What if son doesnt get an AROTC scholarship?

[Ohio2015Parent]

I'm a bit reluctant to encourage him via the SMP program. I'm concerned that with college, ROTC, and a Nat Guard commitment he might be jumping headfirst into too many new environments. I really want him focusing his first year on his grades and maximizing his ROTC participation. Maybe I'm wrong about that, have to give it some more thought.


Glad to see I'm not the only parent who thought this thru. We just returned from a presentation at DS 1st choice school about SMP options. My DS is conflicted about why he even worked so hard for the last 3-4 years to be a strong candidate for an AROTC scholarship when this path was open to his dream without near the effort to build a strong file. However, I too feel that the SMP program may draw energy from the main focus - college GPA.

A lot of information to consider and process.

Take care

 

[clarksonarmy]

Can't tell you how many scholarship cadets ask me how they can go to basic training, or how many SMP cadets drop out to deploy with their unit. Entry level vs. management, a degree vs. hope you get a chance down the road to go back and earn that degree.

My advice, take it one step at a time. Scholarship is obviously the best deal, but takes some work and luck.
Non scholarship is good if you aren't dependent on help to get to your dream school.
SMP requires an additional commitment to drill, but has some unique benefits.
And then there are always campus based scholarships and GRFD scholarships to compete for.

Who knew it could be this complicated, or it would be so hard to explain all the options.

Wish more applicants had all the facts and were making informed decisions like it appears all of you on the discussion board are.

 

[Jcleppe]

My own experience was completely the opposite. I think this is based, though, on the fact that I attended a senior militarry college and not a civilial school with a handful of cadets. I suspect all fo the SMCs are similar in that most of the people who show up to those schools are, indeed, "walk ons" as you put it.

I think I may have simplified that statement a bit. When my son made that statement he was referring more to the walk on cadets that just took the MS class but did not paticipate in the labs, PT, or field exercises. Those that participated fully were treated like everyone else and included in all activities. Sorry for the mix up.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Who knew it could be this complicated, or it would be so hard to explain all the options.

Wish more applicants had all the facts and were making informed decisions like it appears all of you on the discussion board are.

And we appreciate your help and explanations as we go thru this with our kiddos.

One thing we did learn this weekend was that you can change an AROTC 4 year into a SMP scholarship at a later date if you are willing to go to basic and AIT. The clear advantage right now would be AROTC 4yr., DS knows this, but its hard to hear kids that didn't have your foresight and determination throughout highschool can come in with lower GPAs and records and still end up getting an amazing financial incentive to also try for your dream job: Army 2LT Active duty doing whatever they want you to do. Life's not fair is all I could tell him. I want him to use his freshman year to focus on learning the college, his course work and ROTC system - not being pulled to basic, additional drills etc... Hope he really has the opportunity to chose AROTC - maybe we'll all know this week