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Agreed.
I took a year of college and enlisted. I just hope it's good enough to get me an appointment.
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Agreed.
I took a year of college and enlisted. I just hope it's good enough to get me an appointment.
CristalLee
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Two questions -
1. Are TWE's going out already?
2. Can you go to one of these prep school's on your own dime, then apply to USAFA?
1. Are TWE's going out already?
2. Can you go to one of these prep school's on your own dime, then apply to USAFA?
YorkieMom75
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Here's what I know . . .
ChristalLee,
I'm no expert, but from the posts so far, I don't think the bulk of BFEs are out, so I doubt the TWEs are out yet.
If you go to falconfoundation.org, there are links to each of the 8 prep schools, so you'll be able to find out about paying your own tuition. I think that's possible at all the prep schools except the USAFA Prep School. I looked briefly, and it looks kind of expensive, even with the $5000 from the Falcon Foundation Scholarship. A candidate might be just as competitive reapplying to USAFA after completing freshman year with an AFROTC scholarship at a civilian university as he/she would be after completing a year of prep school with a Falcon Scholarship. But it is a very individual decision for each candidate, his/her family and their situation, etc.
Other parents of cadets who have gone through this may have more accurate information based on their experience. Oh, one other thing. I also called the info number on the Falcon Foundation website, and the woman I talked to was extremely helpful and kind. You could call to get more specific information.
I hope this helps a little.
ChristalLee,
I'm no expert, but from the posts so far, I don't think the bulk of BFEs are out, so I doubt the TWEs are out yet.
If you go to falconfoundation.org, there are links to each of the 8 prep schools, so you'll be able to find out about paying your own tuition. I think that's possible at all the prep schools except the USAFA Prep School. I looked briefly, and it looks kind of expensive, even with the $5000 from the Falcon Foundation Scholarship. A candidate might be just as competitive reapplying to USAFA after completing freshman year with an AFROTC scholarship at a civilian university as he/she would be after completing a year of prep school with a Falcon Scholarship. But it is a very individual decision for each candidate, his/her family and their situation, etc.
Other parents of cadets who have gone through this may have more accurate information based on their experience. Oh, one other thing. I also called the info number on the Falcon Foundation website, and the woman I talked to was extremely helpful and kind. You could call to get more specific information.
I hope this helps a little.
Dad
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1. Last year most of the TWEs went out after the majority of the BFEs were mailed.
2. Yes, you can self-prep. A prep school's mission is to get candidates ready for the day to day life at a SA. My DS considered self-prepping at NMMI to raise his ACT scores and brush up on his Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics. The prep schools are great at what they do. Your DS should also consider ROTC at a 4 year university or a year at community college to prove to the SA that he can handle the academics. In order to make this decision your DS needs to consider his weaknesses as a candidate and address those in the appropriate way. Hopefully this discussion is moot because your DS gets a BFE soon.
Good luck.
NathanIsaacs
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If I can recall I believe I remember a FEW people that weren't 3Q'ed because of their test scores, or not having a nomination have received a TWE. Don't hold me too it though because like I said "if I recall", plus most TWE's will go out after all of the slots for 2016 and prep are filled.
Prep School
Well I hope you don’t need this information and your DS gets a BFE soon but just in case…..(and this is a parental perspective of what my DS went thru, I have no direct prep school or academy knowledge so someone else might want to chime in here).
Yes, your DS can go to a prep school on his own dime. Young adults that do this are known as “free agents”. Those at the prep school on scholarship are pretty much guaranteed an appointment the next year, as long as they do reasonably well. The free agents however are different, they have to compete for their spot along with all the other re-applicants and new applicants. Therefore there is NO guarantee they will be accepted, and if your DS chooses this he needs a good plan B and C.
Before you look into this I would first recommend your DS contact his representatives and ask what the issues are with his application. My DS called his BGO (he only applied to USNA last year) and the admissions office after getting the TWE and was told he was a very good candidate. They both recommended he go to a four-year University, take a first year academy curriculum, and do well (A’s). He was told he was not really being considered for prep school, because there were no major issues with his application, leadership was strong, etc – though grades could have been better).
