When most students are still sleeping, UC Davis senior Jeanne Abalos reports for physical training three times a week. She's among the 105 UC Davis students -- and a growing number of women -- who find the U.S. Army's Reserve Officers' Training Corps an attractive way to help pay for college and develop leadership skills. The UC Davis program, which serves an additional 25 students from California State University, Sacramento, is consistently ranked among the top three of 77 programs west of the Mississippi River. It has 31 female students -- a 48 percent increase from 10 years ago. "One of the big eye-catchers was the financial component," says Abalos, who is majoring in neurobiology, physiology and behavior and hopes to be a pharmacist or other medical professional. Having committed to serving four years of active duty after graduation, she receives about $6,400 a year from the Army including all fees, $450 for books and a $200 monthly allowance. The program's top cadet, Abalos says she enjoys the challenge of the physical training and the opportunity to develop leadership and other skills by taking military science courses and, beginning in February, practicing military tactics one a week. The UC Davis program annually sends 16 to 20 members of its graduating class on to active duty as second lieutenants. Abalos hopes to be assigned to a medical unit.