army rotc scholarship personal statement example

EWU Army ROTC

Eastern Washington University

10 Tips for a Successful Army ROTC National Scholarship Application

Each year between October through March is the ROTC National Scholarship season where high school seniors apply for ROTC scholarships through the GoArmy website .  The Eastern Washington University Army ROTC office helps dozens of applicants each year navigate the ROTC scholarship process.  Based on this experience we have some tips we recommend to all ROTC National Scholarship applicants to maximize their opportunity to be awarded an ROTC scholarship.

  1.  Submit Your Application Early :   The first scholarship board usually meets in October, the second board in January, and the third board in March.  Getting your application completed before the first board will increase your chances of receiving a scholarship because the application will be seen three times.  Additionally the first board is where a lot of four year scholarships are awarded from as well.  If you really want a four year scholarship get your application complete prior to the first board.  Key things that need to be done to have the scholarship ready for the first board is to upload your high school transcripts, upload your SAT or ACT scores, complete the physical fitness test, and conduct an interview.  Here at Eastern we can complete both the fitness test and interview for you.  Contact us at [email protected] to schedule.

  2.  List 5 or More Schools on Your Application :  Applicants need to be realistic when putting down universities on their application.  Putting down only Harvard and MIT on the ROTC application, but only having an 1150 on the SAT means you are probably not getting a scholarship for those universities.  However, if you list Harvard & MIT plus three or more other schools you could likely get admitted to with an 1150 SAT score will increase your chance of receiving a scholarship to a school other than Harvard or MIT.  A scholarship to your third of fourth school is better than no scholarship at all.  Each university’s ROTC office has a Recruiting Officer called a “ROO” that can assist with learning what the admissions requirements are for each university.

  3.  Find Out What Type of ROTC Program You Are Applying to :  Something to keep in mind is that not all ROTC programs are created equal.  If you are planning to attend a university that has a host ROTC program you are likely going to have more military cadre and resources to better prepare you for the challenges ahead in ROTC.  Other universities have ROTC programs that are extension or satellite campuses.  Extension programs may require their students to drive to the host program to take courses.  If going to an extension program find out how far you have to drive to do physical training and ROTC classes.  The amount of driving to do ROTC may influence your decision to attend that school.  Satellite campuses may have very limited cadre, as little as two full time ROTC instructors.  If going to a satellite campus find out how many instructors they have assigned.  At EWU Army ROTC we are a  fully staffed host program with a proven track record of getting Cadets ready to succeed in both ROTC and the Army.

  4.  Visit Multiple ROTC Programs :   The best way to figure out if an ROTC program is right for you is to visit it.  If possible try to visit multiple ROTC programs to compare and contrast them.  This will also help you determine if you are attending a host, extension, or satellite program.  If attending a host program make an appointment with the ROO and ask to meet with the Professor of Military Science (PMS) who is usually a Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the ROTC battalion.  Ask about how well the program scores at Advanced Camp?  How many first branch choices did the MS-IV class receive?  Ask about where they train at?  How many Cadets are on scholarship?  How does the program perform at Ranger Challenge competitions?  This should give you an idea of how well the ROTC program is performing.  Also bring your parents to the ROTC program to meet the ROO and PMS.  At EWU Army ROTC, our ROO and PMS always makes time to visit with parents.  We want you and your parents to be as comfortable as possible with your decision to dedicate four years of your life being part of our ROTC program.

5.  Ask What Other Scholarships Are Available :  Even if you do not receive an ROTC National Scholarship talk to the ROTC program you are interested in about other scholarship options.  They should be able to inform you about ROTC campus based scholarships, Minuteman Scholarships , and Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarships.  Some schools also have various academic and alumni scholarships that Cadets can apply for as well.  For example at EWU we have four Cadets on a fraternity sponsored Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship and another on the Chertok Memorial Scholarship which is an academic scholarship awarded through the College of Social Sciences.

6.  Train to Take Your Fitness Test:   Applicants that are not in the best of shape should spend a month training to improve their fitness prior to taking the fitness test.  ROTC scholarships are highly competitive and running a seven minute mile could be the difference between receiving a 4 year or 3 year scholarship.  If possible try and take the scholarship fitness test while visiting the ROTC program you are most interested in.  Fitness is a very important attribute of being an Army officer and preparing for the test and doing well on it will make a good first impression with the ROTC Cadre.

