When to apply for self prep?

Row2020

Row2020

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Dec 28, 2015
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Happy to have a secure plan E and F. However, without a NROTC scholarship in hand (I know, still time) E and F would have price tags equivalent to military prep (give or take). I'm wondering if it makes sense to get the ball rolling on self prep as a plan X. If so, does DS begin the app process now? Or is it ok to wait until all of the chips fall into place? Thank you. My apologies if there are numerous threads on this perhaps I was using the wrong key words.
 
My DS did self prep. By far the best thing that he could have done. Would have been beneficial even if he ended up at a state school.
There is plenty of time to apply once you know your fate. But you might start doing research ahead of time.
 
I am a little mystified why a prep school seems to be a plan B for so many candidates. The Naval Academy says nothing, zip, zero, nada on a prep school before a second try for an appointment. They DO say to go to a 4 year school, take courses mimicking the Plebe year academics like Calculus, chem and English and do well.....think As and Bs. A second-try applicant that shows high grades in those classes make the Admission Board sit up and take notice as the candidate is now a proven quantity in college level academics. Lets face it, if a youngster is smart enough to apply in the first place, why are they not smart enough to go to a Civilian U and without the military pressure make good grades? Same applys to an NROTC scholarship. You don't have to be in NROTC to do well in Calculus or Chem. The Naval Academy does not require you to be in ROTC either. It is nice and looks good but it is not required......those grades are what are so overwhelming. The grades are what speaks for you. A good prep school will certainly bring a student up to speed on how to study, how to increase their scores on the ACT/SAT, and give them a basis on finally taking the college level Calculus and Chem but the main result is the candidate looks better for the second run. The prep school grades are now in the application but if they are not As and Bs, forget it. If the prep school courses are easier, then they still don't look as good as the Civilian U grades. If the prep school courses are equal to Civilian U, then what was the purpose? Now add in the fact that many prep schools courses do not give college credit. If the candidate does not get in again there is a lot of money that could have gone to Civilian U.

This is not advice.....I am honestly mystified why prep schools are so popular and we seem to have more parents than candidates on this forum so I am all ears as to the reasoning as I could learn something. (Remember now, I am talking about self-paid prep schools as a back up plan before a candidate even goes before an Academy admissions board.)
 
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My ds is self prep at MMI. MMI wasn't our plan B, C, or D. Wasn't even on our radar until ds got wait listed and then plans B through Z just didn't feel right any more. We found MMI and within a week ds applied, visited and was accepted. He said it just felt right when he went there. In addition to a rigorous course load (calc, chem, physics, freshman English, military science) they also have PT to help prepare for the CFA and are offered some of the same opportunities that sponsored preps are offered. They live much the same way plebes do as well - formations, parades, etc... Whether he gets into the academy this year or not, I believe it has been a year well spent and his courses will transfer.
 
DS has said he would go prep if USNA or USMMA sent him - in a heartbeat. When I brought up self prep to him he looked as if I just told him I was the Easter Bunny. He doesn't want to do another year of HS unless has to. I just didn't him to have to scramble later if the process starts now. He is satisfied with taking plebe level courses at E or F and reapplying next year while still hoping for the very best! Thank you for the input, all.
 
I don't know anything about any of the other prep schools but MMI is a two year college and ds credits will transfer to another college if he is not appointed this year. He has already cleared that with admissions of his plan B school.
 
DS and DD both attended Greystone Prep at Schreiner U. as self preps. Both had a year of "real" college AND both received an appointment to USNA. At this prep you do earn college credit, which by the way doesn't transfer. It allows the prep student who makes it into an academy to have the option to test out of that course (validate) and move on up to the next level. DS did not chose to validate, but DD did. Pros and cons with that. Most parents of kids who choose prep will tell you what a great idea it was for their DS/DD. They have the "brotherhood" of others who like themselves needed an extra year to improve their application/ selves. It's not for everyone, but it is a good option for many. Greystone fulfilled the "attend a 4 year university" that USNA puts in their "sorry, you didn't make it" letter, AKA the TWE. It is a good idea to look into more than one prep school as they do differ from each other. Find the one that has the right fit for you. Good luck with your decisions for plan B and C.
 
Additionally, the prep schools have relationships with the SA admission offices who respect their opinions. The prep schools will give the admission boards feedback on how the candidate can perform in strenuous classes while tasked with a SA similar load of other activities and fitness. There are also opportunities for the candidates to visit with key people from the respective SA.
 
