<p>I completed a two hour interview yesterday for the ROTC scholarship. It was by far the most involved interview yet. </p>
<p>I was told by the Lieutenant who conducted the interview that although I was qualified for ISD, they would not award it, since I was an Academy applicant. It seems that they have 10 ISD's in my District, and they don't want to award them to those who may not use them. If I had agreed to commit to ROTC, I would have gotten one. </p>
<p>I thought I'd read on this forum about one of you getting an ISD.</p>
<p>The Lieutenant told me he would highly recommend me for a scholarship. I felt the interview went very well and that I answered the questions correctly.</p>
<p>What is an ISD? I am assuming it might be similar to an LOA where you are guaranteed a scholarship? What university is your first choice for the ROTC scholarship? What is the status of your Academy application?</p>
<p>ISD is Immediate Scholarship Decision, and yes, I received one. The Lieutenant who interviewed me knew I was applying to Harvard and that's what our discussion was centered around, along with the obvious ROTC questions and answers. </p>
<p>Doug1, I know of someone else who received an ISD and is now a plebe at the Academy, so I'm not sure why they told you you couldn't receive one because you were an Academy applicant. Those students that decide not to take the scholarships open up spots and become available for others who want them. They don't have enough to go around for the numbers of NROTC applicants that are fully qualified, and therefore, makes it extremely competitive. Two of my friends that graduated last year applied and both were at the top of their class, but only one received the scholarship. The other did receive a Presidential scholarship, so she did ok afterall. ;-)</p>
<p>Whew, I know you guys are/have applied to Navy ROTC, but I applied to Marine Option NROTC. I've heard that they're giving out less than 300 of those this year, and my GySgt said that I should hear something in the next two weeks. If I get one, the Marines plan to take over my school, bust open the door of my classroom, and drag me outside (them screaming the whole time, of course. They want to practice their DI skills). The Major I've been working with seems extremely optimistic, though. I was given the highest recommendations from the state of Alabama, and my app was the first one sent to the Marine Option NROTC Board. So now I'm just waiting with my fingers crossed...</p>
<p>Oh, and this is a little off topic, but I have a question about additional info for my app. I raised my math SAT score by 20 points, so I sent that in. I was voted National Honor Society President, so I need to send that in. BUT, I was also named a Semifinalist for the National Youth Senate Program. I have to interview next weekend to see if I'm one of the two people who represent the state of Alabama. First, should I go ahead and tell them that I'm a Semifinalist, or should I wait to see if I win? Second, should I send to to my Regional Director over email? If not, who should I send it to? Thanks!</p>
<p>Marines4me~My son just received a 4 year NROTC scholarship to his first choice school and he also is a National Merit Semi Finalist. He was advised to send the NMSF info to the academy along with two new leadership positions but not to send the NROTC info. This was from his Blue and Gold officer. He said the academy has enough info to make decisions. We have also read it isn't a good idea to flood them with letter / letters of recommendation etc. like some have posted. They want the info that was requested on the original app and any national awards fit that category.</p>
<p>What is your first choice the ROTC option or the academy. My son isn't sure yet plus a lot depends on getting in the first choice school and getting into the academy both which are very difficult. I guess this is a great lesson in patience. The good news is that we didn't expect to hear about ROTC until April and at least we know something!</p>
<p>That's awesome, JM! Congrats! It's nice that the wait is over, at least for NROTC. My first choice is without a doubt the Academy. There's no question in my mind about that, though there are many who are trying to convince me otherwise. What's your son's fav. civilian school?</p>
<p>Thanks. I'll call the Lieutenant tomorrow, and ask why I can't apply to the academy as well as be considered for an ISD. </p>
<p>Juniormom, my BGO strongly suggested sending in additional information--that's why I did it. I guess all BGO's are different. I won't bother the Academy with info about NROTC. </p>
<p>My SAT score went up by 80 points, and I'm taking it again in November. </p>
<p>My heart is set on the Academy. My file is in the Board's hands, and I'm waiting. </p>
<p>parent0110--My first choice is Purdue, with USC and UCLA in that order. My application is complete and in. </p>
<p>The Academy is my absolute first choice. If I'm accepted, I'll have a nice bonfire with all the other applications--except for one civilian school in case I get hurt at the last minute!</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply on your top choice for ROTC. My son is also trying for Purdue as one of his choices. Great job on raising your SAT score. What is your best score now?</p>
<p>shogun: One of my Mom's best friends graduated from USC with a degree in electrical engineering. Great school, but USNA is my first choice! I'll take the rain and snow over the sun any day in order to attend Annapolis. Being from Las Vegas, I'm very used to the sun!</p>
<p>parent0110: So far SAT's are ok--Verbal 640/Math 700. I hope to raise those. What was you son's first choice civilian school? What are his SAT scores, if I may ask?</p>
<p>Any other advice on the Academy vs ROTC scholarship issue? I don't want to make the Navy Lieutenant nuts, but I'd really like the ISD! </p>
