MMI or Northwestern Prep
- Thread starter MT302
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I had no idea NWP was only 1 semester
BunkerDog1
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They are two different choices. Depends on what you what you need to accomplish, etc. I can't speak for NWP so I won't. MMI is the only one of the civil prep schools recognized by all 5 SAs. It is also an accredited junior college which means you earn college credit. It also organized and run with a military bearing, i.e., a basic training program upon arrival, early PT wake up calls, uniforms, salutes, ranks, professors who have served and are addressed by their rank, etc. My DS currently attends as a self-sponsored prep in their Service Academy Program. For him, this was the best choice because he wanted to experience the daily life, and improve his leadership creds. He didn't need to improve SAT/ACT scores, although he did. He is now more convinced than ever he wants to serve, hopefully via an SA appointment.
Parent of 4
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My son went to MMI a couple of years ago, 100% of the sponsored and self-sponsored USMA candidates received appointments. that seems to be the norm down there. We are a long way from Alabama but that place holds a special place in our hearts for what it did for our cadet...
Thank you for your reply. Do the students work on SAT skills? Do they take an SAT class? My son needs to up his SAT. I think, but who really knows, that everything else is good.
I heard that so far this year MMI has gotten 22 appointments to the USMA. I also read that in 2018 they had 96 SA appointments. There are just about 100 students in the SA program so does that mean that almost all will get admission to an SA?
ProudDad2022
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When we were looking at preps, I was paranoid about NWP. Because it's only 1 semester, I just couldn't help but think what if my goofball son screws up the application process for the second semester. We felt like that was one more moving part we didn't want to deal with.
Our son went to NWP. The best investment we made for this future. The Durbecks know their stuff! Prepsters attend NWP for one semester, then attend a college near their home for the Spring. Prepsters do not receive credits towards college when they are attending NWP. Highly structured program, professors and teachers do a fantastic job in all subjects, our sons ACT scores improved...
Our son had a strong resume when he first applied to the academies, but attending NWP put him over the top. I can't speak highly enough about NWP. He has received one appointment and is waiting to hear from the other two.
Wow that's impressive. What is the school like? Location-Campus?
My son is waiting to hear back from WP and he was told in the meantime to apply to MMI. His RC told him that where he is from, the Northeast, the competition is really tough and that to get in the SAT really needs to be way over 1400.
NWP is one semester and focuses on building your application. They take the sat/act multiple times and can usually increase your scores by 5 points or more act, and an equal percentage on the sat. Mr Durbeck is in charge of physical fitness and you will take the cfa multiple times as well. They make time for working on applications and will help in any way they can to increase your chance of an appointment. After your semester at NWP you can go to the college of your choice. My daughter was able to come home and go to our local university. So you should add that expense onto what you pay for NWP.
It was a great experience for my DD and she made friends for life that are at each of the academies. NWP & MMI are both great options, if you have any other questions about NWP feel free to message me.
It was a great experience for my DD and she made friends for life that are at each of the academies. NWP & MMI are both great options, if you have any other questions about NWP feel free to message me.
My DS just finished Northwestern Prep Class of 2019. He is at his community college now and received his USMA appointment Feb 6. He absolutely loved it and felt it was the right choice for him. It is not a military setting but very structured with classes, PT daily, test prep etc, and is a recognized by the academies. He previously had 4 years of JROTC and wanted to experience something different. Most of his class were AF Falcon scholars along with a handful from USMA and Navy and even some self sponsored prepsters. I can get you in touch with him or Mr. and Mrs. Durbeck if you want to talk to them. They are fantastic resources. It is located in Crestline, CA.
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I see value in both. As an ALO, I had a candidate whose father (USMA grad) was the one to always call me (often) and it made me wonder if the student really wanted a service academy. The candidate received a NOM, but not an appointment. They considered all of the options and selected NWP. Following the candidate's semester at NWP - it was night and day. The candidate was contacting me and the language of the emails and phone calls suggested a radical transformation had occurred in the student to where he was taking charge of his future and it was great to see. He ended up receiving an appointment to USMA.
