What are the recommended...

peppypea

peppypea

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What are the recommended prep schools besides Northwestern Prep? I can't seem to find the list of the other prep schools.

DS has a first choice SA in mind, however, he would be thrilled if he could get into any of the 5- do you all have recommendations of one prep school over another- if any of the schools are geared towards on SA or another?

DS has been rejected from USCGA and USNA so far- hoping to hear from one more yet...but not holding our breath. Now we have to figure out how to pay for said prep school- it's been a discouraging day. Everything is so very expensive.

Thank you all for your time and help,
peppy (even though I don't feel like it today.)
 
If you go to the USNA Foundation website it lists the approved Foundation schools. Before going the prep route I would highly recommend you talk with his Admissions Rep in where he can improve and if a prep school is the right path for that. Also when researching schools recommend you really research and understand each school’s admissions rates for non-sponsored prepsters. Those numbers vs sponsored prepsters are very different.
 
Really, only his standardized test scores are low: 1150 on SAT- ACT was a bust for him. He's #1 in his class, taken the hardest classes he can, CFA was strong, DoDMERB was superb, leadership, accolades, you name it- Mr. All-American. Just not good enough, I guess.
 
peppypea said:
What are the recommended prep schools besides Northwestern Prep? I can't seem to find the list of the other prep schools.

DS has a first choice SA in mind, however, he would be thrilled if he could get into any of the 5- do you all have recommendations of one prep school over another- if any of the schools are geared towards on SA or another?

DS has been rejected from USCGA and USNA so far- hoping to hear from one more yet...but not holding our breath. Now we have to figure out how to pay for said prep school- it's been a discouraging day. Everything is so very expensive.

Thank you all for your time and help,
peppy (even though I don't feel like it today.)
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These are the schools the USNA Foundation uses for its scholarships. Presumably, they are “recommended.” The Foundation is part of the USNA Alumni Assn, a separate non-profit organization independent of the USNA government entity.

https://www.usna.com/page.aspx?pid=254

There have been several threads over the years about self-prep vs. going to a college/university and excelling in a curriculum mirroring the USNA Plebe year academics. Or attending college and joining ROTC as a programmer, which is a new element to the application. There are successful re-apps from both sources. I believe at least one of the preps offers college credit. It’s worth comparing all paths.

USNA seems to treat self-prep and college re-app evenly:
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Apply/Previous-Candidates-and-College-Candidates.php
 
I think it is too late for ROTC for him for the fall. I believe the deadlines were months ago.
 
peppypea said:
I think it is too late for ROTC for him for the fall. I believe the deadlines were months ago.
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Beg to differ.

It may be too late for the scholarship deadline, but you can still be a "walk-on" to an ROTC program.

After TWE's from the USMA, USNA and the NROTC/MO scholarship, my DS signed up for AROTC at college orientation about a month before classes began. He then earned a campus based 3 year AROTC scholarship, later upgraded to 3.5.
 
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peppypea said:
I think it is too late for ROTC for him for the fall. I believe the deadlines were months ago.
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I mentioned “college programmer” - meaning no scholarship, but participates in the program. I don’t know what deadlines apply for that. If your DS is looking at colleges with an ROTC program, it’s worth a call to the unit. Shows desire to become an officer. See this link for a sample explanation, scroll down to College Program:
https://nrotc.asu.edu/midshipmen/future-midshipmen/how-to-apply
 
AROTC-dad said:
peppypea said:
I think it is too late for ROTC for him for the fall. I believe the deadlines were months ago.
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Beg to differ.

It may be too late for the scholarship deadline, but you can still be a "walk-on" to an ROTC program.

After TWE's from the USMA, USNA and the NROTC/MO scholarship, my DS signed up for AROTC at college orientation about a month before classes began. He then earned a campus based 3 year AROTC scholarship, later upgraded to 3.5.
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Thank you- this is ALL so new to us, I am not sure what you mean, but I am intrigued...
 
Capt MJ said:
peppypea said:
I think it is too late for ROTC for him for the fall. I believe the deadlines were months ago.
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I mentioned “college programmer” - meaning no scholarship, but participates in the program. I don’t know what deadlines apply for that. If your DS is looking at colleges with an ROTC program, it’s worth a call to the unit. Shows desire to become an officer. See this link for a sample explanation, scroll down to College Program:
https://nrotc.asu.edu/midshipmen/future-midshipmen/how-to-apply
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That's great, thank you for your reply and time!
 
peppypea said:
Thank you- this is ALL so new to us, I am not sure what you mean, but I am intrigued...
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It is exactly as AROTC-Dad described - freshman student joins the unit without a scholarship. Excelling in the unit can bring a scholarship the next year. Go back over to the ROTC forum - see all the mentions of “college programmer” and “earned a 3-year campus-based scholarship.” That’s what this is about. Your DS is clearly a quality SA candidate; there is no reason he would not do well and be highly thought of in a ROTC unit. He might find that is his path, or he might try to re-apply to the SA, and now he has a shot at an additional nom source.
 
