So the USNA has beeen my dream for as long as I can remember. Everything I have ever done and worked for has revolved around the academy. This year I finally got to apply. I received my second alternate congressional nomination, senatorial nomination, and I was the only presidential nominee in Iowa. I was also triple qualified. A few weeks ago I received a TWE from USNA containing a rejection. I was absolutely devastated and so was my family. I totally broke down and felt sorry myself. I didn't know what to do because I also did not receive a NROTC scholarship. I thought my academy dreams were over. Then someone on the NASS summer '11 page on Facebook told me about Greystone Preparatory School. After much research and two calls over a hour long each to the founder/commander/director of the school and his wife, I have decided to go there. It is a prep school in Texas, the only one located on a university campus, where you take all plebe courses, have mandatory 4 hour study halls, mandatory 530 am pt, mandatory volunteer work, ec's, sports, and much more that completely prepares your for the academy lifestyle. The founder of it, Ret. Commander Bailey USNA '81 grad, created it specifically for kids who are rejected to one of the service academys but do not want to give up their dreams of going to one, I felt this fit me perfectly.They also hold your hand, for lack of better words, through all of the re applying for rotc and academys so they have truly outstanding rates of excelling. 99% of students who go there end up getting some sort of program that leads to a commissiong officer program. Of that 99%, 88% is academy appts. I have heard many former students testimonials and each one of them say it is the best decision they have ever made and it is worth every penny, only about $25,000 for the one year program. You also get to make lifelong friendships with students who are striving for the same thing as you. With all ghat being said (I could probably go on longer), is anyone else going to Greystone next year? If you are, you can also email me at mveach_74@yahoo.com or if you have any more questions about Greystone you can email me there too.
Greystone Preparatory School
- Thread starter mveach_74
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Congratulations on your acceptance and decision to attend Greystone. CDR Bailey spoke at the USNA Alumni Association North Texas Chapter a few months ago. Greystone has an oustanding program. It will be very difficult, but it will prepare you very well for USNA or any commissioning program.
mveach, I am a parent of a former Greystoner! Our DS was at Greystone last year and it is a great prep school. Commander Bailey and Captain Vortman do a wonderful job assisting the young men and women who attend, to become the best candidates that they can be. You will meet a lot of great "kids" from all over the USA who all will have the same goal as you, to earn an appointment to one of our nation's service academies and to ultimately become an officer in our nation's military. Welcome to the Greystone family!
Luigi59
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Greystone has (had?) a controversial history, I suggest anyone looking to it do their homework very carefully and thoroughly.
As a matter of fact, most of the threads here about Greystone were locked or removed entirely, and the mods had to make a post about the suitability of "Greystone threads" on this forum.
Most of the "issues" had to do with Bailey (et al) and his/their "tactics" rather than the school itself, especially the advertising, promoting, and otherwise being an outright "shill" (look it up if you are unfamiliar with the word) for this profit-making venture.
Tread lightly.
As a matter of fact, most of the threads here about Greystone were locked or removed entirely, and the mods had to make a post about the suitability of "Greystone threads" on this forum.
Most of the "issues" had to do with Bailey (et al) and his/their "tactics" rather than the school itself, especially the advertising, promoting, and otherwise being an outright "shill" (look it up if you are unfamiliar with the word) for this profit-making venture.
Tread lightly.
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- 8
Based on the last two posts, I searched this web site for references to Greystone and found the Administrator's announcement dated 15 May 2009 warning against advertisements for Greystone (and presumably any other school).
For the record, I want make it clear that I have absolutely no affiliation with Greystone. I don't even know anyone who has attended or who works there. I merely heard a presentation from CDR Bailey at a USNA Alumni lunch on 7 June 2011. Based on his presentation, I felt that Gretystone had a very good program that would provide tremendous benefit to many prospective USNA candidates. My intention was to congratulate and encourage the original poster.
Prior to reading these last two posts, I had never heard anything negative about Greystone.
For those considering Greystone (or ANY school), I highly recommend speaking with current and former students prior to making your decision.
For the record, I want make it clear that I have absolutely no affiliation with Greystone. I don't even know anyone who has attended or who works there. I merely heard a presentation from CDR Bailey at a USNA Alumni lunch on 7 June 2011. Based on his presentation, I felt that Gretystone had a very good program that would provide tremendous benefit to many prospective USNA candidates. My intention was to congratulate and encourage the original poster.
Prior to reading these last two posts, I had never heard anything negative about Greystone.
For those considering Greystone (or ANY school), I highly recommend speaking with current and former students prior to making your decision.
I have spoke to many students who have went there and some that go there right now. Not one of them have said anything negative about Greystone. Nothing at all. I'm not sure where your getting this information, but these firsthand testimonies I have heard plus the outstandinf statistics of Greystone's success rate do not lead me to think of Greystone being anything but great at prepping students for service academies. Even USNA itself has recognized Greystone as being one of the best and a program growing rapidly.
Luigi59
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Go back and re-read what I wrote.
I'll post it again for simplicity:
Search this forum for an idea of what I was talking about. If the thread(s) still remain, some were removed entirely.
Just_A_Mom
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Heed Luigi's advice. Here are some points to consider:
1. If you are sponsored by the NAVAL academy Foundation - then go. Your appointment is yours to lose and you will be fine.