7.  Prepare for Your Interview:   The interview for the ROTC National Scholarship is very important since it is worth 200 points.  Additionally the interviewer who is usually a Professor of Military Science, will write an assessment of you that will be read by the scholarship board.  Making a good first impression is critical, show up on time and come dressed for success.  Don’t wear torn up jeans and t-shirts to an ROTC interview.  Business dress for both males and females is very appropriate for a scholarship interview.  Don’t be taking calls or answering texts on your phone during the interview.  Yes I have seen this happen!   Be prepared to answer simple questions like, “Tell me a little about yourself”.  Remember you are selling yourself to the PMS to write the best assessment possible of you to the scholarship board.  Be well prepared to answer questions and think on your feet.  Finally be prepared to ask the interviewer some questions at the end of the interview.  This further demonstrates how prepared you were for the interview.

8.  Spend Time Writing a Quality Essay:  On the ROTC application you will have the opportunity to write a little bit about yourself.  Make sure to spend the time to write a quality essay, personal statement, and achievements.  You especially should highlight why you want to be an Army officer.  Make sure you use proper grammar and don’t have misspellings.  Writing is an important skill for Army officers to have, so show the board you can write a quality narrative.  In the narrative make sure to highlight aspects about you that will make you stand out from the crowd.  Mentions things like if you ranked nationally in some event, how many hours you were per week at your job, any awards you have received, volunteer service, etc.

  9.  Play a Sport:   Points are awarded on the ROTC scholarship application for sports played.  Remember that Cadets in ROTC are scholar athletes, just like members of the university’s sports teams.  The Army wants its officers to be athletic.  If you know you plan to apply in the future for an ROTC Scholarship than find a sport to play in high school, preferably two of them.  Having all-conference and all-state sports honors on an ROTC application will really help the application stand apart from the crowd.

10.  Get Involved in Organizations:   On the scholarship interview there are points that can be awarded for being involved in school and community activities.  For example being elected to student government and being a member of the National Honor Society are worth points.  Being involved in Scouting or Civil Air Patrol are examples on community organizations that points can be awarded for.  Volunteering for local organizations are other great things to include on the application and mention during interviews.

Following these tips will help you be competitive for an ROTC scholarship.  However, these tips cannot overcome poor performance in the classroom.  Keeping a high GPA and scoring well on the SAT or ACT are very important for being competitive for an ROTC scholarship.  The Army is looking for Scholar, Athlete, Leaders so try to work towards meeting all three of these criteria in your application.  Good luck to everyone pursuing an ROTC scholarship and feel free to leave a comment or email us at [email protected] with any questions.

2 thoughts on “10 Tips for a Successful Army ROTC National Scholarship Application”

ROTC scholarship application question

This is the summer after my Junior year, I’m supposed to be starting the application right? The reason why I ask this, is the on the deadline section the boards still say 2018-2019.

2.For the school year it says 2020-2021, what does this refer to?

I’m basically looking for conformation I didn’t screw up the start of the application by being too early. Again, I’m going to my senior year starting in august, and I graduate 2020.

The 2020-2021 scholarship season is for current high school seniors that submitted ROTC applications. The 2020-2021 scholarship season is about to be over. Since you are a junior currently your first year in college would be the 2021-2022 academic year and thus this is the timeframe you will be competing for a scholarship for.

This summer you can start putting your application together. Make sure to take your ACT or SAT early to have time to take a retest if needed. This is something I have seen issues with applicants before with. Once you are good with your ACT or SAT, you will need to contact your nearest ROTC department to conduct the fitness test and interview. If you live in the Spokane region we can easily take care of this for you.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. Go Eags!

