why aren't all majors listed in the NROTC application ?

[BoyCrew]

Hi,

My son is in the process of applying for an NROTC scholarship. His first choice for a major was a tier 1 - Ocean Engineering, which he had selected on the app. Now that he is about ready to submit it, he saw that there is no listing any longer for that major and neither are a couple of others that he was considering. Why is that? Does it mean they have given away the scholarships for that major already? If he chooses another major, I realize he will have an opportunity to switch, but I'm wondering why this happened. Also I've noticed that some colleges don't have the specific majors they list (e.g. Engineering Science). Is it up to him to ensure that a college has the specific major or would they simply not award a scholarship to that college? Maybe it would be better for him to select something like civil engineering which all of his college choices have, with the intent to switch later. Thanks for any help.

 

[kinnem]

Also I've noticed that some colleges don't have the specific majors they list (e.g. Engineering Science). Is it up to him to ensure that a college has the specific major or would they simply not award a scholarship to that college? Maybe it would be better for him to select something like civil engineering which all of his college choices have, with the intent to switch later. Thanks for any help.

Switching majors once awarded a scholarship requires permission. As long as the new major is the same or in a higher tier then it's generally not an issue as long as one can still graduate and commission on time. So be wary about switching later.

It's impossible for them to list every major as different schools call what amounts to the same major by different names. When in doubt about a major being in the proper tier, inquire with the NROTC unit at the college. They will know where it falls. This is true for any major. It's worth a call to those units about Ocean Engineering as well.

 

[NavyNOLA]

There are literally 4819503824559294 majors among the hundreds (thousands?) of colleges in the country. They can't list them all. The list they use are most of the common ones. The major isn't important- the tier is. Select a major that is in the same tier as the major that you'd like to pursue, in your best estimation. If in doubt, reach out to the unit for specific guidance.

 

[NavyLady64]

Hi,

My son is in the process of applying for an NROTC scholarship. His first choice for a major was a tier 1 - Ocean Engineering, which he had selected on the app. Now that he is about ready to submit it, he saw that there is no listing any longer for that major and neither are a couple of others that he was considering. Why is that? Does it mean they have given away the scholarships for that major already? If he chooses another major, I realize he will have an opportunity to switch, but I'm wondering why this happened. Also I've noticed that some colleges don't have the specific majors they list (e.g. Engineering Science). Is it up to him to ensure that a college has the specific major or would they simply not award a scholarship to that college? Maybe it would be better for him to select something like civil engineering which all of his college choices have, with the intent to switch later. Thanks for any help.

For what it's worth, my DD listed "mechanical engineering" for her scholarship. After starting (Virginia Tech), she wanted to switch to Aerospace & Ocean Engineering and it is still Tier 1. She had to request permission, meet with her NROTC command, but they approved pretty easily. I did not get the impression that they had a "quota" of mechanical vs. aerospace vs. ocean, etc. so your son should be okay. They probably removed it because they realized that each school has a slightly different set of specific majors and -- some may not offer Ocean at all. Good luck to your son!

 

[BoyCrew]

Thank you for that answer! There aren't many colleges that offer it and Virginia Tech is one of his choices too. I found it odd that it was there, and then it was gone, but you are probably right about that. I can't imagine they would cross check schools and major selection.