My DS is currently a Falcon Scholar at Randolph-Macon Academy and was offered an appointment to USAFA in February. He has had a great year there and feels much more prepared physically and academically. You should ask to speak to some of the Falcon Scholars while you're visiting. I'm sure they'd be happy to answer any questions. My DS actually answered some questions for another potential Falcon and his mother.
Hi all - brand new here, my DD just received notice of her Falcon Foundation scholarship today. This is completely new to us and we are kind of reeling from this news - we started looking at prep schools today and are looking for input on NW prep in California. She is having a hard time thinking about this, she had her heart set on USAFA, but also received a ROTC scholarship for Syracuse. She's not sold on the 5-year plan yet. Any help/words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thank you!
DS attended NWP last semester as a Falcon and received his appointment at the end of February. Can't say enough about NWP and the Durbecks....you can call them directly and Mrs. Durbeck will be happy to speak with you and answer any questions you have.....congrats!Thank you for responding. She needs to respond by May 1. We've talked about nothing else today, and right now she is sending emails to NW Prep, R-MA, MMI, and NMMI for more info. DD feels this may be a good fit; she is not going to be 18 until August, and she will be looking at this year as a year to mature, gain confidence, and improve her physical endurance. She is a runner, but needs to build up her strength. She also looked at R-MA as another 'high school' - but we are keeping an open mind on all. It is pretty cool - we had no idea this program existed until today.
, which to me would indicate she wouldn't have academic or behavioral problems, which are the main reasons people don't get their appointments.
I have no idea where you came up with this notion. No one with "behavioral problems" is likely to get a Falcon Scholarship.
Hi all - brand new here, my DD just received notice of her Falcon Foundation scholarship today. This is completely new to us and we are kind of reeling from this news - we started looking at prep schools today and are looking for input on NW prep in California. She is having a hard time thinking about this, she had her heart set on USAFA, but also received a ROTC scholarship for Syracuse. She's not sold on the 5-year plan yet. Any help/words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thank you!
When we asked LT. Gen. Kelley about those few cadets who did not receive their appointments from years past, grades and behavioral problems were the two reasons he gave. I've watched more than enough cadets have appointments stripped away from them because of behavioral problems, both sponsored and self-prep, for nearly every service academy.
And you're right, no one with behavioral problems is "likely" to get a Falcon Foundation scholarship, but it does happen. The fact that the OP's DD received other high-tier scholarships should be an indicator that any problems are "likely" to have been vetted.
Thank you for responding. She needs to respond by May 1. We've talked about nothing else today, and right now she is sending emails to NW Prep, R-MA, MMI, and NMMI for more info. DD feels this may be a good fit; she is not going to be 18 until August, and she will be looking at this year as a year to mature, gain confidence, and improve her physical endurance. She is a runner, but needs to build up her strength. She also looked at R-MA as another 'high school' - but we are keeping an open mind on all. It is pretty cool - we had no idea this program existed until today.
I never challenged your DD's qualifications. In fact, I applaud your DD for the work she put in to get where she is, as all the other Falcons and I know this is no easy scholarship to get. My original post on the matter indicated that her reception of both an NROTC scholarship and Falcon Foundation scholarship (among her many other accolades) were indicators that she most likely possessed the academic prowess and character to avoid the issues which cause appointments to be rescinded or never given. My original and subsequent posts were by no means an attack or meant to be degrading to your DD. I apologize if they appeared to be.I have no idea how this thread turned into my DD possibly having behavioral problems and she was 'likely' to have been vetted. I can definitely assure you, she has Zero behavioral problems. I won't list her resume but it is actually 2 pages long, from being Chair of the Special Olympics when she was only 16 years old to many other milestones and firsts at her over 2000 student population high school, including being the youngest (sophomore) full student government treasurer at her school. She has had unbelievable leadership roles since she was in middle school. Somehow I had an 'angel' which my mother says I didn't deserve. She also excels on the physical level. I don't believe she will have any behavioral problems during her year at MMI either. As I said in another post, her math ACT is at 27 and that may be the biggest reason why she has a Falcon Scholarship which she feels very blessed with getting. She honors the fact she received it. Which ever prep school anyone goes to, it really doesn't matter as long as they study and work towards the physical requirements etc. besides honor the USAF code, they will all be at the academy next year.