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AROTC Application- Optional Essay

• Thread starter ArmyMoose
• Start date Nov 13, 2020
• Nov 13, 2020

Hi, Just wondering what would be the best thing to speak about for the optional essay. should I mention : music school, 12 IB and AP classes, camp counselor, 3 year varsity track, 1 year lacrosse Also planning on being a financial manager officer in army, was wondering if i should talk about my future plans any advice helps, thanks  

Herman_Snerd

ArmyMoose said: Hi, Just wondering what would be the best thing to speak about for the optional essay. should I mention : music school, 12 IB and AP classes, camp counselor, 3 year varsity track, 1 year lacrosse Also planning on being a financial manager officer in army, was wondering if i should talk about my future plans any advice helps, thanks Click to expand...

Herman_Snerd said: What is this year's AROTC essay prompt? The focus of your answer should be tailored to that prompt. For example if it is " Consider carefully, and then state below in the space provided why you wish to enroll in the Army ROTC Program. Indicate in your statement how you believe your own objectives in life are related to the education and training offered by Army ROTC and what a career obligation means to you." then answer that question. Think of the prompt like sailors think of the north star - there to guide you on your journey to get where you are going.. Not sure how your list of HS accomplishments directly answer the prompt except the 12 IB/ AP classes could be included to show how you took the steepest / most challenging curriculum your school offered potentially. Where it doesn't answer it, don't include. Simple. And from any of the others you could add a paragraph/ vignette about how experiences in _____ shaped who you are and show them your leadership potential. Moments where you were called to lead, how you did, why you want to serve, etc. Good luck. Click to expand...

Additional Remarks​

Highlight those things that aren't in the rest of the application that paints a fuller picture. For example, my DS spoke about the challenges, opportunities, triumphs, and defeats of living with an autistic sibling.  

T-37IP said: Highlight those things that aren't in the rest of the application that paints a fuller picture. For example, my DS spoke about the challenges, opportunities, triumphs, and defeats of living with an autistic sibling. Click to expand...

Agree with guidance from others above. As that is the prompt then my initial guidance stands. "... do it, but make it tell the reader who you are - how you are a scholar, athlete, leader, service oriented. Why you feel a call to serve. Speak from the heart." tell them about what separates you, illustrate what makes you the scholar, athlete, leader - tell them about any particular challenges and how you persevered and overcame them, or evolved. Make it interesting. getting a college acceptance is a great feeling. Getting a ROTC scholarship opportunity is awesome. In interviews / life there are moments to self advocate that are so different than our day to day lives. Most of us don't go around listing our accomplishments but this is, make no mistake about it, a career interview. that career may "only be for several years but it may be for 20 or like my buddy who is a Brig General, for 40 years. Go for it, and good luck.  

Veteran and Military Community at Iowa

Scholarship essays, writing a strong scholarship essay.

When submitting a scholarship, the essay component is where you are able to showcase who you are as an individual, highlight your accomplishments, and set yourself apart from other applicants.

Scholarship Application: Essays

How to answer scholarship essay questions.

The following resources from Kansas State University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill provide thorough overviews to help you think through your response to a scholarship essay prompt. The UNC resource focuses on statements of purpose, which are useful both for scholarship applications and applications to specialized undergraduate or graduate programs, while the K-State resource focuses specifically on the mindset needed to write a successful scholarship essay.

https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/application-essays/

https://www.k-state.edu/nationalscholarships/resources-for-prospective-scholars/writing-essays.html

Brainstorming

Before writing your essays, reflect on your unique experiences, identities, interests, goals, and values. Write a list that you can refer to as you draft various essays. 

Due Diligence

Read through ALL of the instructions the application gives so that you don’t miss anything. Create a checklist of everything to include in the essay. Is there a specific word limit? Stick to it. Do they ask you to answer four different questions? Underline where you answer each question in your draft to make sure you have clearly responded to their specific asks.

Devil is in the Details

Do you know what I mean when I say that I am hard working and organized? Sure, vaguely. How about if I say that I set up daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly schedules on a calendar synced to all my devices to stay on track with specific projects? The more specific you can be about yourself, the better. Instead of saying “I learned so much from _______ experience,” tell your reader what specifically you learned. 

Unlike other essays you may write in college, scholarship essays are the place to get personal. Use “I” and talk about yourself. The resume lists all of the things you have accomplished; the essay shows who you are and why the reader would want to have coffee with you (or give you a lot of money).

