Chances of going to USAFA prep w/ nomination

Mndifang

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I know that the preparatory school is an option for those who don’t receive nominations, however if you receive a nomination but the academy doesn’t deem you competitive for an appointment what are the chances that you will receive a prep school offer? Or is that only given to those without a nomination?
 
I know that the preparatory school is an option for those who don’t receive nominations, however if you receive a nomination but the academy doesn’t deem you competitive for an appointment what are the chances that you will receive a prep school offer? Or is that only given to those without a nomination?
Set the nomination issue aside. It is not a lack of nomination that prompts a SA to offer the prep path.

The military prep schools and the scholarship programs to civilian prep schools are offered to candidates whom the SA desires and sees great potential in, but finds them in need of a bit of buffing up, usually in academics. The SA is essentially saying “We don’t think you are ready this year and do not find you qualified just yet, but we will save you a seat in the next class, assuming you do well at our prep school or the civilian prep school. In fact, we are willing to wait for you. You still have to apply for nominations, maintain DoDMERB eligibility and pass another CFA.”

As with many aspects of the SA application process, there is no way to predict “chances” of a prep offer.

If you are offered prep, and that’s the SA and Service you want, you grab that “golden ticket” with both hands and go after it.

If you are not offered an appointment or prep, you execute one of your alternates, and if that is the SA and Service you want, you re-apply next cycle and go after it.
 
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What is the approximate timeline when those selected would be notified? Is the selection preceded with a notification of non-admission or selection into USAFA.
 
Set the nomination issue aside. It is not a lack of nomination that prompts a SA to offer the prep path.

The military prep schools and the scholarship programs to civilian prep schools are offered to candidates whom the SA desires and sees great potential in, but finds them in need of a bit of buffing up, usually in academics. The SA is essentially saying “We don’t think you are ready this year and do not find you qualified just yet, but we will save you a seat in the next class, assuming you do well at our prep school or the civilian prep school. In fact, we are willing to wait for you. You still have to apply for nominations, maintain DoDMERB eligibility and pass another CFA.”

As with many aspects of the SA application process, there is no way to predict “chances” of a prep offer.

If you are offered prep, and that’s the SA and Service you want, you grab that “golden ticket” with both hands and go after it.

If you are not offered an appointment or prep, you execute one of your alternates, and if that is the SA and Service you want, you re-apply next cycle and go after it.
My son received the scholarship offer letter on Friday. I do know what to do next and greatly appreciate any help I can get.

My first question. To the best of my knowledge, my son did not get any nomination for the academy. Would like to know on what basis was he selected for the scholarship? The main reason for the question is that to accept this scholarship, he would have to give up his acceptance into a college of his choice, and hope that he will get an appointment to the academy for class 2026. Can you get an appointment without a nomination? I didn't think that is possible but have heard rumors that the academy would find a way to help.

My second question. If you successfully completed the prep school but did not receive an appointment to the academy, where do you go from there? Even if you can apply again, why would the academy take you given that they have turned you down once (or twice)?

Many thanks and congrats to all who received the appointment to the academy.
 
@LV2021 Hello there! Quick question; When did your son turn in his application? And if you don’t mind, what was his SAT score? Your answers will be greatly appreciated!
 
My son received the scholarship offer letter on Friday. I do know what to do next and greatly appreciate any help I can get.

My first question. To the best of my knowledge, my son did not get any nomination for the academy. Would like to know on what basis was he selected for the scholarship? The main reason for the question is that to accept this scholarship, he would have to give up his acceptance into a college of his choice, and hope that he will get an appointment to the academy for class 2026. Can you get an appointment without a nomination? I didn't think that is possible but have heard rumors that the academy would find a way to help.

My second question. If you successfully completed the prep school but did not receive an appointment to the academy, where do you go from there? Even if you can apply again, why would the academy take you given that they have turned you down once (or twice)?

Many thanks and congrats to all who received the appointment to the academy.
Congratulations to your son on the offer of a prep scholarship, not sure which academy, but the civilian prep programs are all good and overlap. The staffers in those prep scholarship offices have been doing this for a long time, and I encourage your son to call them with questions, big or small. Ditto for him researching and calling the prep partner schools to find his best fit.

