Expert: Rod Powers - 5/15/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hey there~
   It's a miracle I found this place because there's something that's been worrying me for a while now.
I'm currently a junior in high school and will be graduating in 2008. I have plans to send in a scholarship application for the AFROTC and use the program to get me through college and get me started in life afterwards (I've always wanted to follow in my father's footsteps as an officer in the USAF).
However, I got really concerned when I looked over the application. It seems as though they are really big on leadership and extra curricular activities.
I have not been involved in much during my life, 1. because art has always been my passion and so I've stayed away from sports and things, 2. I'm a rather small person...another reason why I'm not too comfortable with athletics, 3. I had no idea I would ever need to be involved in so much.
I'm sure this will greatly affect if I'm chosen for the scholarship or not. I'm sure I can still pass the PFT, but my lack of activities prior to this point is what has me worried.
Is it possible I could still be chosen for the scholarship even though there's a lot of competition? It'd be great if I could get an idea of what's possible so that I can plan my direction in life.
Right now I know I'm definitely not eligible because I actually need to gain about 9 pounds to meet the requirement...but I'm working on that.
But yeah...just wondering if this is something I could still do.
Thanks!
ANSWER: Hi Ashleigh

Military officers are leaders. That's what they are. That's what they do. All things being equal, the Military would rather take a chance on spending their ROTC scholarship money on those with a high GPA, and those who have shown a degree of leadership ability.

Understand why the Military services offer ROTC scholarships. It's not as a social program to give young kids a scholarship opportunity. Rather, it's to attract candidates who will make good military officers (who are leaders).

Now, the AFROTC uses several factors do determine who they will give their limited number of scholarships to. Several thousands of people apply for an AFROTC scholarship each year, and only a few hundred are accepted. Remember, it's all competitive, and you're competing against other applicants. The Air Force is going to choose those applicants they feel will make the best Air Force Officers. There are several factors taken into consideration, when making this determination. First and foremost, is the degree program. I'm sorry, but the Air Force just doesn't need artists. They need scientists, mathematics experts, physic experts, electronic experts, engineers, etc. In other words, those working on "hard science degrees." While art may be your "passion," it's just not a field that the Air Force is much interested in. Your chances of getting an AFROTC scholarship is much less if you're majoring in "art," than if your majoring in a "science" subject. Much, much, worse.

Second is GPA. Remember, you are competing against several thousands of other applicants, for a few hundred available scholarships. The higher your GPA, the better. For an AFROTC Scholarship, a "competitive" GPA is about 3.5 or above.

Now, remember, Air Force officers are (before all else) leaders. Once commissioned, they are placed in charge of enlisted personnel within their duty section, and they are expected to lead.  That means, when giving out AFROTC scholarships, the Air Force gives weight to those who have shown leadership ability. Now, this doesn't have to be in a sports program, but I bet your high school has several extra curricular activities which are non-sports related, and I bet your community has several programs you can volunteer for. If you want that AFROTC scholarship, then go volunteer for them!

You don't have to be Class President, but maybe you can volunteer to be Class Secretary. You don't have to run the local Soup Kitchen, but maybe (after volunteering for awhile), you can volunteer for a supervisory position at the local soup kitchen. You don't have to be on the wrestling team, but maybe you could be president of the Chess Club, or the Drama Club, or an officer on the Prom planning committe (or several other things) during your senior year. There are several possibilities.

I bet your high school Guidance Counselor can give you several more suggestions, based on your particular high school and local area.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmiltiary.about.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I understand what you're saying, and I do realize the Air Force doesn't need artists.
I have done some research however, and found out that Maxwell AFB has need for a Visual Information field for educational purposes and that deals with things I'm familiar with. I'm going to ask a recruiter for more information on that.
But for now, I'm wondering if extra curricular activities I do my senior year will even count? Because the application needs to be turned in while I'm still in school.
I'm not worried about my GPA. That's always been a strong point of mine.
It's just that I'm hoping I won't get blown off without ever getting a chance to prove myself in the leadership area. I have no doubt I can do it...and I know the military wants proof...it's just a shame I found out about it so late.  

Answer
Hi Ashleigh,

As I said before, the AFROTC Scholarship program is "competitive."

What that means is that there are so many scholarships positions approved each year. There are also so many applicants, who apply for those available scholarships, each year.

For example, just for an example, let's say that the University of Alabama is allocated 75 AFROTC scholarships for the academic year of 2009. Assume that 250 applicants apply for those 75 positions. A selection board would meet to determine which of those 250 people would get the scholarships, considering all the factors, includling GAP, leadership abilities (curricular activities), AFOQT Scores, college majors, etc.). In other words, it's all competitive, and depends on your qualifications, compared to the qualifications of the other applicants, compared to how many slots have been allocated to that particular college AFROTC program.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com