Giving specifics will help bring the story to life. While you do this, try to avoid clichés—what did you specifically feel? What did you learn: the good, the bad, and the ugly? Authenticity in storytelling goes a long way, and the folks reading your essay will appreciate the time you took to convey your experiences with nuance. This leads to the next to-do…

Storytelling

Show your reader your experiences by telling them a story. Stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and so should your essay. Start your essay with “the good stuff”—grab your reader’s attention right away so they keep reading. Remember, they have a pile of these on their desks or in their inboxes. Like any essay, your scholarship essay should have a thesis statement to which you connect all of your ideas. Think of this as your one-sentence answer to the essay question. The rest of your essay supports and elaborates on that point with transitions between each body paragraph. In the end, rather than restating your original thesis, give your reader a “So What?”: why this essay matters. Why did they read about your love for your local taco truck and its place in the community for three pages? A take-home message will leave your reader with something to chew on long after they have finished reading.

Connect the Dots

Read the scholarship program’s mission and what they are looking for in an applicant. Circle key words and phrases. Connect your essay or personal statement back to these specific goals and values so the reader knows exactly how you fit in with their program. Your essay should demonstrate how you would specifically benefit from and contribute to the program and its mission. Using their key words and phrases in your thesis statement is a great way to show how you are the best choice for their funding. 

Start Early and Revise

Writing scholarship essays is a tough business. You will want time in between writing a draft and submitting it to read through, not only for spelling and grammar issues (which matter a lot!), but to ensure that you are addressing that program’s goals and answering the questions they pose. Your essay may make perfect sense to you, but a reader might need clarification or more information to understand your ideas. Make an appointment to take your first draft to the University Writing Center or ask someone you trust to ask clarifying questions to read through it for you. Then, revise with their questions in mind. 

Tips on writing a “Why do you deserve this scholarship?”

Essay:  https://scholarshipowl.com/blog/apply-for-scholarships/deserve-scholarship-essay-examples/

Golden Knight Battalion

Information about Army ROTC, the scholarship process, and the program at Clarkson University

The Essay…what does the board want to hear

I probably should have written this a couple months back when many of you were just starting your application. I’m trying to help out my fellow procrastinators get back in the game. Many of the applicants on my list still haven’t submitted everything, so this information may be relevant to more than a few of you.

Got an email from one of my applicants the other day. The applicant was asking about the essay on the Army ROTC scholarship application. He wanted to know how important it was, and what it should say. I would start out by saying that it is certainly not the most important part of the application. Your whole person score and your SAL attributes will carry most of the weight.

Here is what I would suggest you do when you write your essay. By no means is this the official answer, but my thoughts are that this may score you a couple bonus points and get you the slight edge in the process. There are two blocks on the application where you can add narrative input to your submission. These blocks are titled “Applicants Additional SAL Achievements” and “Personal Statement”.

Here is what I would suggest for the first. Take a look at the PMS interview sheet , and make sure you annotate anything on the front side of that sheet that would “check a block”. Highlight anything that has to do with Scholar/Athlete/Leader things you do. If you are weak in one area, don’t lie. Just make sure you are strong in another. Don’t discount things like responsibility at a part time job to show your leadership potential, or an individual sport to highlight your Athletic attributes. Don’t leave anything off the table in this block.

For the essay I suggest you look at three things (Google them):

• Army Values
• Soldier’s Creed
• Army Leadership Doctrine

I’ve linked each of these to the best link I found on Google. Once you have looked at these three topics I feel you have enough information to know what we are looking to instill in an Officer, and what we want in our Cadets. If you sit down and now write your personal statement describing why you want to be an Army Officer, and throw in some statements that sound like your values and beliefs align with the Soldier’s Creed/Warrior Ethos/Army Values/Leadership Dimensions you should have a personal statement that will convince a board member that you have what it takes.

Hope that makes sense…What do you think???

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Winning West Point Essay Examples: How to Strengthen Your Application

LTC Kirkland and Captain Dach

8 minute read

Successful West Point Essay Examples

The following are West Point essay examples from cadets who have won appointments to West Point in the past few years. We will provide commentary at the end of each essay as to why each of these answers to West Point’s questions are effective. For information on all the West Point application requirements, read our Ultimate Guide to getting into West Point .

