If i recall correctly, the tuition for the private military colleges that the academy draws from in the scholars program is pretty significant. I am sure that the experience would be a great one, and I would say "full speed ahead" if someone else was paying the tuition. That was not going to happen with DS, and I did not DS to be burdened with a lot of student loans for 1 year at MMI if he did not get accepted into the Class of 2019. I would recommend going to one of the other schools that your child was accepted to, preferably the lowest priced option, and following the above poster's advice. That is the advise my son received from his AO.
My son's Plan B was an AROTC scholarship, and he learned last week that he was selected for a 3 year scholarship at one of his top schools. If that had not worked out, then DS was planning to attend the local public college and try to replicate the first year CGA curriculum as much as possible and then re-apply for the Class of 2019. I should also tell you that we visited the CGA on two occasions. I went on the parent tour both times, and met 4 cadets over the course of those tours. 3 of the 4 said that they did not make the cut the first time that they applied. One went to MMI, but the other 2 went to their in-state school. DS's host for his overnight visit did the same thing.
Good luck!
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