What are my chances of getting a full ROTC scholarship?

Day Tripper,

Do you know if student with a lower SAT score have a chance winning a scholarship? I have read that there are only about 2000 scholarship available nationwide.
There are lots of factors that go into a scholarship award. SAT scores are an important one, but far from the only one. Strength in other areas of the application (eg leadership) can offset lower SAT scores. Each case is different.

How about the essays, do you know if they are really read?
 
As a generic candidate applying for a scholarship at a generic school, you're competitive for a scholarship in the second or third scholarship review boards, when the majority of scholarship offers are made. You took the SATs early in your junior year. However, many of the people you'll be competing against will take it later in the year and/or in their senior year, by which time their brains will have grown larger, with the exception of football linemen. It would be prudent to practice SAT exam-taking - you can do it on your own or on-line - and re-take the SATs.
 
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Something doesn't make sense here. Your near-perfect, 99th percentile GPA in AP and honors courses doesn't mesh with the SAT score at the 55th percentile - actually, more like 20th-30th percentile, for competitive college-bound students.

Either your school has serious grade inflation, or something went wrong on the day you took the SAT, or you made a typo above. But this picture doesn't look right. Thoughts?

The SAT scores tend to get better the older the student taking them. The OP is a junior, and it is only beginninf of March, even this summer, and getting through a test already, as well as prep should raise those. To the OP, definitely make that your priority.

Test anxiety is also a real thing, my DD struggled, (and struggled is not strong enough a word!) with standardized tests. It took her 4 tries to get a 25 on her ACT, thankfully the Army super scores and she hit that 26 that all the ROO's at the schools she visited (not super selective schools FYI) said was the average for Army. The biggest thing that held her back was finishing the test in the alotted time, that can greatly effect scores. So doing a test prep that works on that aspect is important.
 
Day Tripper,

Do you know if student with a lower SAT score have a chance winning a scholarship? I have read that there are only about 2000 scholarship available nationwide.
There are lots of factors that go into a scholarship award. SAT scores are an important one, but far from the only one. Strength in other areas of the application (eg leadership) can offset lower SAT scores. Each case is different.

How about the essays, do you know if they are really read?

They wouldn't ask for them if they were not read or not part of the scoring. Which is why for Army a letter of recommendation isn't necessary, since they don't ask for them, they are not read. There is a counselor evaluation that is field out but no letters of recommendation. Obviously for Navy that is a different story.
 
Day Tripper,

Do you know if student with a lower SAT score have a chance winning a scholarship? I have read that there are only about 2000 scholarship available nationwide.

Scholarships are offered off of the OML number, period. Which is good news! It is a whole person score. So yes, lower SAT scores have a chance at winning, all other things being strong. However, there are other ways that your SAT score gives you points. I can only speak for Army. You get points for your interview, at your interview there is a box that is checked if your SAT/ACT score is above a certain watermark. currently the OP's scores are below. Automatically that takes off 20 points for the interview. Also, the board member that reads the file scores the strength of the candidate and will take that into consideration. So getting a 24 or higher on the ACT and (cannot remember the SAT score), a certain score on the ACT scores more points on the interview.
 
Day Tripper,

Do you know if student with a lower SAT score have a chance winning a scholarship? I have read that there are only about 2000 scholarship available nationwide.
There are lots of factors that go into a scholarship award. SAT scores are an important one, but far from the only one. Strength in other areas of the application (eg leadership) can offset lower SAT scores. Each case is different.

How about the essays, do you know if they are really read?

They wouldn't ask for them if they were not read or not part of the scoring. Which is why for Army a letter of recommendation isn't necessary, since they don't ask for them, they are not read. There is a counselor evaluation that is field out but no letters of recommendation. Obviously for Navy that is a different story.


Thanks for answering.
 
Something doesn't make sense here. Your near-perfect, 99th percentile GPA in AP and honors courses doesn't mesh with the SAT score at the 55th percentile - actually, more like 20th-30th percentile, for competitive college-bound students.

Either your school has serious grade inflation, or something went wrong on the day you took the SAT, or you made a typo above. But this picture doesn't look right. Thoughts?

I agree that it appears like a very serious case of grade inflation at that high school. This is one of the reasons some colleges/universities require college entrance exams, i.e., school grade inflation. My Junior has a GPA of ~3.95 and ~4.05UW. His 2018 October SAT was 1350. His 2019 March SAT goal is ~1450. He spends a bunch of time studying specifically for the SAT, including Khan Academy.
 
