UW vs UCLA army rotc decision

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greekcomedians

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Hello, I am a high school senior, and I have received a 4 year scholarship to both UW and UCLA. I am 95% sure I'll be accepted into UW and 50% sure that I'll be accepted to UCLA.

I am planning on majoring in aerospace engineering, and both are ranked very closely. So that doesn't affect my decision.

I live by Fort Lewis, so UW is rather close. It would be nice being able to come home, but at the same time, moving away from home would be nice.

I was wondering if anyone in either of these programs could tell me a bit about each program.

Thank you, and have a good day!
 
As a USC grad I can atest to the fact that L.A. is a tough place to live (and breathe).
 
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One thing to think about. Did you receive your scholarship on the second board, if so then you will need to accept or decline the scholarship soon. Will you hear if you are accepted by UCLA before you have to accept the scholarship.

I ask because if you accept to UCLA and you are not accepted, you will then have to go through the transfer process. Getting your scholarship transferred is not a guarantee, it does help the the UW is in the same Brigade as UCLA but it is still not a guarantee. The UW is a popular school, it could very well be possible that the UW Battalion will meet their mission of scholarship cadets before you are able to process a transfer request. You could still join the UW ROTC but you may not be able to transfer the scholarship.

I guess it comes down to playing the odds, you say you are 95% sure of an acceptance to the UW while only 50% for UCLA. This could end up being a big factor in your decision.

As far as the two schools, I am a little biased being from Seattle.....Go Huskies!!...the UW is a great school, even though you live just south of Tacoma the UW will feel a world away once you move in and start school. The UW ROTC Battalion has some perks being so close to Ft. Lewis, they have access there for a lot of their training which is nice.
 
Jcleppe said:
One thing to think about. Did you receive your scholarship on the second board, if so then you will need to accept or decline the scholarship soon. Will you hear if you are accepted by UCLA before you have to accept the scholarship.

I ask because if you accept to UCLA and you are not accepted, you will then have to go through the transfer process. Getting your scholarship transferred is not a guarantee, it does help the the UW is in the same Brigade as UCLA but it is still not a guarantee. The UW is a popular school, it could very well be possible that the UW Battalion will meet their mission of scholarship cadets before you are able to process a transfer request. You could still join the UW ROTC but you may not be able to transfer the scholarship.

I guess it comes down to playing the odds, you say you are 95% sure of an acceptance to the UW while only 50% for UCLA. This could end up being a big factor in your decision.

As far as the two schools, I am a little biased being from Seattle.....Go Huskies!!...the UW is a great school, even though you live just south of Tacoma the UW will feel a world away once you move in and start school. The UW ROTC Battalion has some perks being so close to Ft. Lewis, they have access there for a lot of their training which is nice.
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Ah I didn't know the transfer process was guaranteed. I did receive my scholarship from the second board, I have to commit by the 17th. I don't believe that I will know if I get accepted.

Thank you for the information!
 
Don't make your decision based primarily on the AROTC program opinions. Cadre change at least every three years. Which school will allow you to succeed as a person and student in Aerospace engineering? Is that major 'impacted' at UCLA so getting the classes you need, when needed, will be a problem? - or, does ROTC qualify you for priority registration at UCLA?

Which school did you feel was the best 'fit' for you? Did you visit both ROTC Battalions and meet some cadets?

You are in a tough situation having to accept before you know of an acceptance to either. However, you still may have the option to transfer the scholarship if necessary.
 
To be honest, I would accept to the UW (If that is a school you would feel comfortable and happy to attend), and if you end up being accepted to UCLA then you can try and transfer if you like, but you would still at least have the scholarship in hand at a school you been accepted to.

AROTC Parent is correct, choose the school, not the ROTC program.
 
Jcleppe said:
To be honest, I would accept to the UW (If that is a school you would feel comfortable and happy to attend), and if you end up being accepted to UCLA then you can try and transfer if you like, but you would still at least have the scholarship in hand at a school you been accepted to.

AROTC Parent is correct, choose the school, not the ROTC program.
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I definitely would be happy with UW. Thank you
 
AROTC Parent said:
Don't make your decision based primarily on the AROTC program opinions. Cadre change at least every three years. Which school will allow you to succeed as a person and student in Aerospace engineering? Is that major 'impacted' at UCLA so getting the classes you need, when needed, will be a problem? - or, does ROTC qualify you for priority registration at UCLA?

Which school did you feel was the best 'fit' for you? Did you visit both ROTC Battalions and meet some cadets?

You are in a tough situation having to accept before you know of an acceptance to either. However, you still may have the option to transfer the scholarship if necessary.
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UW has Boeing very close, so that could be helpful for my major. I have not visited UCLA, but I have been to UW many times, and I did my PMS interview there. Thanks for the advice!
 