<p>His first choice is Michigan. Sat score was 1310 (700 math, 610 verbal) and has a 32 on the ACT. He has already been accepted to Michigan, still waiting to hear from Purdue and Notre Dame. What is the status of your Academy application? Have you received a letter about being triple qualified? Did you go to Summer Seminar? Have you been invited to a CVW?</p>
<p>Marines4me~His first choice for NROTC is Cornell and second choice is Rice. He got his first choice but getting into Cornell is no small feat in any situation but especially being from NY. </p>
<p>Doug1~We were a little confused by being told to not send the info to the Academy but he's following directions. I would think the Academy would want to see if you followed through with applying since you check it off on their application. He heard within 5 days of the Board meeting but we understand that it can take months to hear and that this is the busiest time. Apparently since the Board is in Pensacola they are behing due to hurricanes.</p>
<p>To the other questions~he hasn't been accepted at any of his colleges yet as none do rolling admissions. We are in for the long wait. CVW for us this week coming up! Crabcakes here I come!</p>
<p>Doug 1~By the way his recruiter new he went to summer seminar and was applying to the Academy. There was a mix-up on which recruiter was working with him as both wanted to but they were aware. We hadn't heard of ISD but the process in our state changed this year and they are working some bugs out of it. Good Luck! NROTC is a great option. We will be anxious to see how CVW goes and if that paints a different picture from SS. JM</p>
<p>parent0110: I have my Naval app done completely--I will finish the others in November. I play tennis, and my doubles partner and I went to State this year (we took State team championship every year since 2001 but lost this year) and just finished all of that last week. I also had to finish my Eagle Scout stuff before I turned 18 (which was the 24th of October.) I also work one to two days a week. That, in combination with my e/c's and taking eight classes, keeps me busy! I believe my application is before the board. We'll see. No CVW letter yet, but I've been told I'll probably get one for the spring. I went to Summer Seminar, Session 1 and loved it. An Ensign called my house (I thought he was another recruiter) and I didn't ask him many questions--but I cleared that up with admissions. He told my Mom that if the Academy wasn't extremely interested in me that they wouldn't be calling. </p>
<p>Juniormom: Who told you not to send any additional material to the Academy? I ask because I know not to send anything extra to Senators and the like--they ask for just what they want, and that's it. But, I was told to send letters of recommendation and awards to admissions as I receive them. Enjoy Annapolis--it's a beautiful, historic city!</p>
<p>Doug1~We read, I believe in the candidate manual, and have been told by others that personal letters etc. should be saved for the nomination process and only to forward to the Academy the Math and English teacher letters. We were told by B&G to update with lettere(as it says in the application) changes to your status; leadership positions, awards etc. that were asked for on the application but not able to be completed at the time. For example, my son got two 5's on AP's this year and his RD at the Academy told him not to send these because they do not influence the admissions decision. Another example is SAT II's...they aren't utilized in the process. He's just tried to do what he has been told and it appears many have been told different things. Use your best guess and I am sure if they don't use it in the process it will just be filed. Best Wishes~JM</p>
<p>juniormom: I sent in the required letters for the nomination process. I sent copies of all of them to the Academy on the advice of my BGO. I'll send more academic, leadership, and athletic stuff as it becomes available. </p>
<p>The naval ROTC unit here at USC is awesome. Nothing against any of the service academies, but there are simply some aspects about ROTC that cannot be matched. The biggest issue for me is the social life. While I wanted good military and academic preparation for becoming an ensign, I also wanted to party and have fun at the same time. It is definitely conceivable to pledge in a fraternity while being a part of the battalion. The program here makes it possible to to accompish both while paying for almost all of the experience. </p>
<p>The demand from the unit can be a bit challenging at times, but definitely manageable. We are required to complete 2 physical training sessions, attend 8 study hours and a Thursday morning muster, and take academic classes (2-4 hrs) per week. That's the standard weekly routine. Honestly, I was surprised that they didn't demand more of our time, but I certainly wasn't complaining. The quality program, when combined with a quality school such as USC, makes for excellent preparation as an officer. And this preparation, when combined with a great potential for a social life, makes for one helluva midshipman experience.</p>
<p>My son got his NROTC ISD yesterday! He still wants the academy as his #1 choice though. We go to CVW on the 19th of Nov. So we'll see some of you there. He did get his tripple Q letter also. Now we need a nomination. Our fingers are crossed!!!</p>
<p>Tell your son congratulations. How did he find out about the ISD? did he already have an interview with the recruiter and this selection was subsequent to that meeting? Or did the recruiter tell him right up front that he was going to offer him an ISD? I'm not sure how that works or how much authority the local recruiter has to offer an ISD? I would appreciate your feedback.</p>