Army ROTC

Army ROTC's mission is to educate, train, develop and inspire participants to become officers and leaders of character for the United States Army and the Nation. A large majority of Penn State Army ROTC graduates obtain a full-tuition scholarship, prior to graduation.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARMY ROTC

You Might Like This Program If...

• You want to acquire professional flexibility and proven leadership skills that every industry desperately seeks.
• You seek an organization willing to invest risk in your potential, while setting the conditions for your success.
• You enjoy being a member or leader of a team with a common goal.
• You're looking for the best version of yourself.
• You want more, and aren't afraid of the challenge it takes to get it.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHY STUDENTS CHOOSE THE ARMY ROTC

The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Army ROTC) is an elective program of instruction and training that offers qualified students the opportunity to earn a commission as an officer (Second Lieutenant) and to serve in the United States Army, Army National Guard, or United States Army Reserve while working toward a baccalaureate degree as a full-time student. The program emphasizes student learning and participation in applied leadership, leadership theory, decision making, management skills, time management, and military knowledge and skills. The four-year program is conducted in two successive phases--the Basic Course and Advanced Course (20 total credits). At least 6 Army ROTC credits may be applied toward baccalaureate degree requirements in all majors, usually as elective credits. Course subjects and credits appear under ROTC course descriptions in this Bulletin.

Penn State Army ROTC is one of the largest and most successful ROTC programs in the United States. Army ROTC is offered at the following campuses: Abington, Altoona, Hazleton, and University Park. However, only the University Park campus offers the complete four-year program within the Penn State Army ROTC system. Army ROTC is also available at most other campuses through cross-enrollment agreements with other colleges and universities. For additional information on Army ROTC, see the enrollment officer at 212 Wagner Building on the University Park campus or call 814-863-0368 (toll free: 1-866-558-3513) or visit our the Penn State ROTC website.

If you are a first year student applying to Penn State:

Click Apply to start your Penn State application. Before starting, you can also review the Applying Online Worksheet for more details and helpful hints about the application.

Your application work can be saved at each step of the process by clicking the Save and Continue button at the bottom of the page. This feature will allow you to move back and forth within the application or log off and return to complete your application at a later time.

After completing your Academic History, you will need to provide your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). As you begin the SRAR process, a new window will open allowing you to complete your SRAR. SRAR will focus on your high school coursework. It is important that this step is a complete and accurate representation of your school record. Therefore, have a copy of your secondary school records available as you complete your SRAR. You will need to enter every class and every grade earned for the last three years, as well as those classes in progress.

After completing your SRAR, you will be directed back to the Penn State application in order to complete the Program of Study portion of the application. Here, you will indicate your desired starting semester, your intended program of study, and your starting and ending campus. For further details on how to complete this portion based on your applicant type, please see the steps to apply for first-year students.

After completing this section of the application, you will provide some additional information, an activities resume, and a personal statement. You will be able to paste in this information from other sources, but note that the formatting may not always paste in as intended.

If you are a transfer student applying to Penn State:

All international transfer students will be required to submit official high school transcripts in order to complete the application. International transfer students will not complete the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) for either their high school or college coursework.

If you have accepted your offer of admission to Penn State:

If you completed SRAR and are accepted to Penn State, please provide the following for grade verification:

• Official transcript from years 9, 10, 11, and 12. If the transcript is issued in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a separate line-by-line English translation.
• Official copy of the Tawjihi, accompanied by a separate line-by-line English translation.

Army ROTC Cadets compete to serve on Active Duty, or elect to serve part-time in the US Army Reserve (USAR) or Army National Guard (ARNG). Career fields are wide ranging, including: Administrative Support, Intelligence/Combat Support, Arts/Media, Legal/Law Enforcement, Combat, Mechanics, Computers/Technology, Medical/Emergency, Construction/Engineering and Transportation/Aviation. Nearly any civilian professional career has an equivalent in the US Army.  Graduates' salaries are above the national average for college grads, with regular raises and promotions in the first few years of service. Life and Health insurance are provided or available for both Active Duty and the Reserve Components (USAR/ARNG).

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CAREERS

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Army ROTC Cadets pursuing graduate degrees in certain professional fields (medical, legal) can seek an 'Educational Delay' to complete their subsequent education.  Upon completion, those individuals practice their respective career fields as US Army Officers.  Additional scholarship funding may be available through the US Army Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES