<p>As it sits, USC isn't quite affordable right now.
Is there a way I can apply for an ROTC program after my first year at the school (so the final three years are paid). </p>
<p>Alternatively, I have numerous community college credits and one AP credit. Could I use these and perhaps graduate in three years? I plan on majoring in Computer Science or Business. </p>
<p>Thanks if anybody can help...</p>
<p>ROTC would require you to commit to a period of years in one of the services. Is this something you wish to do?</p>
<p>Could you consult with the university and see if you could defer your admission and work for a year and take a couple of GE classes? Would that amount of money make a real difference?</p>
<p>I read your other post on this subject. Your family has consulted with the Financial Aid Office. Have you tried the financial aid office in the school where you were admitted such as Dornsife or Viterbi?</p>
<p>I’m considering such a path as an option, if it is available at SC.</p>
<p>I have a lot of GE classes already. Close to 30 college credits from my local cc. </p>
<p>No I haven’t tried contacting Dornsife. I was admitted as undecided (should have chosen a major, but meh). How would I go about contacting this individual office? Does my intent to switch to a Computer Science major change anything?</p>
<p>Finally, thank you Georgia Girl.</p>
<p>As far as Army ROTC goes, you can join as a freshmen, or MS I, and if you’re good enough, there are 3-year scholarships that you can apply for. I’m not sure exactly how USC’s ROTC program would deal with him, but they’re (semi) easily available as long as you keep your grades up, have a good showing in the ROTC program, etc. You could always talk to the instructors the first week or call them up now and ask them about it. But yes, the 3-year ROTC scholarships will require the same amount of service (8 years, 4 active, 4 reserve, although in lucky cases you may be able to get into the Reserves straight away). Also, as far as time commitments go for ROTC, you take a 1-credit course first year, 2-credit second year, and 3-credit third and fourth. Classes meet twice a week for lecture, once a week for lab, and PT three times a week in the morning. USC’s Army ROTC battalion is combined with several other schools, so its pretty small at the school itself; about 30 people.</p>
<p>I can’t say much about Air Force or Navy, although I’m pretty sure the Air Force works similar to the Army. I do know that the Air Force’s 3-year scholarship, that I’m PRETTY sure is available to college students, will only pay up to around $18,000; somewhere around that range. I have absolutely no clue about the Navy.</p>
<p>Anyway, hope that helped with your first option, at least. Keep in mind everything I’ve said is from my own knowledge looking into ROTC as a JROTC cadet now, talking to my SAI/AI, one of the USC instructors, several friends in ROTC, and researching on the Internet. I hope everything’s right. :)</p>
<p>Also, USC does offer all three branches, which is why I talked about the different types. They differ in size and (slightly) in commitments and opportunities. To be honest, if you’re looking for a more “cushy” military branch if you’re truly considering it, I would say go to the Air Force.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any other questions, and I’ll try to see if I can answer them if you want.</p>
<p>Undeniiable, THANK YOU. Your info is very helpful and I will be sure to check on some of it. I am particularly interested in the Air Force. My dad attended the air force academy and was enlisted for awhile.</p>
<p>Haha no problem. (: I know too much about the whole process at this point so it’s pretty nice to be able to actually help someone with it.</p>
<p>The commander of the USC detachment of the Air Force ROTC was handing out his card at all of the Viterbi tables at the Explore USC lunch this past week. He stated that they are looking for students in the engineering fields particularly.</p>
<p>With the reduction in the size of the armed forces, ROTC scholarships for all branches have been reduced in number and are tougher to get. Three year scholarships are becoming more frequent for AROTC and are being awarded to high school seniors and in-school deserving freshmen. They are by no means easy to get and there is likely to be strong competition for the in-school scholarships.</p>
<p>Also, as BigTexDad indicated the Air Force (as well as the Navy) place a high premium on students with technical majors (in contrast to liberal arts).</p>