VFMC vs NMMI conflict

a2roxas28

5-Year Member
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May 25, 2010
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So I'm debating to which post-education institute to attend for the next year. My plan is to transfer to West Point at the end of next year and both will help me achieve this. Yet, I do not know which one would be the best for me.

The intial reason I did not get into West Point was because of my test scores (ACT: 26 and SAT: 1050/1600). Also, my GPA was a little underpar (UW: 3.53 and W:3.97). So right now, I dont know which one to choose from. VFMC or NMMI? Any help will be welcomed.
 
I would call both institutions and speak with the head of the SAP programs offered there. Be careful as "free agents" which are the ones who go there and are not sponsored by the AOG or the Foundation alumni, don't always have a great record of getting in. The sponsored students almost always get in unless they have poor grades but it's harder if you're not sponsored by the AOG. I would call the schools and ask what their success rate is for a free agent.
 
Well, it depends why you want each one. I don't know anything about VFMC (I'm not even really sure what/where that is). But NMMI is good, we have a bunch of "self preps". It definitely gets you into shape academically. They challenge us daily. I guess it's kind of hard to offer advice when I'm not really sure what you want to know... so ask something a bit more specific and I'd be happy to answer! Also, what austinl said is true, call each program and talk to someone more knowledgeable!
 
My DS is currently attending VFMC as a West Point sponsored prep student. For us, the two main factors were location and cost. We narrowed our choices down to VFMC (in Pennsylvania) and MMI (in Alabama). In terms of success rates and specific aspects of the two schools, we found pros and cons for each...and ultimately determined that either one would do the trick. While VFMC is quite a bit more expensive than MMI, my DS picked VFMC because it is relatively close to home. As a result, he has been able to come home fairly often (including this past weekend), which is a big plus for him and us.

If you have specific questions about VFMC I might be able to answer them (or ask my DS for his input). Good luck!
 
I'd be happy to speak to over the phone. Prior success rates are not a good indicator of future success because of so many intangible factors from year to year. I know you are asking about WP but......... as an example, just last week, the Head of the USNA Foundation was here for his annual visit. He told me that there are over 20,000 applicants for the USNA this year (up 2,000 from last year). They are also cutting the size of the Brigade over the next few years. The "bottom line" is that there are more people competing for fewer slots. Rates change from year to year.

With regard to self prepping for WP: Take a look at where the AoG at WP offer their sponsored preps for their program. The reason all of us are on their list is because of the quality of the academics, military school setting, adherence to values and a cadet honor code, etc., etc. The NMMI self preps take the same courses that the sponsored AoG Preps take. This way the Admissions Board can do an "apples to apples" comparison. Please call if you would like more info.
 
NMMI Add

I forgot to mention that I strongly recommend NMMI selp preps for WP get with our Army ROTC recruiter (MAJ Jason Garcia, 575-624-8292) and inquire about the Army Early Commissioning Program (ECP). One way or another, if you want to be an Army officer - we can help. Contracted ROTC cadets with an appointment to WP are released from their ROTC contract to take the appointment.

Good luck!
 
I live in MA and have been offered a slot with the Navy's foundation program this coming fall. I have been looking at the schools and NMMI is definitely the cheapest. I'll probably put that down as my first choice and the rest in ascending order of cost.
 
Republic Commando:

Our appointment success rate for USNA Foundation Preps has ben 100% for the last several years. This is unlike the self prep rate mentioned earlier.
Generally speaking, sponsored preps from the USAFA, USNA, and USMA still have to get nominations, however since their sponsoring agency "takes" their package to the admissions board, the sponsored prep does not compete for an appointment like the self prep/free agent. Bottom line: You do what the Foundation expects, and stay healthy, you'll get the appointment.

Sponsored preps come here at the in-state tuition rate. The reason we are "inexpensive" is not because of quality. We are a land-grant school and have mineral rights to vast holdings of natural gas and oil. If we did not have these resources we would have to triple our tuition.

Good luck.
 
Major Hanak,
Have you received many sponsored students for USNA already or are they being selected still? I am hoping to get sponsorship and was told I'm in a pool but haven't heard anything yet. Keeping my fingers crossed!
 
Major Hanak,
Do you have a an email address that I can contact you with? I would like to send a resume so you can get to know me a little.

Very Respectfully,
Austin Neumann
 
My son is an AFA Falcon Foundation sponsored prep at NMMI this year. There were a lot of reasons that my son chose NMMI over the 4 other schools that the AFA uses but “cheapest” wasn’t one of them. In fact I would venture to say that most sponsored preps would gladly go to any of these schools without receiving any monetary assistance because of the opportunity the sponsorship presents for an appointment.

I have no knowledge of Valley Forge other than I am sure it is an outstanding school otherwise it would not be on the list of eligible schools. For my son, NMMI has been the absolute best thing for him and we would recommend it without reservation to any candidate, sponsored or not.
 
