<p>I've been rejected from USNA. My BGO told me in November (the day before my nomination interview), so while it wasn't a big surprise, it was still disappointing to receive the letter in April. However, a few weeks later another letter came from the Department of the Navy. This one was a bit thicker; inside was my full-ride NROTC offer to VMI, my first choice school.</p>
<p>The main reason I signed up for NROTC was for the quicker DODMERB, but also so I could tell the nomination board that I was dedicated to a Naval careeer and so-on and so-forth. It never really crossed my mind that I would get an offer and actually consider taking it.</p>
<p>Anyhow, here I am. USNA has been my dream and all-consuming desire for a very long time and I'm NOT quite ready to 'give up' on that goal by taking NROTC. According to my BGO, some admissions people, and others, going NROTC and trying to 'jump ship' to USNA is rather difficult to do.</p>
<p>All along, my plan was to just apply to USNA last year, and then, if rejected, apply everywhere - USNA, USCGA, USMMA, NROTC, etc. After much weeping and gnashing of teeth, I've decided to stick to that plan and reject the VMI scholarship in hopes of USNA next year. However, I've already got applications started at all of the academies in addition to ROTC's and a few civvy schools for next year.</p>
<p>Aside from advice about my situation (which I would appreciate and will give info about later), my main immediate question is: how do I pose my rejection letter in such a way that it won't put me out of the running for an NROTC scholarship next year? Should I tell them it was a personal decision? Admit that I'm waiting on USNA? Will my rejection come into play at all next year? Will it matter how I word it? Is there any chance of asking for an extension to next year?</p>
<p>My understanding is you can accept an ROTC scholarship and still apply next year to the SA's. I am fairly sure there are posters on this board that are going into a SA for class of 2011 that were ROTC at a universtity for a year or so (I think it may even be a Navy ROTC but not certain - not even certain who it is . . . ). I think you may even have an opportunity for another nomination source (??) by being in ROTC - I seem to recall the ROTC unit can nominate - but better confirm that one too). Before you turn down ROTC scholarship you should carefully confirm what those people have advised.</p>
<p>Its pretty clear that you want to serve as an officer in the US Navy.</p>
<p>How much better of an officer will you be by going to USNA vice VMI? </p>
<p>Perhaps a better one, because you will be more more confident you didn't let your goal die and for that you'll be able to lead others throgh tough times when you're called upon to do that.</p>
<p>Perhaps you'll be a better officer by going to VMI, because the experiences you'll get there will give you a perspective that you wouldn't have gotten at USNA.</p>
<p>One other thing, if you go to VMI and don't get into USNA again next time, you'll be an officer one year sooner than you would have had you not given up your scholarship.</p>
<p>Another thing to consider, is that BGO's have a lot of influence, and its clear this BGO has tipped his hand as to what he thinks.</p>
<p>Finally, perhaps next time you'll get appointments to both USNA, and USMMA and like LFWB you'll decide KP will provide you more options now and serve you better as an officer down the road.</p>
<p>Its a tough call, but my advice would be to go to VMI and re-apply everywhere for next year and make the decision with a year under your belt. </p>
<p>Just always remember that this is just a path to the goal of being an officer in the US Navy, not an end in itself.</p>
<p>Perhaps you'll be a better officer by going to VMI, because the experiences you'll get there will give you a perspective that you wouldn't have gotten at USNA.</p>
<p>What is this supposed to imply? Just curious.</p>
<p>i only hope you see this in time. everyone here is right. you want to be an officer, right? then it shouldn't matter what path you take. if another path, your "dream path", becomes open next year, jump on it. but don't kill your dream by declining nrotc. i was told by a nrotc recruiter, when i asked whether to turn down mine in case i was accepted to usna or naps, "we would much rather see you at the naval academy. it is the best school we can offer you to become an officer. accept the scholarship and if you get in, we'll be extremely proud." i would bank on that statement.</p>
<p>It isn't to imply anything in particular. The Naval Academy is a great school. I guess my thought was because there is much more of an Army focus at VMI that if you were a Naval officer coming out of VMI and in a Joint situation you might have a different perspective than you would being from USNA -- and in that situation the VMI experience might serve you better.</p>
<p>The strength of the officer corps in any service is the diversity of experiences each officer brings to it.</p>
<p>So if you want to be an officer, embrace the learning experience you have and bring the best of it to the Navy.</p>
<p>I agree, VMI would give you a unique leadership experience that may not necessarily be "better" than that of USNA but different. Our son's friend is an active duty enlisted Marine on "assignment" at West Point for his 4 years there. (He has done two tours in Iraq as a Marine.) Upon graduating he intends to apply for a Marine Corps commission to become a Marine officer with West Point training and education---there are a lot of ways to achieve your goal.</p>