Falcon Foundation Scholarship Question

ajwalls said:
My moment of grief was a very short one once I found out what the scholarship actually was. I'm happy to take the extra year and can assure you it won't be wasted on me!
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My son was in a similar situation, with the same ACT and similar GPA. IMO, there just weren't enough spots. I think his high school will have 6 at the academy in 2026. His initial response to a year of prep school was an emphatic NO, but once he learned more about the program, he actually turned down a USMA appointment and went to Northwestern Prep. He LOVED NWP. I can't even put into words how important that experience was. He is in his 2nd semester now, attending ASU as a Professional Flight major. So, he's flying 3 times a week and will have his private pilot's license soon. Good Luck!
 
HappyCamper2020 said:
My son was in a similar situation, with the same ACT and similar GPA. IMO, there just weren't enough spots. I think his high school will have 6 at the academy in 2026. His initial response to a year of prep school was an emphatic NO, but once he learned more about the program, he actually turned down a USMA appointment and went to Northwestern Prep. He LOVED NWP. I can't even put into words how important that experience was. He is in his 2nd semester now, attending ASU as a Professional Flight major. So, he's flying 3 times a week and will have his private pilot's license soon. Good Luck!
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Yep that pretty much sums up the conversation I just had with my family. I also applied to USNA and if I get an appt there I'm still strongly considering turning that down for the falcon scholarship. I think a year of prep is good for just about anyone and I can't wait for my time. For now I'm considering either R-MA or NWP as those are the only two I've seen positive info about. Thanks for the good luck wishes
 
FlyFalcon said:
98% as long as you follow the contract it really is a golden ticket. I receive my appointment back in Feb. Only requirement for me now is to pass my classes with B's or higher and don't get in to trouble.
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Sounds like an awesome deal, am considering either R-MA or NWP for now
 
FlyFalcon said:
40 is a bit low. According to General Lorenz 100 can be given out each year if funding provides. Normally about 60-80 are given out. However they are definitely rare and an amazing opportunity. We had 32-36 falcons at NWP.
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So does that make NWP the more popular prep school to attend for falcons at least? I'm still trying to learn about any differences between the five
 
ajwalls said:
So does that make NWP the more popular prep school to attend for falcons at least? I'm still trying to learn about any differences between the five
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It is the more popular one, however that's for a few reasons which shouldn't be the only factors. One was cost. It's pretty cheap if you second semester is cheap I paid 4,500-5000 dollars total.

Secondly the other service academies have schools they prefer or recommend USAFA doesn't so all 5 are equal in their eyes. No uniform really is attractive to some people. I personally did 4 years of JROTC with the last year not ending in a positive note. So for me I love wearing blues but I needed a break.

Third, NWP is PREP school. All the others are college with prep classes included. None of our classes are actual college classes. Chem was taught by a college teacher and both chem and physics were college level but classes weren't accredited.

Fourth smaller size. The total class size was 69 students we started with 72 but life happened sadly. Here's the reason for the 98% rate. Of the 2% who didn't get in, they didn't finish prep school or got injured badly second semester.

To me these were pros, we still made our bed with hospital corners but that was as military as it got. It's refreshing especially if being away from home can be stressful. Knowing you'll go back home at the end of the semester was a nice treat too.
 
FlyFalcon said:
It is the more popular one, however that's for a few reasons which shouldn't be the only factors. One was cost. It's pretty cheap if you second semester is cheap I paid 4,500-5000 dollars total.

Secondly the other service academies have schools they prefer or recommend USAFA doesn't so all 5 are equal in their eyes. No uniform really is attractive to some people. I personally did 4 years of JROTC with the last year not ending in a positive note. So for me I love wearing blues but I needed a break.

Third, NWP is PREP school. All the others are college with prep classes included. None of our classes are actual college classes. Chem was taught by a college teacher and both chem and physics were college level but classes weren't accredited.

