What Happens When You "Decline" NSI

GWU PNS (emeritus)

GWU PNS (emeritus)

George Washington University Capital Battalion
Joined
Nov 4, 2021
Messages
1,611
There have been a few of these occurrences in the past week or so, and I wanted to ensure people are fully aware.

When you have been selected for a 4 year NROTC scholarship, and then you are offered a spot at NSI, barring an emergency situation which precludes your arrival at NSI, it becomes a requirement for you to complete it. (Tip: Family vacation does not equal an emergency)

We have had applicants, who for various reasons, have told the travel coordinators something along the lines of...."I changed my mind, and I don't want to do NSI this summer. Maybe I'll try it next year."

So, the translation we hear is......"No thanks, I don't want the NROTC scholarship." And with a few clicks of the computer, poof, it's gone! And you can't show up at the start of the semester and walk on as a College Programmer. Basically, you had your shot, and you opted not to take it.

Before anyone gets too concerned, we are aware that due to schedule limits, we could not offer everyone a spot at NSI this year. So, this does not apply to them. This applies to people who have been given an NSI iteration, and declined it, or without telling anyone, simply did not show up. And I just hope they told mom or dad that they have declined their scholarship, just so everyone understands what is going on. I just finished a long conversation with a concerned parent who was desperate to undo what was done.
 
I can only imagine your conversation with said concerned parent! Thank you for posting this. It always amazes me how some people don't have a grasp on either reality or consequences of their decisions. "But.....[insert reason/excuse etc]...."
 
momx3 said:
I can only imagine your conversation with said concerned parent! Thank you for posting this. It always amazes me how some people don't have a grasp on either reality or consequences of their decisions. "But.....[insert reason/excuse etc]...."
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There is usually some banter about noone explaining that things weren't optional......and I usually answer.....oh...... it's optional, just like offering the scholarship is optional. And then the heavy weight of reality sets in. 😐
 
Capt MJ said:
I need 🍿. Please sir, more NROTC stories. These are instructional and eye-opening for upcoming applicants and forum lurkers.

We hear many from the SA frontier. Not enough from you, @MohawkArmyROTC and other service ROTC incumbents or recent past.
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I have some that would make your eyes water, but I always wonder if they lurk on here. The best ones are at the start of the academic year when parents and child show up for our orientation and expect somehow that we will make an on the spot decision and cut them a check for tuition. They are shocked to find out there is a process and actual requirements.
 
GWU PNS said:
I have some that would make your eyes water, but I always wonder if they lurk on here. The best ones are at the start of the academic year when parents and child show up for our orientation and expect somehow that we will make an on the spot decision and cut them a check for tuition. They are shocked to find out there is a process and actual requirements.
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It’s very clear on the website.
 
GWU PNS said:
This applies to people who have been given an NSI iteration, and declined it, or without telling anyone, simply did not show up.
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Wow. Just wow.

As a college professor, I’m no longer surprised by the lack of commitment, work ethic and attention to detail that I see among many young adults. Not all, mind you, but many. Much of that is generational, e.g. helicopter or snowplow parents, everyone gets a trophy. Much of it is the fallout from covid, e.g. diminished standards, diluted expectations, lack of accountability.

There’s a general sense of entitlement and a belief that the world will cater to their every whim. Again, I’m not indicting an entire generation. But this is surprisingly pervasive, and extra disappointing when it comes from a set of people who are supposedly willing to serve and — what’s the oft-used line? — “be part of something bigger than myself.”
 
Wow, as a parent whose DS was DYNING for a chance at a NROTC scholarship - - didn't get offered one, I cannot believe this kind of lackadaisical attitude. Makes me think they put too much emphasis on SAT scores when giving out scholarships and not assessing the character, fitness and commitment of the applicants.
 
NJROTC-CC said:
Wow, as a parent whose DS was DYNING for a chance at a NROTC scholarship - - didn't get offered one, I cannot believe this kind of lackadaisical attitude. Makes me think they put too much emphasis on SAT scores when giving out scholarships and not assessing the character, fitness and commitment of the applicants.
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The other thing I wonder about is how much the applicant themselves is committed to for NROTC, and how much it is one or both parents. Then when it comes time to fish or cut bait......
 
GWU PNS said:
The other thing I wonder about is how much the applicant themselves is committed to for NROTC, and how much it is one or both parents. Then when it comes time to fish or cut bait......
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Yes. I am sure it is no easy task for the Navy/Marines to assess character, commitment and fitness this when considering applicants. Hence, grades and SAT's are used to rack and stack applicants. That doesn't always yield the best officer candidates. But there should be a certain "weed-out" % to be expected for any one of several reasons. But not even showing up on Day 1 is not something I would expect.
 
And don't forget about the actual mature 17/18-year-olds who pour over policy and regs. There are some out there. My DS was awarded a 4-Year NROTC Scholarship (Nurse Option) and after sitting with us and discussing it, actually declined it because the State of Florida was giving him the same full ride as NROTC. He will still pursue his goal of becoming a Naval Officer, just on a different path. Nurse Candidate Program paying him 34K over 2 years (Jr/Sr years) and free summers, with just 5 weeks of ODS on the back end after graduation.
 
MidCakePa said:
Wow. Just wow.

As a college professor, I’m no longer surprised by the lack of commitment, work ethic and attention to detail that I see among many young adults. Not all, mind you, but many. Much of that is generational, e.g. helicopter or snowplow parents, everyone gets a trophy. Much of it is the fallout from covid, e.g. diminished standards, diluted expectations, lack of accountability.

There’s a general sense of entitlement and a belief that the world will cater to their every whim. Again, I’m not indicting an entire generation. But this is surprisingly pervasive, and extra disappointing when it comes from a set of people who are supposedly willing to serve and — what’s the oft-used line? — “be part of something bigger than myself.”
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I was just having the same conversation with my colleague. I just experienced one of the worst interviews I have encountered in years. I thought it was just the person but a colleague shared a TikTok with me about younger people "interviewing" the interviewer :rolleyes:. I couldn't believe the entitlement trends.
 
My understanding also is that you aren’t ‘awarded’ (earned) the scholarship until ‘successful completion’ of NSI. Meaning you don’t actually have the scholarship until after.

Why would anyone think it optional? Or changeable (sans emergency)? Wowzers. Perhaps is a ‘natural selection’ type thing.

What happens to those now open scholarships?
 
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