Prompt: Explain why you want to attend the United States Military Academy and serve on active duty as an Army officer.

Answer: I want to earn an undergraduate degree at West Point pursue my passions of military service to our great Nation while exploring the sciences. I work diligently in high school, taking advanced academics, keeping in top physical condition, holding school leadership positions, and volunteering in the community. This, along with the honor of knowing many Army officers, gives me confidence in pursuing West Point as the next step toward becoming an officer in the Army.

I’ve been fortunate to have the support of my teachers and mentors in my pursuit of becoming a West Point cadet and future military leader; they reminded me of the importance of selfless service. My football coach, Chris Page, before he passed away, told us the incredible sacrifices he made to make himself a better teacher and coach. Through his stories, the purpose of my hard work in preparing for a military career crystalized- be better for others so they can be better serving our country. To honor him, I founded the Coach Page Scholarship Fund so others would be inspired by his life of selfless service.

To gain additional insight on being an Army officer, I have talked with a family friend, Major General Joseph Jones, who was the Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command who talked to me about life as a cadet and the challenges I would face. I also wanted to see an active military unit, so I visited with a captain at the New York Army National Guard training site at Camp Smith. There, I saw how Army officers lead by example; they are expected to get “dirty on the field” and to support other soldiers in all their goals. I am inspired by military leaders I have interacted with and through them, I’ve gained an understanding and respect for the duties I would assume upon commissioning.

For the privilege of serving our great Nation, I have prepared for the challenge and honor of being a USMA cadet and upon graduation, to commission as a proud officer in the Army.

Commentary:

Note that this first essay is not a laundry list of accomplishments the candidate did in high school. Rather, it centers on what the candidate did to find out more about what life would be like both as an officer candidate and an officer in the United States Army. Notice the candidate talked to officers as well as took time out of his/her schedule to visit a local National Guard unit to meet with officers and see what life in the Army would be like. This shows West Point that you understand that becoming a cadet is a serious commitment and that “get” why you are making this commitment is important.

Prompt: Think of some things in the past that were difficult for you. Pick one and discuss what steps you took to address it. Include whether you turned to anyone, the role that person played, and what you learned about your character as a result of this challenge.

One of my most life-changing setbacks was moving from Japan to Florida one week before starting high school. Previously, I devoted a significant portion of my life to training in martial arts. From a young age, I developed strong Japanese speaking and listening skills with a specific focus on martial arts. Spending a minimum of ten hours a week training with team mates, I was laser-focused on the next competition with aspirations of competing at the national level one day. My family’s PCS to MacDill Air Force Base rendered nearly all of my goals obsolete and squandered most of my efforts. The move forced me not only to leave my training behind but also dramatically reshaped my priorities as I realized I needed to make changes to my life to accomplish my goals.

Before high school, I had no experience with team sports or club activities outside of martial arts. Despite this reality, upon starting my freshman year, I immediately signed up for soccer and joined the Corps of Cadets. My first weeks of soccer were extraordinarily challenging. I did not know the rules and struggled with the physical demands. Most importantly, I was painfully unfamiliar with the concept of relying on others. The juniors and seniors on the team needed me as a defender; therefore, they encouraged my learning and celebrated my successes.

The Corps further solidified my appreciation of the team concept. As a new JROTC cadet, my superiors corrected how I dressed, marched, and spoke. Having never been part of a hierarchical system, I quickly learned to adapt to subordination. Accepting help and mentorship while preparing for promotion board preparation armed me with the confidence and sense of duty to help junior cadets later in my Corps career. I learned that I could set an example for my peers and contribute to an effort greater than myself. Two years later, as a First Sergeant, I became responsible for training younger cadets. I embraced this leadership opportunity and discovered how much joy and accomplishment I experience while serving others as their leader.

Whether it be a win on the field, a successful execution of pass and review, or a passed promotion board of a cadet I trained, collective victories trump any satisfaction I experienced throughout martial arts competition. I have learned from the experience to seek out an education and a profession where I can join and ultimately build and lead a cohesive team, and to rely on my teammates. My experiences in high school taught me to seek out leadership with a technologically advanced team that shares a common goal: to win our nation’s wars. Should I be given the opportunity to one day lead, I hope to realize my maximum potential as an Army officer and find true contentment in the opportunity to be a servant leader.

