Civil Prep Rec's?

Hey everyone, I'm just curious, what civil prep schools would you all recommend? I would say I'm very strong academically, but gotta have a plan B... I'm fine for the ACT (34) and while I'm not amazing in math, I'm in calc as a junior. English is my strong subject, so all these things would pretty much DQ me from USMAPS... I'm looking at Phillips Exeter, the Hotchkiss School, Phillips Academy, and Deerfield Academy. Any other suggestions? (prospective west-pointer, possibly a recruited athlete with the extra year of prep school)

NWP

Last semester I went to Northwestern Preparatory School in California. It was a great experience and it really, really, really prepares you for the Service Academy experience. I am going to the Air Force Academy next year but I do have several friends who will be headed off to West Point in June. The most important thing to remember about NWP is that it's sole purpose is to prepare students for the five Service Academies. This makes this it the perfect place for people whose ultimate goal is to attend a service academy.

Before I went to NWP my SAT/ACT scores were already pretty good. While I was at NWP my scores went up quite a bit, further than I would have thought. I think it's safe to say that almost all of my classmates had similar score improvements.

Although NWP doesn't have organized sports, they do have a rigorous PT program that will make you stronger and a better athlete, no matter what your current athletic ability is.

It is only one semester so you do have to go to a different college second semester. A lot of my classmates are going to community college this semester. I am a commuter student to the local university. Some of my classmates are living on campus at colleges or universities of their choice.

Basically, if going to West Point is really what you want to do, then I would very strongly recommend looking into NWP and giving Mrs. Durbeck a call.

NWP

There were 5 WP kids at NWP this year. Two were "Free Agents". The two have been offered appointments. Last year the free agents were given appointments. So NWP has great track record. Its not a military school, its program to help sharpen your study skills.


Push Hard, Press Forward

West Point at NWP

actually, Tugboat, there were more than just 5 kids this year trying to go to West Point. Over ten of my classmates applied to West Point, many of them had West Point as their first choice of Service Academies. There are typically more Navy and Air Force kids than West Point kids, but the interest in West Point at NWP has gone up quite a bit in the past couple of years!

Yup

Yeah, you're probably correct but I do know of 5 so far, and of those 5 WP was their first choice. But we both agree NWP has a very successful program and I will sell everyone here on going to a prep school like NWP first then to a SA. I think you are much better prepared, wouldn't you agree?

Push Hard, Press Forward

Runt said:

I'm looking at Phillips Exeter, the Hotchkiss School, Phillips Academy, and Deerfield Academy. Any other suggestions? (prospective west-pointer, possibly a recruited athlete with the extra year of prep school)

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Runt, I am very new to this military universe so take what I say with a big grain of salt. However, you are looking at the top college prep schools in the country - these are schools that feed to the Ivys. I'm not sure that is what you want - or need - to get into a SA. If you want to go to a military prep school, I recommend finding out where WP sends their own prep-scholarship students.

Then again, with your grades you don't seem to really need prep school at all. Perhaps a better Plan B would be to attend your state's flagship for a year and then reapply? I just learned last night of a young lady DD knows who was just admitted to WP after a year at Alabama. Another option might be a year at one of the military colleges, like Norwich, VMI, the Citadel, etc.

And of course, don't forget about going to a school with ROTC.

Best of luck! Nicole

Couple of things for the OP:

First off, I am speaking here about COLLEGE civil prep schools. You specifically mention WP so I'll only go in that direction.

If you are looking for a "civil prep school" for the USMA, I would go with one of the five MJC's that the Association of Graduates at WP uses for their sponsored preps.

While NWP has a good program, and is part of the Falcon Foundation program (USAFA), it is not in the WP/AoG "system".

Your choice is exactly that - yours. Remember this though: a self prep/free agent at a civil prep school competes with others from his/her home district; not with the prepsters at that school.

Be well. Good luck!