As a parent, I read NWP as the final booster shot to make a good candidate a great candidate by boosting the standardized test score and upping the CFT score. I like that some students spend 1 year at MMI and have an associates degree that is now portable to a Plan B school of their choice. Both seem to have a terrific track record for both sponsored and self prep. I was surprised to see GMC describe their first self prep success with USCGA in 2018, while the data on MMI's website suggest they have years of history with self prep success to USCGA. I like that MMI lists the data, but it is missing an element of transparency - how many were in the program, not just who succeeded in receiving an appointment.
As a parent, I read NWP as the final booster shot to make a good candidate a great candidate by boosting the standardized test score and upping the CFT score. I like that some students spend 1 year at MMI and have an associates degree that is now portable to a Plan B school of their choice. Both seem to have a terrific track record for both sponsored and self prep. I was surprised to see GMC describe their first self prep success with USCGA in 2018, while the data on MMI's website suggest they have years of history with self prep success to USCGA. I like that MMI lists the data, but it is missing an element of transparency - how many were in the program, not just who succeeded in receiving an appointment.
BunkerDog1
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MMI has a mandatory SAT/ACT prep class as part of the academic calendar. I believe the SAP program has 120 cadets, with about 55 of those sponsored by an SA. The remaining 65 are self-sponsored. Virtually all of the sponsored cadets will get an appointment. From my back of the envelope math based on prior year history, somewhere between 60-70% of the self-sponsored cadets will get an appointment. Ultimately, for self-sponsored cadets, it comes down to maximizing the opportunity to improve your application, regardless of the school you choose. For my DS, MMI has been a great choice. He loves the lifestyle and daily challenges it presents. He has worked his tail off, has taken leadership roles, improved his SAT/ACT, received virtually straight As in his college classes, kept his nose clean, and we now wait to see if an appointment arrives.
During the 1st semester at MMI, cadets needing to raise their SAT scores are required to attend mandatory study sessions for prep. My DS did not need to raise his score; however, he did take the exam again and raised his score by 50 points. DS mentioned one cadet improved by 125 points. The course schedule for SAP cadets mirror the academies. DS took calculus, physics, chemistry, English comp, military science, and SAP training his first semester. Second semester is again the same classes at a higher level.
We are waiting to hear as well. Hoping to hear great news soon! Keeping fingers crossed for all the SAP cadets!
That sounds great. I'm hoping for your son too - please post when you know.
I can not say enough about MMI! My son attended MMI and is now at USAFA. Living in a military environment really prepped him for the Academy and cemented his desire to go. They train their cadets very well and offer many options if your DS/DD decides to not continue with the military. As a self prep, my DS was a member of AF ROTC, so he could have continued with that route had he not received an appointment. MMI offers generous scholarships and really works with the families to make attending a possibility for everyone.
I tried calling NWP and left MANY messages and they NEVER called me back so in my book that tells me something. I called MMI and spoke to the gentleman who runs the prep program and by far and away he impressed me (also did the same with GMI and NMI). Best part about MMI is that if for some reason you change your mind you still have a full year of college that you can transfer anywhere. northwestern is not an accredited school and nothing will transfer. Also the fact that they don’t post their stats nor return calls....makes me dubious. Also the cost of one semester at Northwestern is the cost of a full year at MMI. If you are well to do, not a problem I guess.
They will tell you how many were in...just need to call and speak to the gentleman who runs the program.
Yikes! I’m sure there is a very simple explanation for the delay in your call back from NWP. In addition they do offer scholarships once you apply that helps with the expense. Our DD would not have traded her year/semester @ NWP for anything. It was an amazing experience.
(Keep in mind that this is the off semester and NWP is run by a retired couple, so in their off time they sail and travel around to the academies various senior programs.)