Note that the writer focuses on what they learned from this experience, and how it will help them serve as a better officer as a result of the challenge. A majority of the essay is focused not on the conflict, but on what resulted from the life challenge.

Prompt: West Point and the Army are committed to the idea that respect for others and an understanding of diversity are important leadership traits. Why will you be successful in working with leaders, peers, and subordinates of a gender, color, ethnicity, and/or religion different from your own?

Answer: Military officers are comfortable working in teams and they value the inherent strengths that come from teams made up of people with different backgrounds and perspectives. They are respectful of others. They understand that high performing teams are characterized by common goals, shared responsibility for success, and appropriate leadership-followership relationships.

I spent last summer in Nicaragua; three weeks in an intensive Spanish language program and two months living with a Nicaraguan family in the country. While I was in the country, I was working with a non-governmental organization (NGO) that was fielding small-scale alternative energy projects that people could us. For example, I helped develop an apparatus that fermented chicken manure into methane gas for cooking. Not headline-grabbing stuff, but it worked very well for these folks. I learned an incredible amount. I learned that people are people wherever you go. We may look different, we may talk different, we may have some different ideas, but we are all basically the same and should treat each other with dignity and respect.

I understand that I will deploy to other countries and need to appreciate foreign cultures and show respect for their different points of view. By practicing inclusion in leading others in the Army, that will surely transfer to both myself and the people who I lead respecting those we interact with overseas.

This essay should be centered on an experience the candidate had that shows that he/she values diversity and respects others. The first paragraph summarizes the argument, the second paragraph talks about the experience, and the third concludes forcefully with a summary as well as applicability to his/her future role as an Army officer that will require him/her to deploy, fight and win.

Final Thoughts for Your West Point Application Essays:

Essay #1 is probably the most important of the three essays and is standard across most Academy and ROTC applications. The key to most of these essays is to do some legwork and ask serving or retired officers about these questions as well as go out and visit local Guard or Reserve units to see the Army in action and forcefully answer these questions drawing on these interviews and experiences. You can get our tips on Congressional nomination essays here .

If you do the above things, you are that much closer to a West Point appointment !

Article Contents

Examples of essays that won service academy appointments, do you need help crafting a compelling essay for service academy admissions, related posts.

See What Worked

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkland (USA, Ret.) is an expert on military admissions and leadership. He served for over 25 years in the United States Army, including stints as an instructor at West Point and as a commander of two Army ROTC programs. Former Air Force Captain Trisha Dach served as an Intelligence Officer from 2011-2018. A graduate of the Air Force Academy. They have helped hundreds of candidates secure appointments and ROTC scholarships. Together, they help educate parents and students on military propensity, leadership, and Academy admissions.

LTC Rob Kirkland Featured on the Your College-Bound Kid Podcast

West point case study: strategic decisions, preparing for the west point cbef: what high school students need to know, service academies & recruited athletes: west point spotlight, new west point admissions book – how to get into west point, west point jobs after graduation, what is the service academy whole person concept, 5 steps to writing excellent service academy essays, requirements for the service academy presidential nomination, applying to west point summer seminar: summer leaders experience.

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The Army ROTC Scholarship Resume: How to Write it, What to Include

LTC Robert Kirkland

6 minute read

Starting in 2021, Army ROTC started requiring candidates to upload a resume as part of the online application. The resume is designed to supplement the activities section of the application. It is a critical component designed to supplement the activities section of the application, shedding light on your accomplishments, values, and dedication.

Students should create a resume that highlights their desire to become an Army officer. Let’s dive into how to communicate everything the scholarship board is looking for to help you obtain Army ROTC scholarships. This will help you compete for a three or four year ROTC scholarship.

Understanding the Resume’s Role in the Application Process

Before diving into the intricacies of the resume, it’s pivotal to understand its significance.

