What happens if...

[beepybeetle]

I currently have received an NROTC scholarship and my intended major was Chemistry. But the thing is, I fear it will be impacted and I may not be able to get into the major. Is there any sort of obligation that I MUST start as a chemistry major or could I enroll as an undeclared major?

 

[kinnem]

You do need permission to change majors. That being said, if you stay in Tier II or move up to Tier I it should not be a problem... especially if you're just starting out. Contact your cadre at the school you plan to attend well prior to signing up for classes to make sure the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed.

EDIT: BTW, the scholarship stuff yo receive should say something about your expected major I would think.

 

[5Day]

I do believe you need to notify your chain of command if you change major within Tier I and II. You need permission to change to a tier III major.
Most schools do not require you to declare your major prior to starting. You may be required to be admitted to a specific school, arts & sciences or engineering, etc. Some majors require you apply specifically to that major, like architecture or maybe a extremely popular major at a school. I do not know of any school that has Chemistry in that list (I would like to know if there is one). So, most likely you will start school undeclared.

This is from Yale "Not yet sure what you want to do with your life? Don’t worry. You have time. Most Yale students wait until sophomore year before declaring a major." which is very typical.

 

[NavyNOLA]

I currently have received an NROTC scholarship and my intended major was Chemistry. But the thing is, I fear it will be impacted and I may not be able to get into the major. Is there any sort of obligation that I MUST start as a chemistry major or could I enroll as an undeclared major?

If you have a Tier 2 scholarship, you can major in any Tier 2 (or Tier 1) major you want. The scholarship is associated with a tier, not a major. Coming into school, pick whatever you'd like within the tier. You'll only need permission to change once you've started school and established yourself in a major, primarily so that the staff can ensure you will still graduate on time.

 

[kinnem]

From here: http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/scholarship_criteria.html

A student may request a modification from their original academic major. Changing from a Tier 1, Tier 2, or LREC major requires approval from a formal panel and will be based on the needs of the Navy.

Could be out of date and may also be ambiguous in terms of when it applies and what your changing your major to, but I believe it's any change. After all, someone somewhere may be thinking "We're covered! After all beepybettle is majoring in chemistry!"

 

[5Day]

I must be in a Yale mood. One of the first google hits was this from Yale NROTC FAQ:

Do I have to major in some particular subject if I join the NROTC?
It depends. In an increasingly technical Navy, scholarship preference is now given to students who major in technical fields (Tier 1 and 2 majors), with 85% of all scholarships going to those students. Additionally, scholarships are awarded to a specified tier, and in order to maintain your scholarship eligibility you need to maintain a major within that tier. Students who wish to change tiers must have prior approval from the Commanding Officer or Naval Service Training Command as appropriate (see below). College Program students can enter the program with any major, but if awarded a scholarship it will be for a specific tier.

 

[beepybeetle]

If you have a Tier 2 scholarship, you can major in any Tier 2 (or Tier 1) major you want. The scholarship is associated with a tier, not a major. Coming into school, pick whatever you'd like within the tier. You'll only need permission to change once you've started school and established yourself in a major, primarily so that the staff can ensure you will still graduate on time.

Okay so that explains the tier thing... Thanks again!

 

[NavyNOLA]

From here: http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/scholarship_criteria.html


Could be out of date and may also be ambiguous in terms of when it applies and what your changing your major to, but I believe it's any change. After all, someone somewhere may be thinking "We're covered! After all beepybettle is majoring in chemistry!"

It's not any change. While poorly worded, it's saying that if you want to go from Tier 1, Tier 2, or LREC to a Tier 3 instead, you have to seek formal approval. Their is a tier change board twice a year in Pensacola. COs can approve Tier 1 to Tier 2.

The Navy doesn't really care WHAT you major in, they just care what the tier is and when you will graduate. NROTC is required to graduate 65% technical majors, which is tier 1 and 2.

 

[kinnem]

Right. But you do have to notify your cadre when just changing majors within the same Tier, right? Or is that old scuttlebutt?

 

[NavyNOLA]

Right. But you do have to notify your cadre when just changing majors within the same Tier, right? Or is that old scuttlebutt?

Most units will require you to do that, primarily so that your advisor can verify with you that you will graduate on time. It typically involves sitting down with your advisor to talk through the change and present them with a new 4 year graduation plan. However, there is no "approval" process, so long as the new major is within your assigned tier. If a student wants to change from, say, biology to math, they are free to do so.