USMAPS vs Civil Prep | Questions

leafygreen

5-Year Member
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Apr 14, 2014
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Looks like this is coming down the pipeline for DS, but wondered how you find out officially?
How will you be notified that you are selected for USMAPS or Civil Prep?
Which is better?
We've read all of the information we've found online and were looking for any 'insiders' who've been there?
Any information is greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
 
Both are "golden tickets"; yours to lose. Civil prep coursework will transfer to a college if you don't go to the academy, while USMAPS will not.
 
Well…. we need a little bit more info. Why do you feel your DS will qualify for USMAPS? If your DS has been disqualified academically and is an athlete the athletic department is seeking or a current enlisted soldier or under represented minority who needs to be polished up academically you may receive a letter asking if you are interested.


Association of Graduates (AOG) offers a scholarship to attend the many civil prep schools around the country. Your DS will be considered a “sponsored prep” and will be well prepared for the academic stresses at WP.


If none of these opportunities present themselves, then you can certainly consider attending the civil prep schools as a “free agent” in hopes of being noticed by WP. And they will be notified.


All three options you will need to re-apply and need a nomination from your MOC.


It’s a good discussion with the family and your DS to evaluate how important it is to attend WP.


In my opinion going any of these routes has many huge benefits. A year older, more mature, better skilled in academics, better skilled with time management, will have a stronger desire to follow through and graduate.


I hope this helps, as said before have that Plan B working simultaneously with Plan A


Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Thank you @mom3 and @tug_boat , dd (sorry for ds/typo) has been a recruited athlete. At this point, she is neither 3q'd nor Dq'd. This information is coming from admissions as the athletic dept and the sport recruiting her are planning to support her file for either USMAPS or Civil Prep options. So apparently this would mean she comes off the NWL for an appointment for Class of 2019?
We have talked about prep for a few months as it was mentioned in Dec as a "possibility" and ds would be over the moon happy and accept prep in a heartbeat! I agree about the extra year, and that is really of no concern!
 
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leafygreen, I think there are pros and cons to each option. Not sure what her sport is and if there is a team at USMAPS. If there is, the coaches will more than likely want to send her there. I think the pros to going to USMAPS is that she is close to USMA and watch some of the games of whatever sport she is associated with, get to know her fellow future team mates at USMAPS, will know a large group of the future Plebe class, and a program purely focused on prepping her for Plebe year. The year at USMAPS also counts towards her pay in the future and towards retirement. Its also a year of living in a military environment and make her well prepared to start USMA. The pay is pretty good at prep school too.

Attending a private prep school has advantages too. Hopefully if the coaches use this route they have a school or two they recommend athletically. All the AOG prep schools USMA uses are great schools and are authorized because they do a great job of prepping students for USMA. She will be there with a handful of her future USMA classmates so that is good. Usually there are options of military and civilian based prep schools. So she could pick what is best suited for her.

Either path gets her a great year to really work on a plebe year course load, get accustomed to living away from home, maturing and growing. I would definitely discuss this with the coaches and see what recommendations they have.
 
Either USMAPS or Civil Prep will get you the end result, an appointment to WP. It just depends which path to climb the mountain.

Dirty little secret about SA and recruited athletes-If you are a recruited athlete and decide the sport is not for you (too demanding), however, you want to continue your education and military service you can drop out of the sport and take on a club sport or if you get injured. As opposed to a civil college if you lose your scholarship you must drop out or pay for college tuition.

Just something to consider. Div-1 level sports at WP is extremely demanding. You really don't practice year round, maybe a month or two before your season. Many teams as they travel have a tutor to travel and help with homework. Yes, they still must keep up with the academic pace as well as military pace. Many just maintain a passing grade because of the demand placed on them. I know the women softball team and parents never get the opportunity to attend PPW because they are traveling to play games. Or if your sport falls on a Thayer week or during TEEs can be more that what they can handle. Time management skills are very very important.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Just another question, has anyone here been through civil prep? If so what was your cost breakdown and does FAVSA help along with this? Just curious!!
Thank you!!!
 
I would certainly discuss this subject with your RC. There are certain Civil Preps that WP views as founders, or recognized schools. Some are military; some specialize in academic sharpening and the combination of both. Some may have credits to carry over to a college, if you do not win an appointment. You need to research, which is the best fit for you. If you go to their web site there will be a tuition breakdown. And some do offer scholarships and grants. I would difentally research those schools who accept AOG scholarships.


While we are on the subject, also discuss with your RC the possibility of an AOG scholarship. I do not believe FAFSA will accept these “finishing schools”.


My personal favorite is NWP, Northwestern Prep located in Crestline, CA. Every year they accept no more than 95 students who attend one semester there and one semester at home either JC or a college of your choice. You most take courses that are similar to the first semester at a SA. The math, hard sciences, writing etc. They are now a founders school and had their first WPAOG sponsored student. They do a have a very high success rate with “Free Agents” The good folks there at NWP are very experienced and have a direct line to SA admissions. If you work hard and stay focused you can raise your ACT/SAT scores by 30 to 40 points

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Thank you @tug_boat, this is great information. We have an email into the RC as of yesterday for more information as the CP has come in again in a contact from the athletic dept and I feel we are running close to the end of the line to get something rolling.
 
Leafy,

If it is as part of athletic recruiting, they will tell you which prep school. Civil prep is separated into two groups: 3x scholars to 1x athlete to meet NCAA guidelines. Civil prep are AOG scholarships, not part of admissions. The scholars go to the military junior colleges (Marion, Greystone, etc). The athletes go to other prep schools specific to which sport they play.
 
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