<p>I am a parent of a sophomore in high school (I know I'm asking these questions early in the game) who has a very strong interest in NROTC when he goes to college. My question is, if he receives a NROTC scholarship and enters a program at a major university and happens to have good enough academics to get into the school's Honors program, is it too much to be in NROTC and Honors (particularly if his interest is in Engineering). I know there are additional requirements as far as classes and other responsibilities with NROTC. This may be too much to handle but I thought we should at least look at it so as not to miss out on a potential opportunity if offered. Thanks for any info.</p>
<p>I think the Navy would be pleased to have one of their NROTC students in an Honors Program. </p>
<p>And, yes, it is early in the game. Be careful not to push your son too hard or too fast in the direction you want him to go. He's barely scratched the surface of his academic life as a sophomore. He may decide on another course of study than engineering.</p>
<p>BigGreen said it well. You will be amazed at the academic growth of your son between his sophomore year of high school and sophomore year at college. He will be exposed to so many educational opportunities that will lead to ideas about career choices that you never thought he would be interested in. Mine went to with the idea of Naval Arch or Physics and declared Math two weeks ago. He has had two great math instructors and they have light a fire under him. We would have never imagined, as all through high school Math was just one of those necessary classes, certainly not inspiring and yet now he is so excited about it!</p>
<p>I appreciate the insight. While I certainly give him any guidance I can provide my college experience, I have played zero role in his current desire to pursue engineering as a field of study (I'm an attorney and have absolutely no technical skills whatsoever). I certainly realize that it is a distinct possibility that he changes his mind as to his major many times before and during his college years. I saw it happen with a close friend in college who started in engineering only to find it wasn't for him. I am trying to assist him in learning as much about the field and to provide access to information explaining how much he will have to change his current study methods in order to succeed if he does go into engineering. The rest is completely up to him. We will be proud whether it is engineering or any other field as long as he is happy. From my experience (I changed majors in college), I realize it is so difficult for a 17-year old to know what he or she wants to do with their lives. I did not, however, have educated parents who could provide insight into the college experience or difficulties he might encounter with choosing a major. I hope I can at least give him something. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Hi Chris, My S is a soph. in NROTC at a large state u known for engineering. Husband also attended this same state u and is an engineer. Engineering is a tough curriculum. Lots of work. </p>
<p>S is not an engineering major. He says that most who started out as engineering majors in his NROTC class have changed their major. NROTC requires an extra (3 or 4 hour) class every semester in addition to the classes required for your academic major. S has a 19 credit hour schedule this semester ( plus 3 labs that don't count in credit hours) . In addition, there is early morning PT at least twice a week and a no credit ROTC lab thats about 2 hours or so once a week. NROTC requires some extra time. </p>
<p>In NROTC GPA is very important when it comes time for Service Selection (which means where in the Navy you will be headed after college grad. and commissioning). Midshipmen are ranked based on GPA , the Physical fitness tests and performance in ROTC program. The higher your rank, the better shot you have at getting one of your top choices in assignments. Note...this is a national ranking, not just at your university.</p>
<p>Your S might very well be a really great student who can have a great gpa in engineering but if not engineering can play havoc with the all important gpa.
I am pretty sure no one S knows is doing Honors because for the Navy, it really won't matter. I Once you're commisioned, you all have equal rank.
From what I have heard Engineering is tough enough without adding honors to make it even harder.<br>
I'm not trying to change your mind or discourage you, just telling you what I have heard from husband and son. I'm sure there are lots of different opinions out there.</p>
<p>NROTC is a great program. S is on the 4 year scholarship. We always thought he was capable of leadership but he has truly become a leader in NROTC. If you have any other questions about NROTC, I'll be happy to answer. Feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>My S was a great student in high school but has had to work really hard to get B's in Calc. and Physics for engineering majors. NROTC requires every midshipman to take 2 semesters of Calc. for engineering majors and 2 semesters of physics for engineering majors no matter what the midshipman's major is.</p>
<p>Excellent post PackMom. With all that Chris & his son have to consider, its good they've begun the quest for answers. My son's friend is in NROTC and she's, not quiet overwhelmed, but extremely busy with extra studying. While her civvy college friends are playing some on their week-ends, this young lady is involved with her unit for the most part. Being in the unit isn't all work though. They get to go & do & see a lot. She's had some pretty awesome experiences and the training is top notch. Can't say enough about ROTC kids!</p>
<p>Chris, your posts beg the question if your son might look into the service academies as well? To become a Naval Officer, your son has varied choices through NROTC, USNA, & USMMA. With so many options on the table at this point, it would be worth considering all of them.</p>
<p>Thanks,Jamzmom. S will find out in April where his summer assignment will be. His top three choices are overseas deployments. He had to get a Polio vaccine this week to prepare to leave the country. He's looking forward to the adventure.</p>
<p>Heh... And what a swell scrap book you can put together from his travels. I gotta tell ya, they feed those guys well too. Every time son calls, (he's on a naval vessel now) he tells me what he's eaten for the past week. One day its crab cakes with a lemon thyme sauce, the next its asian soup with beef & ginger, ect. I'm not kidding, crazy good stuff out there. They probably offer a wine selection. LOL Your son will love being out there. Its a true family on the water.</p>
<p>Thank you all for all your help! Trust me, I have strongly emphasized the benefits of the academies. I was a naval officer myself and I'm still in the reserves so the message has been delivered. I did not attend the academy nor did I go NROTC. I'm sure the fact that I have been in the Navy has influenced his thoughts but I did not attempt to do so. My interests are completely different than his. He will be at home watching the military channel and his dream is to be a weapons engineer and work on various naval weapons systems. I never had such interests nor aptitude. He does want the complete college experience and seems to be put off by the constant pressure of an education at the academy. I just figure if he is not firmly committed to that type of education, I'm not going to push it and he probably shouldn't go there. </p>
<p>Thanks again for everything and, Packmom, I will PM you sometime soon to pick your brain further. I have done so already with others on this site in my short time as a member. It's been great!</p>
<p>USNA has the best Weapons and System Engineering in the nation, Georgia Tech has the best Industrial and Systems Engineering in the Country for schools with terminal degree programs - he should look at that if that is his interest. Good things are happening at GT.</p>
<p>ChrisD, My S wanted the conventional college experience also. He didn't even apply to the Academy. He loves the military side but also is really enjoying the regular college side. It's a personal choice. They'll all be officers in the end.
Sorry, I didn't know you were a Naval Officer, guess I didn't need to explain all that Navy stuff to you,lol!</p>
<p>Profmom, GT is among the schools he is looking at. He is also looking at NC State where I believe your son must be, Packmom. We are going to their Engineering Open House on April 14. We will also be meeting with a sophomore student at NC State who they refer to as an Engineering Ambassador. He is allowing my son to accompany him to three of his Engineering classes while we are there. It should be a great experience. My alma mater is the University of Florida. I swear, other than the fact that I am a big sports fan and cheer for UF's teams, I have not influenced him to go there, but they are strongly on the list also. We live in Virginia, so he is looking at Va Tech and UVA. I want him to consider smaller schools as well, so we are going to check out Carnegie Mellon and Vanderbilt. Finally, we will visit Purdue over Spring Break. I don't think he can go wrong no matter which one he chooses as long as he gives each one a fair shake along the way.</p>