Prep schools

Felix1

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2019
Messages
15
i would like to hear opinions on the prep schools. Are they of value to academically prepared candidates, or is college/AFROTC a better route?
 
i would like to hear opinions on the prep schools. Are they of value to academically prepared candidates, or is college/AFROTC a better route?
This is the same question that we had and depends on the candidate. My DS has been accepted to many colleges with scholarships and we visited many but his desire is go to a service academy. We did visit MMI and spoke with the head of the school who provided info. In our case we were told our son was on the bubble because his SAT score was a little low but our son one took the exam once but could be a contender for a prep school placement or foundation scholarship. His grades are good while taking A/P classes, he's a varsity captain, volunteering. He would be a good candidate for a prep school to increase his SAT score which is currently 1300. We were told a 1350 is a good place to be but obviously higher is better. They have the resources in place to help him achieve his goal. However, if his grades or SAT were lower the traditional college route would be better. Some prep schools you do not earn college credit and it's only for prep. In the case of MMI they award college credits. We spoke with our local university and should DS not get into an academy the credits for English, Calculus, Chemistry, etc would transfer which is great. We were told all foundation students except one would receive an appointment. One is being separated due to grades. They currently have 50 self prepsters and expect about 40 to get appointments this year.
 
This is the same question that we had and depends on the candidate. My DS has been accepted to many colleges with scholarships and we visited many but his desire is go to a service academy. We did visit MMI and spoke with the head of the school who provided info. In our case we were told our son was on the bubble because his SAT score was a little low but our son one took the exam once but could be a contender for a prep school placement or foundation scholarship. His grades are good while taking A/P classes, he's a varsity captain, volunteering. He would be a good candidate for a prep school to increase his SAT score which is currently 1300. We were told a 1350 is a good place to be but obviously higher is better. They have the resources in place to help him achieve his goal. However, if his grades or SAT were lower the traditional college route would be better. Some prep schools you do not earn college credit and it's only for prep. In the case of MMI they award college credits. We spoke with our local university and should DS not get into an academy the credits for English, Calculus, Chemistry, etc would transfer which is great. We were told all foundation students except one would receive an appointment. One is being separated due to grades. They currently have 50 self prepsters and expect about 40 to get appointments this year.

Excellent information! Thanks!
 
I got a 1330 sat and had a 3.61 gpa. So, I'm assuming what they want is for me to show that I can improve or at least maintain my sat score ;but also show motivation because my GPA was so low. I've gone with MMI because I've just been hearing that their program is really good at preparing students.
 
I got a 1330 sat and had a 3.61 gpa. So, I'm assuming what they want is for me to show that I can improve or at least maintain my sat score ;but also show motivation because my GPA was so low. I've gone with MMI because I've just been hearing that their program is really good at preparing students.


You would be a candidate in the bubble like my DS. According to MMI the gpa doesn’t matter as much as long as you are in the top 1/3 of your class and you took rigorous courses. Obviously it depends on your slate but a 1350 is a solid SAT but the higher the number according to MMI. You could be offered a foundation scholarship or an appointment to the prep school or the TWE. My DS is prepared for the rejection and I think he will attend MMI over the other schools he had been accepted at. My DS was told that next year’s appointment would be his to lose because he is so very close. You sound very similar.
 
I was told that the best way to look at FF offers is that the selection process identifies those that the FF feels would be successful at USAFA despite a possible ‘weakness’ in some area(s). In other words they look at the rest of the WCS and make a determination (from the selection committee’s experience) of who would have the drive, perseverance, guts, heart, grit, etc to successfully complete the course and graduate. They have a great ‘knack’ as their success in producing graduates is unmatched. I always think there is someone in the selection process that says, “Hey, this kid reminds me of someone I used to know at that stage in life, me!”
 
The trick with choosing a prep school is to find one that will address any deficiencies and prepare you to be successful and Graduate from USAFA. Some may need academics, some may need test score improvements, others time management and study skills.
Look for the prep school that will provide your specific situation with the tools to be successful, whether you gain acceptance to USAFA or not.
All the chosen FF eligible prep schools have produced graduates.... find out where YOU fit.
 