A little confused

I thought that there were sponsored students for USMA at NWP this past year. Is that not the case? Were they all free agents?

NWP

There were 3 or 4 sponsored prep at NWP. I can assure you. This has come up before that WP does not have NWP on there list. I don't know why. But I was told its not advertised or they would have a huge issue or demand for sponsorships. I don't understand why its so secretive. I'm not to clear about it.

Push Hard, Press Forward

tug_boat said:

There were 3 or 4 sponsored prep at NWP. I can assure you. This has come up before that WP does not have NWP on there list. I don't know why. But I was told its not advertised or they would have a huge issue or demand for sponsorships. I don't understand why its so secretive. I'm not to clear about it.

Push Hard, Press Forward

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I thought that was the case! I know my DD mentioned that some were sponsored and others free agents for WP so I was getting confused...which really isn't very hard

I just got off the phone with the Assoc of Graduates at WP.

The schools in their system are:

Marion Military
New Mexico Military
Valley Forge
Georgia Military
Greystone
and just added, Hargraves

(I ask to be forgiven if I didn't spell all these correctly)

Many years ago (so I was told) NWP WAS on thier list. This is no longer the case and has not for the last several years.

My info was straight from the Executive Assist. to the President of the AoG

No secrets, no lies; just truth.

If one is to be offered an AoG sponsored appointment to WP why would one choose one over another. Of course finances, but is there one that offers what another may not? Will the schools start to contact the candidate once offered or will it be up to the candidate to call and get the info. I though I heard, correct me if I am wrong, that the schools will kinda compete for the AoG sponsored candidate.

Prep Schools

Take a close look at the various schools to find one what fits. Some are military schools, rank structure. Some focus on academics and standardized testing. They're all very good with a long successful track records. When you do investigate schools ask about other scholarships offered outside of the schools to help with costs. You can PM

Push Hard, Press Forward

WienerDog said:

If one is to be offered an AoG sponsored appointment to WP why would one choose one over another. Of course finances, but is there one that offers what another may not? Will the schools start to contact the candidate once offered or will it be up to the candidate to call and get the info. I though I heard, correct me if I am wrong, that the schools will kinda compete for the AoG sponsored candidate.

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I received an AoG sponsorship this past year, and the thing is that all the eligible schools offer something different, and it will be something to research if you are offered an AoG sponsorship. I chose Marion Military because it seemed like the best fit for what I wanted out of my prep year (and if you have any questions specifically about MMI's program, I'll be happy to try to answer them), but there are pros and cons to each school. Last year, the schools called trying to "recruit" me to their respective prep program before I had even gotten my sponsorship offer in the mail. Don't worry, you will get lots of calls and little packages in the mail from schools claiming how great they are

Dont know if this thread is being read much anymore.

But at any rate i would like to chime in and put my two cents about a civilian prep school. With that said i must say Greystone is probably one of if not the best prep schools you can attend in hopes of being appointed to an academy the following year. Now i speak from first hand account, Greystone is my back up if not admitted to USAFA, i visited for a two day immersion last month and i must say it is very impressive. Its a small class size that is growing exponentially ever since it started in 2003. Currently they have a 100% nomination rate and roughly a 88-92% appointment success. And its obvious, they have top notch staff, most all prior Navy,Army etc. And its a real close knit family feeling kind of school, it might be located in the middle of no where Texas (Kerville) but hey that's the point, no distractions. Food there is great staff if awesome and the leadership training, academic growth and physical building is top notch. I would recommend anyone who is not willing to give up on their dreams to apply there.

DS received Civil Prep offer today

I previously asked about the timeline....but my DS received his Civil Prep offer to WP today. He is very excited that the opportunity is still there. He is considering MMI. Any others?

I spent this past year at Valley Forge as a sponsored prep for WP. All schools have excellent track records, but for me it was just a matter of being closer to home. You can't go wrong with any of the WP AOG chosen schools.