What bearing does your major Tier have on your chance of a 4-year for NROTC?

IronmanDaremo

IronmanDaremo

What, me worry?
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Pretty much exactly as the title states. Does your major "Tier" provide you with a better shot at a scholarship? Or does it just evoke a lot more scrutiny on the application?

My son has put in Chemical Engineering, which is Tier 1, and he is not doing super great in Chemistry for the Fall semester (barely holding a C). I've recommended he reconsiders his major before he gets too far into it.
 
85% of 4 year scholarships are for Tier 1 or 2 majors. A student should pursue a major they are interested in and have aptitude for. Scholarship should not be the driving factor in deciding on a major.
 
There are lots lots lots of threads about this and great resources/advice. It matters to some degree.

If your son thinks they will excel **much** better in a different major then it is worth talking about. mental health + love of major should be above deciding what is best to get a scholarship.

With that said, a C isn't great, but also isn't terrible. You'd be surprised a how common that is for STEM majors. Could just be the confusion / stress of college in the beginning. If they can bump it up to B-, and then have easier classes balance out their GPA, they'll be fine.
 
IronmanDaremo said:
Pretty much exactly as the title states. Does your major "Tier" provide you with a better shot at a scholarship? Or does it just evoke a lot more scrutiny on the application?

My son has put in Chemical Engineering, which is Tier 1, and he is not doing super great in Chemistry for the Fall semester (barely holding a C). I've recommended he reconsiders his major before he gets too far into it.
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NJROTC-CC said:
85% of 4 year scholarships are for Tier 1 or 2 majors. A student should pursue a major they are interested in and have aptitude for. Scholarship should not be the driving factor in deciding on a major.
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x 1000

My DS commissioned through AROTC several years back at a Big 10 school. He began as a Chem E major. His SAT math and SAT Chem Subject test scores were 750-800. He loved Chemistry and Math. He could do reactions and proofs in his sleep and carried in almost a semester worth of credits, including 3 semesters of College Calculus. His advisor warned him that despite his quals, Engineering would add another level of difficulty. She also warned that ROTC would be piling on. Of course, he knew better, because he saw how much money Chemical Engineers were earning at the time right out of college...which happened to be during the explosion in fracking.

It took him about 45 seconds to realize that his advisor was right. He was able to change majors to Chemistry during Sophomore year. Doing so freed up a lot of electives which he devoted to foreign language and CS classes. The latter was very useful when he eventually branched Signal (Communications). The Chemistry was useful for winning bar bets.

So...

Is your son in AP Chemistry? How is he doing in Calculus and Physics? No need to answer. But, he should be really strong in at least two of those three or Freshman year could be a killer of any Engineer dreams. Don't forget that NROTC will be a significant occupier of his time, meaning that any other academic or extra-ciricular interests would need to take a back seat for 4-5 years. If he is strong in Math and Physics one of the other Engineering disciplines or Physics or CS might be more to his liking. Physics, like Chemistry is a Tier 2 major.

Wish him the best of luck and to heed @NJROTC-CC 's advice!
 
He's currently a freshman "college programmer" in the NROTC unit at UMBC in Maryland. He took AP Calc A/B, AP Physics, and Chem GT in high school. Calc and Physics were full remote learning during the middle of the pandemic. Calc was not great with scraping a "B," and he only got an "A" in Physics because of the normal assignments and a curve. Did not take the AP tests in either.

So he took pre-Calc this fall semester in college knowing that in-person college level stuff is harder. After a rough first few weeks, he now has a solid "A" in the class, and will be taking Calc next semester.

Only a 1250 SAT student, but a 3.87 unweighted / 4.40 weighted GPA from high school with 7 AP classes, and the rest all GT/Honors. He actually got a LOA to the Academy for c/o '25 last year, but did not get a nomination, so was not able to close out the appointment (he did get a nom for the USAFA, but got his TWE at the last cut at the end of April from there). Because we are in a very competetive district with the USNA only 40 minutes from our house, they could not wrestle up a nomination. Really disappointing for him. But it is why he opted to pursue NROTC while he put in for the c/o '26. This year, he said his interviews for the nominations went really well (with one panel saying he was far and away the best candidate and most prepared that they had interviewed), and he is only pursuing the USNA, and not the USAFA this time, so a better shot at one.

He almost maxed out his PFA for the NROTC app, and other than the Chem class, has all, or very close to, straight A's in all his other classes.

And I believe that today, the only recommendation he was waiting for in the app finally posted. So he should be ready for the board to review and see how it goes! But the major choice is what concerns me ........ I don't think he is fully committed to it, which can be a disaster in the long run.
 