2. If you are planning on 'self-prep' - be exponentially more cautious. Ask for their statistics on their students who are NOT sponosored. Personally, I would not recommend anyone who is aiming for an appointment to anywhere but USNA to go there. The other academies do not use this program in their civil prep programs. Don't forget CDR Bailey is a Naval Academy Alum who is obviously an 'insider'.
3. At least early on - many students who were not sponsored were not winning appointments. Find out the stats on this.
4. If you are not sponsored then $25,000 is a lot of money to spend at a Tier 3 college for one year, if you have no intention of graduating from there.
5. Carefully explore your other options. i.e. if your backup is engineering at GA Tech NROTC it makes no sense (IMO) to give that up for a year at Greystone.
I would be interested in knowing what happens to their students who do not get an appointment.
As in any 'self-prep' program weigh the options carefully.
1. If you are sponsored by the NAVAL academy Foundation - then go. Your appointment is yours to lose and you will be fine.
2. If you are planning on 'self-prep' - be exponentially more cautious. Ask for their statistics on their students who are NOT sponosored. Personally, I would not recommend anyone who is aiming for an appointment to anywhere but USNA to go there. The other academies do not use this program in their civil prep programs. Don't forget CDR Bailey is a Naval Academy Alum who is obviously an 'insider'.
3. At least early on - many students who were not sponsored were not winning appointments. Find out the stats on this.
4. If you are not sponsored then $25,000 is a lot of money to spend at a Tier 3 college for one year, if you have no intention of graduating from there.
5. Carefully explore your other options. i.e. if your backup is engineering at GA Tech NROTC it makes no sense (IMO) to give that up for a year at Greystone.
I would be interested in knowing what happens to their students who do not get an appointment.
As in any 'self-prep' program weigh the options carefully.
@mveach_74
I received a foundation scholarship with USNA this year and I decided on Greystone.
@Just_A_ Mom
Your incorrect. Greystone is sponsored by USAFA, USNA, and West Point. And.. like a good student I always provide my sources.
AFA Foundation: http://falconfoundation.org/
USNA Foundation: http://www.usna.com/Page.aspx?pid=484
Greystone is included in both lists. I can't find the link for west points list of schools. They aren't included on the West Point Association of Graduates page. And as for USCGA and USMMA. I know USMMA uses NMMI as there primary prep school. And I'm not sure about USCGA (NMMI and MMI?).
I received a foundation scholarship with USNA this year and I decided on Greystone.
@Just_A_ Mom
Your incorrect. Greystone is sponsored by USAFA, USNA, and West Point. And.. like a good student I always provide my sources.
AFA Foundation: http://falconfoundation.org/
USNA Foundation: http://www.usna.com/Page.aspx?pid=484
Greystone is included in both lists. I can't find the link for west points list of schools. They aren't included on the West Point Association of Graduates page. And as for USCGA and USMMA. I know USMMA uses NMMI as there primary prep school. And I'm not sure about USCGA (NMMI and MMI?).
usna1985
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Folks,
This site is not about promoting one prep school/program over another. We've allowed this thread to continue because it has been fair balanced. However, all parties have had their opportunities to comment and -- because I don't believe there is anything more left to be said -- I am closing the thread.
To those considering any self-supported post-high school program (college, prep school, etc.) as part of your reapplication to a SA, I suggest the following:
First, determine the reason(s) you didn't get accepted to the SA. Your RD and BGO can assist you with this. For most, at some level, it's academics.
Second, assess what the true academic or other issue is. Do you need additional help in learning how to study? Did you take the "wrong" courses in h.s.? Did you just not work hard enough? Did you do poorly on the CFA because you are out of shape? Did you lack leadership? Did your teachers write lukewarm recs?
Third, consider your Plan B if a SA doesn't work out the second time, or the third time. What else will you do with your life and how will the school you choose help you get there? Research what each school offers and doesn't offer. Consider your finances.
Based on the above, you need to decide whether a prep school -- in whatever form -- or 4-yr or community college is the best option for YOU and then which school in that category is best for YOU. There is no single answer for everyone b/c everyone's situation is different.
This site is not about promoting one prep school/program over another. We've allowed this thread to continue because it has been fair balanced. However, all parties have had their opportunities to comment and -- because I don't believe there is anything more left to be said -- I am closing the thread.
To those considering any self-supported post-high school program (college, prep school, etc.) as part of your reapplication to a SA, I suggest the following:
First, determine the reason(s) you didn't get accepted to the SA. Your RD and BGO can assist you with this. For most, at some level, it's academics.
Second, assess what the true academic or other issue is. Do you need additional help in learning how to study? Did you take the "wrong" courses in h.s.? Did you just not work hard enough? Did you do poorly on the CFA because you are out of shape? Did you lack leadership? Did your teachers write lukewarm recs?
Third, consider your Plan B if a SA doesn't work out the second time, or the third time. What else will you do with your life and how will the school you choose help you get there? Research what each school offers and doesn't offer. Consider your finances.
Based on the above, you need to decide whether a prep school -- in whatever form -- or 4-yr or community college is the best option for YOU and then which school in that category is best for YOU. There is no single answer for everyone b/c everyone's situation is different.
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