Self Prep

MombaBomba

5-Year Member
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Jan 13, 2014
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I was asked the other day about the difference between academy school prep and self prep. To be sure I understand correctly....

A SA Prep is only through appointment by a SA.

A self prep is a military prep school not associated officially with any particular SA or Military branch and by dirct application.

Both are a year long

You have to reapply/apply to a SA if you are a self prep, but not if you are a direct SA prep school student.

Both need to reapply for nominations.

I am confused when people mention scholarships to a military academy....Dose the military or SA award scholarships to a self prepper to use at any self prep academy of his choice? Or when someone says this, does it mean he was appointed to an official SA prep school

Thanks in advance for clarification and/or correction.
 
Maybe I can help clarify a little, as our household is navigating this ourselves.
I believe your confusion lies in that a self prep refers to the student, not the college.

If a SA feels strongly about an applicant, but feels the applicant needs further education, the SA can select them to their own SA Prep School (MAPS,NAPS).
Others are sponsored (scholarship) to attend a prep program from their list of participating schools, which include both military or civilian options . The applicant chooses which of these options to attend.

Anyone else, applying to and paying their own way to one of these prep schools is considered a "self-prep" student, who is planning on reapplying to a SA the next year.

So to sum it up, there are two classification of students at the prep schools....sponsored and self-prep.

Hope that clarifies for you.
 
Last edited:
Maybe I can help clarify a little, as our household is navigating this ourselves.
I believe your confusion lies in that a self prep refers to the student, not the college.

If a SA feels strongly about an applicant, but feels the applicant needs further education, the SA can select them to their own SA Prep School (MAPS,NAPS).
Others are sponsored (scholarship) to attend a prep program from their list of participating schools, which include both military or civilian options . The applicant chooses which of these options to attend.

Anyone else, applying to and paying their own way to one of these prep schools is considered a "self-prep" student, who is planning on reapplying to a SA the next year.

So to sum it up, there are two classification of students at the prep schools....sponsored and self-prep.

Hope that clarifies for you.

It does, thank you. Do you know if they all have to apply for nominations again? Do those who get a scholarship to another prep school along with self prepers have to reapply to the SA? Or are the self prepers the only ones who have to reapply for admission to the SA?

Thanks again!
 
Self-preps need to reapply for admission to a SA. Those appointed by SAs to prep school ("sponsored" prep students) do not need to reapply to the SA. Both need to reapply for noms; however, if a sponsored prep student applied for but does not receive a nom and is in position to receive an appointment (satisfactorily completes prep, passed PFT, etc.), that person will still receive an appointment.
 
Self-preps need to reapply for admission to a SA. Those appointed by SAs to prep school ("sponsored" prep students) do not need to reapply to the SA. Both need to reapply for noms; however, if a sponsored prep student applied for but does not receive a nom and is in position to receive an appointment (satisfactorily completes prep, passed PFT, etc.), that person will still receive an appointment.

Thanks. I am a little confused. I thought everyone had to have a nomination, or does a military academy have a certain number of nominstions it can give out?
 
I believe the message is that if you are in the favorable position of being selected as a sponsored prep student, obtaining a nomination is of little difficulty.
Your MOC wants to have his/her constituents attend the SAs and will usually include LOE, LOA, and sponsored prep kids on their nomination slates, knowing that the SA will give them an appointment.
 
Thanks. I am a little confused. I thought everyone had to have a nomination, or does a military academy have a certain number of nominstions it can give out?

The Sup has a few it can give out at their discretion, sponsored Preps can get in through those.
 
The Sup has a few it can give out at their discretion, sponsored Preps can get in through those.

I believe those who do not receive noms from another source are actually slotted to SecNav.
 
I believe those who do not receive noms from another source are actually slotted to SecNav.

Slotted SecXXX but on the recs of the Sup correct? Jsut trying to get the answer right jsut in case this question ever comes up again :biggrin:
 
I believe that SecNav is the source of noms for Prep students without a nom from another source, but could be wrong about this.

At the end of the day, what matters is whether you receive an appointment. If you successfully complete a prep program (NAPS or Foundation), remain qualified medically and physically, and desire to attend USNA, you will be appointed.

Can't speak to prep programs for other SAs.
 
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