Status changed, accepted to Foundation Program

Advise for DS that has offered to attend sponsored prep from NAVY and ARMY. DS has committed to ARMY but there are pressure from his peers/family/adults to change to NAVY. I am his dad and I am neutral. Please advise.
 
Advise for DS that has offered to attend sponsored prep from NAVY and ARMY. DS has committed to ARMY but there are pressure from his peers/family/adults to change to NAVY. I am his dad and I am neutral. Please advise.
He should go where he wants if he has that option. I feel very strongly that kids should follow their own paths. I never want my children to look back at life and say "My dream was to (fill in the blank) but I didn't because Mom/Dad/Grandparents/etc talked me out of it."

This is about THEIR lives not OURS!

It's great he has options!
 
Advise for DS that has offered to attend sponsored prep from NAVY and ARMY. DS has committed to ARMY but there are pressure from his peers/family/adults to change to NAVY. I am his dad and I am neutral. Please advise.
If you can at ALL swing it, visit both ASAP and check out the courses of study available. See which is a better fit, both are excellent opportunities. What field does your DS want to go into? That can be a significant determining factor. IMHO there is NO wrong decision here. How can anyone say Westpoint is a bad choice? Of the SA's it's the oldest and best known with a little more prestige behind the name (just an opinion). But, like I said I'd definitely vist both ASAP and let him make up his own mind. This is a huge decision and you want to get it right the first time!
 
Advise for DS that has offered to attend sponsored prep from NAVY and ARMY. DS has committed to ARMY but there are pressure from his peers/family/adults to change to NAVY. I am his dad and I am neutral. Please advise.

First, nice to be in demand.

Second, the deciding factor should be which Service is the right choice for your DS. And it is his decision. The culture, career options, lifestyle - what does he feel the most affinity for in terms of his obligated service after prep and SA. Once he is firm in that, or if he is firm, then which prep and which SA are set. Those are interim stops on his journey to his first career.

He just needs to get his speech set for well-meaning others: "I really appreciate your interest and support in my career choice. My family has raised me to throughly research and evaluate my options, and make my own decisions. I have done lots of research, and feel my future lies in serving with X Service down the road. While I respect Y Service, I am more passionate/excited/whatever works in being in X Service. I will need your support in the challenging road I have chosen, can I count on you for that?"

For DS: Resist the urge to give details of choice and risk getting into a debate on specifics by those who have an agenda. Be like the politicians, say only what you want to say, ignore the questions you don't want to answer, use humor to deflect, ask a question of your own, change the subject. Own your decision and smile, a lot, saying you are very happy with your choice, and need their support to succeed. Then change the subject.
 
Definitely look at the big picture of which service DS thinks may be the best fit and visit both ASAP!
Good luck, and congrats!
 
Neutral is a great place to be and a good balance for DS to sort this out. Everyone has an opinion, but guess what, your DS has to live this life for 1 year prep + 4 years SA + 5 active duty. So he has a minimum of 10 years he has to live with this decision. Great guidance from above. This ultimately comes down to what service he wants. A SA is a way point to get to the service as an officer and is a reflection of that service. What does he want to do? Fly jets? Ships? Subs? Does he hate water? Does he hate dirt and sleeping under the stars? He really needs to search this answer first. If he is torn and its possible (if you haven't already) visit both schools. They each have their own personality and it is a reflection of their respective services. He can't go wrong with either option. If he really has no clue and would be happy with either service start to take a look at majors, sports, training, active duty options such as duty locations, jobs (infantry, armor, supply, SWO, subs, Marine Corps).
 
DS has made official visits to NAVY and ARMY. DS has built a strong connection with Navy coach and know that he would be a better athlete under Navy's coach. But he is bound by his words that he gave to Army and wont break it. (its the honor thing). Marine or Ranger does not matter as he will be in infantry. One point though, he has a younger sister that is highly recruited by NAVY and ONLY join Navy if older brother is there. That's the DS primary problem now.
 
Wow, tough spot for a big brother. Marines and Army are different. I was a jarhead, I know on the surface it seems similar, but culturally different. Use the search button and take a look at some of the Army vs. Marine discussions. I was an athlete at USNA. The first thing is what service. Sounds like he wants dirt... so Army or Marines. What school does he feel he would be more successful at? This includes major, school, what feels right, location. For many, it honestly comes down to what feels best to them. As an athlete, the sport, coach, team, etc were all critical to my happiness and therefore my success at USNA. There is no reason he cannot call the Army coach and say he has been really thinking it over and appreciates everything Army has done for him, but he has decided to take another path. He won't be the first 17/18 year old to do this. Yes, it is hard to do and he will feel horrible about it, but if it is the right move for him, then he needs to do it. It is his happiness, his life, his decision to make. Verbal commitments are honestly nearly a dime a dozen in college athletics, it happens all the time. I can't fathom the pressure of little sister, but he honestly needs to pick the school that makes him happiest and set up for success. And maybe having little sister and family there is a part of the equation. It is a built in support network. Lots of MidSibs at all the SAs. Only he can answer that.
 
