<p>ROTC is a great benefit if the student really wants to be a military officer. If they do not and are only doing it for the tuiton money, they will prob. spend an unhappy four years in college (it isn't easy) not to mention their required service after grad. (It's not just 4 years. It's 4 years active duty plus 4 years reserve duty at minimum, more if you choose a specialty like flight school).</p>
<p>All students who successfully complete the program are commisioned as officers unless they give up their commission to enlist instead.</p>
<p>My S is attending a big state u. on a NROTC scholarship. He has wanted to be an officer in the military for many years. He did not choose it because of economical stratification or lack of other choices.</p>
<p>The military offers an outstanding career for those who choose it. When he graduates he will immediately have 40 enlisted men/women under his command, a lot of responsibility for a 21 year old. He understands the risks and is happy to assume them. </p>
<p>S leaves in a couple of days bound for the Mediterranean Sea and a guided missile destroyer (not a bad summer job). H an I are very proud of his commitment and credit the NROTC program for teaching him outstanding leadership skills that will go with him wherever he lands.</p>
<p>"I also do not know where Mini comes up with the $165k salary which will result in an EFC high enough to cover private college tuition. I make substantially less and still do not qualify for aid at the $50k COA."</p>
<p>The number comes from the extended EFC calculator, and assume the median amount of assets associated with said income, median age (and hence number of years to retirement), median number of children (two, spaced three years apart - yes, you did get penalized), median medical expenses, etc. Having said that, the majority of students receiving financial assistance at Princeton are in the $100-$165 range, and there are some (though not many) above $200k. The details will differ, but you'll find similar at most of the other prestige privates.</p>
<p>PackMom: Congratulations on a son with integrity. Even though my political convictions are different, I would be proud of such a son as well. And I wish him well.</p>
<p>"Of the kids offered admission and financial aid, Princeton class of 2010, a tad over 60% had family incomes below $100,000."</p>
<p>There has been a shift at Princeton, but take a look at their Common Data Set (for all four years). (And then look at those ATTENDING, as the Common Data Set does, not those admitted and offered aid.)</p>
<p>mini...
I don't think there is any way to tell, looking at Princeton's 2006-2007 Common Data Set, whether the students who enrolled were poorer or richer than those offered Princeton scholarships. I calculate that the matriculation rate of those offered scholarships was 67%, about the same as the rate for all admits. We both could have theories about whether enrollees were richer or poorer than admits, but it would just be speculation.
Yes, 55% of the class of 2010 are on Princeton scholarship vs. 50% for Princeton students overall. The figure I think I've seen (I'm not going to search now) is that the percentage on scholarship from the class of 2011 is 53-54%.
I follow this stuff as my daughter is a Princeton '11 on heavy financial aid.</p>
<p>Packmom,
My bro went 28+ years in the US Navy, mostly on destroyers. Eventually retired as a captain. Had command of a ship for a number of years. He loved his career.</p>
<p>And it all started out on a NROTC scholarship.</p>