Self Prep - Generally Worthwhile or Chasing Shadows?

SquaredAway22

SquaredAway22

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Feb 27, 2018
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As parents of DD applicant who was passed over, we are adjusting to Plan B, and wondering if we should have had a Plan C and D to choose from. Her eyes have shifted to Plan B where she will join friends this summer for tryouts, and she is excited for college.

I am realizing however that the Plan B we formulated had nothing to do with plans for an approach to USCG itself should she not get in, but only, "Where will you go if you aren't accepted?" We avoided the "Will you self-prep from Plan B with an aim for 2023, or should we go ahead and apply to MMI now as an option to self-prep there? What is the Plan B to reach O1?"

As we look forward to course selections for fall of '18 we are wondering how many stories are out there of self-prep working, and how many have been futile. I realize that if the effort were futile the chances of a parent still being here to relay that anecdote may be slim, but there seems to be some institutional knowledge on the forum. I also know no one except perhaps Captain McKenna can answer the ubiquitous, "What are my chances?" question. However my brother said this morning, "Should this continue to be her focus, she has now done the thing that strengthens her application mightily." That caught my attention.

Thoughts on the accuracy of that statement?
 
Just used the search feature and found the Marion Military Institute thread from a few months ago. If you replied there I already read your post, and very much appreciate the info!
 
SquaredAway22 said:
Just used the search feature and found the Marion Military Institute thread from a few months ago. If you replied there I already read your post, and very much appreciate the info!
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Thank you for adding this direction to the MMI thread. Thoughts on the thread are profoundly helpful! My DD has two directions to choose from with MMI as one and a Maritime Academy option. I think if MMI is the choice she should be prepared to attempt college level physics course this summer prior to reporting. Perhaps even take another round of SAT improvement courses. If she goes Maritime Academy route... she can re apply to USCGA without losing ground if a no-go and also avoid summer prep. There is a risk to MMI and each candidate and parents need to be very honest about history of the candidate's performance and likelihood of a sharp upward trajectory to overcome the risk. A person could achieve the same end result while avoiding the risk it seems to me.
 
SquaredAway22 said:
As parents of DD applicant who was passed over, we are adjusting to Plan B, and wondering if we should have had a Plan C and D to choose from. Her eyes have shifted to Plan B where she will join friends this summer for tryouts, and she is excited for college.

I am realizing however that the Plan B we formulated had nothing to do with plans for an approach to USCG itself should she not get in, but only, "Where will you go if you aren't accepted?" We avoided the "Will you self-prep from Plan B with an aim for 2023, or should we go ahead and apply to MMI now as an option to self-prep there? What is the Plan B to reach O1?"

As we look forward to course selections for fall of '18 we are wondering how many stories are out there of self-prep working, and how many have been futile. I realize that if the effort were futile the chances of a parent still being here to relay that anecdote may be slim, but there seems to be some institutional knowledge on the forum. I also know no one except perhaps Captain McKenna can answer the ubiquitous, "What are my chances?" question. However my brother said this morning, "Should this continue to be her focus, she has now done the thing that strengthens her application mightily." That caught my attention.

Thoughts on the accuracy of that statement?
Click to expand...
DS is at MMI and I was just discussing with him how most of the coast guard self preppers received appointments.
 
I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Self sponsors did not fair well at MMI this year.
 
So I did self prep at Northwestern Preparatory Academy and I have received my appointment for the coast Guard Academy. Northwestern is one of the best prep schools and has a lot of connections with the Academies
 
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Self sponsors did not fair well at MMI this year."


How did they do? Any stats on grades/test scores? I know that asking a lot to divulge things like that, but when discussing with DD anything helps.
 
my3sonsga said:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Self sponsors did not fair well at MMI this year.
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SquaredAway22 said:
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Self sponsors did not fair well at MMI this year."


How did they do? Any stats on grades/test scores? I know that asking a lot to divulge things like that, but when discussing with DD anything helps.
Click to expand...
3 of them who my DS knows have received appointments. I’m not sure how many were in the program as self preppers and haven’t heard of the ones who didn’t.
 
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