives, until you are required to contract. The scholarship and the program are not necessarily bound together.

I might be wrong though.
 
Hey man, don't give up. If you really want the SAs, then so be it. It's what you want, so work hard for it. Just as long as you meet the preliminary requirements, then you should be good to go! One day it will be over, so make it count!!!
 
You don't just 'join' ROTC. It is a scholarship program with specific application requirements and deadlines. Same goes for attending a SA. You don't transfer. You apply and if you receive an appointment, you start as a Plebe.

I am well aware you start as a plebe. I have a friend who just did the same
 
Next semester I am attending Binghamton University but my ultimate goal is to transfer to USCGA or USNA for the Class of 2024. While I am at Binghamton, one way I look to prove myself and strengthen my application for both would be to join a ROTC program. Being my goals lie with the Coast Guard or the Navy, it would make the most sense to join a NROTC program, but Binghamton only offers Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC (Cross town affiliates through Cornell). That being said, which would make the most sense between Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC? I don't plan on becoming a pilot in either the Navy or Coast Guard but I really do not have a preference over the two and just need an opinion on the best choice to fulfill my goals. I would appreciate any advice.

Which would you be happy with should you NOT receive an appointment to USCGA or USNA? Or if you decide to NOT apply/reapply? You may very well find yourself happy where you are. Your goal may change. Pick whichever one you see yourself most happy with as your plan B, as it may very well become you plan A!

And as others have stated, nothing ‘transfers’ in the sense one typically thinks of college ‘transferring’. Perhaps you could validate out of a class via plebe summer testing. But courses don’t ‘transfer in’.
 
Can you do an overnight visit with each program? I know that was offered when DS was looking into ROTC scholarship programs. You could experience the culture of each that way.

My PERCEPTION is that AF would be more akin to the emphasis on STEM that USNA has (DS is a Plebe at USNA. I don’t know anything about USCGA). I don’t know what your actual goals are, but I know from DS’s experience that USAFA and USNA (and their ROTC scholarship programs) were STEM emphasis based. Whereas AROTC was not as STEM oriented.
 
You may start ROTC as a “college programmer,” someone who joins the unit without benefit of scholarship. Cadets and midshipmen in this category are typically not eligible to participate in summer training. Some local scholarship money may be available to top-performing programmers.
 
Can you do an overnight visit with each program? I know that was offered when DS was looking into ROTC scholarship programs. You could experience the culture of each that way.

My PERCEPTION is that AF would be more akin to the emphasis on STEM that USNA has (DS is a Plebe at USNA. I don’t know anything about USCGA). I don’t know what your actual goals are, but I know from DS’s experience that USAFA and USNA (and their ROTC scholarship programs) were STEM emphasis based. Whereas AROTC was not as STEM oriented.

Overnight visit as in with USNA and USCGA or AFROTC and AROTC? If you mean USNA and USCGA I think I’m too old for visits there. I’m in my first year of college now. I agre with the Air Force aspect regarding stem and USNA.
 
Can you do an overnight visit with each program? I know that was offered when DS was looking into ROTC scholarship programs. You could experience the culture of each that way.

My PERCEPTION is that AF would be more akin to the emphasis on STEM that USNA has (DS is a Plebe at USNA. I don’t know anything about USCGA). I don’t know what your actual goals are, but I know from DS’s experience that USAFA and USNA (and their ROTC scholarship programs) were STEM emphasis based. Whereas AROTC was not as STEM oriented.
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USCGA has about 9 majors -- 7 or 8 of them are STEM (EE, ME, Cyber, Operations Research, Marine Biology, …). The one Non-STEM that I know of is "Government/History" major.
.
 
Overnight visit as in with USNA and USCGA or AFROTC and AROTC? If you mean USNA and USCGA I think I’m too old for visits there. I’m in my first year of college now. I agre with the Air Force aspect regarding stem and USNA.

I couldn’t tell what/where you were currently at, from your original post. So didn’t know that part about already being in college. I was speaking from a HS graduating, entering their freshman year of college viewpoint. And that the ROTC units that DS was looking into offer an overnight for the ROTC programs.

