Self Prep?

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rimon76

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Feb 14, 2018
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hey guys, I had a question on what is best to reapply next year if things fall through. Disregarding specific plan B, C, D, what is best to improve one's application? Here is what I understand.
  • study to get a higher SAT/ACT score
  • Take classes in Math, Science, Computer Science
  • take part in sports at a challenging level
  • have a leadership role of some sort
What else would be good to improve one's application?

Here is my personal situation. I would like to self-prep at Northwestern Prep but they have a 40% appointment rate on the self-preps. I would like to bump that likelihood up so I was thinking of joining my local police department in their cadet program as well as try to attend EMT classes. Would this be worthwhile? I don't think it would hurt but I'm curious to know about others who have found themselves in a similar situation. What would be best? Thank you!
 
Hello, I am a reapplicant and I just got an appointment for c/o 22, so here’s my 2 cents...

Last year, I also considered doing self prep, but I contacted my RC and he recommended that it would be better for me to do well academically at a 4-year University while taking courses that mimick a plebe’s. So, I majored mechanical Engineering (i.e Chem, Calc, Physics, English, and History or Psychology). He also recommended that I did ROTC for another nomination source.
Anyways, I earned a 3.8 GPA and fortunately got accepted this year.
I chose to go University because had I not received an appointment, I would at least have a year of college on my back.
As for extracurriculars, I think it would be great to do those that you stated if you enjoy them and look forward to doing them.
Also ACT above a 30 is competitive but always try to get 36.
Good luck!
 
@rimon76 Step one is an honest assessment of how strong your application was. You can ask your RC when things slow down in a few more weeks but you probably already know the answer. If you just missed this year, then the extra year of college can put you over the top. If you were below the averages in a few areas you will have extra work to do. Gaining an appointment as a re-applicant is not automatic.

If you do not have a strong academic background a year at prep school may help develop those skills.

If your high school did a good job preparing you, then a 4-year college, taking challenging classes and ROTC is probably a better option.
 
Reapplicants who have a competitive resume, and competitive scores, have an advantage, as WP likes those who keep pushing, and want it bad enough to do so. But you still need to win a spot. Asking for an honest assessment and recommendations from your RC is key. RC's are incredibly Frank if you ask them. I like the regular college option best, but do what your RC suggests.
 
"It really depends." Don't you hate that answer? But its true. Getting an honest assessment from your RC as stated above is the best advice. Start from there. Ask the question: "What would my file have to reflect for me to have been admitted this year?" "What do I need to improve upon to make my file very attractive for admission next year?" The answers will drive your approach because each of the options before you for next year be it prep or normal college have their strengths.

- Do you have a strong GPA and test scores and are very disciplined/self motivated? Then a college environment may be best for you.
- Are test scores your weakness? If so, NWP would be my recommendation. You will prep and take the ACT and SAT several times there. You will also have a great deal of supervision and little independent time. If test scores are not a weakness, I don't think NWP would be the answer.
- How about a place like MMI or Greystone, etc? Do they help you jump over any weaknesses that are currently hurdles?

Don't be afraid to press the RC. They may try to give you a boilerplate response but make sure you get as specific of a response as possible. Good luck!!!
 
My son is seriously contemplating NMMI in their academy prep program. It is a JUCO with the military component that is supposed to mimic first year academy. Anyone recommend or not recommend this approach? He got a nom to USMA and USMMA. already got the twe from USMA and usna/naps and AF.
 
Thank you to all! truly, I hope it not only helped me but helped others as well. Still waiting for the USMA and hopeful! Thank you!
 
