I know everything is relative and everyone has their own budget on what they can afford. Honestly, 12,500 is a steal when you compare it to what a out of state and private college costs. Even in state tution fees with dorm costs, is still more than 12500. It is almost a third what a good private school high school goes for, at least in Calfornia. Having said that, I know it hurts to spend all that moneyEven at $12,500 for one of the prep schools, it's a lot of money to self-prep. How do folks afford sending their kids? This is a very expensive world to raise children in.
Honestly, 12,500 is a steal when you compare it to what a out of state and private college costs
There are some that are junior military colleges, like MMI, so it's like going to a community college where credits earned in the normal freshman classes can be transferred to a four year university. DD is sponsored so less of a risk, but she has earned 36 college credits come May that could have been transferred to another school had she not gotten her appointment.Honestly, 12,500 is a steal when you compare it to what a out of state and private college costs
But, it's not a college. It's a 5th year of high school, that may or may not result an appointment to an SA.
This is why my DS chose to attend an affordable state university and participate in AROTC. From there he could:
This is not to denegrate self-prep in any way. It just emphasizes that my DS focused on multiple ways of commissioning as opposed to focusing totally on getting into an SA.
- compete for a campus based scholarship (which he received).
- re-apply to the academies and perhaps receive an AROTC nomination as well. (he chose not to re-apply)
- commission without a scholarship by completing the ROTC program.
I get that, but it is their decision to do so and they are taking that risk. It would be great if the school was public but it isnt it. Personally, I think unless the student isnt really prepared for college that he/she should go to college, join Rotc and mirror what the students in the academy are doing. This way, you cant lose. Either they get to go to the academy or they are one year closer to graduating and commissioning . As for cost with this fifth year of high school, private High School in Los Angeles is minimum of 34000 per year. Catholics schools are cheaper but still expensiveHonestly, 12,500 is a steal when you compare it to what a out of state and private college costs
But, it's not a college. It's a 5th year of high school, that may or may not result an appointment to an SA.
Even at $12,500 for one of the prep schools, it's a lot of money to self-prep. How do folks afford sending their kids? This is a very expensive world to raise children in.
Even at $12,500 for one of the prep schools, it's a lot of money to self-prep. How do folks afford sending their kids? This is a very expensive world to raise children in.
I can only speak from our self prep experience at MMI. Our DS did not get accepted to USAFA his first try, but like most other applicants did have a stellar resume. This earned him scholarships at MMI which covered 75% of his total tuition. We then paid out of state room and board ......as stated previously, 36 college credits!
He also earned several hundred dollars a month tutoring at their academic success center. He got accepted on his second try to USAFA, but would have returned to MMI if he didn’t. Yeah, it cost us some, but was an absolute steal compared to what we have with in state tuition this year with our DD.
I certainly don't want anyone to think I don't value the investment- it IS a great deal....I just don't happen to have it laying around as ready capital, haha! I am SURE it's worth every penny and more!
Even at $12,500 for one of the prep schools, it's a lot of money to self-prep. How do folks afford sending their kids? This is a very expensive world to raise children in.
One of the kids who self prepped at MMI is getting an associates degree in the single year that they are there as well as an appointment to USCGA.Honestly, 12,500 is a steal when you compare it to what a out of state and private college costs
But, it's not a college. It's a 5th year of high school, that may or may not result an appointment to an SA.
Pep grant if you qualify and scholarship opportunities.Even at $12,500 for one of the prep schools, it's a lot of money to self-prep. How do folks afford sending their kids? This is a very expensive world to raise children in.
What is your DS proposed Academic Major?
Pep grant if you qualify and scholarship opportunities.Even at $12,500 for one of the prep schools, it's a lot of money to self-prep. How do folks afford sending their kids? This is a very expensive world to raise children in.
Like @AROTC-dad ’s DS, I went straight to college after not being accepted to USAFA. Although I had heard of the prep schools, I never considered them because I’d received an AFROTC scholarship and meant to commission by whatever means available (USAFA was not the be all and end all). If I’d received a falcon scholarship, I’m not sure what I’d have done, but I didn’t. I reapplied to USAFA and received an AFROTC nom and two congressional nominations but still no appointment. Commissioned out of AFROTC in 2016, and I’m the same rank as everyone who commissioned our of USAFA in 2016. Doesn’t really matter your commissioning source, and I’m enjoying AD life! I don’t think prep school would have been worth it for me. I didn’t need an extra year before college, already had a 1400 (M+V) SAT and the academics weren’t holding me up (4.0 GPA in engineering when I reapplied). So while it may be a great option for those who need an academic boost, it’s not for everyone.