Prep schools/Nominations

forumjunkie

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2014
Messages
435
Sure this answer to this question is out there if someone would point me in the right direction.

Do you have to receive a Nomination to be considered for a Prep school?
 
Nomination is not required for Prep.

Thank YOU for your Immediate reply!

Excellent! have an interesting situation, Young man did not put down for West Point as a nomination choice, because he had low ACT score and they would not open App.

After his Nomination interview with a retired LT Col West Point grad, with Son at the West Point, husband Active duty Ranger. LT Col contacted West Point and made them open app stating Young man was just what they were looking for. Young man has a compelling story!

May be too late to change nomination request, not sure yet. Congressional offices closed for holidays.

PS- ACT scores just came back Still a bit low in math and science but showing improvement
29 reading
29 English
24 science
22 Math
26 SS
 
Thank YOU for your Immediate reply!

Excellent! have an interesting situation, Young man did not put down for West Point as a nomination choice, because he had low ACT score and they would not open App.

There are always exceptions, but for West Point, the prep school is for recruited athletes, soldiers, and under represented minorities. The civil prep scholarship program is for full qualified candidates, but it's about 40 to 50 a year.
 
Oh yes I am fully aware the odds are probably even lower than an appointment, Kinda like playing the lottery though, can't win if you don't play. Which I don't (Lottery that is).
 
LDH...Anyone who has gone through the Service Academy process can tell you crazy things do happen..things that only the people making the choices understand..always go for it even if you may feel like some areas are lacking...you truly never know what things may come into play..
 
I'm not going to sugar coat it. MAPS is designed for those who are academically disqualified however WP wants them or needs them. An AOG scholarship are also available if the applicant shows promise but just needs a little more polishing up on their scores and study skills.

AOG scholarships are selected from RC suggestions not by appling for them.

In both cases, WP wants these applicants. I know you feel in your heart this applicant needs WP. His WCS indicates his success academically would not do very well. Cadets take a credit load between 18 to 21 units a semester all four years. The Army invests a considerable amount of money and tries it's best to select applicants who can succeeded. Other wise that spot or seat will go vacant when someone else could have taken it.

I would encourage him to continue with Plan B and seek ROTC opportunities.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Im not trying to be a debby downer, however math and chem are the Plebe killers year after year at WP.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Math and Chem are GPA killers at ALL SA's. In my HS, very few of us wanted IB Chemistry so school did not offer it, had to take IB Physics instead and found that I like physics a lot more than chemistry.
 
Last edited:
My son is currently attending USMAPS. He was a great student, a well rounded athlete (although not a recruited athlete), involved. He checked most of the boxes on the USMA application. He has low SAT & ACT scores. He is not a minority. He declined a 3 year advanced designee scholarship to VMI because he was accepted to USMAPS aka West Point Prep. There certainly are exceptions to every rule....hang in there!
 
No worries, did all the sweating with the first 2. This is our 3rd go round (my Daughter-in-laws brother)

We know all about the "Go Figure Factor" our second son is now a 2nd at USNA Rock Solid! Or as us country folks say "Like a pig in slop" . He had relatively low ACT for Math, and fairly low GPA, but something about him, his package, and interviews was right there. West Point Appointment, USNA Appointment and 4 yr ROTC at VMI offer. Next Son looked better on paper, higher ACT's, way better grades, 3 nominations, ZERO appointments Ouch.........

This young Man (candidate #3) has a hook, that special bootstrap story, that is very real. It will be what might help him...we shall see, he already has full ride at civilian college, and has grown so very much through the whole application process which has been a 2 year growth quest for him. So he is way better off regardless.

I think that might be one aspect that is overlooked about this application process. How much these young people learn and grow through the process, even if they are not one of the lucky chosen ones.
 
I have a few questions on the NAPS process. I am currently a class of 2020 hopeful, and I was recently informed of the NAPS option. It seems extremely interesting as a back-up plan, and I am wondering what type of candidates they choose for positions at NAPS.
 
There are a variety of students at NAPS this year. Recruited athletes and prior enlisted are usually mentioned first, but it's quite s melting pot. My DD is there now. She is not a recruited athlete or prior enlisted. Had the great resume that all candidates have. We are not sure why she received the NAPS appointment, but are very grateful. She has grown, matured, and has learned so much. She is ready to take on USNA! If you have specific questions, feel free to PM me.
 
For some reason, I cannot figure out how to PM. :confused:

Anyway, I recently talked to my AP Physics teacher, and asked if he would mind writing me a letter of recommendation for the Academy. He is a USNA grad, and as I was talking to him, he said he would not feel comfortable writing me a recommendation to the Academy itself, because he sees that I struggle with Calculus and he would hate to have me fail in my Plebe year. He said he would be more than willing to give me an outstanding recommendation for NAPS, as he says it would more than prepare me academically for the rigors of the academy. When it comes to my application, I have a weak GPA, but I have good test scores, I have good extra curricular including 4 years of Varsity Water Polo and I am currently serving as Chaplain of my school, but I am not a recruited athlete. I have yet to hear from my MOC but according to my BGO, I am set for the nomination. If I was offered a position at NAPS I would take it in a heartbeat. So my question really is how does one stand out for an appointment to NAPS?

Sorry for the long winded blob, any help would be joyfully accepted.
 
I'm not really sure how one specifically stands out for NAPS. You apply to the academy and they decide. There is no separate application or process. I'd say talk to your BGO and let him know you are more than willing to attend NAPS.
 
That is what I was planning on doing at this point. Thanks for the input, and Congratulations to your DD!
 
Why would you be asking your physics teacher for a USNA application. They specifically request a math teacher and an english teacher recommendations.
 
@5Day
As an extra recommendation/ referral, and him being a USNA grad, I thought it couldn't really hurt. I had my AP Calc teacher complete my official Math teacher recommendation.
 
My son is currently at Army Prep as a recruited athlete. Prep school was offered to him upfront. My husband went to Navy Prep as a non recruited athlete (40 years ago). It was offered to him at that time as his way in to the Academy. His grades and scores were good but maybe slightly less competitive. (He was also a heavy weight wrestler, which they liked...although not recruited) The Prep school for both my husband and my son is hard. If you make it through the year than you pretty much gain entrance into the Academy. You do spend that year learning the military aspects, being physically and academically pushed. It is no walk in the park. If you talk to those that came in through the Prep school (about 240 or so each year) most will say that the year there was extremely invaluable.
 
I'm not really sure how one specifically stands out for NAPS. You apply to the academy and they decide. There is no separate application or process. I'd say talk to your BGO and let him know you are more than willing to attend NAPS.

My daughter's BGO wrote her a strong recommendation for NAPS, but we have no idea if that will be enough to overcome poor SAT scores. She can't retake them in this application cycle. Mind sharing what your daughters SAT scores were last year?
 
Back
Top