Nomination for Current prep student to USAFA

Momof4

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During Christmas break my DS met with MOC and senators committees for a nomination for USAFA 2020. Most were not aware of the Prep school, which really surprised me. Most of the interview he explained why he needed a nomination, because they asked "Why do you need one, when you're already there?" Just wondering if anyone experienced this. Makes me nervous that he will not get a nomination when they were unsure of the Prep.
 
Huh? Interesting.....I can understand the panel members are there to select someone who is qualified to attend a SA. You do not apply for the SA prep schools. The SA select students to attend preps schools to meet goals. The MOC panels have nothing to do with preps

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
During Christmas break my DS met with MOC and senators committees for a nomination for USAFA 2020. Most were not aware of the Prep school, which really surprised me. Most of the interview he explained why he needed a nomination, because they asked "Why do you need one, when you're already there?" Just wondering if anyone experienced this. Makes me nervous that he will not get a nomination when they were unsure of the Prep.

My MOC was elected in May during a special election. He wasn't aware that the preppies need a nomination at the beginning. Of course this being NY, he caught up quickly but my DD said that people in other states had similar problems.

Is your DS enjoying the Prep?
 
OP original title nom for an USAFA prep student to academy... I might be wrong on this, but since you are already at PS (active duty), you would qualify for at least Sec. of USAF nomination. I do know of several MOC that state on their student webpages that they WONT nominate a prep student for the appropriate academy, Maryland's Sen. Cardin wont nominate a preppie at all. To me it makes sense, as they are trying to get more people from their state into the respective academies. Seemly that you already have a nomination (Sec. of AF) and as long you meet the requirements you will be at ZOO for class of 2020.

Also as a prep student you are required to apply to all of the MOC's that you can. Really for some, it is a nasty catch 22. Good luck on the rest of your preppie year, bank as much money as you can (you wont get the same pay at the ZOO) , nomination roller coaster/merry go round and have fun. Remember, the easiest job in the military. arguably, is that of cadet/plebe from what I have been told by a lot of older plebes who have gone on to AD in both USN/USMC.
 
My MOC was elected in May during a special election. He wasn't aware that the preppies need a nomination at the beginning. Of course this being NY, he caught up quickly but my DD said that people in other states had similar problems.

Is your DS enjoying the Prep?

I understand that they are not charged against the MOC or Senators? Not sure how true that is! Yes, he loves the Prep and is doing very well!
 
Huh? Interesting.....I can understand the panel members are there to select someone who is qualified to attend a SA. You do not apply for the SA prep schools. The SA select students to attend preps schools to meet goals. The MOC panels have nothing to do with preps

Push Hard, Press Forward

Sorry, I should have been clear in my post. My DS is already at the Prep and applied for a nom for the Academy for the class of 2020.
 
OP original title nom for an USAFA prep student to academy... I might be wrong on this, but since you are already at PS (active duty), you would qualify for at least Sec. of USAF nomination. I do know of several MOC that state on their student webpages that they WONT nominate a prep student for the appropriate academy, Maryland's Sen. Cardin wont nominate a preppie at all. To me it makes sense, as they are trying to get more people from their state into the respective academies. Seemly that you already have a nomination (Sec. of AF) and as long you meet the requirements you will be at ZOO for class of 2020.

Also as a prep student you are required to apply to all of the MOC's that you can. Really for some, it is a nasty catch 22. Good luck on the rest of your preppie year, bank as much money as you can (you wont get the same pay at the ZOO) , nomination roller coaster/merry go round and have fun. Remember, the easiest job in the military. arguably, is that of cadet/plebe from what I have been told by a lot of older plebes who have gone on to AD in both USN/USMC.

Yes, sorry! It was clear in title but not in post, my DS is at the Prep and interviewing for a nom for the class of 2020. Wow, I have not heard some MOC will not give a nom to a Preppie! I understand that a preppie is not charged against their slate, not sure if that's true though. I believe the superintendent of the prep can nominate a Preppie, but it's scary to think you might not get a nom and be in that situation! Thank you he is having a great year, it has gone by soooo fast!
 
I understand that they are not charged against the MOC or Senators? Not sure how true that is! Yes, he loves the Prep and is doing very well!

I think USAFA wants the freedoms to do whatever it's best and that's why the Prep stresses that they must apply to all available source. My DD ended up with a Rep and a Senator nomination but who know on whose slate she will be charged or if it's national.

I'm glad. My DD loves it there too and she'll be taking two classes at the hill when they go back. She's excited for that. She's in squad C. How about your son?
 
Sorry, I should have been clear in my post. My DS is already at the Prep and applied for a nom for the Academy for the class of 2020.

Ok that makes sense. Im surprised the prep school did not assist with this.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
I think USAFA wants the freedoms to do whatever it's best and that's why the Prep stresses that they must apply to all available source. My DD ended up with a Rep and a Senator nomination but who know on whose slate she will be charged or if it's national.

I'm glad. My DD loves it there too and she'll be taking two classes at the hill when they go back. She's excited for that. She's in squad C. How about your son?

My DS is in A squad
 
I think USAFA wants the freedoms to do whatever it's best and that's why the Prep stresses that they must apply to all available source. My DD ended up with a Rep and a Senator nomination but who know on whose slate she will be charged or if it's national.

I'm glad. My DD loves it there too and she'll be taking two classes at the hill when they go back. She's excited for that. She's in squad C. How about your son?
What does it mean to "take classes on the hill"? I've seen the expression, but what's on the hill?
 