My DS1, DD1, wife and brother are all Bruins.

UCLA is a huge huge university that has one of the largest number of applications each year. It has an outstanding reputation but it isn't for everyone. L.A. and Westwood in particular has it's own set of distractions.

I highly encourage a visit to L.A. to really see if it is your cup of tea.
 
gokings814 said:
My DS1, DD1, wife and brother are all Bruins.

UCLA is a huge huge university that has one of the largest number of applications each year. It has an outstanding reputation but it isn't for everyone. L.A. and Westwood in particular has it's own set of distractions.

I highly encourage a visit to L.A. to really see if it is your cup of tea.
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I would definitely visit LA if I could. Unfortunately it's not really an option. Thank you though.
 
greekcomedians said:
I would definitely visit LA if I could. Unfortunately it's not really an option. Thank you though.
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greekcomedians - You don't have to visit UCLA immediately.... Submit your scholarship acceptance to whatever school you choose - sounds like UW is a fit for you.

My opinion, so you have no regrets in this decision.... Contact the ROO or PMS at UCLA and ask if they can provide your email address/contact info to a current UCLA cadet with a STEM major for questions. Explain the situation that you had to decide on a school without an acceptance to either.

Best case - Once accepted to UCLA - Find a few days in late spring to visit and see if you can crash on their couch, attend a class or two with them. My now 2LT did this in late March/early April as a Sr in HS because she had no previous contact with the ROTC unit and had only seen the campus on a quick tour. Take Amtrak, Greyhound, or Southwest if necessary. Talk over the options with your parents if possible.
 
As a lifelong Southern Californian, who has had two ROTC cadet children who couldn't wait to get out of SoCal, I'd say go to UW.....*unless* living the go, go, go, wait, wait, wait LA lifestyle (think Kardashian or the "club scene") is something you seek. There are tons of great things about the opportunities in LA and consequently, a greater number of people live here. When I have relatives that visit from out of state, they are astounded that there is ALWAYS traffic in LA and there are long lines to eat, get into a movie or do just about anything else down here. Another factor is almost everything is more expensive in SoCal but your stipend will be exactly the same so your money will go much farther elsewhere. The 5 bedroom house that my son rents at his college in Idaho for $1650 a month would probably be $5-6000 in LA.
 
greekcomedians said:
UW has Boeing very close, so that could be helpful for my major. I have not visited UCLA, but I have been to UW many times, and I did my PMS interview there. Thanks for the advice!
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If you have not visited UCLA, I would highly recommend not accepting it there. I know it is an amazing school, and if you get accepted a quick flight down would be worth a couple hundred bucks to check it out. And since you said that is not an option, getting back and forth to see your family once in awhile would most likely not be an option either. However, that being said, if you know you feel comfortable at UW, I cannot image choosing a school you have never been to before. I am also a NW native, and LA is like being on a different planet. Not that you wouldn't love it there, but definitely should visit before making a commitment to go there. Just my 2 cents, but I am a huge proponent of visiting schools before you even apply, so I am totally biased.
 
k2rider said:
As a lifelong Southern Californian, who has had two ROTC cadet children who couldn't wait to get out of SoCal, I'd say go to UW.....*unless* living the go, go, go, wait, wait, wait LA lifestyle (think Kardashian or the "club scene") is something you seek. There are tons of great things about the opportunities in LA and consequently, a greater number of people live here. When I have relatives that visit from out of state, they are astounded that there is ALWAYS traffic in LA and there are long lines to eat, get into a movie or do just about anything else down here. Another factor is almost everything is more expensive in SoCal but your stipend will be exactly the same so your money will go much farther elsewhere. The 5 bedroom house that my son rents at his college in Idaho for $1650 a month would probably be $5-6000 in LA.
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Thank you, I'm pretty sure that lifestyle isn't for me, I like socializing, but not that much. I think I have made my decision.
 
Dckc88 said:
If you have not visited UCLA, I would highly recommend not accepting it there. I know it is an amazing school, and if you get accepted a quick flight down would be worth a couple hundred bucks to check it out. And since you said that is not an option, getting back and forth to see your family once in awhile would most likely not be an option either. However, that being said, if you know you feel comfortable at UW, I cannot image choosing a school you have never been to before. I am also a NW native, and LA is like being on a different planet. Not that you wouldn't love it there, but definitely should visit before making a commitment to go there. Just my 2 cents, but I am a huge proponent of visiting schools before you even apply, so I am totally biased.
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Ok, thank you. My only problem with the north west is the weather haha!
 
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