Fourth smaller size. The total class size was 69 students we started with 72 but life happened sadly. Here's the reason for the 98% rate. Of the 2% who didn't get in, they didn't finish prep school or got injured badly second semester.

To me these were pros, we still made our bed with hospital corners but that was as military as it got. It's refreshing especially if being away from home can be stressful. Knowing you'll go back home at the end of the semester was a nice treat too.
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So if NWP is the only real "prep" school then that's probably the one I should go to because it will prepare me best for USAFA right? My dad (USAFA '88) was just telling me when he got there his freshman year he was struggling a lot with the course load and wished he got a prep school slot instead. Makes me glad things turned out this way
 
ajwalls said:
So if NWP is the only real "prep" school then that's probably the one I should go to because it will prepare me best for USAFA right? My dad (USAFA '88) was just telling me when he got there his freshman year he was struggling a lot with the course load and wished he got a prep school slot instead. Makes me glad things turned out this way
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So again it's how you look at it. So at NWP we cover all of highschool information with testing prep then college classes second semester. At the other schools you'll take college courses with test prep on the side. All are real prep schools otherwise USAFA wouldn't have them. They are all very good choices, I highly highly encourage talking with each school to learn what will work best for you. Each experience is different. Even though one may sound better because it worked for someone else make sure you pick the best for you.

NWP worked for me because I needed background in some high school math fundamentals. I did very well in math but had a few key parts lackluster.
 
FlyFalcon said:
So again it's how you look at it. So at NWP we cover all of highschool information with testing prep then college classes second semester. At the other schools you'll take college courses with test prep on the side. All are real prep schools otherwise USAFA wouldn't have them. They are all very good choices, I highly highly encourage talking with each school to learn what will work best for you. Each experience is different. Even though one may sound better because it worked for someone else make sure you pick the best for you.

NWP worked for me because I needed background in some high school math fundamentals. I did very well in math but had a few key parts lackluster.
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Alright thank you so much for the advice, I appreciate it. I'll look into them all and decide for myself what best suits me
 
ajwalls said:
So if NWP is the only real "prep" school then that's probably the one I should go to because it will prepare me best for USAFA right? My dad (USAFA '88) was just telling me when he got there his freshman year he was struggling a lot with the course load and wished he got a prep school slot instead. Makes me glad things turned out this way
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A prep school offer is definitely a blessing in disguise. It sucks that you’re not at the academy right away, but having a year of college classes(and at certain places, military-esque training), will put you far ahead where you had been. And just look into what programs are available and what you think will help prepare you to succeed.
 
Cider42 said:
My DD attended NWP as a Falcon this past fall. As you look at your options, I highly recommend that you (and your parents) set up a 1:1 call or Zoom with Mrs. Durbeck to learn more.
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Can you provide me with Mrs. Durbeck's contact info?
 
FlyFalcon said:
So again it's how you look at it. So at NWP we cover all of highschool information with testing prep then college classes second semester. At the other schools you'll take college courses with test prep on the side. All are real prep schools otherwise USAFA wouldn't have them. They are all very good choices, I highly highly encourage talking with each school to learn what will work best for you. Each experience is different. Even though one may sound better because it worked for someone else make sure you pick the best for you.

NWP worked for me because I needed background in some high school math fundamentals. I did very well in math but had a few key parts lackluster.
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I just received notice that I have been offered a Falcon Foundation Scholarship, and it sounds like I’m in the exact same boat you were sir. It’s encouraging to hear that you had a good experience there. I’ve been doing research but it’s still a shock to process this all at once.

My ACT math score was lower than the average, and I’m honestly happy I’m being offered an opportunity at all. Would you say you feel pretty prepared math-wise for the Academy now?
 
Hawgflier said:
A prep school offer is definitely a blessing in disguise. It sucks that you’re not at the academy right away, but having a year of college classes(and at certain places, military-esque training), will put you far ahead where you had been. And just look into what programs are available and what you think will help prepare you to succeed.
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That's pretty much how I see it; definitely grateful for the opportunity
 
Jetto007 said:
I just received notice that I have been offered a Falcon Foundation Scholarship, and it sounds like I’m in the exact same boat you were sir. It’s encouraging to hear that you had a good experience there. I’ve been doing research but it’s still a shock to process this all at once.

