NROTC questions

wyattthehopeful · 06-14-2012, 01:28 AM

I am an incoming 2012 high school senior and am very interested in the NROTC 4 year scholarship. I have a 3.7389 weighted GPA and will be taking my SAT and ACT in the next month or so due to my needed accommodations. I have done highschool marching band for three years along with varsity debate for one, i am also in a community service program which reads to young children, i am a national english honor society member, and a pole vaulter for my school track team (My career ended when i broke my leg however), i am also a member of a christian youth group at my school, i usher at my church as well. My local recruiter also told me that i have my foot partially in the door due to me being black (he says the navy is looking for more minority officers) i have an uncle who is a retired capitan as well as two brothers currently serving. Due to my GPA however (along with me chosing a teir 3 degree) how good are my chances assuming i pull all of the right refrences and have a good interview? how high do my SAT/ACT scores need to be given my current GPA? And overall how good are my chances?

Iron Maiden · 06-14-2012, 07:05 AM

Tier 3 is an issue. 85% of all scholarships for NROTC have to go to Tier 1 & 2 majors. So you have to be at the top of the pile for Tier 3.

The Navy is looking for leadership. Are you the captain of clubs or sports teams? Student Government, etc?

Your app should be started NOW to have the best chance. Not having taken the SAT or ACT yet won't help. Those should have been taken once during your Jr year in order to get the app in. You can't complete the app until you have the results back. Aim for at least a 30 ACT.

Have you taken the toughest schedule possible at your school? Max # of AP classes and the highest level of math possible? This is very important in the application evaluation process.

What accommodations do you require? You not only have to get the scholarship but pass a very extensive physical as well. There are a long list of items that are automatic DQ for the scholarship - ADD, ADHD, breathing issues, allergies, etc. What is the status of your leg?

Even as a Tier 3 major you will have to take a full year of college Calculus and then a full year of Physics and get a C or better. Are you prepared to do this? Many Tier 3 majors have an issue with this material as you are typically in classes with Engineering students.

Finally, what is your goal? Do you want NROTC to become a Navy officer as your #1 goal or is it a way to pay for school? If it is the latter I urge you to reconsider. The vast majority of those who want the scholarship for the money drop out and then have no way to pay for school. My DS's class started with 20+ and commissioned 4. Those 4 were the ones that wanted to be officers more than anything in the world. The Navy is very good about weeding others out.

References, church, and relatives serving will help a bit. The Navy is looking for diversity but I think the recruiter is overstating that impact. It won't make a non-competitive app competitive. It might help in the case of a tie.

I'm happy to help, PM if you wish.

mom2collegekids · 06-14-2012, 08:22 AM

Why are you looking only at Tier 3. You probably have what it takes to get into Tier 2, and maybe Tier 1.

How did you do on the PSAT? Are you practicing for both the ACT and SAT?

You can't take the SAT and ACT in the next month....they're not offered until Fall. Sign up for the Sept ACT and the Oct SAT (those are the next ones).

I do believe that the Navy is looking for diversity amongst officers, so I do think being a male AA will help, but it won't be a huge hook.

Is there a reason why you're only considering the Navy? Is it because of family tradition?

If you want Navy, look into Auburn Univ...when comparing admission difficulty to NROTC, it's admission difficulty is considered low.

cptofthehouse · 06-14-2012, 08:57 AM

Your test scores, grades, and your choice of major figure strongly in the selection process. You also have to pass the physical tests.

PackMom · 06-14-2012, 09:07 AM

My S's NROTC class started out w/ 28 and comissioned 10 or 12 (including Marines). Choosing a Tier 1 or 2 major would help your chances if you think you could handle it. What is your class rank? Have you taken AP Calc or Physics?
The Navy is in downsizing mode at present so you will need to do everything possible to present the best application possible.

cptofthehouse · 06-14-2012, 09:28 AM

Packmom, can one start out as a Tier 1 or 2 and switch to Tier 3 once in the program?