Hope this helps! My DS first applied at USNA his senior year and was rejected, he was dead set on going there! He was then told about Northwestern Prepatory School and after some consideration he decided to take the semester off from attending classes and try it out! He did amazing while he was there and was able to really focus on each academy and decide where he really should be, he ultimately decided USMA was a better fit for him. His SAT went from a 1260 to a 1450 and ACT from a 28 to a 34, he improved in his CFA as well! The durbecks which run this program are very committed to this process, they are amazing at what they do! My son found out Jan 25, 2018 that he was accepted to USMA class of 2022! He made a few friends there as well that were self peepers and they have also received acceptances! Best of luck to you
 
Like Blacksheep my DD only applied to one academy last year, USAFA, and never looked at any others. She got the TWE on 17Apr17 and after became focused on reapplying. She spoke to her ALO and he suggested NWP over her AFROTC scholarship, because she really needed to improve her ACT scores, the weakest part of her package.
The Durbeck’s are amazing and her time there well spent regardless of the outcome of this years applications. They have guest speakers almost every week from all the academies and they encourage the self preps to apply to all of them. The kids on scholarship are tied to the academy they have the scholarship from.
Also like Blacksheep she really was drawn to West Point and felt it was a great fit. One year and a day later she received a call from her MOC and accepted her appointment to USMA.
I believe the self preps at NWP have a better outcome than 40%, but that’s just based on my conversations with my DD. No matter what you end up doing after NWP you will always have a family with other NWPrepsters and will think fondly of your time on the mountain. Obviously if you receive a AOG scholarship, it is the golden ticket!
 
I am the first self prep to successfully receive an appointment in years. Their percentage for self preps is terrible (outside of USMMA). I would not recommend NMMI.
 
I was awarded the Civil Prep scholarship for USMA earlier this month (before my actual appointment) and all the letters I got from the prep schools only had good appointment percentages for the kids that had the civil prep scholarship.

If you do attend a 4 year university or stay local, definitely look into joining fire/police/EMT explorers. I am a fire explorer and my post offers officer positions and great learning experiences, all things that look good and help with your reapplication.
 
teammom said:
Go_Navy_2016 said:
I am the first self prep to successfully receive an appointment in years. Their percentage for self preps is terrible (outside of USMMA). I would not recommend NMMI.
Click to expand...
I have no idea whether self prep is good or bad, but here are the stats from MMI.
https://marionmilitary.edu/sap-appointment-history/
For the 2016-2017 school year, twenty-two self prep students received appointments at MMI.
Click to expand...
Those are not self prep for West Point. Marion sends around 4 or 5 self preps a year to West Point.
 
MMI traditionally year over year has excellent success with their self prep program. My 2018 will have a self sponsored prep cadet graduate in his class as well. Great program... something worth looking into...
 
teammom said:
Go_Navy_2016 said:
I am the first self prep to successfully receive an appointment in years. Their percentage for self preps is terrible (outside of USMMA). I would not recommend NMMI.
Click to expand...
I have no idea whether self prep is good or bad, but here are the stats from MMI.
https://marionmilitary.edu/sap-appointment-history/
For the 2016-2017 school year, twenty-two self prep students received appointments at MMI.
Click to expand...
Do you know how many self preps went to MMI in 2016-2017? Hard to figure out odds if you don’t know the total number of self preps.
 
My 2020 was a self-prep to NWP. His ACT/SAT scores improved dramatically. He finished somewhere btwn #3-5 in the class. In his class was someone on their 4 th application to WP and made it into the class. I think improving your test scores and academics will perhaps best improve your chances. At JC in the spring he took physics and math. I think the improved study skills has helped him. He's currently in the top 10%.
 
DDmom said:
teammom said:
Go_Navy_2016 said:
I am the first self prep to successfully receive an appointment in years. Their percentage for self preps is terrible (outside of USMMA). I would not recommend NMMI.
Click to expand...
I have no idea whether self prep is good or bad, but here are the stats from MMI.
https://marionmilitary.edu/sap-appointment-history/
For the 2016-2017 school year, twenty-two self prep students received appointments at MMI.
Click to expand...
Do you know how many self preps went to MMI in 2016-2017? Hard to figure out odds if you don’t know the total number of self preps.
Click to expand...

I don't know for 2016-2017 but for 2017-2018 there were 15 self preps for West Point and 7 have appointments. Col. Bowen said he expects another self prep appointment this week. He said the main reason the other self preps didn't get an appointment was due to low ACT/SAT scores. He said on average the appointment rate is 50% for self preps to WP.
 
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