4.35 GPA....1380 SAT as a soph. will take Junior year May SAT...3 sport athlete so PT will not be rough. Very Patriotic kid who wants a "college life". USMA has been calling.
When I went to ND, my Army ROTC money was 80% of tuition. Any help on what they are giving now?
AF was 100%
I have a few kids that have attended college on Army ROTC scholarships (one active duty, one national guard, one dropped the program and one currently in college.) My youngest is a freshman in college (so I think I am current) but the compensations has changed a few times over the past 10 years and not 100% positive on the differences between AF and Army.
The offer is tuition books/fees for 4 years (as much as $50K at private/top tier universities or as little as $20K at a state school.) The kid/family is covering the 10-15K board. The student also gets $500/month stipend while school is in session.
There are also places where the scholarship is offered as a 3 year offer. Year 1 the student is in the ROTC program without a scholarship, and the student is then on scholarship years 2-4. Same financial offer... just 3 years.
Good luck to him.
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There are a few "boards" that release scholarships, a lot like early action decisions for colleges. But the entire process is complete Feb HS senior year.
There is a bit of a loop that takes place where a student can gets a scholarship award on an early "board" and not be admitted to the school (the military awards the scholarship and the school the attendance) and that can run into the spring of HS senior year to get sorted... Again this process has changed a few times over the years but essentially it runs a couple months ahead of college applications.
The standard commitment is 4 years active duty military service followed by 2-4 years reserve (that can be active or inactive.) There are situations where the commitment is longer:
- you want to fly for instance
- you choose a certain specialty such as military intelligence and the Army guarantees the area (instead of infantry for instance) and you pick up a couple more years active duty
The student can also apply for a reserve or national guard commission and those are 8 years in length. I have one that took this option so that he could pursue medicine and did not want to wait until after active duty.
The Army is not for everyone but our family has had some positive outcomes/ good learning/ and a nice dose of what it is like to be with a different cross section of the US.
but I am pushing ND. This might be an interesting option that I had forgotten about.
I think it used to be the largest Naval ROTC unit in the country...wouldn't be surprised if it still is.
Of course, I'm biased towards the Army...but, you do have to get dirty in the Army.
Speaking as a parent: The Air Force is probably the safest (statistically speaking).
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My advice (if you even want it) is apply early for a scholarship and decide later what to do.
There is no requirement to accept a scholie offer, but need to jump through the hoops of the application:
- App with essays
- Physical
- Interview
pretty similar to what she would need to do for AFA, USNA...
At some schools, the ROTC scholarship actually helps gain entrance. I know at least one Ivy league school that essentially pulls in 5-7 scholarship cadets as long as they meet the requirements for the university. It is as good as being a varsity athlete... if you are at the top of their list, IN.
As I mentioned, all good for us and we had a daughter deployed to Afghanistan. Not exactly what you expect for your 24 year-old daughter, but the maturity, experience and world view has been impressive. Not to mention, an added view of what service means.
In any event, good luck!
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Sounds like the kid has a great future ahead of him in any event. Those are impressive credentials. That said, will probably need another 100 on the SATs just to get in. It's clearly possible the kid will hike that number if he only took them as a sophomore.
That's awesome about the USMA. I think by the end of the junior year they must be well into the process.
I have heard there are many more variable options now. Very few 4 year scholarships, some 3, some 2. Doesn't cover room & Board. Monthly stipend. The fact the stipend is now $500 is great; was $100/month back in my day
Typically you owe 4 years on active duty but that was when I had full four year scholly. If they only give you 2 yr scholly kind of sucks to owe 4 years.
Air Force tended to prefer a technical engineering or science degree; much harder to win the scholarship saying you want to major in business or history but that could have changed.
Good luck to your son!