It sounds like he is strong enough in math/science to make it through even if not fully committed. If he gets into USNA he will have to take Chemistry, Physics and Calculus plebe year (but he has already taken them, so that shouldn't be too tough.) After that, he can major in whatever he chooses. I wish him good luck!!!
 
There are much better resources than me on SAF. My experience is very limited and AROTC/Army specific. Maybe posting to the USNA forum might elicit better responses.

FWIW, your DS sounds like a perfect candidate for either USNA or NROTC scholarship. Brains, brawn and persistence.

Again I wish him the best of luck!
 
Above responses are excellent. The SAT score is a concern but that's just one data point of many. Of course pursue NROTC and USNA.
*Why isn't he also pursuing the AROTC scholarship?
Also has anyone in his unit discussed his applying NROTC-Marine option vs Navy option with him? Is there an interest there? *if this were one my my children these are the discussion points we'd be discussing on facetime one night.

Is he an athlete and will be compete on an athletic team for the academy? If so that could negate any concerns on his SAT.

the best thing is that he's applying with a proven NROTC participation and high actual grades in college vs high potential for college success from HS. That means a lot.

Agree he sounds like he's going to grind through the challenge no matter the path - - certainly the interviewer comments are highly encouraging as are all of his strengths.

congrats and Best of luck to your son
 
Don't think he's interested in the Marines. At least he has not expressed so far. He's currently in a Navy slot as a programmer.

He wanted Air Force or Navy last cycle. Now he is all in for the Navy, either USNA or ROTC. (There is a family history with my dad being a retired CAPT, and his dad being a retired LCDR ..... and me going to NAPS and c/o '96 at USNA before dropping out).

He was a cross country/track guy with times nearing the D1 walk-on qualification times in his Junior year, and would have probably gotten there as a senior, but the pandemic and remote school messed all that up. And with some high level concerns about our extended family and a baby brother, he didn't engage in any of the sports his senior year. And his running decreased dramatically, so no sports recruitment ....... but he's still the fastest guy in his unit. ;)

Found out as of this afternoon, his application is fully in for the NROTC scholarship. Now, he waits!
 
IronmanDaremo said:
He's currently a freshman "college programmer" in the NROTC unit at UMBC in Maryland. He took AP Calc A/B, AP Physics, and Chem GT in high school. Calc and Physics were full remote learning during the middle of the pandemic. Calc was not great with scraping a "B," and he only got an "A" in Physics because of the normal assignments and a curve. Did not take the AP tests in either.

So he took pre-Calc this fall semester in college knowing that in-person college level stuff is harder. After a rough first few weeks, he now has a solid "A" in the class, and will be taking Calc next semester.

Only a 1250 SAT student, but a 3.87 unweighted / 4.40 weighted GPA from high school with 7 AP classes, and the rest all GT/Honors. He actually got a LOA to the Academy for c/o '25 last year, but did not get a nomination, so was not able to close out the appointment (he did get a nom for the USAFA, but got his TWE at the last cut at the end of April from there). Because we are in a very competetive district with the USNA only 40 minutes from our house, they could not wrestle up a nomination. Really disappointing for him. But it is why he opted to pursue NROTC while he put in for the c/o '26. This year, he said his interviews for the nominations went really well (with one panel saying he was far and away the best candidate and most prepared that they had interviewed), and he is only pursuing the USNA, and not the USAFA this time, so a better shot at one.

He almost maxed out his PFA for the NROTC app, and other than the Chem class, has all, or very close to, straight A's in all his other classes.

And I believe that today, the only recommendation he was waiting for in the app finally posted. So he should be ready for the board to review and see how it goes! But the major choice is what concerns me ........ I don't think he is fully committed to it, which can be a disaster in the long run.
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Your DS should consider requesting a PNS nomination for USNA. This is a supplemental recommendation to the regular USNA process. I nominated 2 of my Mids last year and both were accepted. USNA views a recommendation of a post Major Command line officer favorably.
 
Arrrgh.....I meant to include the link for the nomination process. Minus 5 internets for me. This is a type of nomination not many folks know about.

www.usna.edu

Naval/Marine Corps Reserve Officers Training Corps Units

Naval/Marine Corps Reserve Officers Training Corps Units page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Sun Apr 20 04:40:42 EDT 2025.
www.usna.edu
 
Back to your original question OP, I candidly do think (just my opinion) a non-tier 1 major is a disadvantage for applying NROTC and AFROTC. My DS (Not tier 1 for NROTC or AROTC applications) received scholarships from AROTC (which doesn't emphasize majors as much as the other 2) and AFROTC (tech engineering app) fairly quickly but it took longer to get his NROTC offer. Humbly he was an unusually strong candidate even with such a top-talent pool, and I think had he gone with engineering on his app for NROTC he would have had an offer faster. Just my opinion. For this reason yesterday I recommend your DS consider applying AROTC too since majors matter less there IMO and they have some terrific paths for branching if his desire is to get a scholarship and to serve. If the scholarship matters less than the branch, then that point is moot.