So did you apply to SA’s out of high school? And did you reapply this cycle? So will be a third try?

I’ll add that DS’s summer seminar detailer was the ABSOLUTE oldest that one could be. I BELIEVE he had tried four times (does that make sense?). Ultimately came from enlisted. I believe he had some college as well. He also did a year of naps. Pretty sure he could legally drink as a Plebe (or soon after!!). So it does happen! One of DS’s favorite people. He REALLY admired his tenacity. And was instrumental in his final decision to attend.
 
You don't just 'join' ROTC. It is a scholarship program with specific application requirements and deadlines. Same goes for attending a SA. You don't transfer. You apply and if you receive an appointment, you start as a Plebe.
Actually, you can just join ROTC. There is no requirement to have the scholarship to participate in the program and commission. You do have to earn advanced standing and contract after the sophomore year, but there is no scholarship involved with that. This is the path my son took when he did NOT receive a scholarship.
 
Sorry about my post... I read and replied too fast. Considering I complain enough about too much misinformation on SAF, I should know better. I read something different than what was written, because my own son was just going through the application process.

As far attending an SA, the original poster is talking about class of 2024. @matthewkalaf (if that is your real name, you should consider having an administrator change it to protect your privacy), did you mean class of 2024, or 2025? I'm asking because the application period for 2024 starts April 1.
 
Joining ROTC is fine but it's not required for admission to USNA. Do ROTC because you want to do it, not to improve your chances for SA admission. The sticky on reapplying has a lot of information regarding things you can do to improve your chances.

Also, consider why you want to attend a SA and what other options are available to you for commissioning. Since you've mentioned USCGA and USNA and indicate you don't want to be a pilot, I'm going to assume you want to drive ships. If that is the case, you may also want to consider USMMA.
 
Sorry about my post... I read and replied too fast. Considering I complain enough about too much misinformation on SAF, I should know better. I read something different than what was written, because my own son was just going through the application process.

As far attending an SA, the original poster is talking about class of 2024. @matthewkalaf (if that is your real name, you should consider having an administrator change it to protect your privacy), did you mean class of 2024, or 2025? I'm asking because the application period for 2024 starts April 1.

Class 2024, yes application opens April 1. And working on a name change.
 
Joining ROTC is fine but it's not required for admission to USNA. Do ROTC because you want to do it, not to improve your chances for SA admission. The sticky on reapplying has a lot of information regarding things you can do to improve your chances.

Also, consider why you want to attend a SA and what other options are available to you for commissioning. Since you've mentioned USCGA and USNA and indicate you don't want to be a pilot, I'm going to assume you want to drive ships. If that is the case, you may also want to consider USMMA.

My ultimate goal is to serve the country as an officer of course. I just look highly on the academy because of what you get out of it and how I’ll be able to apply it to military and civilian life. SA graduates are bred to lead and I believe I have the characteristics to do so.
 
Overnight visit as in with USNA and USCGA or AFROTC and AROTC? If you mean USNA and USCGA I think I’m too old for visits there. I’m in my first year of college now. I agre with the Air Force aspect regarding stem and USNA.

I couldn’t tell what/where you were currently at, from your original post. So didn’t know that part about already being in college. I was speaking from a HS graduating, entering their freshman year of college viewpoint. And that the ROTC units that DS was looking into offer an overnight for the ROTC programs.

So did you apply to SA’s out of high school? And did you reapply this cycle? So will be a third try?

I’ll add that DS’s summer seminar detailer was the ABSOLUTE oldest that one could be. I BELIEVE he had tried four times (does that make sense?). Ultimately came from enlisted. I believe he had some college as well. He also did a year of naps. Pretty sure he could legally drink as a Plebe (or soon after!!). So it does happen! One of DS’s favorite people. He REALLY admired his tenacity. And was instrumental in his final decision to attend.

I withdrew my application last year because I wanted to make sure I had the right reasons for applying unlike many other people who just want to go there because of how prestigious of an institution it is. Whether or not withdrawing it was a good idea is another story. But to be honest there’s nothing holding me back from taking any route in order to get there.
 
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