ROTC Scholarship

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarship is one of the most valuable college scholarships in the United States. It pays up to full tuition, a monthly salary, and an annual book allowance for applicants who want to become officers in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines.

Strictly speaking, an ROTC participant is not joining the Armed Forces. Participants will not be sent to "boot camp." However, the primary purpose of the ROTC program is to produce officers, so participants must agree to serve as officers in the military after graduation to complete the program, especially if they receive an ROTC scholarship. Initially enrolling (the first two years of college) does not obligate participants to serve unless they have also received a scholarship. Scholarship winners generally serve four years on active duty.

ROTC classes normally involve one elective class and one lab per semester. Although the classes involve hands-on work as well as classroom work, they are standard college classes that fit into a normal academic schedule. These courses can help students with personal and academic decision-making while giving them the tools to exercise leadership in college life, even before graduating and becoming officers.

ROTC cadets and midshipmen have the same lifestyles and academic schedules as any other college students. They join fraternities and sororities. They participate in varsity team and individual sports. They take part in community service projects. Most of the intensive training for ROTC takes place over the summer when officer candidates are not attending school.

1. The ROTC interview is the most important thing to do well on. Prepare extensively for it.

2. A good SAT/ACT score is a way to separate yourself from other candidates.

3. Do well on the individual Service's fitness test.

4. Have a solid athlete and leader profile. Take a college prep high school curriculum and get the best unweighted GPA you can.