<p>Hi, I'm applying for a NROTC scholarship, and it seems like I have a decent shot at getting one, and I'd love to use it at USC. </p>
<p>Financially it is great, it will pay for tuition and books and I read somewhere that USC will throw in $2500 if you are a ROTC student for your Housing. So, my COA after that will be about $10k, and I could try to win some outside scholarships to bring that down a little. </p>
<p>Anyone in ROTC at USC or know someone in it? There is a little info on this board, but not that much. How have your experiences been? ROTC kids seem laid back, and it seems like it is almost like a fraternity. </p>
<p>Which brings up Greek life. I'd like to participate in Greek life, and someone in whose son was doing ROTC at a different school said it was possible, but I was wondering if anyone was doing it at USC. </p>
<p>ROTC isn't that big of a time commitment though, I think you just have to get up early a couple times a week for PT(kinda sucks, but I can live with it). And you have to take certain classes like 2 semesters of calc and calc based physics (ewwww). This is probably the worst part. I might try to knock these out(at least the physics classes) at a local CC over the summer. Will USC accept that credit? I think ROTC would if USC does. I'd like to do it at a CC because then it would be my only focus (1 or two classes) rather than taking multiple classes during the year. Science isn't my strength and calc based physics scares me a little(even though I'm taking AP Phys this year lol), but the Navy requires it..</p>
<p>Any other comments about the ROTC program at USC? I'm specifically looking at NROTC, but other comments about MC, A, and AF ROTC would be appreciated. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure you get up early every morning. I have some friends in all the ROTC programs, and they manage to have lives outside of it, so no worries there.</p>
<p>Where you’ve got it wrong is the part where you think ROTC isn’t that big of a time commitment. It’s going to severely restrict your schedule for the next four years, and then own it for six or so afterwards. You’re going to be forced to miss events that you want to go to, schedule classes to fit around your ROTC classes and activities, and other stuff.</p>
<p>Make sure that you want to do this for the right reasons before actually signing your name. I think you can drop out after the first year, but beyond that you’re in.</p>
<p>Not sure about the math classes thing. What’s your intended major?</p>
<p>I know I have to give 8 years total back to the Navy (most active duty), but I heard the commitment during the academic year wasn’t that bad(but this was compared to a Service Academy, where the military basically owns your arse 24/7). I’m planning on joining the military anyway, so if they can pay for my college, even better. I was under the impression that PT was not conducted every morning, but that was from a recruiter probably trying to sugarcoat things. Not that big of deal though, it might vary from school to school. </p>
<p>Intended major in Econ, Poli Sci or Business, might try to double major Econ/Business with Poli Sci, but we’ll see. But the Navy requires you to take two semesters worth of calc (should have some AP cred) and two semesters of calc based physics, regardless of your major. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>If the Navy requires you to take calc, do they require you to actually take the classes, or have the class credit? You’ll want to clarify this.</p>
<p>Remember that you’ll also have to take your NROTC classes, in addition to all the other classes you need. And I don’t mean the calc and physics requirements, I mean stuff like NSC 135: Introduction to Naval Science</p>
<p>Hey man! It’s great to hear you are interested in ROTC. I am a transfer coming in this fall as a sophomore at USC, and I am on a 3 year campus based scholarship for Army ROTC. I was a participant in the program for the past semester at my old school, but I am really pumped now to be on scholarship. </p>
<p>Just to answer some of your questions about ROTC in general (at least for Army.) The time commitment is significant (I mean they are paying for 160,000 dollars of USC education) but it in no way is as bad as the guy above said. At my old school a large amount of the cadets were in frats or sororities on campus, and a lot of them were really involved in other on campus activities. I would always run into other ROTC guys at parties off campus too, so trust me, it is just like any other kid’s college experience. </p>
<p>As far as time commitment, PT is three mornings a week, and you are required to do one class a semester in military science (for navy I think it is naval science.) These classes range from 1 credit courses where you meet once a week, to more involved courses.There is also weekend trips you go on once a semester as well as a couple other events that you attend. I know for Army there is a lab once a week where you work on basic military skills. </p>
<p>The great part about ROTC too is you come out of it an officer in the US military with a job with a great starting salary, which is saying a lot especially with the way the job market is. And seeing that you were an officer looks great on resumes for future jobs. It definitely is a leadership oriented career. </p>
<p>So don’t let people discourage you, trust me you will have a normal college experience in ROTC. I plan on rushing in the fall, joining a bunch of on campus org’s and doing everything I need to do for ROTC. </p>
<p>Lemme know if you have any other questions!</p>