Wow, I did not know that the fall out rate was that high. My cousin's son did survive his freshman year.

Iron Maiden · 06-14-2012, 12:37 PM

Tier 1, 2, and 3 does not mean college it is by major. Tier 3 is non- science or math (ex: poly sci). Tier 2 would be math and Tier 1 engineering.

If you declare a Tier 1 or Tier 2 major, get the scholarship and then change to a Tier 3 major you lose the scholarship. No loophole

cptofthehouse · 06-14-2012, 12:43 PM

Thanks Iron Maiden. I knew it meant major, but I did not know if one could change majors once one got to college if one found the major an issue.

Iron Maiden · 06-14-2012, 01:00 PM

If the OP can't take the SAT and/or ACT until Fall that is a major problem as your app cannot go in until those scores are received. Then an officer interview hasti scheduled and completed. Only then is app considered.

In order to maximize chances the app needs to be Sept 1. The selection boards meet periodically after that. The strongest candidates are selected at each board then the remainder carry forward. So if you are late you are considered by fewer boards and your chances go down. Anyone wanting an NROTC schlorship really has to have received their SAT / ACT scores by the end of Jr year.

If you are fortunate enough to be selected the Navy awards the scholarship to one of the 5 schools you listed on your app. 1 of the top 3 has to be an in-state public. Obviously they all have to have NROTC. The admissions process to the school is totally separate. It is very possible to get a scholarship to a particular school but not be admitted. In that case you have to petition the Navy to award your scholarship to one of the other schools on your list. Not easily done.

Assuming you get the scholarship for a school and then ate admitted to that school you still have to pass the DODMERB medical exam. If you are DQd you lose the scholarship.

Last time I looked about 15% of qualified applicants get the scholarship. And 85% of those 15% have to go to Tier 1 and 2 majors.

katwkittens · 06-14-2012, 01:34 PM

When sons were filling out apps for ROTC scholie's and the academies their SAT and ACT scores needed to be WITHOUT accomodations. If the scores were from sittings with accomodations they could not be used.

Tier 3 is poli sci, history, economics...tier 2 is math, sciences and tier 1 is engineering. Son was awarded Navy ROTC to MIT (admitted EA), he had designated that as 1 of his top 3 choices along with UNC as his state public.

Good luck.

Kat

cptofthehouse · 06-14-2012, 01:42 PM

Does it help with admissions at all to get one of the ROTC scholarships?

Iron Maiden · 06-14-2012, 01:45 PM

Totally separate processes. No linkage at all.

cptofthehouse · 06-14-2012, 01:48 PM

Wow. So if one gets the scholarship and doesn't get into the college designated, what generally happens? Have you heard of cases of anyone not able to use the award? My cousin's son wants to transfer schools and I know he has a two tiered transfer he has to do. One for college admissions and the other for the NROTC.

Iron Maiden · 06-14-2012, 02:49 PM

Like I said above:

It is very possible to get a scholarship to a particular school but not be admitted. In that case you have to petition the Navy to award your scholarship to one of the other schools on your list to which you were admitted.

If the Navy gave you the scholarship to am expensive school and you ask for it to be transferred to a less expensive school (in-state flagship) you have a shot. There has to be room in the unit to which you want to go.

Asking to go from a public to a private I would say might be close to impossible. Keep in mind the are many, many more qualified applicants than spots. There is no incentive for the Navy to accommodate anyone. They can just move to the next applicant

whydoicare · 06-14-2012, 03:08 PM

@OP - are you able to run a couple of miles on that leg? NROTC doesn't actually conduct a fitness test for the scholarship, but you have to pass a fitness test when you get to school, in order to unlock the money. You also have to pass a medical exam/review in order to qualify for the scholarship.

Your record looks okay, but try to list some leadership positions on your application. Those are worth more than memberships.

Take the SAT and ACT as early as you can. The NROTC boards will consider the best one, so try both. You probably can't get your application done in time for the first review board, but there will be others into the early spring, so don't let that stop you. Good luck.