Appointment rates from MMI vs. ROTC

RLTW

RLTW

15-Year Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2008
Messages
178
My son’s applying for USMA Class of 2015. He is deciding between MMI’s SAP and ROTC at a MacArthur-Award winning battalion, so it’s a good program.

His question is -- as a general rule (all things being equal, fully qualified and nominated), which option gives him his best shot at getting an appointment to USMA -- success at a good ROTC program or success at MMI?

Google and Bing seem to have a variety of anecdotal info, which is interesting, yet not quite as boiled down as this:

X% of people who attend 1 year of Army ROTC and are qualified get an appointment to USMA
Y% of people who attend 1 year of MMI SAP and are qualified get an appointment from USMA

Anyone have ideas where to find other documented information about success rates from either option?

-RLTW
 
I've completed a service academy prep school. I'm not quite sure how to say this, but you shouldn't be factoring in "what option has the better success rate" when making the decision between the two. No option has a better success rate, and don't bother looking for data on this because there is none. If your son wants his application process to go as smooth as possible because he really wants to go to USMA, then MMI would probably be the better route. The advantage of ROTC is that if your son doesn't get into USMA, then he will still be just three years away from a commission. Actually, he may even be able to do AROTC at MMI while in SAP; I'm not sure.
 
My son is currently in the SAP program at MMI. He will be attending USAFA next year and he feels MMI has done a good job of preparing him well. They do have an AROTC program, but my son participated in the AFROTC program at Univ. of Alabama (MMI is a detachment for that unit). He said they had a MMI alum come speak earlier this year and she said the academics were almost identical to USMA. I don't know that either is better for chances of admission, but one of them might be a better fit for your son. Best of luck!
 
If your son really, really wants to reapply and go to West Point then talk to Col Lewis at MMI.
jackson is correct - they take plebe year classes at MMI. If he can get good grades and adjusts well to a Military school then he has a good chance.
Of course, if he won an AOG scholarship then he, of course should choose MMI.
At MMI he will be in Army ROTC.
If he does choose MMI, he might want to consider dual enrollment in the SAP and ECP. If he is on an AOG scholarship then ECP won't be available to him. In the SAP program he will be with about 100 other kids just like him who are re-applying to an academy. He will meet lifelong friend who will be his classmates at West Point and buddies to get together with a Army/Navy & Army/AF games.

What if he attends MMI and does not win an appointment?
He can finish his second year and transfer or transfer after his SAP year. His year in ROTC counts. When he transfers that credit will transfer as well. Many universities accept credit from MMI. Talk the folks at MMI - their kids go to some good schools including Auburn, Alabama and Texas A&M.

Why not a 4 year college instead of MMI?
Because he won't get support in his re-application. Additionally if he is on scholarship then his ROTC cadre might not be overly encouraging. This is not to say it can't be done. It is done ever year but at MMI, they will enable him to put together his best application, they will encourage and support him - guaranteed.

Why not MMI? Mostly kids don't choose it because it's a junior college and you have to transfer. It is not glamourous and going there reeks of a need for remediation.
Also, it's in a very tiny town in central Alabama.

Ultimately it needs to be his decision. If he is unsettled he really should talk to Col Lewis.

Here is the appointment history at MMI. Each year non-sponsored cadets win appointments - they don't get that many who are not sponored.
http://www.marionmilitary.edu/about-mmi/sap%20assessment.da
 
If Army via the USMA is really the goal, then get the best of both worlds by attending MMI's SAP with a dual enrollment in the Early Commisioning Program (ROTC-ECP). SAP = Service Academy Prep... it's called that for a reason! If an appointment is not offered after the first year at Marion then you'll still be halfway to a 2LT with ECP. LTC Lewis is the person to talk to regarding SAP. He will encourage ECP if you're targeting West Point. And by the way, the numbers are meaningless. One is the only number that matters, as it only takes one nomination and one appointment to get you there. I have to laugh at how many people try to play the numbers game, but trust me I can relate. Hope this helps.
 
This is very helpful, I really appreciate all the insight, it's great to hear how others are thinking about this decision, and it truly helps a lot.

Thanks once again!
-RLTW
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top