NROTC for a high school graduate

ontheBeam · 10-19-2012, 03:22 PM

Hello all,

I am a high school graduate (graduated high school last year) and am looking into NROTC at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University fall of 2013. My high school GPA was 3.65 and I was in various clubs: Yearbook, Honor Society, Young Eagles Flight Club and participated in athletics extensively. Three years on the varsity baseball team and 7 years on both Junior Varsity and Varsity basketball teams. I have played basketball since I was four and it's my passion besides flying. In fact, I was wondering if it'd be possible to get a full ride or part way scholarship to a school like ERAU? Maybe after freshman year? That's my first question. My second question is if I could get an NROTC scholarship for next year even though I'm a one year high school graduate. What are my chances? Thank you in advance for any help.

- Lukas Jones, aspiring Naval Aviator and Embry-Riddle hopeful

P.S. - You might be wondering what my SAT/ACT scores are. I am taking the ACT in two weeks and I will ace it. So, if I knock them out, what are my chances then?

cptofthehouse · 10-19-2012, 03:50 PM

Your chances will definitely go up if your scores do, however, your major will also play a role in your chance.

If that is your real name, remove it while you can.

ontheBeam · 10-20-2012, 08:13 PM

Will do. I will be majoring in either Aeronautical Science or Aerospace Engineering. I'm not sure how to get the process jump started. Should I talk to a Navy recruiter?

PackMom · 10-20-2012, 10:41 PM

Start here...If you plan to apply for a NROTC scholarship,you need to start working on it right away.
Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps - Scholarship Selection Criteria

Iron Maiden · 10-21-2012, 06:25 AM

When are you planning on starting school? If it is Fall 2013 you are almost too late to start the NROTC application. It should have been completed no later than 8/31 in order to maximize your chances.

Ther link given above is the best place to start. If you want it be a Navy officer you need to show initiative and research things on your own. A couple points though. 1) 85% of NROTC scholarships are required to go to math / science majors. 2) Be aware there is NO guarantee you will be chosen for Naval Aviator. It is based on your performance (within the unit, GPA, testing) vs all other Midshipmen in the country and the needs of the Navy. You could very well end up a SWO. If that happens there is nothing you can do.

ontheBeam · 10-24-2012, 02:10 PM

Thank you for the replies. Is it too late? I don't really want to put school off another year. I'll check out the link, thank you. I hope to major either in Aeronautical Science or Aerospace Engineering.

Iron Maiden · 10-24-2012, 03:56 PM

It is almost Nov 1. It will take at least 4 - 6 weeks for you to complete the app, get recommendations, and schedule and complete the interview. This puts you at mid-Dec and several of the selection boards will have already been missed. Coming in that late will make the selection committee wonder why you waited and if you are serious. That does not work to your advantage. This all should have been done last summer.

If you are serious about serving as a Navy officer then join NROTC without a scholarship as a College Programmer. You can then try to earn a scholarship. If you want the scholarship as a way to pay for school that is the wrong reason.

ontheBeam · 10-24-2012, 05:47 PM

Of course I don't want to just use this as a way to pay for school. The paying part is just a bonus. I've always wanted to be a Naval aviator. Since I was four, actually. Flying is my main passion, besides basketball. Any suggestions as to how to pay for my freshman year, then? I'm reasonably sure I have a good chance of earning a scholarship for my last three years.

cptofthehouse · 10-24-2012, 05:51 PM

Get started on your apps. Doesn't hurt to try. You can apply for financial aid, look at loans, talk to your parents in terms of how to pay for freshman yhear. My friend's son wanted to be a pilot, and it cost quite a bit of money for the flight training. A lot of that was extra payments over the school's academic courses. He did ROTC for 4 years and did not get a scholarship though he tried. It is not easy to get one, especailly as an aviator. The preferred majors are the engineering, maths , sciences, and not aeronatical engineering that is really aviation despite the engineering tag.

Iron Maiden · 10-24-2012, 07:22 PM

You may get a scholarship as a College Programmer. You may now in which case you are separated from the Unit. College Program scholarships are very scarce due to budget cuts. That's not going to get better.

Also, if you are fortunate enough to get a scholarship there is NO guarantee of being selected as a Naval Aviator. It is up to the Navy.

If you've wanted this since you were 4 why have you not applied yet? Have you researched the medical requirements yet?

ontheBeam · 10-25-2012, 09:57 AM

I want to do Aerospace Engineering... Aeronautical Engineering was just a thought. I have researched the medical requirements. I pass them. So should I go ahead and try to fill out the scholarship app orrr just try to earn the scholarship once I'm enrolled in the NROTC? My cousin is in the Marine Corps and that's what he's doing; he said the competition is extremely tough.

cptofthehouse · 10-25-2012, 10:06 AM

You might as well give it a try. What does it hurt? It is not easy getting them once you are in school either. My Cousin's son did get a NROTC scholarship, Marine option and got it at the 11th hour. He was second alternate and it did work out. If he had not tried, he would not be going tuition free to college. Where he is going, the chances are just about zip for him getting any scholarship once at college. A lot of competition for them He feels very lucky that he got it going in.

Aerospace Engineering is not what they are looking for in Engineering, Math and Science. Still, whatever the issues, give it a go. Just be aware that the chances are small in getting an award, and you had better be thinking of other ways of getting money to pay as well. If my nephew had not gotten the scholarship, he would not be going to the school he is. He would have commuted to a local state school and done ROTC there, but would have had to borrow to pay for a good part of his education. The scholarship makes it less pressure for him to work in the summers, takes place of a job during the school year, and he doesn't need to borrow. It is all gravy for him because he was going to do the ROTC anyways.

ontheBeam · 10-25-2012, 11:10 AM

Hmm, interesting. What engineering major are they looking for then? Where is your cousin's son going to school now for NROTC? Just curious.

cptofthehouse · 10-25-2012, 01:01 PM

Civil engineering, mechanical engineering,computer engineering---are all solid engineering majors. I'm not sure where Aerospace lies in the mix--there is a list that you should investigate and see if aerospace engineering is considered a TIER 1 major which enhances your chances for a NROTC scholarship. My friend's son graduated as some aviation engineering major and that did not meet the requriements for preferred major for airforce but I do not really know how it works for Naval ROTC.

Embry Riddle can probably give you assistance on this as well, as they do have a lot of kids going the path you want.

Iron Maiden · 10-25-2012, 02:14 PM

OP, I question how serious you are about this if you have not even taken time to look at the NROTC web site or apply yet.

The answer is right here: Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps - Scholarship Selection Criteria

And if you think I'm being harsh this is the exact question a review board will ask. You graduated over a year ago, you say you've wanted to be an aviator since you were 4, but you have not started the process and it is evident you have not done any real research.

Officers are expected to show initiative and lead.