What should I do?

[Ant345]

Hi everyone I would like to have your opinion.
My final objective is to become an officer in the US Army, no one in my family is American except for me, I also live overseas, so I had to figure out all the processes on my own.
Right now I submitted everything for my WP application, my CFA is under review and I received two Nominations, I was DQ for my dyscalculia and dysgraphia but I’m under waiver review. I also applied to ROTC just last week because I wasn’t aware of how it worked and that it was available to me as well, but I almost completed my application.
Right now I’m in my first year of college, my GPA in High School was equivalent to a US 3.94, but what worries me the most is my SAT score because I got a 970 (560 Reading and 410 Math), I wasn’t aware of what this test was before applying because is not used here, I also tried to retake it but in my country, there are very few testing centers, fewer dates available and all the seats are almost full immediately, so I found myself in a situation of disadvantage taking it (My RC is aware of this) and the next available date would be March 13th.
My biggest worry is that the SAT along with the DoDMERB could ruin everything (Both WP and ROTC) because I’m right below the ROTC minimum and well below WP average. The fear of failing the CFA right at the end, and not receiving a waiver along with the SAT score is big. I’m hoping to receive an SAT waiver from ROTC and I would be happy with the PREP School eventually. The fact that despite my SAT score I managed to receive two nominations makes me hopeful that at least I’m not in a desperate situation. In your opinion what is the most probable outcome, is my situation desperate/almost hopeless?

PS: I was already thinking about enlisting directly but only in the most desperate situation, and if my bachelor’s degree would not be accepted for OCS (Because I earned it overseas).

 

[Wahoo Fan]

You are doing very well to have completed this whole process on your own, especially being overseas. I think that is a big positive for you.

If you receive the ROTC scholarship, will you be able to use it at your current college overseas? Or are you planning to transfer to a college in the US? That part I don’t understand.

You can email Mr. Mullen on this forum to ask about your waiver for the medical. Perhaps he could help you.

Communicating with your RC is good because that person can give WP context for your SAT score and note your extenuating circumstances. By definition, the average SAT score is the average because some candidates score below it and are still offered an appointment.

You have a lot of things going for you. I don’t think your situation is hopeless, but the fact is around half of fully qualified candidates are not offered an appointment, even though they have checked all the boxes. No one can really say what your chances are. If WP reviews your application and finds a compelling reason to give you a spot in the next class, then they can overlook the SAT score.

If you receive a waiver for the medical, you could apply again next year. That would give you time to study for the SAT and improve your score.

 

[MidCakePa]

Don’t know if your situation is desperate or hopeless. There’s too much information and context that we don’t know. But let’s review some possible outcomes. First, presume that you’re rejected for both USMA and an ROTC scholarship. Your best move is probably to attend a U.S. college and participate in ROTC. From there….

If you were rejected due to SAT: Prepare diligently and retake the SAT until you get a score that makes you competitive. Then reapply to USMA and/or compete for a campus-based ROTC scholarship the following year(s).

If you were rejected due to DODMERB: Probably not much you can do (pending some correspondence with Mr. Mullen, our resident expert, to confirm). But you could at least take solace that this is for your own good and the good of those who’d serve with you.

Whatever you do, don’t jump to enlisting immediately. That’s an honorable, but rather difficult, path to becoming an officer. You have options still, except in the case of a DODMERB rejection. Each year, dozens of USMA plebes take the oath after having been rejected once or twice before. They had assessed their situation, addressed their deficiencies and persisted in getting in. And even if you’re not one of them, doing ROTC at a U.S. college without a scholarship is a well-worn path to commissioning. And there’s still OCS, which is worthy of further research before you rule it out.

Of the thousands of new Army 2LTs commissioned each year, many did not get there via their preferred path. But they got there nonetheless.

 

[Ant345]

If you receive the ROTC scholarship, will you be able to use it at your current college overseas? Or are you planning to transfer to a college in the US? That part I don’t understand.

Thank you very much, unfortunately I will not be able to use it in my current college, I would have to move to the United States, I already applied to two Military Colleges and if I receive an ROTC scholarship I would have to transfer there.