Foundation Program timeline

My DS is a candidate for USNA but would happily accept a spot in the Foundation program. I am wondering if those invites have already gone out or if they trickle out after January along the lines of appointments to USNA. Is the timeline roughly the same?

Texanmom said:

My DS is a candidate for USNA but would happily accept a spot in the Foundation program. I am wondering if those invites have already gone out or if they trickle out after January along the lines of appointments to USNA. Is the timeline roughly the same?

Click to expand...

They definitely "trickle in" after January...for DS it was WAAY after January! After submitting his completed USNA application on July 6, 2011 it was a nine month wait until the phone rang (on a Sunday no less) - April 15, 2012 - it was the USNA Admissions office notifying DS of their offer of a Foundation sponsorship to him! What an amazing day that was!!! He is home now on Christmas leave from NMMI, having completed a very successful first semester there...3.84 GPA, boxing club, asst. dive coach, an additional scholarship and a seriously focused view of his life! The nine month wait to hear was tough to be sure, but so worth it!

Can you give us some substantial feedback okn the academics at NMMI?

Whistle Pig said:

Can you give us some substantial feedback okn the academics at NMMI?

Click to expand...

DS had 19 credit hours first semester: Chemistry w/ lab, Physics w/ lab, Pre-Calc, Freshman Comp., Military Science, Deportment, Prep Phys. Ed., Prep Orientation. DS's second semester classes include: Calc. I, Physics II w/ lab, Chemistry II w/lab, Freshman Comp., Military Science, Swimming, Deportment, Prep Orientation.

Academics are #1 priority at NMMI for USNA Foundation Preps - of the 8 currently there, 4 "turned early" based on their academic standing (going from RAT status - Recruit At Training - to the rank of Private) during first semester. DS was very happy to be among the four who turned early, not as much running or squaring corners or getting yelled at by people younger than he is.

There are mandatory study periods of 2.5 hours per day/five days a week - M, T, W, Th and Sunday. Study periods take place in the classrooms/labs with the instructors or in the cadet's room where they are monitored - no phone usage or facebook or sleeping or general goofing around is tolerated.

Thanks! Great info and insights! Sounds like he's getting a real academic workout!

How does the Foundation financial aid work?

Are Foundation candidates required to re-take the ACT/SAT upon completion? In another specific time-frame?

Do you know how many Foundation candidates there are in your DS's class?

How is the USNA "guarantee" of admission (or otherwise) presented to students being given this path?

Thanks for enlightening the ignorant. Make that this ignorant.

kar57 I know your son. Im one of his fellow navy preps. And I know from your description exactly who he is.

1) Financial aid depends on the students financial situation and the foundation school he chooses. But is seems like for NMMI the amount is around 8500$.

2) Foundation students have to take the SAT or ACT twice. They recommend one in Nov/Dec and one in Jan/Feb. You can take the ACT twice, SAT twice, or the SAT & ACT.

3) Most preps take classes together. I had a lot of classes with fellow navy preps but also with merchant marine, west point, and air force preps.

4) They don't technically "guarantee" us admissions. Academically, They tell us not to earn any F's, D's, or C's. Physically, you have to pass the Navy PRT. And medically, you need to be qualified again by Dodmerb.

Thanks everlast.

One clarification, please. What I was particularly interested was not so much classroom size, but rather ...

How many from USNA Foundation are appointed as Foundation candidates in a given year?

And assume you mean that each candidate receives approx $8,500? What is total annual cost at NMMI?

Any overall report from NMMI candidates to SA's as to how much average improvement is following the Nov/Dec testing? Even if it IS reported, it may be too soon to tell. Just wondering about "results" on this measure.

Any observations of the PRT improvement of candidates?

Thanks again. Good stuff.

WP: The last I heard, NAF is sponsoring about 50 scholarships per year.

Thanks! Any idea about the ROI of that group? How many of the 50 accept? How many end up at USNA?

Just wondering as to why all NAPS kids are not sent this route. Would be MONUMENTALLY cheaper. And guaranteed professional prep schoolers would prep candidates far more productively. And these Foundation prep schools are all fully accredited, unlike NAPS.