Re-applicants are accepted to the academy from prep school or after a year (or two) of University. I have heard up to a third of all candidates that are accepted have at least a year of University or prep school under their belt prior to enrolling and that re-applicants are looked upon favorably.
My DS decided to go to a 4-year University with a prep school. The benefits of the prep school included interacting with military personnel from all the academies. So he learned a lot about the different options and opportunities that would be available to him, and what would be expected of him (we aren’t a military family, so I think this was very helpful). There was a lot of focus on honor and teamwork. They also helped ensure his re-application was in on time and it was the best it could be (lets be honest, that application is a bear. No one from DS high school had ever applied so he did it on his own. He didn’t ask me for help until the end when he was trying to get the medical paperwork completed; DS had orthodontics and has a permanently implanted retainer……well you all know……
).
At the University he took Chemistry, Chemistry Lab, English, Calculus, International Relations and U.S. History. Some of the other kids took physics. During the first semester he decided he wanted to be an engineering major. Plan B was to transfer to a good University engineering program with ROTC, and plan C was to complete college and see what his military opportunities were after graduation (his plans, not mine - I was still trying to talk him into becoming a doctor.....
).
Though USNA rejected his initial application, DS had been accepted to several fine Universities. But it was clear he was not happy, and it was clear to us all that he wanted to reapply. Yes, Universities and prep schools are expensive. DS chipped in his summer savings, we cashed in the government savings bonds, the school gave him a $5000 scholarship and we(parents) paid the rest. I can tell you it has been worth every cent and I would have happily paid twice what we ended up paying.
Initial failure and going thru a re-application process takes a lot of courage. He had to dig deep to really decide what he wanted and to decide how he was going to get there. His commitment to the military has strengthened. He has learned what he excels in and how to get help in other academic areas where he needs it. He has identified a major. It has worked out for DS because he has received multiple appointments this go around, but I will tell you he came home from college/prep school at Christmas and said (prior to hearing from any of the academies) that the year was a great experience and he didn’t regret it no matter what ultimately happened.
Finally I will tell you that though DS was disappointed with his TWE, he actually took it way better than I did. I was heartbroken for him; he on the other hand immediately started looking at his options and moving forward. He needed a little help sorting thru his choices (and there was tuition to pay…) but overall his resilience was pretty amazing.
So hope you don’t have to go thru this – but if you do I promise you your DS will come out ON TOP!
DS was playing for state championships. They wanted to win SOOOO bad, lost in the final moments of fourth quarter. I was driving DS and 2 other members of team home and I just couldn’t wait to commiserate with them…..it was kind of a David and Goliath matchup……they were obviously David and I was upset for them because they DESERVED to win). After they got in the car one of the teammates said to DS: “Boy I wish we had won”. My DS replied: “Yeah, mom can we go to Taco Bell and get soft taco’s?”…………then ensued a 10 min discussion on which was the best fast food place ……. I couldnt decide if it was resilience or teenage boys and food……
).
Well I hope you don’t need this information and your DS gets a BFE soon but just in case…..(and this is a parental perspective of what my DS went thru, I have no direct prep school or academy knowledge so someone else might want to chime in here).
Yes, your DS can go to a prep school on his own dime. Young adults that do this are known as “free agents”. Those at the prep school on scholarship are pretty much guaranteed an appointment the next year, as long as they do reasonably well. The free agents however are different, they have to compete for their spot along with all the other re-applicants and new applicants. Therefore there is NO guarantee they will be accepted, and if your DS chooses this he needs a good plan B and C.
Before you look into this I would first recommend your DS contact his representatives and ask what the issues are with his application. My DS called his BGO (he only applied to USNA last year) and the admissions office after getting the TWE and was told he was a very good candidate. They both recommended he go to a four-year University, take a first year academy curriculum, and do well (A’s). He was told he was not really being considered for prep school, because there were no major issues with his application, leadership was strong, etc – though grades could have been better).