If he is a water guy at USNA he has the option to purse SEALs and EOD/Diving communities. All very water oriented fields with water and dirt! So USNA might be a good fit along with the option of Marines. He doesn't have to decide until senior year at USNA what his final
List of choices. He will have plenty of time at USNA and over the summers to get training exposure and figure the best community for him. He has to follow his gut instinct, it is usually right.
 
ok, how about this: The Son got a call from an official at USNA this evening. Said the Son is on 'the bubble' ...'with most of the Class offers from Admissions getting filled this week'(his words to Son). The official floated him the idea/offer to a Foundation sponsored Prep School just 'in case' he was not appointed. (I think this technique is done to avoid a lot of parent phone calls ?). This is a tough one for Son, the Prep School can't be a net cost to attend, I think it needs to be a ‘full ride’, just like the NROTC $cholarship he already has (the Plan B). I suppose this is a Plan C ? Son said official appeared unaware that his Plan B was now solidified. Still on phone, the Son conveyed he was very open to the Prep offer/idea; he really wants USNA, of course...But it seems to me the Foundation 'opportunity' would not be as good if it where NOT 'priced' like his NROTC opportunity? Still, it is a nice problem to have.....I think? ...His CVW bound sister heard all this and now considers the possibility she could be her big brother's classmate, lol
 
The official floated him the idea/offer to a Foundation sponsored Prep School just 'in case' he was not appointed. (I think this technique is done to avoid a lot of parent phone calls ?). This is a tough one for Son, the Prep School can't be a net cost to attend, I think it needs to be a ‘full ride’

At first blush, it appears to be a good position to be in....either he gets an appointment or he's being considered for either Prep or Foundation. I don't believe it's a "technique" at all as it would be hard to fathom playing games like this.....and they don't like parent phone calls...they like "talk it over with your parents". If it's the Prep option that's offered, that is a full ride and a golden ticket, if it's the Foundation option, there will be out of pocket costs as it's usually a combination of Foundation funds and parent contribution ( that scenario would be the parent conversation with them).

Money notwithstanding (easy for me to say when it comes to your money) it's a win, win, win situation IF USNA is his goal. As you say...nice problem to have at this juncture,
 
If USNA is his #1 school then Foundation is an amazing opportunity. Foundation folks have a very strong track record at USNA and in fact have the highest graduation rate of all entry options into USNA. The prep schools USNA works with are all very well versed in what USNA candidates need to do to be prepared for USNA. These schools are selected because they have very good education programs and work well with USNA. There are a variety of schools to pick from, some military and others not. Northwestern Prep is only 1 semester and then a candidate heads home to attend a semester a local university or community college taking a Plebe like schedule. Yes there are some costs, but Foundation works with families on that. There can be out of pocket costs, but if USNA is his dream, I highly recommend he take the Foundation opportunity if presented with it. 4 years at a university on a NROTC does come with some costs too. How is room and board being paid for? Some schools do pick up this cost, but what if he moves off campus? Lots to think about. But, I can say without a doubt Foundation is a great path, with a very solid reputation, and those who go through the program do very well at USNA.
 
Dear Murf and Academy,
We were in the same position last year. DD was offered a Foundation Sponsorship in FEB. With lots of other opportunities (athletic D3 darling), we were initially confused with this Foundations offer. We pored over all of the information we could get. The Foundations office WAS FABULOUS. Within 24 hours she decided it was the right move for her. Within a week the deal was done. She picked a prep school where she could participate in her sport and improve her chances of making the team at USNA. Everything was done by March 1. The hardest part of the process was contacting the colleges that had really pursued her and letting them know that she was going a different direction.
The year has flown by and DD considers it the best decision she's ever made. She will always be grateful for this "PG" (post grad) year. It is a little tricky to explain to people during the hyped up high school graduation season. We sent out announcements saying "DD is the recipient of a USNA Foundations sponsorship. Next year she will attend _____ and plans to enter the Naval Academy for the class of 2020". Most people will think you are talking about NAPS. Oh well.
Here's my advice. Quickly review school options. Narrow down to 3 schools and CONTACT these schools, look over their websites, AND CHOOSE A SCHOOL QUICKLY. The most sought after preps fill up fast. We have never looked back and will always be grateful for this "gap" year. Best of luck!
 
This thread is EXACTLY why this Forum is such a wonderful resource to so may.

Thank you NavyHoops & nodiva for the exact advice we needed on a potential Foundation offer.
 
Just out of curiosity, is a Foundation school something that filing with FAFSA works for? I.E. - student loans?
 
ok, how about this: The Son got a call from an official at USNA this evening. Said the Son is on 'the bubble' ...'with most of the Class offers from Admissions getting filled this week'(his words to Son). The official floated him the idea/offer to a Foundation sponsored Prep School just 'in case' he was not appointed. (I think this technique is done to avoid a lot of parent phone calls ?). This is a tough one for Son, the Prep School can't be a net cost to attend, I think it needs to be a ‘full ride’, just like the NROTC $cholarship he already has (the Plan B). I suppose this is a Plan C ? Son said official appeared unaware that his Plan B was now solidified. Still on phone, the Son conveyed he was very open to the Prep offer/idea; he really wants USNA, of course...But it seems to me the Foundation 'opportunity' would not be as good if it where NOT 'priced' like his NROTC opportunity? Still, it is a nice problem to have.....I think? ...His CVW bound sister heard all this and now considers the possibility she could be her big brother's classmate, lol
Murf, did you DS decide what he is going to do yet. Please keep us posted!
 
My DS is going to attend Kiski. Just seemed like a great school for prep. Anyone else here have a DS going to Kiski? He received a nice certificate in the mail from Foundation to be presented to him during graduation ceremonies. I thought that was nice! He also received a direct appointment to the USCGA but is choosing Foundation path to USNA instead.
 
Congrats! I don't know much about Kiski. Keep us updated and let us know what you think of the program after he is done. Not a lot of Foundation kids each year and your input for future families in this in this situation would be great!
 
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