That being said, I'm certainly delighted DS is living his dream and pursuing his dream major and career in college vs. being capable to pass but suffering through 4 years of courses that don't float one's proverbial boat.

Good luck to your son.
 
GWU PNS said:
Your DS should consider requesting a PNS nomination for USNA. This is a supplemental recommendation to the regular USNA process. I nominated 2 of my Mids last year and both were accepted. USNA views a recommendation of a post Major Command line officer favorably.
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Yes, sir. That is one of the reasons my son joined as a walk-on to the unit. He wanted to try to go for as many nomination sources as possible and let his LT mentor know at the outset that a ROTC nom was one of his goals. ;)
 
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An update: Fall semester is done, and he is only waiting to find the final grade for one class (English). He did end up with a C in Chem, but at least pulled his grade up from a barely passing 70 to a 76 by the end. He has A's in everything else (with one also in English before knowing how he did on the final) including pre-Calc. If he does get an A in English, then he should have a 3.5 or so for his GPA - which is what is required to maintain his merit scholarship from the school. Next semester he has a full course load with Calc, Chem 2, Intro to Engineering, and maybe Physics? The semester is going to kick his azz, but will be a wake up call to see if he truly does want to stick with Engineering. :eek:

The Chem grade was not a great thing to show the NROTC board or the USNA admissions team, but at least he did end up passing. :p
 
IronmanDaremo said:
An update: Fall semester is done, and he is only waiting to find the final grade for one class (English). He did end up with a C in Chem, but at least pulled his grade up from a barely passing 70 to a 76 by the end. He has A's in everything else (with one also in English before knowing how he did on the final) including pre-Calc. If he does get an A in English, then he should have a 3.5 or so for his GPA - which is what is required to maintain his merit scholarship from the school. Next semester he has a full course load with Calc, Chem 2, Intro to Engineering, and maybe Physics? The semester is going to kick his azz, but will be a wake up call to see if he truly does want to stick with Engineering. :eek:

The Chem grade was not a great thing to show the NROTC board or the USNA admissions team, but at least he did end up passing. :p
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I can't speak to how USNA review boards might view a chemistry grade, but for NROTC, the focus would be on Calc and Physics. If the overall GPA is high, and I would say 3.5 is certainly up there, then the one grade of C would not be causing a lot of people to shake their heads. So, having said that, looking at his next semester, if I were his advisor, I would ask if he really needs to load up all those courses. Maybe move either Calc or Chem 2 to the following semester? Is he using the school's tutoring system for help? It comes down to whether or not he wants to be miserable slogging through a major where he doesn't pick things up quickly, as opposed to a slightly easier major which gives him some breathing room. And while the argument will continue on for eternity whether or not a Tier 1 or 2 major helps with 4 year scholarship offers, my experience has shown that this is less of a factor for side load applicants. If he interviews well, is physically fit, has a good attitude, then I would say his chances are better than not of getting a 3 year side load even if the 4 year scholarship is elusive.
 
His English grade still isn't in, but he did see that they do count his AP classes that he is getting credit for as A's toward his GPA. There are only two of them, but if he does get an A in English, that makes his college GPA at 3.63. If he gets a B in English, his GPA will still be a 3.5.

No news yet, so I'm guessing he did not make the cut for the December board. Needs to get the Freshman fall transcript in for both the NROTC scholarship and USNA app to close them out I guess. So, probably no news until January or February (the Maryland nomination sources he has do not typically get in there selections until almost the deadline of January 31st anyway based on his experience from last year, so he wouldn't even be eligible for the Academy board until then).
 
IronmanDaremo said:
His English grade still isn't in, but he did see that they do count his AP classes that he is getting credit for as A's toward his GPA. There are only two of them, but if he does get an A in English, that makes his college GPA at 3.63. If he gets a B in English, his GPA will still be a 3.5.

No news yet, so I'm guessing he did not make the cut for the December board. Needs to get the Freshman fall transcript in for both the NROTC scholarship and USNA app to close them out I guess. So, probably no news until January or February (the Maryland nomination sources he has do not typically get in there selections until almost the deadline of January 31st anyway based on his experience from last year, so he wouldn't even be eligible for the Academy board until then).
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If it helps, the December board results are still working their way through the snake. Omicron is messing with travel schedules, so those board results might not be out for another week or so.
 
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