What happens if you win Scholarship and later get SA appointment?

[Susan707]

What happens if you win a ROTC Scholarship but later get a SA appointment? It seems that given the timing that scholarships are awarded and SA appointments are granted, this scenario is possible. I would assume that some would rather take the SA appointment while others would rather keep the ROTC scholarship.

For example, you win an ROTC scholarship (any branch) on the 2nd Board and get an SA appointment in April. Can you decline the scholarship after you said you would accept? Just curious, what do most folks do? No matter what, I would think you would want to free up one or the other slots as soon as possible.

 

[Capt MJ]

Some, if they have the choice of both, may hang onto the ROTC scholarship until the last possible minute, to allow for something happening (accident, injury, illness, family event) that would not allow them to report in to their SA in early summer. This is normal and acceptable.

If they absolutely know they want to decline the SA appointment, and take the ROTC path, they are free to do that at any time up to deadlines.

ROTC scholarships can be accepted, and later declined. The SA and ROTC folks are well aware their candidates often have a choice.

Every candidate should take the time they need to make a considered decision that is right for them, and may take until the final deadline to make that decision.

There are many threads each year on “freeing up slots.” The SAs have a target range of class size, and they have decades and decades of data on acceptance rates. They know some will not accept. At some point, they will decide, like Goldilocks, that the class size is “just right.” Those declinations are factored in.

While the impulse to “free up slots” is a kind thought, it may or may not make a difference. Above all, no candidate should feel pressured, and should take the time they need to make the right decision for them.