Falcon Foundation

HopefulAviator said:
I just opened my portal, and while I was not offered an appointment, I was offered a falcon foundation scholarship to attend a prep school. I think I’m going to take it, but what’s the next step as far as selecting a school, applying, etc?
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Same with my DS. Can someone explain falcon foundation? Is that same as prep school? Are you guaranteed to get into next years USAFA class?
 

My DS attended Randolph Macon on a FF Scholarship. It was the best thing he ever did. It really helped him with some extra time to work on his academics. They prep with everything AF....He went in to USAFA so much better prepared. Check out the website above.
 
mama mia said:

My DS attended Randolph Macon on a FF Scholarship. It was the best thing he ever did. It really helped him with some extra time to work on his academics. They prep with everything AF....He went in to USAFA so much better prepared. Check out the website above.
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Is it guaranteed to get into academy the following year? Both of his nominations came from MOCs that are retiring this year.
 
Most likely they will not receive an appointment this year. I believe only the first person offered FFS last year was upgraded to an appointment. Every single Falcon at my prep school (NWP) received an appointment. You do what’s expected of you and you’ll get in.
 
mwa2 said:
Is it guaranteed to get into academy the following year? Both of his nominations came from MOCs that are retiring this year.
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They have to get another "new" nomination. My DS did not secure one due to a cross-country move, but he applied for the VP nomination and got it!
 
mwa2 said:
Same with my DS. Can someone explain falcon foundation? Is that same as prep school? Are you guaranteed to get into next years USAFA class?
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The Falcon Foundation is a group of AF retired officers which offers a scholarship to one of 5 prep schools (NOT the USAFA prep school on base.) 4 of the affiliated prep schools are full year junior military colleges that are accredited educational institutions which credits can transfer to other colleges. 1 is half year (one semester) in which the scholar will have to pick another college to attend for the remainder of the school year. Should a candidate choose to accept the Falcon Scholarship, they will be bound by contract to the Falcon Foundation to complete the program, secure a nomination, take/retake SATs and ACTs, pass CFA, stay out of trouble, and IF offered an appointment to USAFA, the scholar will accept. Breach of contract will involve repayment of funds. Each prep school choice have their own funding amount the Falcon will pay, and your portion you'll have to pay.

It is not a guaranteed appointment. Think of it as the Academy thinks you are a strong candidate, but just not quite there, so they're offering you another chance to give it another shot. You're essentially in a prep environment to reapply. As long as you do your best to excel in the prep program, do everything right according to the contract, you'll have a very good shot. IMHO, it doesn't really matter which prep school you pick. Pick the one that you think you'd have the best shot at excelling in, and makes good financial sense for you. For example: NWP, which is the 1 semester one, may make more sense for a lot of people because they may have some local state post grad funding they can use for the 2nd semester, along with other grants, etc. but those funding may not apply for out of state colleges. In which case, you go home and take classes at a local college/community college for the 2nd semester to use those funds. Other Falcon scholars may thrive better in a full year program with more structure. So while someone may say, "I went to NMMI and it was the best!" and another may say, "I went to Randolph Macon and that was the best!" The best for you is best for you. Either way, you'll have to go through a full year of classes again, follow the contract, reapply, kick booty and try again.

The unanimous feedback on the Falcon is it's a great opportunity to grow, improve on some weak spots, meet some friends who could very likely be your classmates at USAFA.

mwa2 said:
Is it guaranteed to get into academy the following year? Both of his nominations came from MOCs that are retiring this year.
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Not guaranteed. Retiring MOCs doesn't matter. You'll have to apply and get a new nomination from new MOC.
 
snarfly said:
Not guaranteed. Retiring MOCs doesn't matter. You'll have to apply and get a new nomination from new MOC.
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Not guaranteed but it is called the golden ticket. Normally medical or breech of contract would keep someone out. So think don't mess up, do everything required and you have above a 90%
 
My son is completing a Falcon Foundation Scholarship year. Overall, I'd call it a positive experience, with a few things to be prepared for. Looking back at data from the Falcon Foundation website, about 95% of Falcon Scholars go to the Air Force Academy. While it's not a "golden ticket", if you do what you're supposed to and get the nomination, it's extremely likely the applicant will get appointed. Below I'll list pros and things to watch for. I don't want to say cons as this route is not easy, but it also shouldn't be, and it does yield results.

