Which the most difficult to obtain? I know that for the Air Force and Navy the scholarships awarded are generally to technical majors such as engineering, as well as some foreign language majors. What about the Army? Does major matter as much for the AROTC scholarship? What would be the average statistics grade-wise for scholarship winners in all three branches?
My sons were awarded all 3 scholies, AROTC, NROTC and AFROTC. For them the difficulty was not only the scholarship but getting into the schools where the scholarship would be used. Both sons also were admitted to USNA, USMA and USAFA…which were more difficult to obtain.
Boys both had close to a 4.0 unweighted, middle son’s weighted GPA was a 5.5, with 17 APs. Other son had 11 APs. One son had math through Calc 1 and the other through def eq upon high school graduation. SATs were both above 1500+ out of 1600. Both maths over 750+. As far as ECs both were captain’s of their varsity sport(s), Model United Nations, community service and scientific research during the summers. They were not however, legacies.
They passed their medical physicals, security clearances and received their nominations from their members of congress for the academies. And they each received 3 appointments.
As far as other students some had better stats, some had less. It depends on your region, your state and your major as you correctly stated. It can depend on your interview and your LORs. Sons’ also had ivy acceptances, and MIT, CalTech. Middle son’s NROTC was at MIT, Yale for another and Princeton for another.
One son went to an ivy and the other went to the Naval Academy. They were awarded the scholie’s but ended up not needing them. The son at the ivy was down to the last day for decision between the ivy and west point. Hardest decision for him at the time.
And they didn’t decide to do this at the last minute. Both had their sights on either ROTC or the academies before high school. And planned their life and decisions accordingly. They kept out of trouble and tried to not break any bones!!
It is a fantastic opportunity but be mindful of the commitment It is called “service” for a reason.
Good luck. Hope this helps.
Kat
ps another posters son was also awarded a NROTC (Packmom), maybe she can also add some insight, and on the academy forum here on CC
There is also @NROTCgrad who is very helpful about ROTC scholarships.
According to the AFROTC website their averages are approximately:
SAT: 1300 (combined reading and math)
ACT: 31
GPA: 3.80
https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/eligibility
Take note that Type 7 scholarships represent about 85% of scholarships awarded by AFROTC. Type 7 scholarships are only good at your state university; not private schools nor out of state public universities.
Regarding SAT, ACT, and GPA… I would expect NROTC to be similar to AFROTC, but I have no hard data.
The Army puts equal weight on physical fitness as it does academics (and thus might have slightly lower academic averages). Physical fitness is important to the Air Force and Navy too, but academics count more. I was personally told by an NROTC commanding officer that academics are the overriding consideration.
It is exceedingly difficult to get an NROTC scholarship without majoring in engineering or a related field.
Air Force is, if anything, even more restrictive; especially for Type 1 and Type 2 scholarships. My understanding (through the grapevine) is that AFROTC scholarships appear to be the most difficult to obtain.
The Army does not really care what you major in.
Also, NROTC chooses your college – usually from the list of five preferences which you submit to them. I highly recommend NOT listing major reaches, unless you are willing to attend your state school as a consolation prize. If, for example, you put Yale on your list and the Navy gives you a scholarship to Yale but your are, however, not admitted to Yale… then your scholarship is likely to default back to your state school… not, for example, Tulane (even if it is listed). Believe me, this happens.
the Army doesn’t care, but it can be easier to get a scholarship if you are a science major or a nurse. Also, 4 year scholarships are the hardest to get with the 3 year being easier and the 2 year being the easiest scholarship to get. If you don’t get a 4 year, you can try again for a 3 year as a freshman.
A follow up on AFROTC Type 7 scholarships…
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Some out of state universities can accept Type 7 scholarships. The best of these is probably University of Minnesota. So, if you do not like your state school, that might be an option. University of Kentucky also accepts out of state Type 7 scholarships, plus will give free room and board to those students.
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A four-year Type 7 scholarship can be converted to a three-year Type 2 scholarship; and thus used at a private college, or out of state university. A handful of private colleges will give free tuition for the first year, and some even cover the gap between the scholarship and full tuition for the other three years. University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) and University of Portland (Oregon) offer generous packages in such cases.
Unlike Army and Navy, the Air Force does not link its scholarships to specific schools. You can take your scholarship to any school with AFROTC (assuming that the “type” is correctly aligned). You can even do so after being awarded the scholarship; which is useful if you gain new information about a college, or if your personal preferences change.