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@peppypea to answer your original question, the recommended prep schools are:
Northwestern Prep - Crestline, CA
New Mexico Military Institute
Marion Military Institute - Alabama
Greystone Prep at Schreiner University - Texas
Randolph Macon Academy (not sure there are self preps here)
Kent School - Connecticut

These are the prep schools used by the Falcon Foundation which you can read about here: http://www.falconfoundation.org

I feel for your discouragement. It is hard to accept that there are multiple paths when his heart is set on the academy path. Sounds like your DS might be a great candidate for a Falcon Foundation Scholarship and I sincerely hope he is offered one. However, until you get that TWE, he is still in the running. I am watching your posts and hope to hear good news soon. The other academies also have scholarships like Falcon scholarships. Is he still in the running for those?
 
Billberna said:
@peppypea to answer your original question, the recommended prep schools are:
Northwestern Prep - Crestline, CA
New Mexico Military Institute
Marion Military Institute - Alabama
Greystone Prep at Schreiner University - Texas
Randolph Macon Academy (not sure there are self preps here)
Kent School - Connecticut

These are the prep schools used by the Falcon Foundation which you can read about here: http://www.falconfoundation.org

I feel for your discouragement. It is hard to accept that there are multiple paths when his heart is set on the academy path. Sounds like your DS might be a great candidate for a Falcon Foundation Scholarship and I sincerely hope he is offered one. However, until you get that TWE, he is still in the running. I am watching your posts and hope to hear good news soon. The other academies also have scholarships like Falcon scholarships. Is he still in the running for those?
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Thank you, my friend. Two no's- there's still a chance for one yes. We shall see.
 
@Billberna we are very very hopeful for a Falcon Scholarship- it would be a true honor- as much as a direct appointment. Trying to keep all three of my chins up. *winks
 
There is always a bunch of discussion as the "right" way to re-apply and I would suggest that you look at both the options before you make a decision. I have no data that tells me much on self-prep at one of the prep schools but it cannot be a sure thing.

I would suggest the college and "walk on" ROTC route. He does not need a scholarship and will most likely gain an additional ROTC nomination. If things do not work out next year, he will still have a year of college and if he does well, may be in line for a unit based 3 year ROTC scholarship.
 
It’s funny how a lot of people here think you need to get an ROTC scholarship to do ROTC. All you need to do is be accepted to a school with ROTC. In fact, the majority of freshmen are NOT on scholarship in the beginning of ROTC, however many do acquire scholarships before they graduate. Personally, I advocate for going to college and joining ROTC if commissioning (not necessarily attending an academy) is your final goal. You’ll be one year closer to commissioning when you’re done, already be forming relationships with your classmates and a full year into whatever academic program you choose, without having to worry about transfer credits. And with the caliber of people here, most likely it will be affordable due to merit scholarships. This sets you up well if (like me) you also don’t get into an academy the second time around.
 
peppypea said:
DoDMERB was superb,
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I know we all love our kids....but really, how does one get a "superb" on DODMERB. It's pass /fail /waiver -- with 18 year olds, about the best you can do is "unremarkable."

USMA 1994 said:
There is always a bunch of discussion as the "right" way to re-apply
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See the sticky at the top of the USNA forum. That's not the only answer, but time tested --at least for USNA.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
peppypea said:
DoDMERB was superb,
Click to expand...
I know we all love our kids....but really, how does one get a "superb" on DODMERB. It's pass /fail /waiver -- with 18 year olds, about the best you can do is "unremarkable."

USMA 1994 said:
There is always a bunch of discussion as the "right" way to re-apply
Click to expand...
See the sticky at the top of the USNA forum. That's not the only answer, but time tested --at least for USNA.
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The Dr that examined him said he was the best candidate he'd ever examined. So, I guess technically he passed, but from a real person, he was superb.
 
peppypea said:
@Billberna we are very very hopeful for a Falcon Scholarship- it would be a true honor- as much as a direct appointment. Trying to keep all three of my chins up. *winks
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peppypeas, my DS is in same boat . TWE from Both Naval Academy and AFA, AFA was his first pick , according to his ALO he was so close to appointment but his SAT’s were low )1230
We have decided to self prep at NMMI. Seems like a great school and very affordable ( because it is a real college they can accept his 529 college funds and he has a small scholarship he earned this year in high school . It will eat up what small savings he has in there , but the kid believes in himself to reapply so therefore I do too ! We are still hopeful for Falcon Scholarship but certainly not counting on it , wishing you and your DS good luck !
 
FireflyMom said:
peppypea said:
@Billberna we are very very hopeful for a Falcon Scholarship- it would be a true honor- as much as a direct appointment. Trying to keep all three of my chins up. *winks
Click to expand...
peppypeas, my DS is in same boat . TWE from Both Naval Academy and AFA, AFA was his first pick , according to his ALO he was so close to appointment but his SAT’s were low )1230
We have decided to self prep at NMMI. Seems like a great school and very affordable ( because it is a real college they can accept his 529 college funds and he has a small scholarship he earned this year in high school . It will eat up what small savings he has in there , but the kid believes in himself to reapply so therefore I do too ! We are still hopeful for Falcon Scholarship but certainly not counting on it , wishing you and your DS good luck !
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Thank you!

Did your ALO have any other in-depth explanation that was concrete or just his/her opinion? I really wish there was a bit more transparency in the acceptance process: it would really help to have a 1,2,3 listing of what specifically kept them out of the academy. The tips are so vague "do more math!" yeah, we got that.

My DS was a super-score of 1210. It's a heartbreaking.
 
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