Pros to accepting the scholarship:
  • Bonus year to prep academically, physically, and in the area of leadership - all of it is extremely challenging, but rewarding if you do it.
  • Year of extra early morning PT, marching, and room inspections.
  • A year of being away from home and growing as an adult so the first year at AFA won't be as bad for homesickness.
  • ~95% of Falcon Scholars do go to and complete AFA.
  • The Falcon Foundation pays a large portion of the cost.
  • TONS of structure, procedures, and high expectations.
  • In our case, most staff have been excellent.
Things to watch for:
  • While there is a scholarship that covers a large portion of the LISTED costs, there may significant other costs for things like uniforms, books, supplies, etc. Pin down the school on what extra costs may be, and still expect some more.
  • Check the marketing materials and look at what are the greatest selling points to you. Make sure they still offer that opportunity to the extent it's promoted. In our case, flying was not what was promoted, along with a couple of other minor changes that ultimately weren't a big deal, but did play a role in the choice made.
  • Transportation costs and boarding schedules are something to look for upfront. Regular breaks happen and students may go home. Sometimes there are small breaks, but it may not be worth flying home. Those are added costs to plan for.
  • At times, I felt like Falcon Scholars were extras on campus, and the focus was more on the rest of the student body. With that being said, if you want to go to AFA, you can't sit back and wait for anything. You need to go get it.
  • Communication may be limited. Falcon Scholars are future leaders. Push them to ask questions and self-advocate about questions your family may have.
A Falcon Foundation Scholarship is what the individual makes it into and likely leads to the intended goal. You'll need to look at your individual situation and ask a lot of questions to make sure you find the right fit for your family's situation. There are extra things to prepare for. There's a lot of great opportunity, too.

Good luck to all Falcon Scholars and all appointees!
 
Pilot_Dad said:
My son is completing a Falcon Foundation Scholarship year. Overall, I'd call it a positive experience, with a few things to be prepared for. Looking back at data from the Falcon Foundation website, about 95% of Falcon Scholars go to the Air Force Academy. While it's not a "golden ticket", if you do what you're supposed to and get the nomination, it's extremely likely the applicant will get appointed. Below I'll list pros and things to watch for. I don't want to say cons as this route is not easy, but it also shouldn't be, and it does yield results.

Pros to accepting the scholarship:
  • Bonus year to prep academically, physically, and in the area of leadership - all of it is extremely challenging, but rewarding if you do it.
  • Year of extra early morning PT, marching, and room inspections.
  • A year of being away from home and growing as an adult so the first year at AFA won't be as bad for homesickness.
  • ~95% of Falcon Scholars do go to and complete AFA.
  • The Falcon Foundation pays a large portion of the cost.
  • TONS of structure, procedures, and high expectations.
  • In our case, most staff have been excellent.
Things to watch for:
  • While there is a scholarship that covers a large portion of the LISTED costs, there may significant other costs for things like uniforms, books, supplies, etc. Pin down the school on what extra costs may be, and still expect some more.
  • Check the marketing materials and look at what are the greatest selling points to you. Make sure they still offer that opportunity to the extent it's promoted. In our case, flying was not what was promoted, along with a couple of other minor changes that ultimately weren't a big deal, but did play a role in the choice made.
  • Transportation costs and boarding schedules are something to look for upfront. Regular breaks happen and students may go home. Sometimes there are small breaks, but it may not be worth flying home. Those are added costs to plan for.
  • At times, I felt like Falcon Scholars were extras on campus, and the focus was more on the rest of the student body. With that being said, if you want to go to AFA, you can't sit back and wait for anything. You need to go get it.
  • Communication may be limited. Falcon Scholars are future leaders. Push them to ask questions and self-advocate about questions your family may have.
A Falcon Foundation Scholarship is what the individual makes it into and likely leads to the intended goal. You'll need to look at your individual situation and ask a lot of questions to make sure you find the right fit for your family's situation. There are extra things to prepare for. There's a lot of great opportunity, too.

Good luck to all Falcon Scholars and all appointees!
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Did your DS receive an appointment?
 
