We're glad you have chosen the Houston area to attend school and that you are seriously considering a career in the Naval Service. The NROTC unit at Rice University includes students from Rice University, University of Houston, Houston Baptist University, and Texas Southern University. In order to pursue a commission from an NROTC program you need to follow two separate application processes. First, you need to apply for an NROTC scholarship, which is separate from the admission process to your college or university. Second, you need to apply and be accepted to one of the colleges serviced by the Rice Unit. More information on the NROTC program and application procedures can be found at https://www.nrotc.navy.mil. Information on college applications can be obtained from your high school guidance counselor or one of the four universities from which our unit draws students.
Competition for scholarships in the NROTC program is usually high. Areas that are weighed heavily when considering applicants include academic grades from high school, extracurricular or sports activities, SAT/ACT scores, and demonstrated leadership potential. Applications can be started online, but completion does require an interview with an active duty naval officer. Our unit staff conduct interviews for prospective MIDN.
One of our universities offers a separate scholarship opportunity. Texas Southern University is classified as an Historically Black College and University (HBCU). In an effort to improve diversity in the United States Navy Officer Corps, a separate MSISR scholarship exists. The scholarship has the same eligibility requirements as a National Scholarship. Any person is eligible for this scholarship regardless of race or gender as long as they attend this university. If you have any additional questions about this specific program please call 713-348-3940.
If you wish to join NROTC you must:
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Navy Option Midshipmen - Obtain a minimum score of 1200 on the SAT (at least 540 math/550 verbal) or a score of 47 on the ACT (at least 21 math/22 verbal).
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Marine Option Midshipmen - Obtain a minimum score of 1000 on the SAT (math/verbal), a score of 22 on the ACT, or a score of 74 on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT).
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Have a high school GPA of at least 2.5 [with Math (Algebra & Trigonometry), English, and Science]
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Be physically qualified for a commission in the U.S. Navy, e.g., not asthmatic, no serious allergies, able to pass a standard Navy physical fitness test, i.e., 1.5 mile run, push-ups, crunches, etc.
One must be able to Focus on academic achievement and Officer development, Participate in unit requirements/activities, and Communicate individual needs to the student and staff leadership. Our students are expected to be leaders on campus, setting an example for others to follow. The scholarship will pay your full tuition and fees, provide you $375 per semester for books, and pay you a monthly stipend of $250 as a freshman, $300 as a sophomore, $350 as a junior, and $400 as a senior. Room and board requirements are the individual student's responsibility.
To maintain the scholarship, a student must maintain a 2.5 GPA. A student may major in any discipline of their choice, however a 3 credit hour Naval Science course is required each semester in addition to the individual student's major requirements (a total of 24 credit hours over the course of a four-year degree plan). Depending on the selected major, some Naval Science courses serve to meet elective requirements in certain degree plans. Due to the technologically advanced systems employed throughout the Navy, students are also required to complete two semesters of calculus and two semesters of calculus-based physics before graduation. Depending on a student's major, the calculus and physics requirements may or may not be an additional requirement, e.g., the calculus and physics requirements are inherent to a mechanical engineering major's degree plan while they would be additional to an history major's degree plan.
Upon graduation from the university, students are commissioned as Ensigns in the United States Navy or Second Lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps. Selection of those disciplines is dependent upon academic and aptitude performance throughout the course of one's college education and officer development. Disciplines currently available are Aviation (Pilot or Naval Flight Officer), Surface Warfare, Submarine or Surface Nuclear power, SEALs, Explosive Ordnance, and Nurse Corps. Obligated service after graduation is generally four years for Marine/Navy Nurse Options and five years for Surface, Submarine, SEAL, and EOD. Aviation requires additional obligation due to the additional resources and time required to train an officer to fly technologically advanced aircraft.
There is an endowment that provides cash scholarships to all Rice and cross-town students each semester. The scholarships are administered by the unit staff and are distributed based on performance. Typical scholarship amounts range from $550-$850 per semester. Midshipmen attending Rice University may also qualify for a room and board scholarship. Texas NROTC students may be eligible for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program. Details are available here.
