I want to join the Armed Forces with a scholarship, how will the ASVAB affect my chances?

Question

I am 17 years old and a senior at my high school. After much consideration, I have decided that I want to serve my country and join the Armed Forces as well as recieve a college education as I have always intended. I was looking into the Amry ROTC and the Air Force ROTC and was wondering how much of an affect the ASVAB will have on my chances of getting accepted over my overall GPA and SAT scores. My GPA in high school is a 2 but my SAT score is around 1200 (math/verbal). I was wondering, with my low GPA, but fair SAT score, will scoring well in the ASVAB greaten my chances of getting the ROTC scholorship? If so, by how much and what other things do the Armed Forces (specifically the Army and the Air Force) look at before making their desicion about accepting me? Thank you for your time and i hope that those who are knowledgeable in this area will answer my question.

Answer 1

Salute, Captain!

The ASVAB as I understand it is like an interest inventory to see what career interests you have and your strengths and weaknesses. Then they'll know what to train you in, like intelligence, leadership, airplane mechanics, pilots, tankers, etc. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't use it in any way against you. Since you have good SAT scores, I think you're all set. Don't aim low, though. Send out feelers to other schools, too, not just ROTC. Have yout hought of FBI training? We need help here, too. They might just send you straight into officers training if you'll do an amazing community service project before you graduate. I don't think they'll hold your gpa against you either. They know how hard it is to concentrate on books when you're 13-17 (^^) and that it's a time of development in your reading skills. I also mean you'll keep getting better in scholarship unless you sell yourself short. I think good letters of reference and a cool resume with an inserted photo on it would be impressive, too..

Answer 2

My information is for Army, but it might apply to Air Force also. Taking the ASVAB will not affect your chances at a scholarship at all. It is not required and they won't even look at it if you do take it. To increase your chances of getting the scholarship, do well in school your senior year, join some clubs, participate in sports, and have some leadership roles. Make sure to contact the Professor of Military Science at the schools you are looking at. They make the final scholarship decision, so you really want to make a good impression. Sometimes they can also help walk your application through the admissions process. Good luck!