I never challenged your DD's qualifications. In fact, I applaud your DD for the work she put in to get where she is, as all the other Falcons and I know this is no easy scholarship to get. My original post on the matter indicated that her reception of both an NROTC scholarship and Falcon Foundation scholarship (among her many other accolades) were indicators that she most likely possessed the academic prowess and character to avoid the issues which cause appointments to be rescinded or never given. My original and subsequent posts were by no means an attack or meant to be degrading to your DD. I apologize if they appeared to be.
Our DD also has a FS but she is conflicted since she has an HSSP ROTC for AF and Army that she would be giving up. FS route looks like an amazing opportunity since AFA has been her top choice for many years. She is visiting RMA for a second time tomorrow - can some FS RMA parents elaborate on the re-application process to AFA and how helpful and encouraging the school is re-getting the MOC nomination and application processed? Any other thoughts on RMA for FS would be appreciated.Our DS turned down a 4 year AFROTC scholarship he was prepared to take to Virginia Tech in order to go to NWP as a Falcon Foundation Scholar....after doing due diligence and speaking with Mrs. Durbeck at NWP, we realized it truly is the Golden Ticket to USAFA.....he accepted his appointment in February!
We have appointments at this time to visit Randolph Macon and Marion Institute this coming week as she has to make an acceptance and state the prep school by Friday. She is leaning towards Randolph Macon as they have a flight school there.
Our DD also has a FS but she is conflicted since she has an HSSP ROTC for AF and Army that she would be giving up. FS route looks like an amazing opportunity since AFA has been her top choice for many years. She is visiting RMA for a second time tomorrow - can some FS RMA parents elaborate on the re-application process to AFA and how helpful and encouraging the school is re-getting the MOC nomination and application processed? Any other thoughts on RMA for FS would be appreciated.Our DS turned down a 4 year AFROTC scholarship he was prepared to take to Virginia Tech in order to go to NWP as a Falcon Foundation Scholar....after doing due diligence and speaking with Mrs. Durbeck at NWP, we realized it truly is the Golden Ticket to USAFA.....he accepted his appointment in February!
We have appointments at this time to visit Randolph Macon and Marion Institute this coming week as she has to make an acceptance and state the prep school by Friday. She is leaning towards Randolph Macon as they have a flight school there.
I know this is an old thread but wanted to dispel the notion of R-MA as a school for discipline issues. Our DD transferred to R-MA in the fall 2020 and has had an amazing experience! As a hs junior on an academy prep route, her experience is similar to that of the Falcon Scholars. She has the option of morning workouts, a tight academic schedule in small (in person!) classes, athletics and leadership opportunities. Her peers are interested in being there (although I am sure there may be a few exceptions) and take pride in the school. Students are in leadership positions and organize the student body in Flights. The silent lunches may have been a disciplinary action imposed by the student leaders at that time though that is not how meals are now. Not all students will be pursuing a military life or education but all are learning the benefits of schedules, expectations, and leadership. The academic focus includes tutorial hours for extra help and set evening study halls. She has even been blessed to begin working on her pilot’s license, flying a plane before getting her automobile driver’s license. She was honored to be on a call this week with Falcon Scholars and Sunita Williams, NASA Astronaut and USNA grad. I am so impressed by R-MA, its leaders, faculty and especially the student body! I would be more than happy to talk with anyone about Randolph-Macon Academy and its merits.I can tell you that RMA is a high school that takes on Falcon Scholars. We visited but it is not a place my DD would have been happy. The students are there who have parents who sent them for discipline problems. The students can't talk during lunch, they have to ask permission to speak. Check out MMI, it really is a great place. No big reapplication for AFA, simply sending in transcripts and letters from the prep schools officials. My DD didn't have to do all the other paperwork. She did have to take the ACT, medical and physical testing again. If a FS tries and does there best, it is definitely the golden ticket.