USAFA Prep school/Falcon foundation admissions?

mroberts5102

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2014
Messages
35
I'm a senior in high school and currently in the process of applying to USAFA, and was wondering about the admissions situation for the prep school and falcon foundation scholarships. I know that there is no separate application and all denied applicants are considered, but what kind of profile would get invited to these programs? My GPA is not amazing, my ACT score is pretty good, and SAT is still pending, and I have a very good resume, with volunteer service, music, Civil Air Patrol Mitchell award, etc. At this point, I think that going to a prep school, the USAFA PS or another funded by the falcon foundation, would be very beneficial to me entering the academy as a 4-degree.

So really, what can I expect if denied from the "normal" application in regards to prep schools, and potentially re-applying after a year at a civilian college?
 
I'm a senior in high school and currently in the process of applying to USAFA, and was wondering about the admissions situation for the prep school and falcon foundation scholarships. I know that there is no separate application and all denied applicants are considered, but what kind of profile would get invited to these programs? My GPA is not amazing, my ACT score is pretty good, and SAT is still pending, and I have a very good resume, with volunteer service, music, Civil Air Patrol Mitchell award, etc. At this point, I think that going to a prep school, the USAFA PS or another funded by the falcon foundation, would be very beneficial to me entering the academy as a 4-degree.

So really, what can I expect if denied from the "normal" application in regards to prep schools, and potentially re-applying after a year at a civilian college?
Not enough info. Not just about you, but the scores of all the other non selectees. I will tell you however that for the Air Force prep school, your package can be too good. Yes..... Too good. If for whatever reason you do not get an appointment, and you have a 3.9 Gpa and a 31 ACT, I can almost guarantee you that you probably will not be offered a slot at the Air Force prep school.

If 1000 people get an appointment, the prep school isn't for #1001-1275. It's designed primarily for the individual who has an outstanding application, and normally would get an appointment, but they have a flaw academically. It's also for the prior enlisted who's been out of high school for a couple years to get them back into academic mode.

And before anyone questions, there are plenty of 3.9 Gpa with 30+ ACT who don't receive an appointment. Most who don't receive an appointment but have very high academics, usually didn't get the appointment because academics is all they had. Remember, the academy is building LEADERS. They want individuals who are the whole package. Academics, team oriented, leadership qualities, physically fit, compassionate and helping their community, volunteering, class officer or captain of a team or officer of a club, etc.... The person with the 3.9 Gpa and 35 ACT and that's all, need to apply to Purdue, Cornell, Georgetown, etc.

Except for a couple prior enlisted a I had, one notable prep school accepted applicant I know, had the whole package, including 32ACT. Gpa was 3.75. But they simply never could get above a "C" in math. They got the prep school. They learned to do math, got to the academy, did well, graduated and got commissioned. But the prep school is looked at individually. Totally on the whole package. That includes opportunities too. E.g. Went to a small town public school that doesn't offer ANY AP or advanced classes. Or the individual that literally did the best they could academically and socially because they had to literally raise 4 siblings. Just examples. It's very individual on selection.
 
Not enough info. Not just about you, but the scores of all the other non selectees. I will tell you however that for the Air Force prep school, your package can be too good. Yes..... Too good. If for whatever reason you do not get an appointment, and you have a 3.9 Gpa and a 31 ACT, I can almost guarantee you that you probably will not be offered a slot at the Air Force prep school.

If 1000 people get an appointment, the prep school isn't for #1001-1275. It's designed primarily for the individual who has an outstanding application, and normally would get an appointment, but they have a flaw academically. It's also for the prior enlisted who's been out of high school for a couple years to get them back into academic mode.

And before anyone questions, there are plenty of 3.9 Gpa with 30+ ACT who don't receive an appointment. Most who don't receive an appointment but have very high academics, usually didn't get the appointment because academics is all they had. Remember, the academy is building LEADERS. They want individuals who are the whole package. Academics, team oriented, leadership qualities, physically fit, compassionate and helping their community, volunteering, class officer or captain of a team or officer of a club, etc.... The person with the 3.9 Gpa and 35 ACT and that's all, need to apply to Purdue, Cornell, Georgetown, etc.

