<p>OK - I am sure there are more of us out there. Our kiddo has always wanted USNA as first choice - but did the MCRTOC scholarship as a back-up plan. The Appointment and acceptance to USNA is complete. USNA is expecting her. But we do have the MCRTOC offer, and the paperwork finally came in the mail today. They give you 30 days to respond or else forfeit. We're thinking that since we have until June 27th ( once you report to I-Day you automatically forfeit the MCROTC option) to actually give up this award - God forbid something terrible happens...like illness or injury that prevents arrival to USNA on June 28th....that we'd go ahead and accept the scholarship and then we can deny it in late June with nothing lost on our end.</p>
<p>Most people who want to go to the academy and have a NROTC scholorship hold on to it until last minute incase something happens. Its a back up plan incase of an injury or if you want the "college experience" last minute. The scolorship terminates the second you walk through the gates on I-Day i think. Most people do have it as a back up plan. It is a smart decision.</p>
<p>peskemom -
Is this the postcard size thing you fill out and send back? You must say yes on that postcard (NO OBLIGATION by saying yes, forfeit by saying no or not responding).</p>
<p>Later, you should get more paperwork or phone calls to ask what your kid is going to do.</p>
<p>My sons NROTC "recruiter", who handles the paperwork at the MIT unit, said he would hold the decision for us when the time came and that we could simply phone him on I-day if son went USNA. He implied that a letter to his office would be appropriate, explaining that USNA was first choice and that son was committed to attending NROTC if for some reason USNA fell through last minute.</p>
<p>My son was in the same position. You forfeit the scholarship when you take your oath on I-day. There is always a possibility (albeit remote) of being rejected on I-day after you begin the processing. My son wrote his decline letter to NROTC prior to leaving for I-day. We mailed it as soon as we returned, so that another candidate who was waitlisted for the scholarshop could be selected. </p>
<p>Keep a back-up plan, in case of injury resulting in separation during Plebe Summer. My son kept a "Plan C" (NROTC was Plan B which became null when he took his oath) in place until Plebe Summer was over. He then notified that University of his decision.</p>
<p>OK one and all, I see that we are on the right track. We'll submit an acceptance on that 'post card' we were sent...knowing God willing, we'll be there for I-Day. Thanks for the input.</p>
<p>I guess we are doing to right thing. Jake accepted the scholarship+put deposit at USD. I was thinking to keep it all until the very end although I hate coveting the scholarship from someone else. I guess thats just how it works.</p>
<p>Don't feel "guilty" about holding on to the scholarship until I-Day. There will be plenty of people on the waiting list that will jump at the opportunity in July. From what we experienced, the scholarships keep getting juggled around right through the summer. </p>
<p>Remember, there are kids who get NROTC scholarship offers, and who have to accept it w/in the 30 days, who won't even know if they got into the school it's for until April! If they don't get in, they will have to request a transfer of the scholarship to another school that they did get into -- and your kid's opening may be just what they are waiting for!</p>