My DS is currently a self prep at MMI and I can't say enough about MMI! He had different weaknesses in his application. Great scores (1430/33) and good GPA (3.7 unweighted with 17 AP classes) but he graduated from a magnet school with no athletics and very little leadership opportunities. MMI has PT 2 or 3 times a week and they were great about finding leadership positions for him. There are lots of clubs/activities for the cadets to get involved. Wearing a uniform and living in a military culture confirmed that an academy was what he wanted. If he had not received an appointment this second time (he has!), his plan was too attend MMI a second year and reapply. Good luck to you, everyone's road is different!
 
Q: Did you not look through the many many many threads on this very question?

The prep school offer is a golden ticket to an appointment. If you want ROTC instead, INSTEAD, go for it. That is a fine option, which may or may not leave you with thousands of dollars of student debt.

If you accept a prep school offer and do well, the future is YOURS TO WIN OR LOSE.

It costs you one year. ONE year. What you gain... priceless.
 
I should have been way more specific. My question is about which deficiencies the prep schools address. Do they have anything to offer for a candidate who is highly qualified academically, but has a resume gap elsewhere? Specially, for example, the lack of the sports leadership piece?
 
I did read the threads, but I did not see that specific question addressed.
 
I should have been way more specific. My question is about which deficiencies the prep schools address. Do they have anything to offer for a candidate who is highly qualified academically, but has a resume gap elsewhere? Specially, for example, the lack of the sports leadership piece?

I can only speak of MMI and our meeting. It is my understanding that if you are admitted into their SAP they will meet with you, review your prior application, and they will work through the items you are lacking. There are multiple clubs to gain leadership and many, many intramural sports to become part of. My guess is that the other prep schools do something similar.
 
Thank you, that is helpful, and responsive to the question asked. We are going through their process now.
 
Our son attended MMI 3 years ago as a self prep after receiving a TWE during his first attempt at USAFA admission . He was very strong academically, and though we weren’t ever told what was lacking the first time through, I feel it could have been PFT scores or sports leadership. SAT scores were above average to start with and didn’t improve dramatically, but PFT scores did, and he also participated in AFROTC at UA in Tuscaloosa. I assume they still take the USAFA candidates there weekly. He also was able to tutor several subjects in their Academic Success Center, showing effective time management. If there is interest in flying , your son or daughter could earn a Private Pilots license at a fraction of the regular cost. Those were probably the biggest resume enhancers we had our second time through. He did earn his appointment while at MMI. It was also helpful that the cost to attend MMI was hugely offset for him as a self prep due to incredible scholarships they offer. You are welcome to PM with any other questions. For him it was the best thing that happened after the TWE, we never even knew these prep schools existed.
 
Prep schools are not merely for athletes who lack academics. Essentially, the prepster lacks something which USAFA feels can be gained with an additional year. For some athletes, it's better than a red shirt year at civilian college. For NARPs (Non-Athletic Regular Person), it may indeed be lack of sports, demonstrated lack of dedication to a sport or EC. It may be just that there is no history to go on for the AdMin staff to evaluate. I think they used to put many homeschoolers there, waiting to see if they measured up(now, most homeschoolers have demonstrated academics, athletics, ECs, test scores, etc).

There is absolutely no prejudice against kids who went to the prep school on I-Day. (Nor does anyone care who got or did not get an LOA - don't get me started!!)
 
My DD went to MMI on a Falcon Scholarship last year. There were 9 Falcon scholars there and 9 self prep for USAFA. All self preps and scholars got appointments last year and have attended USAFA. They work with self preps closely, they make sure they attend special events at AF air base and meet AF Generals and others when they come in. MMI truly works with their cadets who aspire to go to a service academy. They have many self preps and scholars for all the different service academies and I believe most do get appointments. They have a super high percentage rate of appointments. It is only if a cadet does something really dumb during their time there, that they don't get an appointment. MMI is a great prep school and my DD loved that she had close friends already when she got to USAFA.
 
Back
Top