ROTC ranks applicants on a 1400-point scale using the following weights:

SAT/ACT Scores – 250 Points

Scholar, Athlete, Leadership Area – 200 Points

Interview – 200 Points

Selection Board Score – 350 Points

Civilian Background Experience Form – 250 Points

Physical Fitness Test – 140 Points

The resume is considered when awarding points for the Interview as well as the Selection Board Score. It is read before the scholarship interview by the Army ROTC officer who conducts the interview and is also reviewed by board members when they give a board score for the overall applicant file.

The Interview: Before the scholarship interview, the Army ROTC officer meticulously reviews your resume. It helps set the stage for the ensuing conversation, allowing the officer to gauge your qualifications and interests.

Selection Board Review: Board members also consider your resume when assigning an overall board score to your application.

Typically the interviewer and selection board members have significant time in the military (most likely Lieutenant Colonels and above). Attention to detail is important here.

Note that it is NOT used to determine Scholar, Athletics and Leadership (SAL) Points. The sole determining factor for SAL points is the activities section of the application. In short, the resume is looked at and considered but not given its own category for points.

It is important to have a resume which will reflect well on the candidate. So how do you put together a great resume?

• How to Structure Your Army ROTC Scholarship Resume

There are many resume writing techniques but there is a specific format which aligns best with what Army ROTC is looking for.

Here are steps to creating an excellent Army ROTC scholarship resume:

List everything you’ve done

Go into more detail on each event/opportunity/award

Organize your accomplishments

Format everything properly, check over everything and make sure it looks appealing

Have someone review your resume (at least one person)

• 1. Make a List

Start by listing out everything you can think of that you’ve accomplished or been a part of over your high school career. We mean everything here, you want to think back to those minor volunteer events or awards you may have received. Once you’ve written everything down, you can begin to organize your accomplishments.

• 2. Go into Detail

Highlight your accomplishments by discussing the impact you made. How many did you lead? How much money did you raise? If you were chosen for an award, how many other students were eligible? If you placed at Districts, how many teams did you beat?

3. Organize Your Resume Using the SAL Method

Army ROTC awards scholarships to Scholar-Athlete-Leaders , known by the acronym SAL. Therefore, it is best to divide your resume in three sections that address each of these areas.

• Scholar Section

Include your GPA (both weighted and unweighted), SAT and/or ACT super score, and senior year courses.

You might also include separate subsections which address awards/achievements as well as any research you have done. This can be such things as honor roll, principals list or National Honor Society.

• Athlete Section

Include sports you have participated in both in and out of school. How many junior varsity or varsity letters you achieved, and any awards or honors both at the high school level, conference level or higher.

If you were the captain, be sure to include this.

• Leader Section

Include each group or organization which you were a participant but ideally the leader of.

Be sure to discuss your duties and responsibilities as well as the notable activities or events you participated in or led.

• 4. Format Your Resume

Attention to detail is critical here. Make sure your resume is visually appealing. Organize things in a way that makes sense, usually we recommend chronologically.

Aesthetics Matter

It’s important for your resume to not just have quality content but also to look clean and professional. Here’s how to ensure that:

Consistent Font and Size: Choose a professional font like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri and maintain the same font size throughout, except for headings which can be slightly larger.

Use Bullet Points: This makes your resume easy to skim through and keeps the details concise.

Alignments and Spacing: Ensure everything is aligned to the left and maintain consistent spacing between sections. This aids readability.

Bold and Italics: Use these sparingly. Headings can be bold to make them stand out, and you can use italics to emphasize specific points or titles.

Proofread and Refine

You’ve spent a lot of time crafting your resume, so the last thing you’d want is a minor typo undermining your efforts.

Grammar and Spelling: Ensure there are no spelling errors or grammatical mistakes. These can come across as careless and detract from the professionalism of your resume.

Consistency: Ensure the tense, abbreviations, and formats are consistent throughout the resume.

Clarity and Precision: Make sure each point is clear and doesn’t require further clarification. Avoid jargon unless it’s widely understood.

• 5. Seek Feedback

This step is essential. A fresh pair of eyes can pick up on things you might have missed.

Mentor/Teacher Review: If you have a teacher, counselor, or coach who you trust, ask them to take a look. They can provide valuable feedback not just on the format but also on the content. Someone with military experience can also provide valuable insight.