Pilot_Dad said:
My son is completing a Falcon Foundation Scholarship year. Overall, I'd call it a positive experience, with a few things to be prepared for. Looking back at data from the Falcon Foundation website, about 95% of Falcon Scholars go to the Air Force Academy. While it's not a "golden ticket", if you do what you're supposed to and get the nomination, it's extremely likely the applicant will get appointed. Below I'll list pros and things to watch for. I don't want to say cons as this route is not easy, but it also shouldn't be, and it does yield results.

Pros to accepting the scholarship:
  • Bonus year to prep academically, physically, and in the area of leadership - all of it is extremely challenging, but rewarding if you do it.
  • Year of extra early morning PT, marching, and room inspections.
  • A year of being away from home and growing as an adult so the first year at AFA won't be as bad for homesickness.
  • ~95% of Falcon Scholars do go to and complete AFA.
  • The Falcon Foundation pays a large portion of the cost.
  • TONS of structure, procedures, and high expectations.
  • In our case, most staff have been excellent.
Things to watch for:
  • While there is a scholarship that covers a large portion of the LISTED costs, there may significant other costs for things like uniforms, books, supplies, etc. Pin down the school on what extra costs may be, and still expect some more.
  • Check the marketing materials and look at what are the greatest selling points to you. Make sure they still offer that opportunity to the extent it's promoted. In our case, flying was not what was promoted, along with a couple of other minor changes that ultimately weren't a big deal, but did play a role in the choice made.
  • Transportation costs and boarding schedules are something to look for upfront. Regular breaks happen and students may go home. Sometimes there are small breaks, but it may not be worth flying home. Those are added costs to plan for.
  • At times, I felt like Falcon Scholars were extras on campus, and the focus was more on the rest of the student body. With that being said, if you want to go to AFA, you can't sit back and wait for anything. You need to go get it.
  • Communication may be limited. Falcon Scholars are future leaders. Push them to ask questions and self-advocate about questions your family may have.
A Falcon Foundation Scholarship is what the individual makes it into and likely leads to the intended goal. You'll need to look at your individual situation and ask a lot of questions to make sure you find the right fit for your family's situation. There are extra things to prepare for. There's a lot of great opportunity, too.

Good luck to all Falcon Scholars and all appointees!
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Did your DS receive an appointment
Pilot_Dad said:
He did as did every other Falcon Scholar at the school. The past few years, Falcon Scholars have received notification around February 20th, which is ahead of the main notification in March. Some heard from MoC. Some did not.
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Thank you!
 
HopefulAviator said:
I just opened my portal, and while I was not offered an appointment, I was offered a falcon foundation scholarship to attend a prep school. I think I’m going to take it, but what’s the next step as far as selecting a school, applying, etc?
Click to expand...
If you are dead set on the Air Force Academy and want to get in the following year, there is no better way to go.
1. It is highly unlikely a Falcon Foundation Scholarship will be converted to a direct appointment offer
2. If you plan to go to ROTC and reapply, a Falcon Scholarship is a better and more certain path. There is over a 95% acceptance rate. ROTC students tend not to perform to an academic level that gains them an appointment the following year. If you go the ROTC path, you had better hit the ground running. No time for homesickness, learning time management skills, etc. Falcon scholars are afforded this opportunity as long as they don't blow it.
3. Falcon Scholars are expected to earn As, but an occasional B is ok as long as you are not skating
4. If you do what is expected, gain a nomination, retake standardized tests, retake the CFA and do well, and remain medically qualified, you will get in.
5. Data shows that Falcon Scholars as a group, perform better than any other group at USAFA.
6. Oh and did I tell you the mentoring at the schools and by the Falcon Foundation is a plus and some schools have aviation programs.
7. Read the literature on costs, requirements, etc. that came with the offer. Contact the schools for more information and choose the school that is right for you.
8. USAFA will send an invitation to attend a virtual orientation of the Falcon Foundation and the 5 schools shortly. The orientation will be on 10 Apr.
9. If you are unsure, you might want to wait until you attend the orientation.
10. Otherwise, pick your school and accept as soon as you have decided.
11. Of course a Falcon Foundation school/scholarship may not be for you. In that case decline as soon as you know so USAFA can offer someone else. Only 65 scholarships are available.
12. One year is not a long time to wait if this path gets you to your dreams, but that's hard to digest for a 17 year-old. IMHO the benefits outweigh the costs.
13. Finally, don't look at a Falcon Scholarship as a rejection by USAFA. Its actually a validation that your ultimate attendance is desired. USAFA is saving a spot for you if you perform well.
 