To austinl: We have one enrolled and three more in the pipeline (so I'm told by the Foundation). Definitely keep hoping for a slot. Sometimes USNA Foundation candidates get direct appointments to other service academies. Last year we "lost" one to the USAFA and another to the USMA. I don't know for sure, but these could/should cause vacancies in the system. Depends on the timing.

To Austin Newman: Glad to meet you and know your name. You are welcome to email me at any time. I'm at: hanak@nmmi.edu . The problem is that sometimes our school SPAM blocker works too well and emails to me don't get through. That's why I don't include the email in my sig. line. I do answer each and every phone call though.

To Chief (USAFretired1996): Thanks! It's a pleasure to have your son here. Everything for him is "on track" for an appointment (probably March - maybe sooner). He's part of group of truly OUTSTANDING Falcons we have this year. Please note the ORI rating reference ;-)
 
Valley Forge Military College

Thank you for considering Valley Forge Military College Service Academy Prep program. We are an official sponsored prep school for West Point. It seems that your GPA and SAT scores are in line with the recommendations that Valley Forge has set forth for successful acceptance into our Self Prep option. Some students are successful within one year of our program; others it takes two years. I would be happy to discuss all the options that Valley Forge has to offer you.

I believe the biggest different between our two schools is the location. Yes Valley Forge is more expensive, but that is due to our location in a premier suburb of Philadelphia. Our school is located between Washington DC and New York City and we are only a 30 minute train ride into center city Philadelphia. We are also located only 2 1/2 hours from West Point. VFMC has additional resources that help make our students successful. One of the biggest assets to our program is our Learning Support Assessment Center. This center is included in the cost of our tuition and offers support to student to ensure that they are successful in their course work at VFMC.

I encourage you to take our online virtual campus tour for additional information about the school at http://www.vfmac.edu/About/VirtualCampusTour.aspx.

If you would like to contact me directly you can do so at ddreese@vfmac.edu.

Good Luck!
 
Republic Commando:

Our appointment success rate for USNA Foundation Preps has ben 100% for the last several years. This is unlike the self prep rate mentioned earlier.
Generally speaking, sponsored preps from the USAFA, USNA, and USMA still have to get nominations, however since their sponsoring agency "takes" their package to the admissions board, the sponsored prep does not compete for an appointment like the self prep/free agent. Bottom line: You do what the Foundation expects, and stay healthy, you'll get the appointment.

Sponsored preps come here at the in-state tuition rate. The reason we are "inexpensive" is not because of quality. We are a land-grant school and have mineral rights to vast holdings of natural gas and oil. If we did not have these resources we would have to triple our tuition.

Good luck.

I wasn't trying to come across as having something against state schools. I feel they offer just as good an education as any private school, but at a lower cost. I would have ended up going to one in the Midwest if I hadn't moved out to the East Coast recently. Sorry if I came off a bit rude.
 
No Problem

R. C. - No offense taken. Most intelligent people believe they "get what they pay for". I am so used to people coming here for a visit, seeing our campus, speaking with faculty, etc, and then looking at our cost. They can't believe the published cost and are looking for "the catch".

All the colleges used by all the academy foundations are good schools. If they weren't - the wouldn't be used by those foundations as prep schools.

If you want to see what makes NMMI different go to:

http://www.nmmi.edu/prep/index.htm
 
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Maj Hanak,
With one already enrolled and three in the pipeline are you nearing capacity for your sponsored USNA candidates or is there unlimited space. In other words, do you turn away a sponsorship after a certain number? I guess I'm worried that if April comes around and I'm offered something late, there won't be any room in your program or some of the other military prep schools. Thanks for any input.

Very Respectfully,
Austinl
 
Austin,

There is no limit on sponsored preps, and all sponsored preps "by pass" our admissions selection committee. Why screen candidates already identified by the academy? Don't worry about being late. Last year, the final notice of WP AoG sponsored preps was dated 13 May 2011. We understand the timing issues involved and are here to help.
 
Sir,
Thanks for the information. That's good to hear. I'm hopeful and glad to hear that some get offers as late as May! Hope to be seeing you in the near future.

V/R,
Austin
 
Speak to the cadets

I'm currently a cadet at Valley Forge. A sponsored prepster, but I have many good buds who are self-prepsters. They do like the school, but many feel cheated by the prepster program. They were sold on the assurance that they had a very good shot at admission into their desired Academy, but in reality less than 50% of all SP receive their BFE. VF similarly promised constant communication between them and the academies to update on the sp's status. Rarely do they do, and the 'group' in charge of the prepsters are more concerned with the needs of the sponsored preps.
It's is easy to slack of at the school. After plebe system, things die down considerably. It's only more relaxed now that the second semester has hit.
Prepsters are 'required' to attend pt three times a week. We do a ton of running, pushups, pullups, etc...whole nine yards.
So before you make a decision, speak to the cadets. They aren't trying to sell you a 45 grand education. They'll tell you the truth, how things really are.
 
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