Re-applicants are accepted to the academy from prep school or after a year (or two) of University. I have heard up to a third of all candidates that are accepted have at least a year of University or prep school under their belt prior to enrolling and that re-applicants are looked upon favorably.
My DS decided to go to a 4-year University with a prep school. The benefits of the prep school included interacting with military personnel from all the academies. So he learned a lot about the different options and opportunities that would be available to him, and what would be expected of him (we aren’t a military family, so I think this was very helpful). There was a lot of focus on honor and teamwork. They also helped ensure his re-application was in on time and it was the best it could be (lets be honest, that application is a bear. No one from DS high school had ever applied so he did it on his own. He didn’t ask me for help until the end when he was trying to get the medical paperwork completed; DS had orthodontics and has a permanently implanted retainer……well you all know……
). At the University he took Chemistry, Chemistry Lab, English, Calculus, International Relations and U.S. History. Some of the other kids took physics. During the first semester he decided he wanted to be an engineering major. Plan B was to transfer to a good University engineering program with ROTC, and plan C was to complete college and see what his military opportunities were after graduation (his plans, not mine - I was still trying to talk him into becoming a doctor.....
).Though USNA rejected his initial application, DS had been accepted to several fine Universities. But it was clear he was not happy, and it was clear to us all that he wanted to reapply. Yes, Universities and prep schools are expensive. DS chipped in his summer savings, we cashed in the government savings bonds, the school gave him a $5000 scholarship and we(parents) paid the rest. I can tell you it has been worth every cent and I would have happily paid twice what we ended up paying.
Initial failure and going thru a re-application process takes a lot of courage. He had to dig deep to really decide what he wanted and to decide how he was going to get there. His commitment to the military has strengthened. He has learned what he excels in and how to get help in other academic areas where he needs it. He has identified a major. It has worked out for DS because he has received multiple appointments this go around, but I will tell you he came home from college/prep school at Christmas and said (prior to hearing from any of the academies) that the year was a great experience and he didn’t regret it no matter what ultimately happened.
Finally I will tell you that though DS was disappointed with his TWE, he actually took it way better than I did. I was heartbroken for him; he on the other hand immediately started looking at his options and moving forward. He needed a little help sorting thru his choices (and there was tuition to pay…
) but overall his resilience was pretty amazing.So hope you don’t have to go thru this – but if you do I promise you your DS will come out ON TOP!
DS was playing for state championships. They wanted to win SOOOO bad, lost in the final moments of fourth quarter. I was driving DS and 2 other members of team home and I just couldn’t wait to commiserate with them…..it was kind of a David and Goliath matchup……they were obviously David and I was upset for them because they DESERVED to win). After they got in the car one of the teammates said to DS: “Boy I wish we had won”. My DS replied: “Yeah, mom can we go to Taco Bell and get soft taco’s?”…………then ensued a 10 min discussion on which was the best fast food place ……. I couldnt decide if it was resilience or teenage boys and food……).
CristalLee
5-Year Member
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- Jan 22, 2012
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- 158
Thanks - gives me new things to think about. If grades are all that matter in the prep school... he's not gonna get the nod there - he's had nothing but A's since sixth grade.
Now there is a problem with his GPA since we are military and we move a lot - he got three 85's (give or take a point or two - generalizing here) (weighted with a ten point curve - should have been 95's) in honor's classes in 8th grade - that somehow transferred to his HS record - (we moved in between his 8th and 9th grade years). The previous school is at a loss since it should have never transferred, since he never attended HS at the previous duty station. None the less, they can't figure out how to erase it from his transcript - what a pain. Besides that the only area he is lacking is (he ran, but never won - it's hard always being the "new kid") student council, never a team sport captain, no JROTC (it's not offered here) and we didn't know we could apply for a Pres nomination. He's an Eagle scout, held many leadership positions, tons of volunteer/community service, started his own business, taking AP classes, tutors other students in every subject, UIL (three academic teams), NHS, soccer & cross country, Spanish club etc. But from what I see here - so is every other applicant - it's such a tough pool to compete with! It was heartbreaking to see that the MOC's USAFA and USNA slots had been awarded to others. Our only hope is the national pool.
