NROTC - Any Disincentives to Dream Schools

Applying to College
1

<p>I wanted to get input from those knowledgeable about the NROTC Scholarship process. I am the parent of a high school sophomore. He hopes to obtain a Navy ROTC Scholarship. I am currently in the process of taking him to visit a number of schools, but since many he desires to see are far from home, we can't see everything. He wants to start the application process in the Spring of his junior year and get an early jump on things.</p>

<p>He wants to major in Mechanical Engineering and, as a result, we are looking at many very good engineering schools. He took the SAT once about midway through this sophomore year and received a 1270 math and CR. He took on the Saturday immediately following his midterms so I didn't think that was too bad. He will take it again in October following a late summer and early fall prep course, so we're hoping he can raise it to at least a 1400. At the end of the year, if his grades go the way they appear to be, he will have a 3.625 unweighted or 4.0 weighted. This will place him just under the top 10%. His grades include two B's he received in 8th grade that counted for high school credit.</p>

<p>Anyway, my question is whether there is any disincentive to listing dream schools at the top of the five schools for the NROTC scholarship. Although it is not among the highest ranked engineering schools, Notre Dame would be a dream school for him. Since he has to put a state school among the top two, he might put Michigan or UVA (we are Virginia residents) in that slot. The information we have seen on the NROTC web site says it is the responsibility of the individual to get accepted to the school of his choice. That being said, I have read on these boards that, if you receive a scholarship, the Navy wants to get you into the school of your choice and will help in that fight. Therefore, my initial thought is, since he would likely at least fall within the middle 50% range at most schools, why not shoot for the stars. But I would like to get some perspective on whether that could be a mistake. Also, can anyone give me any thoughts on his chances for a NROTC scholarship if he receives a 1400 SAT and is in the top 10% at a very competitive public high school.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

2

<p>I can't speak for Navy ROTC, but I'm in Army ROTC and getting a scholarship will probably be a high priority of the cadre in the program. At my school, the ROTC faculty work constantly and their goal is to get everyone a scholarship. I'd say he should apply to schools and once he gets in to speak to the NROTC program there. It depends on the number of cadets the school you're looking at gets, but most ROTc programs are happy to take any serious recruit.</p>

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<p>Notre Dame offers "non-binding early action" - which means that you apply by early November and hear before Christmas. If your son does not get chosen in early round, you would still have time to notify CNET and change school choice. With stats like what you said in your post, he is on track. This kind of EA is a gift to students who are well prepared and know where they want to go. It also tells NROTC that he really wants to attend that school and would likely assist him in the selection process</p>

<p>That is not to say that he wouldn't get in in the regular round, but it gives you a much better edge when it comes to the scholarship process.</p>