I know of a young man who self-prepped at Valley Forge, after completing his senior year in high school there (some years ago now). Anyway, he was appointed to USAFA and is now an ADAF doctor, having completed medical school on the AF's dime.

when I once asked him why the senior year at VF, then an additional year, he said he just wanted to make sure, doubly sure, a military life was what he definitely wanted.

Of course, things are different at NAPS, MAPS, AND USAFAPS
 
This is one of the great debates on SAF, going to college for a year or civil prep. I can argue both sides of the coin on this for a long time as well as a few others on SAF.

Spud said:
I am a little mystified why a prep school seems to be a plan B for so many candidates. The Naval Academy says nothing, zip, zero, nada on a prep school before a second try for an appointment. They DO say to go to a 4 year school, take courses mimicking the Plebe year academics like Calculus, chem and English and do well.....think As and Bs. A second-try applicant that shows high grades in those classes make the Admission Board sit up and take notice as the candidate is now a proven quantity in college level academics. Lets face it, if a youngster is smart enough to apply in the first place, why are they not smart enough to go to a Civilian U and without the military pressure make good grades? Same applys to an NROTC scholarship. You don't have to be in NROTC to do well in Calculus or Chem. The Naval Academy does not require you to be in ROTC either. It is nice and looks good but it is not required......those grades are what are so overwhelming. The grades are what speaks for you. A good prep school will certainly bring a student up to speed on how to study, how to increase their scores on the ACT/SAT, and give them a basis on finally taking the college level Calculus and Chem but the main result is the candidate looks better for the second run. The prep school grades are now in the application but if they are not As and Bs, forget it. If the prep school courses are easier, then they still don't look as good as the Civilian U grades. If the prep school courses are equal to Civilian U, then what was the purpose? Now add in the fact that many prep schools courses do not give college credit. If the candidate does not get in again there is a lot of money that could have gone to Civilian U.

This is not advice.....I am honestly mystified why prep schools are so popular and we seem to have more parents than candidates on this forum so I am all ears as to the reasoning as I could learn something. (Remember now, I am talking about self-paid prep schools as a back up plan before a candidate even goes before an Academy admissions board.)
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SA don't really pursue or encourage you to attend civil prep because its not in their control, don't want to make false promises, they don't make endorsements and to busy with other things. However, they do listen to the candidates progress reports, visit and ask alum associations to offer scholarships to those who need to be polished up. Its a small cottage industry that has popped up. They're similar to finishing schools. So civil prep schools come in all different colors, shapes and sizes. Its in your best interests to investigate the best options for you and your candidate. I encourage you to assist your candidate, I know I'll get flak for that, but they just don't know the correct questions to ask and they tend to compartmentalize after being QNS. So, your candidate will increase his ACT/SAT test scores, time management, study skills, refine math, refine chem, refine writing skills, refine reading skills to a college level. You can still fail out and you will need to find a nom source. (could be risky depending on slates available for that year)) Depending on the civil prep credits can be transferred to a college, but not to any SA. If your candidate decides not to pursue a SA he/she will be well prepared for college and eventually success. (however you define that)

If you choose to attend college and take courses that parallel Plebe year your candidate will be prepared for his second year. There will be very limited resources and encouragement to apply for a SA. You may find it challenging to have evaluations completed. If your candidates grades fall below par you will risk the not being attractive to SA. But then you'll be a 25 percent through a four year degree as opposed to a year of preparation for something that may not come to fruition attending a civil prep.

There are no guarantees in either path. It all depends on how focused your candidate is on SA. Once he feels the more relaxed life of college, the thought of attending a military college will loose its appeal.

It just depends on your goals.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
To attend the SA prep like MAPS, NAPS and the others you must be academically disqualified by the SA. There is no application process for these schools. They select you because you're a recruited athlete, needed to fulfill underrepresented goals, or prior service. In all cases, you need to be academically sharpened up.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
I am a second year applicant for USMA and USNA. I initially applied for the Class of 2019, was wait listed, and ultimately did not receive an appointment to either school. I was accepted into the A&M Corps of Cadets but instead elected to attend a preparatory school to focus on earning an appointment to an academy. I selected the Greystone Academy Preparatory School in Kerrville, TX, well into the summer after my senior year, as I did not receive my TWE until June. The staff at Greystone quickly got to me about how to apply and be accepted into the program (Greystone is the ONLY prep school at the University level where you can actually gain college credit). I will have 66 hours after this semester; making me a junior if I do not go to an Academy after this year, however, I received an appointment to USMA today! I highly recommend this program for anyone looking to gain their appointment after being told they weren't good enough!
 
Also self-prep to NWP. Best semester of my life. The Durbecks have a great connection with USAFA admissions. PM me with questions. Apply now.
 
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