Posted on Jan 29, 2022
What colleges are best for the IPAP and ROTC program to make me more competitive?
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Hi, I am a senior in High School, and enlisted into the reserves and went to basic last year. I'm now looking at colleges and had a few questions with the the ROTC and Minuteman program, and the IPAP program.
I already have completed over 30 college credits, have an average GPA of 3.75, got promoted during basic, however did not go to AIT, due to being split-ops.
I was wondering if there are colleges that have a better ROTC program than others? I'm studying to become a PA, so that you're aware of, do some ROTC programs favor more in the medical side, offering shadowing, or is it generally all the same?
Now because I am looking at the IPAP program, would it be beneficial to get a degree in biology, or get my nursing license? Or should I just go for a two year, get my AA and the prerequisites done and try to apply? What would make me more competitive?
To sum it up, what can I do to try to improve my chances of getting into the IPAP program, starting now, with what colleges would look best?
I understand that the IPAP program is very competitive, so any recommendations or advice would be very much appreciated.
Thank you in advance!
I already have completed over 30 college credits, have an average GPA of 3.75, got promoted during basic, however did not go to AIT, due to being split-ops.
I was wondering if there are colleges that have a better ROTC program than others? I'm studying to become a PA, so that you're aware of, do some ROTC programs favor more in the medical side, offering shadowing, or is it generally all the same?
Now because I am looking at the IPAP program, would it be beneficial to get a degree in biology, or get my nursing license? Or should I just go for a two year, get my AA and the prerequisites done and try to apply? What would make me more competitive?
To sum it up, what can I do to try to improve my chances of getting into the IPAP program, starting now, with what colleges would look best?
I understand that the IPAP program is very competitive, so any recommendations or advice would be very much appreciated.
Thank you in advance!
Posted in these groups: 
ROTCIPAP Student
ROTCIPAP Student
Posted 2 y ago
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If you're applying to the IPAP, at no point is the college you attend, one of the deciding factors in your selection. You can attend an Ivy league school and your scores will be judged the same as someone who took all their classes online. So, find a school you will do well in.
IPAP is competitive. If you're in the Reserves now, you're competing against all the rest of the Reserves for a class seat. If you're in the NG, you're competing for even fewer seats that your state has. What makes you more competitive than the other person? You'd have to see their packet to know that. Some of the people you're competing against already have degrees, 5-10 years of experience as a combat medic with a deployment or two, or nursing degrees. The beat way to get the best chance is to compete against a large pool like in the Active Duty Army. Since you're already obligated to the component you're in, all you can do is get the best scores you can get before applying. Get your GPA higher, and most importantly, make sure your STEM GPA is high.
IPAP is competitive. If you're in the Reserves now, you're competing against all the rest of the Reserves for a class seat. If you're in the NG, you're competing for even fewer seats that your state has. What makes you more competitive than the other person? You'd have to see their packet to know that. Some of the people you're competing against already have degrees, 5-10 years of experience as a combat medic with a deployment or two, or nursing degrees. The beat way to get the best chance is to compete against a large pool like in the Active Duty Army. Since you're already obligated to the component you're in, all you can do is get the best scores you can get before applying. Get your GPA higher, and most importantly, make sure your STEM GPA is high.
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PFC (Join to see)
Thats a great point to go to a college where I can do well in, I though that they did look at the college you went to. Thank you for the advice.
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In personal opinion, you need to take a step back about your career. IPAP and college ROTC are two different programs. ROTC does have some medical career opportunity (e.g. nursing, compete for educational delay for MD, etc.), but not specifically for physicians assistant. Before deciding "which college", look at other aspects of your own life
Family?
Finances?
Location?
Current reserve status?
Which specific medical path?
Talk to both an IPAP and ROTC recruiter to see which path is better. I will put URLs below for info
Family?
Finances?
Location?
Current reserve status?
Which specific medical path?
Talk to both an IPAP and ROTC recruiter to see which path is better. I will put URLs below for info
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LTC Kevin B.
PFC (Join to see) - The ROTC programs officer military courses to prepare you to become an officer. Those ROTC courses are woven into whatever major you are pursuing at the university, and they span the entire spectrum of academic majors. So, ROTC programs are not tailored around specific fields; they can work with every field.
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LTC Eugene Chu
PFC (Join to see) - I overlooked some of your earlier description and wish to provide additional input if you don't object...
1. ROTC programs in college are usually similar in terms of instruction. There may be differences in cadet demographics based on the school (e.g. military vs. civilian setting, races, prior service vs. scholarship, etc.). Think about additional school culture aspects along with reputation for pre-med, PA or nursing program
2. Although you have not attended AIT yet, you still have a reserve obligation. I suggest that you find a closeby school from where you can commute easily to and from drill with your current unit. Although some units do offer weekend lodging or travel reimbursement, it is usually for senior members and not junior enlisted.
3. Talk with your unit's chain of command along with the IPAP and ROTC recruiter. Since you will have to drill while in school for either program, it is important that the COC knows for mandatory and potentially excusable times.
1. ROTC programs in college are usually similar in terms of instruction. There may be differences in cadet demographics based on the school (e.g. military vs. civilian setting, races, prior service vs. scholarship, etc.). Think about additional school culture aspects along with reputation for pre-med, PA or nursing program
2. Although you have not attended AIT yet, you still have a reserve obligation. I suggest that you find a closeby school from where you can commute easily to and from drill with your current unit. Although some units do offer weekend lodging or travel reimbursement, it is usually for senior members and not junior enlisted.
3. Talk with your unit's chain of command along with the IPAP and ROTC recruiter. Since you will have to drill while in school for either program, it is important that the COC knows for mandatory and potentially excusable times.
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PFC (Join to see)
LTC Eugene Chu - I will never object to advice! That makes sense with the ROTC program being similar in terms of instruction, but different demographics. And thats a good thing to keep in mind is that I will still be drilling so to find a nearby school. Thank you for the input, now I know a little bit more so I can now have questions to ask when I call them.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
LTC Eugene Chu - Let me add two things. Once you are MOS qualified, you can be exempted from the first two years of ROTC. I have had ROTC Cadre argue against it, but I know a lot of Prior Service ROTC commissioned officers that went that path.
The other is that as a Reservist or National Guard Soldier, you can do a Simultaneous Membership with a Guard or Reserve unit, get paid as an E-5, and pick up some experience along the way. As long as you don't take a GRFD scholarship, it won't effect your ability to go Active Duty, or at least to be competitive for those positions.
The other is that as a Reservist or National Guard Soldier, you can do a Simultaneous Membership with a Guard or Reserve unit, get paid as an E-5, and pick up some experience along the way. As long as you don't take a GRFD scholarship, it won't effect your ability to go Active Duty, or at least to be competitive for those positions.
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