He has essentially been offered the “golden ticket.” As I noted in my post, if he successfully completes prep, maintains all other eligibility, he should be offered an appointment. Prepsters are expected to apply in the next cycle of nominations. MOC review panels and staffers are well aware of the prep program, and they will expect to see newfound maturity and insights in his essays and interviews. They will immediately know the SA wants this applicant. Should he fail to obtain a nom from those sources, the SA has noms they control. They are offering him a fairly sure shot at Class of 2026 if he does his part. If he really, really wants this SA, this is his way in. Yes, he would be choosing not to go to a college, but he would be one of the few singled out by the SA as showing the potential and worth they want to see. Others who did not receive an offer of appointment this year may buckle down and go the re-applicant path from college or may even choose to do “self-prep” at the same prep schools. Your son is in a far more favorable position.
 
@LV2021 Hello there! Quick question; When did your son turn in his application? And if you don’t mind, what was his SAT score? Your answers will be greatly appreciated!
Hello, by turn in his application, you are referring to the application for the academy? I believe he did that sometime last year. As for his SAT scores, he got 1350 or thereabout. As stated, we have not made any decision re accepting the scholarship as we don't know what that would mean in terms of getting the nomination. Hope that answered your question.
 
Congratulations to your son on the offer of a prep scholarship, not sure which academy, but the civilian prep programs are all good and overlap. The staffers in those prep scholarship offices have been doing this for a long time, and I encourage your son to call them with questions, big or small. Ditto for him researching and calling the prep partner schools to find his best fit.

He has essentially been offered the “golden ticket.” As I noted in my post, if he successfully completes prep, maintains all other eligibility, he should be offered an appointment. Prepsters are expected to apply in the next cycle of nominations. MOC review panels and staffers are well aware of the prep program, and they will expect to see newfound maturity and insights in his essays and interviews. They will immediately know the SA wants this applicant. Should he fail to obtain a nom from those sources, the SA has noms they control. They are offering him a fairly sure shot at Class of 2026 if he does his part. If he really, really wants this SA, this is his way in. Yes, he would be choosing not to go to a college, but he would be one of the few singled out by the SA as showing the potential and worth they want to see. Others who did not receive an offer of appointment this year may buckle down and go the re-applicant path from college or may even choose to do “self-prep” at the same prep schools. Your son is in a far more favorable position.
Thank you for answering my question.

Just to confirm, my son received the Falcon Scholarship on Friday (2/26). And yes, my son will be reaching out to the people at the Northwestern Prep school to get his questions answered.

Lastly, my son been taking flying lessons for the past year and has finally done solo. I do not know if the academy takes those into consideration?

Many thanks.
 
Hello, by turn in his application, you are referring to the application for the academy? I believe he did that sometime last year. As for his SAT scores, he got 1350 or thereabout. As stated, we have not made any decision re accepting the scholarship as we don't know what that would mean in terms of getting the nomination. Hope that answered your question.
Thanks for the reply; that answered my question!
 
Congratulations to your son on the offer of a prep scholarship, not sure which academy, but the civilian prep programs are all good and overlap. The staffers in those prep scholarship offices have been doing this for a long time, and I encourage your son to call them with questions, big or small. Ditto for him researching and calling the prep partner schools to find his best fit.

He has essentially been offered the “golden ticket.” As I noted in my post, if he successfully completes prep, maintains all other eligibility, he should be offered an appointment. Prepsters are expected to apply in the next cycle of nominations. MOC review panels and staffers are well aware of the prep program, and they will expect to see newfound maturity and insights in his essays and interviews. They will immediately know the SA wants this applicant. Should he fail to obtain a nom from those sources, the SA has noms they control. They are offering him a fairly sure shot at Class of 2026 if he does his part. If he really, really wants this SA, this is his way in. Yes, he would be choosing not to go to a college, but he would be one of the few singled out by the SA as showing the potential and worth they want to see. Others who did not receive an offer of appointment this year may buckle down and go the re-applicant path from college or may even choose to do “self-prep” at the same prep schools. Your son is in a far more favorable position.
Thank you for answering my questions. Much appreciated. You've brought up a very good point re re-applying while in college. In fact, that is one of the paths we are looking at. The reason being, after attending the NW school, my son will have to sign up for additional classes at his chose college/university. Unfortunately, schools in the Bay Area are highly impacted, I fear that he might not be able to sign up for those classes, resulting in automatic disqualifications. Thanks again.
 
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