<p>what are benefits of ROTC and drawbacks of ROTC for scholarship money at a high ranking school such as Wash U or MIT?</p>
<p>Well... there's that whole thing about getting shot at.</p>
<p>Seriously, I am very encouraged to see students considering ROTC during these times. But you need to keep in mind what it ultimately means. You will be called to put your life on the line for the rest of us back here.</p>
<p>Now if it is Air Force or Navy, I wouldn't be terribly concerned. The Navy for the most part is out of reach of the conflict we are presently in. The Air Force doesn't like parking 100 million dollar aircraft where they can get blown up.</p>
<p>The Army or the Marine Corps will mean likely putting your rear end on the front line. Is this something you are willing to do?</p>
<p>. . . for the right person. If you have the stats to get into an Ivy school, then you have the stats to win a full ride ROTC scholarship. The key is what scottaa said above, you gotta want to go into the military. The military wants you to become an officer and lead troops. I taught ROTC at a small university before I retired from the AF. ROTC is a great way to pay for college with a superb job upon graduation. I had cadets who got their educations paid by Uncle Sam, then went on to pilot training to become AF pilots. What a great way to pay for school and start a great career!</p>