How do people afford self-prep?

peppypea

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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.
 
This is why my DS chose to attend an affordable state university and participate in AROTC. From there he could:
  • 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.
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.
 
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 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 money
 
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.
 
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.
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.
 
This is why my DS chose to attend an affordable state university and participate in AROTC. From there he could:
  • 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.
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.

This^

Like @AROTC-dad, this is not meant to denigrate balls-to-the-wall focus on an SA appointment, but rather to emphasize that there are other paths to one's goals. Sometimes those goals change as these young people, who really know nothing at 17-18 years , mature and see the world and figure out what works best for them.

2 1/2 years into AD, my Big 10 State School AROTC 1Lt DS #1 doesn't feel even half a step behind his USMA colleagues AND He paid the same for his education as they did. Results may vary between Branches, but he believes that results vary based on the 2Lt.

DS #2 lost his NROTC 4yr due to a medical DQ. That meant no U Mich, his dream school. He stayed in state at a school which is on no top ten list other than "Schools with the Happiest Students." In the process he discovered that his real passion was machines--no one has bigger machines than the USN--
\
not being a Naval Officer. Has had two NASA internships and starts a job with a JPL contractor in May in sunny Pasadena. As he applies for graduate school for 2019, he will play the misunderestimation game thanks to the story being pedalled by elite institutions.

So happy to be done with this rat race. One man's opinion is that College Admissions Departments should take 1st place on the list of BS artists.
 
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!
 
(also, that $12,500 is for one semester...then he still has to do a semester of community college as well. *deep breaths.* )

Did I mention his siblings graduate in 2019 and 2020? Yeah, I am in for a long exhausting ride for the next few years.
 
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.
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 expensive

Oh, its 12500 per semester. Well that does make a differnce
 
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.
 
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.

This is incredibly helpful- I truly appreciate your time and experience. Thank you.
 
You seem to have the same questions in two post. I can tell you the same thing about my DD and ROTC. She did not get in and did not have a ROTC scholarship. She went off to college, did well in challenging classes, was active in her ROTC unit, and was a DIV I athlete. She got her appointment through an ROTC nomination early the next year.
 
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!


No need to explain or apologize. You're the only one that knows your financial situation. Your job, number of kids, medical status, and prior debts all factor into the equation.

The academies have kids from lots of different socioeconomic levels, but the most rounded, successful kids are sought by the academies. Those kids of kids often come from families that could afford private lessons, extra opportunities, and other things that some find difficult. An extra $250 a week could put a dent in lots of folks salaries, while others spend that much eating out.

Good luck to you.
 
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.
 
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.
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.
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.
 
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.
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.
Pep grant if you qualify and scholarship opportunities.

Unfortunately, we don't qualify for Pell Grants. We are in that solidly-middle-class group that doesn't get a ton of aid. *sigh
 
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.

That's really awesome to hear!

After visiting campus, my DS feels very strongly that he would really prefer college life at a SA- he's really really not into all of the other typical campus life things that a lot of colleges/universities have. Not that it's a bad thing, that's just who my kid is, he craves the structure of a military inclusive offering. (I am not sure where this hippie mama ended up with this kiddo, lol)
 
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