<p>If you have the stats to get into an Ivy or near-Ivy (eg. Penn, Georgetown...etc), how difficult is it to get a 4 year NROTC, ROTC scholarship? Are there any threads giving stats of students receiving these scholarships at selective schools. I'm trying to guage what are realistic targets.</p>
<p>Having gone through this process for two straight years, I'd like to offer some advice on this topic. From my experience (I was denied admission to USNA and denied an ROTC scholarship after my senior year in high school), I think what the Navy is looking for is dedication and committment. You may have the highest SAT scores out of everyone and the best overall GPA with outstanding extra c's, but what the Navy is most interested in is your dedication to service. They don't want to give you a scholarship only to find out in 2 years that you are dropping out of the ROTC program. </p>
<p>One may not think so, but the Navy is very good at figuring out who really wants to serve and who just wants a free education at a top notch school. Now, I am definately not saying this is you...I am sure you are extremely dedicated to becoming an officer in the Navy, and you have the intellect that Naval officers are known for. So if I had to tell you what your chances are...if you are 100% committed to becoming part of the Navy, and you show that in your interview and in your essays, you should be good. The Navy is surely looking for people like you, lol. Again, just make it obvious that this is definately NOT about a free education; it's all about service.</p>
<p>First of all, it depends on whether you want a Navy or Marine Scholarship. Marine Option is much harder to get, and probably look for something a little different than the Navy. Navy offers Instant Selection Decision to highly qualified candidates, but the Marines do not.</p>
<p>Army, on the other hand, is different. Sometimes it's weird how it works. I applied to USNA, USMA, Air Force, Georgetown, and Notre Dame, and was accepted by them all. I was given an Army ROTC scholarship at GT, Notre Dame, and Furman, but put on the wait list of University of Kentucky. I know that I was more than qualified, but for some reason, I wasn't selected. No sweat off my back, though.</p>
<p>I think what meathead said is right. They want to know how much you want to serve, and I think a lot of it shows during the interviews. The interviews are CRUCIAL. If you have lots of activities, good grades, and are a good interviewer (as well as sincere), then you should be golden.</p>
<p>My son applied for and received offers of four different 4-year Army ROTC scholarships - at UCLA, Wisconsin, Furman and Wake Forest. Assuming your stats are good or very good - the best thing you can do is call the the recruitment officer for each program in which you're interested and start the dialogue. Most programs will want to meet you - so a personal interview is very important. Some programs have a scholarship board or committee - and they will interview you as a group. Again, your ability to communicate is critical. All of this applies to Army ROTC programs - I think the Navy's program is a bit more centralized - but why would you want to join the Navy anyway?</p>
<p>Oh - one other quick comment. A fellow I work with - in his late 30's - was active duty enlisted marine for about 8 years. I asked him which officers the enlisted marines respected the most and thought were the best officers - USNA or NROTC? He said, without a doubt, NROTC. Just one marine's opinion.</p>
<p>Some advice my daughter received from an active duty Navy Captain, Academy graduate, is to make sure not to alienate the representatives when you talk to them or are interviewed. A lot of the people you talk to when applying to the Academy or NROTC actually got their commisions through their program. Neither program really wants to feel like an 'also ran' or 2nd choice. You definitely don't want anyone in an interview to feel that you'll only take their offer if a better one doesn't come along.</p>
<p>Does this mean be dishonest? No, just sell yourself slightly differently to two related but separate programs.</p>
<p>Our experience with NROTC was confusing at first but very successful in the end. It took over a month for the recruiting offices to determine where my sons application should originate from. Our school district is in one recruiting area and our address is in another. We were told that changes in process were made last year so it may be easier in 2006.</p>
<p>Our advice apply early. My son sent his application in the third week of August. Interviews etc were completed in early September and after a delayed board meeting (Hurricanes in Pensacola) he received approval immediately to his first choice school. The application is almost the same at USNA but there were 4 NROTC essays which in my opinion, got at why Navy better than the USNA essay. I would concur with Cougar 62 that you should focus on the Navy career not so much how you get there.</p>
<p>I am not sure if NROTC has geographical requirements like USNA. We found that many we met that applied to USNA did not apply for NROTC and were only focused on the Academy. In the nomination interviews they were very much challenged on taking that position.</p>
<p>My son did not receive an Appointment to USNA although he received a nomination, was QQQd, went to SS and CVW (needed an eye waiver) but did get immediate action (or almost anyway) on his NROTC application. After evaluating all of his options, NROTC was his final choice even with a full ride at another prestigious non Navy University. So far the communication with the Unit, University and Navy has been wonderful. He has been warmly welcomed to the unit and is looking forward to joining in August.</p>
<p>My sons analysis of USNA vs. NROTC is that he is looking forward to the best of both worlds and a career in the Navy. Best wishes and start your application now ;-)</p>
<p>"was active duty enlisted marine for about 8 years. I asked him which officers the enlisted marines respected the most and thought were the best officers . . "</p>
<p>Tough to make a generalization, especially since the vast majority of enlisted Marines have no idea how a particular officer gained his commission. Unless, of course, the particuar officer was so arrogant that he felt the need to yap about his college . . . but in that case, the "best" description probably has more to do with the guy's personality (or lack therof) rather than any objective factors. </p>
<p>You guys have seen "Heartbreak Ridge," starring Clint Eastwood, right? For those that haven't, Clint is a Gunny, and in the beginning of the movie there is a scene where an officer introduces himself as "Major So-and-So, Annapolis, Class of 'XX." At this point Clint and the SgtMaj look at each other and roll their eyes. Why? Because the JUST DON'T CARE WHERE HE WENT TO SCHOOL. Remember that, candidates!! </p>
<p>Of course, if you want to compare the two sources objectively, I find it supremely difficult to make any sort of an argument that a USNA Mid should drop out and run as fast as he can to State U's ROTC program, because it will make him "the best." Why? Better education? Less intensive training? </p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>
<p>Cougar-62, I totally agree with you on being careful when talking about USNA vs. ROTC. When I went to visit West Point, I was talking to a Major who was a Chemistry Professor. I told him that I had received an ROTC schol to Notre Dame, and he asked why I hadn't accepted it. I talked about how it wasn't full military immersion, etc. etc. Afterwards, he told me that he had been setting me up to bash ROTC--he had been an ROTC grad. So, all in all, fall cougar62's advice--but careful. :)</p>
<p>marines4me- wouldn't it have maybe been easier to just tell the Major that you still were unsure of which lifestyle you wanted for the next four years? I don't mean to sound harsh or anything, I am just saying one way around getting caught up in bashing one or the other. </p>
<p>Why not just say, "I am still not sure of which one I will choose, but either way is still damn good for me!"</p>
<p>"I told him that I had received an ROTC schol to Notre Dame, and he asked why I hadn't accepted it"</p>
<p>Maybe you could have said, "Because West Point, while vastly inferior to Navy, is just a better school than Notre Dame."</p>
<p>Or after giving your answer, you could have asked why HE didn't go to West Point. </p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>