My ACT math score was lower than the average, and I’m honestly happy I’m being offered an opportunity at all. Would you say you feel pretty prepared math-wise for the Academy now?
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Definitely. Our math teacher went fast but was very good at covering subjects at the pace each group needed. Mentioned in another thread I'm currently taking calculus in college and earning an A. The combination of our teacher giving us the hardest questions, teaching at the class pace and being in groups worked very well for me. And trust me I had a 24 act math going into this

Oh and I know I was intimidating for uniform inspections in JROTC and accidentally got called sir a few times because of it but I'm female 😉
 
FlyFalcon said:
Definitely. Our math teacher went fast but was very good at covering subjects at the pace each group needed. Mentioned in another thread I'm currently taking calculus in college and earning an A. The combination of our teacher giving us the hardest questions, teaching at the class pace and being in groups worked very well for me. And trust me I had a 24 act math going into this

Oh and I know I was intimidating for uniform inspections in JROTC and accidentally got called sir a few times because of it but I'm female 😉
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Ohhh my bad! I didn’t look at any of your posts or anything! I’m glad to hear that.
 
Congrats !

Is this something you applied for, or was your USAFA portal updated with the offer? Just wondering how you heard about this opportunity ? Thanks
 
EmeraldPA said:
Congrats !

Is this something you applied for, or was your USAFA portal updated with the offer? Just wondering how you heard about this opportunity ? Thanks
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Thank you!

To answer your question: You can't apply for it separately; when you apply for USAFA you are considered for USAFA, USAFA Prep, and a Falcon Foundation scholarship. Either one of those three is a great opportunity and will most likely result in you graduating from USAFA in the next four or five years depending on what you received. I heard about my scholarship from my congressional nomination source through a phone call, and I was told it would appear on my portal on the 26th
 
ajwalls said:
Thank you!

To answer your question: You can't apply for it separately; when you apply for USAFA you are considered for USAFA, USAFA Prep, and a Falcon Foundation scholarship. Either one of those three is a great opportunity and will most likely result in you graduating from USAFA in the next four or five years depending on what you received. I heard about my scholarship from my congressional nomination source through a phone call, and I was told it would appear on my portal on the 26th
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That’s fantastic - so happy to hear - congrats again !
 
4/1/21 Portal update...Falcon Foundation Scholarship. I had no clue what that meant. Two days of Q & A on here and with some family friends with cadets at USAFA and the Durbecks at NWP. Best decision I have ever made was accpeting and going to NWP. Long days and lots of challenges. Great friends made during the struggle together. Back at home in the spring doing college local.
2/19/22 Portal update...USAFA Appointment accepted.
 
Dakota R/T said:
4/1/21 Portal update...Falcon Foundation Scholarship. I had no clue what that meant. Two days of Q & A on here and with some family friends with cadets at USAFA and the Durbecks at NWP. Best decision I have ever made was accpeting and going to NWP. Long days and lots of challenges. Great friends made during the struggle together. Back at home in the spring doing college local.
2/19/22 Portal update...USAFA Appointment accepted.
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Brilliant. So helpful for you to circle back.
 
Dakota R/T said:
4/1/21 Portal update...Falcon Foundation Scholarship. I had no clue what that meant. Two days of Q & A on here and with some family friends with cadets at USAFA and the Durbecks at NWP. Best decision I have ever made was accpeting and going to NWP. Long days and lots of challenges. Great friends made during the struggle together. Back at home in the spring doing college local.
2/19/22 Portal update...USAFA Appointment accepted.
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And of course having the best dorm mate helped ;). I mean I only spilled water once, left a flash card and normally didn't make the end right in the beginning. Who else can match that level of skill?
 
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