EVERYTHING In-the-Know just said!!!!

I've been an ALO a LONG time...and before that...long before that, I attended Northwestern Prep (one of the schools that Falcon's attend) after not getting into USAFA out of high school...and in the Spring, I received my coveted appointment. EVERY USAFA Falcon at NWPS when I was there received an appointment. At that time, there was another "like the FF" group called the "Gertrude Skelly Trust" that did what FF did. Every one of those candidates also received appointments.

As I said earlier, I'm an ALO so I have to choose my words carefully...this is "almost a Wonka Golden Ticket..."

Steve
USAFA ALO
 
flieger83 said:
EVERYTHING In-the-Know just said!!!!

I've been an ALO a LONG time...and before that...long before that, I attended Northwestern Prep (one of the schools that Falcon's attend) after not getting into USAFA out of high school...and in the Spring, I received my coveted appointment. EVERY USAFA Falcon at NWPS when I was there received an appointment. At that time, there was another "like the FF" group called the "Gertrude Kelley Trust" that did what FF did. Every one of those candidates also received appointments.

As I said earlier, I'm an ALO so I have to choose my words carefully...this is "almost a Wonka Golden Ticket..."

Steve
USAFA ALO
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If I may jump in, being accepted by the prep programs run by the SAs is not a rejection by the SA, it is an ACCEPTANCE to a five year program.
 
My son is in the class of 27. He was a Falcon Scholar attending Randolph Macon. While it would have been nice to get in on the first try, the RMA experience was really exceptional and made it easier to get through BCT. In fact, many parents on the USAFA FB pages commented on how their kids looked to the the Prep's and Falcons for help during BCT. My son was glad he had the experience and even commented that he felt the physical training regimen at RMA was more difficult than what he has experienced at USAFA.
 
I was a FFS and have no regrets. I had been turned down by USAFA/USCGA/NROTC/AFROTC despite "checking all the boxes." I was dismayed and was wallowing in self-pity at the time. I was working on Plan B to go to Clarkson University and enroll in AFROTC. I was tired and "fed up" with all the application process and was feeling a little bitter from all the rejection.


Sometime in May of my senior year of high school (way back in 1991), I received a letter in the mail, and I saw the USAFA logo on it and I immediately threw it in the trash without opening it. My dad got home from work and saw the letter sitting on top due to his keen eye and some divine intervention. He opened the letter, read it and said "Hey, you need to read this." I did not want anything to do with it. He said "No, read it." I said, "yes sir" and I read it, and it was a letter telling me I had received the Falcon Foundation scholarship. My ambivalence was obvious. To a 17-year-old, another year added to a 4 year education seemed a bridge too far.

My dad made a phone call and talked to the ALO who worked with the FFS cadets who were attending Valley Forge Military College outside of Philadelphia. He liked what he heard, and I was still ambivalent. I agreed to visit the school with the full intention of not going through with it. The visit changed my mind. It wasn't the school that did it. It was the admissions office that told me that they had a 98% plus success rates with Falcon scholars. Hearing that gave me some hope and I said I was going to do it.

Academically, that year was not challenging at all. On the physical/mental/military side, it was a huge challenge. However, I went through with a group of plebe brothers that I still have strong bonds of friendship with today. 15 of those plebe brothers were fellow Falcon Scholars. That year at VFMC was exactly what I needed. It gave me a year of maturity and an incredible boost of self-confidence that carried me through. On the downside, it gave me quite a chip on my shoulder because USAFA could come nowhere near the physical hazing we endured. That cockiness got me into some trouble a few times as a smack at USAFA. (nothing that merited marching tours or getting restricted...I just wasn't afraid to push the boundaries sometimes!)

The Falcon Foundation program is an incredible opportunity and should be accepted without hesitation. I encourage anyone on the fence to take the long view and look past the "extra" year. It is more of an investment with an immeasurable rate of return.

Feel free to PM if you want to discuss in any more detail.

If there are any other VF'ers out there.. " F & I !! "
 
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