@kinnem , I need your help again. I'm also considering an AROTC 2-year scholarship (aside from OCS, OTS and DCO) while doing a 2 year M.Eng.
-I majored in Electrical Eng.: Have a 3.6 GPA (as you know) and have a little community service. I didn't play any sports (I'm non-athletic), and I studied abroad for a semseter.
-Also, is the APFT required during the application process, or will I take it upon entry into the arotc det? I kind of bombed the 2 mile run at 15:50 :(
 
I'll leave AROTC questions to others who are far more expert than I.
 
@kinnem , I need your help again. I'm also considering an AROTC 2-year scholarship (aside from OCS, OTS and DCO) while doing a 2 year M.Eng.
-I majored in Electrical Eng.: Have a 3.6 GPA (as you know) and have a little community service. I didn't play any sports (I'm non-athletic), and I studied abroad for a semseter.
-Also, is the APFT required during the application process, or will I take it upon entry into the arotc det? I kind of bombed the 2 mile run at 15:50 :(

Some thoughts:
  • You are a college student. Have you spoken to the Army ROO at your campus? He/she can explain your chances of earning a campus based 2 year scholarship.
  • You may be able to still earn a commission by participating in AROTC and getting caught up by attending basic camp.
  • The APFT may or may not be a problem. Here is a calculator where you can input your APFT data and gender for a score: https://www.thecalculator.co/health/APFT-Calculator-425.html
If you do okay on the APFT but have a good GPA, you can still earn a scholarship or at LEAST earn a commission contract, but you need to contact the ROO right away to see if you can still do Basic camp.
Good luck.
 
I received an 1110 on my SAT and have not take the the ACT.

The good news is that an 1100 SAT will get you the max points for that section of your Interview form which is the most important. Re-taking the SAT and trying the ACT to get a better score will of course be a positive to your application, just know that the 1100 SAT or a 24 ACT will be enough to get you those much needed interview points. One other thing, the Army superscores your SAT and ACT test scores, so if you do take them more then once they will take the highest score from each section to make up your final score.
 
@AROTC-dad , there is no AROTC at my school. I'm trying to do my master's at Texas A&M (SMC) or a regular AROTC det. But if you could tell me my odds, that would be great.

I got a 200/300 ish on my APFT (I really suck at endurance)

I have good grades, average community service and have a teacher recommendation letter, but I'm very concerned about the pft.
 
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@kinnem , are those my chances of getting a scholarship? 32.5?

-Also, I've heard that Army promotion boards rely heavily on APFT scores. So, if I get 180's for a while (but do my job properly), will I end up sticking to 2nd lt for 42 months and retire as a 1st lt (48 months)? I kind of want to become a captain...
 
Kinnem is just trying to illustrate that there is no way anyone here can give you odds on getting a scholarship.

First off if you get only a 180 APFT you would most likely not commission into active duty, you would probably go Reserve or National Guard. If while serving you only get a 180, your biggest issue will be the troops you command snickering behind your back.

You need to take the advice of AROTC-dad, talk to an AROTC Battalion about the process of joining ROTC while getting your Master's, a lot of people do this. A scholarship will depend on what money they have available.

And just a piece of advice, don't as this question during your interview, at least not how you worded it.

-Also, I've heard that Army promotion boards rely heavily on APFT scores. So, if I get 180's for a while (but do my job properly), will I end up sticking to 2nd lt for 42 months and retire as a 1st lt (48 months)? I kind of want to become a captain...
 
@Jcleppe , but what if I do my masters at Texas A&M or Virginia Tech, aren't those SMCs? I know I will be guaranteed active duty there.

yes BUT there is a catch, as i understand it , to that guaranteed active duty. Your guaranteed IF the PMS recommends you BUT they're only allowed to recommend a certain number that varies from year to year based on what the needs are

best way to make sure you get what you want is to be a rock star at everything and even needs of service trumps all
 
@stevensbarracks , if I get a 2 year scholarship to, per se, Virginia Tech, then am I guaranteed an active duty commission (or just a commission, whether it be reserves or ANG)?

-I am doing an Enginering/STEM degree, and I presume that it will help.
 
These are questions you need to be asking the AROTC Battalion at Virginia Tech and Texas A&M, They both have websites and contact information.
 
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