Except for a couple prior enlisted a I had, one notable prep school accepted applicant I know, had the whole package, including 32ACT. Gpa was 3.75. But they simply never could get above a "C" in math. They got the prep school. They learned to do math, got to the academy, did well, graduated and got commissioned. But the prep school is looked at individually. Totally on the whole package. That includes opportunities too. E.g. Went to a small town public school that doesn't offer ANY AP or advanced classes. Or the individual that literally did the best they could academically and socially because they had to literally raise 4 siblings. Just examples. It's very individual on selection.


Understood, thanks for the answer! So an academic profile is considered less in the PS admission process, more based on potential based on extracurricular achievements? That has been my understanding.
 
No. You misread Christcorp's whole reply. You are still fixated on getting into the prep school versus the Academy.
 
As Spud mentioned, I think you missed what I was trying to say. I'll try being brief.

1. You academics can be TOO GOOD. Doesn't matter about the rest of the application.
2. The Air Force Academy Prep-School is intended primarily for individuals who have an excellent application; but they lack "something" academically. e.g. excellent gpa; bad ACT/SAT. Excellent ACT/SAT; bad gpa/specific subject. Graduated high school and hasn't attended any further education in a couple years; current enlisted or 20 year old who didn't go on to college.
3. It's not a matter of More or Less emphasis on academics or extra-curricular. It's still the whole package.

As I said in the previous post, they are usually looking at someone who the academy believes in an excellent candidate and would normally have received an appointment except for a flaw academically.
 
CC is spot on. My son received a Falcon Foundation scholarship after TWE to USAFA. He turned it down because he had already accepted direct appointment to USNA.

He had 4.0 GPA, 1st in his class, 32 Math ACT, 30 English , BUT he could not get his Reading Comprehension above USAFA's min for admission. His leadership and community service was high, therefore the foundation scholarship offer. He is now an Ensign and in the midst of Pilot training.
 
My son received a Falcon Foundation scholarship with an ACT of 25, was in top 20% of his class, and was a 4 year 3 sport varsity athlete. He has friends that are sponsored from all of the military academies in his current program. He has said their ACT scores range from 23-28. He is in the process of re-applying and it has definitely been easier this time around. He had to re-submit/update some of his information, and re-take the ACT/fitness test. I think that he had to do a form to update his DOD medical exam too. His program has guided the application process so I honestly am not sure of the specifics of his application since he has completed it on his own. I do know that he has had a great experience so far.
 
My son received a Falcon Foundation scholarship with an ACT of 25, was in top 20% of his class, and was a 4 year 3 sport varsity athlete. He has friends that are sponsored from all of the military academies in his current program. He has said their ACT scores range from 23-28. He is in the process of re-applying and it has definitely been easier this time around. He had to re-submit/update some of his information, and re-take the ACT/fitness test. I think that he had to do a form to update his DOD medical exam too. His program has guided the application process so I honestly am not sure of the specifics of his application since he has completed it on his own. I do know that he has had a great experience so far.

Do mind sharing where he went for Prep School?




Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
He is at Marion Military Institute and really likes it. My husband went to the Prep School at the Academy and he is very impressed with Marion. In fact, he thinks that we should send our other son there when he is ready for college. He has no interest in a service academy but we think the programs there are awesome and could definitely benefit him.
 
My son received a Falcon Foundation scholarship with an ACT of 25, was in top 20% of his class, and was a 4 year 3 sport varsity athlete. He has friends that are sponsored from all of the military academies in his current program. He has said their ACT scores range from 23-28. He is in the process of re-applying and it has definitely been easier this time around. He had to re-submit/update some of his information, and re-take the ACT/fitness test. I think that he had to do a form to update his DOD medical exam too. His program has guided the application process so I honestly am not sure of the specifics of his application since he has completed it on his own. I do know that he has had a great experience so far.

Great, thank you! Glad to hear it. When did you hear about the falcon foundation offer?
 
I am also a product of the prep/Falcon system.

Northwestern Prep '78.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
He received his offer on April 17th. The direct-admit rejection letter had come at the end of March.
 
Good comments here. My first day on the site... I would add: besides a high % of prior enlisted attending the AFA Prep School; quite a few were athletes, that were just missing the academic min's. Some of those athletes were recruited by other colleges but really had the desire to fly. They knew there was a higher probability of getting a slot via AFA vs ROTC/OCS.


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
Back
Top