• Example of an Army ROTC Scholarship Resume

We have included an example of an Army ROTC scholarship resume to give you an idea of the level of detail we suggest going into.

Make the Right Impression with your Interviewer as well as the Selection Board

A well-crafted resume not only details your achievements but also provides a window into your dedication, commitment, and alignment with the Army ROTC’s values. By adopting the Scholar, Athlete, Leader model for the resume, it will get closest to what Army ROTC is looking for in the resume.

We wish you the best of luck as you work towards an Army ROTC scholarship!

Article Contents

• Understanding the Resume’s Role in the Application Process

Never Miss an Army ROTC Scholarship Deadline

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Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkland (USA, Ret.) is an expert on military admissions and leadership. He served for over 25 years in the United States Army, including stints as an instructor at West Point and as a commander of two Army ROTC programs. He has helped students win ROTC scholarships for 8 years.

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Personal Statement - Example No. 3

Class of 2005.

I stood on the sidelines, watching my teammates receive the first place trophy at the Ranger Challenge competition. I could not help but feel joy for their success. I knew they had earned it. Or, I should say, “we” had earned it. Even though I did not get to compete, I considered myself part of the team.

I am a cadet in the Army’s Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at Wheaton College. Ranger Challenge is the “competitive sport” of ROTC, culminating in a tough regional competition. Wheaton College sends two teams, the A team (varsity) and the B team (junior varsity) to compete against more than twenty colleges and universities in the Great Lakes region. The competition consists of a physical fitness test, a demanding land navigation course, various tests of military skills, and a six-mile run in full gear with a forty-pound backpack. It is quite demanding, both physically and mentally. The competition requires weeks of grueling preparation.

I tried out for the Ranger Challenge teams last year even though I did not have the time and natural physical gifts essential for success in Ranger Challenge. At the beginning, most cadets could do more push-ups, do more sit-ups, and run faster than me – the very criteria the Army uses to judge physical fitness. The others, mainly seniors and individuals with prior military service, had the technical knowledge and skills that I lacked. On top of this, I had the most difficult academic semester of my college career ahead of me with an above average class load consisting of difficult courses.

Nonetheless, I desperately wanted to compete on the team. I dragged myself out of bed every morning at five thirty and worked out hard for two hours before going straight into mental focus at class. I spent what little free time I had learning and refining my soldier skills for Ranger Challenge. As the amount of light in the mornings dwindled, so did the number people vying for a spot on the team. Some quit and others got cut. However, I stuck with it. I began to notice those who could once outdo me in the physical aspects of training now fell behind. The cadets who had taught me how to tie all the knots and disassemble a weapon now took more time than me to do such tasks.

A few weeks before the competition the instructors ranked the potential competitors. I ended up the tenth highest ranked person on the list, one spot away from making the A team, and statistically the top individual on the B team. Unlike prior years, the decision of who would make the two respective teams proved difficult, forcing minor differences to tip the scales. I saw these inconsequential differences and realized that the B team had a realistic chance of beating the A team at the competition if we put in extra work. I spent hours preparing an outline for my team of the infantryman’s manual – the subject of the most important event at the competition. The diligence paid off since all members of the B team became infantry experts.

The final two weeks before competition I unified our team. Every morning I reminded my team that victory was attainable. We were now a finely-oiled machine. Nothing could break our cohesion, at least until the day before we left to compete. I’ll never forget the sinking feeling when the Commandant of Cadets informed me I was being “bumped up” to the A team as an alternate. One member of the A team had tendonitis in his knee, and another had an upper respiratory infection. Chances were great that I would have to fill in.

As it turned out, the sick and injured cadets competed. I was only needed for one event and spent nearly the entire weekend as a cheerleader. At first I thought that all the training, all the pain, and all the lost sleep was for nothing. But I soon realized that wasn’t the case. Life certainly isn’t fair. I won’t always be rewarded or even recognized for my hard work. Sometimes life calls me to sacrifice personal wants for a higher calling. As I watched the B Team receive the first place trophy, I knew in my heart that I was an integral part of the team’s success. I had surpassed my own expectations and helped bring out the best in others. And that’s reward enough.