Being that we are a military family, we are (over)due for a PCS - I sure wish I knew what area of the country to "aim" for (of course, needs of the AF come first and our "aim" may be off)... I'd like to PCS somewhere closer (not further away) to wherever DS will be.
The GPA thing - is that something DS should talk to admissions about? I just don't know how much "noise" to make - do they ever respond to phone calls/emails? I really hate to be bothersome.
Now there is a problem with his GPA since we are military and we move a lot - he got three 85's (give or take a point or two - generalizing here) (weighted with a ten point curve - should have been 95's) in honor's classes in 8th grade - that somehow transferred to his HS record - (we moved in between his 8th and 9th grade years). The previous school is at a loss since it should have never transferred, since he never attended HS at the previous duty station. None the less, they can't figure out how to erase it from his transcript - what a pain. Besides that the only area he is lacking is (he ran, but never won - it's hard always being the "new kid") student council, never a team sport captain, no JROTC (it's not offered here) and we didn't know we could apply for a Pres nomination. He's an Eagle scout, held many leadership positions, tons of volunteer/community service, started his own business, taking AP classes, tutors other students in every subject, UIL (three academic teams), NHS, soccer & cross country, Spanish club etc. But from what I see here - so is every other applicant - it's such a tough pool to compete with! It was heartbreaking to see that the MOC's USAFA and USNA slots had been awarded to others. Our only hope is the national pool.
Being that we are a military family, we are (over)due for a PCS - I sure wish I knew what area of the country to "aim" for (of course, needs of the AF come first and our "aim" may be off)... I'd like to PCS somewhere closer (not further away) to wherever DS will be.
The GPA thing - is that something DS should talk to admissions about? I just don't know how much "noise" to make - do they ever respond to phone calls/emails? I really hate to be bothersome.
CristalLee
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USAF463
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BFE II is the same envelope that AFA sends out for the first BFE. It contains the hard copy of the Instructions to Appointee plus other forms to be filled out. It actually is "fatter" than the initial BFE that he received last month almost to the day.
YorkieMom75
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- Feb 29, 2012
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Thanks
afmom1, thanks for the explanation and details about prep school!
USAF463, I saw from the 2016 appointment thread that your DS had a principal nom from your congressman in CO and got his first BFE in Feb. Congrats!
afmom1, thanks for the explanation and details about prep school!
USAF463, I saw from the 2016 appointment thread that your DS had a principal nom from your congressman in CO and got his first BFE in Feb. Congrats!
We will be looking for ours in a couple of days, maybe tomorrow. We have done all the immunizations and clothing measurements that we could download via the PDF. Just waiting on all the other stuff.
3QConcerns
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- Feb 18, 2012
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A few people wanted me to update when I got my BFE, so here it is.
I have mail forwarding set-up, so it took a long time to get to me (it was originally sent to RI, but I just moved in with my brother in a different state). It was sent February 21st, it arrived in RI on March 2nd, and I just got it today at my new address.
I have mail forwarding set-up, so it took a long time to get to me (it was originally sent to RI, but I just moved in with my brother in a different state). It was sent February 21st, it arrived in RI on March 2nd, and I just got it today at my new address.
falconfamily
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AWESOME!! Congrats!
wow, 9 days from CO to RI! Thanks so much for letting us know! So it was mailed on a Tuesday! Interesting. and you saw it change in your portal on Wednesday the 22nd?
3QConcerns
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If I recall correctly, I first noticed the changed on the 28th. But I wasn't checking consistently.
ok thanks, it likely didn't update so quickly then.
Congratulations on receiving your appointment! Best wishes moving forward!
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Congratulations!! Must have taken 9 days because of the time zone lol, because it only took 3 days coming this way for my DS!!
I'm sure it feels real having the BFE in your hands!
profsparrow
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