What does it mean to "take classes on the hill"? I've seen the expression, but what's on the hill?

The hill refers to the academy. The Prep is at the foot of the hill, while USAFA is on top of the hill.

There are 20 preppies that are chosen to take calculus at the hill and I believe 40 take physics.
 
The "top". Thats what on the hill, the "top of the hill".


Im so sorry. I saw no danger, so I took the shot. As cheesy as it may be.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
The hill refers to the academy. The Prep is at the foot of the hill, while USAFA is on top of the hill.

There are 20 preppies that are chosen to take calculus at the hill and I believe 40 take physics.
So your daughter can earn Academy credit before she enters the Academy? That's a great thing.

Everything I read about the prep schools for any of the academies sounds excellent, and I think it would be perfect for my son. However, my son has pretty solid academics, and strong ACT scores (M34, E31, S34, R30). Could he still get prep school option? He has applied to USMA, USNA, and USAFA. He is young. Will be 17 when he starts Academy life, and not 18 until September. He still struggles with organization at times. Frankly, a year more of maturing would realy make him strong. Is that possible?
 
So when prep school student takes classes on the hill, are they in a class with the academy cadets?
 
The classes are attended just by preppies by they are taught by an academy professor and follows the same curriculum that cadets have. It's Calc 141, I believe. And yes, those C/C picked for one or both classes can get up to 6 credits. For my daughter, it's a great thing because she wants to study astro and that's one of the hardest majors.

As for your son, I have no idea. I know people keep throwing numbers around, but the truth is that no one really knows what the academy needs at any given time. With my daughter, it was a shock, because with all the numbers I kept seeing around this forum, I didn't think she would get the chance, but instead she ended up getting a LOA for the Prep back in November. I would think with someone like your son and with his grades, he's more likely to go straight to the Academy, especially since I remember reading that he already has nominations for all 3.

My one unsolicited advice is make sure that he goes back to visit. My daughter was so sure about the Navy. For two years, I heard nothing but Annapolis, but once she visited USAFA, she changed her mind overnight and switched her nomination preferences for USAFA.
 
So your daughter can earn Academy credit before she enters the Academy? That's a great thing.

Everything I read about the prep schools for any of the academies sounds excellent, and I think it would be perfect for my son. However, my son has pretty solid academics, and strong ACT scores (M34, E31, S34, R30). Could he still get prep school option? He has applied to USMA, USNA, and USAFA. He is young. Will be 17 when he starts Academy life, and not 18 until September. He still struggles with organization at times. Frankly, a year more of maturing would realy make him strong. Is that possible?

As a novice parent, I have learned soooooo much on these forums! As you'll read, the prep is for candidates who are lacking something (grades, SAT scores, etc.) but have something the Academy is looking for. This prep class has valedictorians and others who were at the top of their class. We were ecstatic that our DS was given this amazing opportunity to attend the Prep; and DS was honored. We met parents at the football game while visiting over parents weekend, as we were heavily clad in our Prep shirts, who asked us about the Prep. They were curious because their DS who was a direct entry was struggling; they wondered if the Prep would have been a better option.
 
There's also such a bond in the squads. I'm sure that will help the preppies during basic this coming summer. Not only they are physically trained, used to the altitude, but they know they can count on each other. It really is a great experience.

It doesn't hurt that they are able to put away a nice chunk of money for later.
 
The classes are attended just by preppies by they are taught by an academy professor and follows the same curriculum that cadets have. It's Calc 141, I believe. And yes, those C/C picked for one or both classes can get up to 6 credits. For my daughter, it's a great thing because she wants to study astro and that's one of the hardest majors.

As for your son, I have no idea. I know people keep throwing numbers around, but the truth is that no one really knows what the academy needs at any given time. With my daughter, it was a shock, because with all the numbers I kept seeing around this forum, I didn't think she would get the chance, but instead she ended up getting a LOA for the Prep back in November. I would think with someone like your son and with his grades, he's more likely to go straight to the Academy, especially since I remember reading that he already has nominations for all 3.

My one unsolicited advice is make sure that he goes back to visit. My daughter was so sure about the Navy. For two years, I heard nothing but Annapolis, but once she visited USAFA, she changed her mind overnight and switched her nomination preferences for USAFA.
He will do overnight visit to each Academy if offered. And he is completely tossed as to what school he would like. Still studying everything to determine best fit if he gets more than one offer. He just hopes he get an appointment somewhere.

My sons application is, I think, pretty competitive, but apparently not good to the extent that he is getting a LOA, or even a LOE. He has gotten good grades and ACT scores without having the best organizational skills. I think prep school would be a good thing for him, but the chips will fall where they fall.

Thanks for the info. I learn every day from this forum.
 
brovol,

I doubt your DS will be offered a prep slot. Think of prep as a year to get on par with the academic rigor at an SA. If he has a composite of 32 ACT and filled the squares of the most rigorous course load in HS (AP/IBs), plus has strong ECs (sports/clubs/job/volunteering) than he is not their "ideal" candidate.
~ I.E. many ADAF (enlisted) will go to prep instead of a direct admit because they typically have been out of an academic environment for some years, and they want to get them back into that frame of mind.

New posters have a mistaken belief that it is somehow tied to the amount of appointments. IE: 1350 appointments are awarded, and number 1351-1451 are runner ups and will be offered a prep slot. That is not how it works. You can be number 1351 and get a TWE with no prep offer or Falcon scholarship.
 
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