Advice needed

OP - As a FFS parent, I had a roller coaster of emotions when my kid got it, so I kinda get where you're coming from. I'm going to quote a couple of people here in hopes it'll pass on some experiences.
A1Janitor said:
I suspect he was a very competitive candidate on two slates, but it is possible another candidate on each slate edged him out.

My advice would be to shake it off, and accept this excellent opportunity.
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That's exactly what happened in our case. Our district is notoriously known to be extremely competitive. You show up to SA info nights and events, take one quick look around the room, and it's allllll kids everyone's competed with since kindergarten. Despite having all of the same impressive records as OP in this post, we were up against a principal nom, and a candidate with 3 LOAs from the big 3 SAs from very influential "powerhouse" private schools. Our MOGs were very candid in the process, and how many slots they have available per SA, which was never more than 2. Usually 1. Getting a Foundation scholarship to your # 1 dream choice school is an honor, especially in those circumstances.

In addition to improving, growing, maturing, learning (all of which everyone can always afford to do) Falcon Scholars get to meet and speak with AF and USAFA leaders such as Deans, and Director of Admissions. Imagine how much of an honor, and all the good feelings it is to have the Director of Admissions shake your hand and personally tell you they believe in you and they will see you at USAFA in a few months? FFS also get honored while at prep and USAFA. It's where you will meet some of your USAFA classmates, befriend them, and know that you'll already know several people there on I-Day so it's not as much of a nerve wracking experience. FFS is not at all a consolation prize, but an honor, being part of a pretty exclusive club of Air Force Officers who already believe in you to be in their shoes before you stepped foot into USAFA. If anything, being a FFS helps you appreciate the journey to USAFA and realizing that USAFA is not the destination in your life's goals. Nobody gets through the military without support. Imagine having that kind of support before you even get there. That's being a Falcon Scholar.

Hockey10 said:
Never met a prepster who regretted it. Including son in law.
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💯
 
I'd suggest reaching out to the USAFA admissions office to ask why they offered the Falcon scholarship. They might be able to explain their decision. If your son really wants to go to the USAFA, taking the Falcon scholarship could be a good step.
 
A good friend received a Falcon Scholarship and was also appointed to the naval Academy and is torn between the 2.
Thoughts ?
 
Update on my DS. He woke up this morning and announced that he wants to accept the Falcon instead of taking his AROTC scholarship. A 180 of where he was at a few days ago. We support him in whatever decision he makes. Super proud of him.
 
Luke Gs Dad said:
A good friend received a Falcon Scholarship and was also appointed to the naval Academy and is torn between the 2.
Thoughts ?
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Depends on what branch he wants to go into and what he wants to do within and after the service. I would suggest to go straight to the academy though since that is guaranteed 100% if the branch doesn’t matter a whole lot.
 
I am going to give a little different point of view and experience share. My oldest son received a direct appointment for Class of 26. Clearly he was qualified and I would tell you he needed to be a preppie. He never learned to study or manage his time in middle school and high school. Between the lack of those lessons he needed in HS and his lack of willingness to seek help and learn them when it truly counted, he was disenrolled in July after his first year. A year as a preppie might have saved us all lots of heartache, maybe not but if the heartache was to happen as a preppie, it also would have been very different. Clearly this isn't everyone's story and your son may have done just fine as a direct appointment but try to maybe consider it as a gift. I know the initial feelings are hard to go throught but it really could be a gift.
 
After 30 years, our dentist still regrets turning down a prep school offer to USAFA. He says that every single time we see him. He thought it was beneath him to not be a direct admit and now lives with the regret and what ifs.
 
Osprey123 said:
After 30 years, our dentist still regrets turning down a prep school offer to USAFA. He says that every single time we see him. He thought it was beneath him to not be a direct admit and now lives with the regret and what ifs.
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Well, that's the case: we need to try all the opportunities that we are offered instead of regretting our lives later.
At least I'm happy with the pathway I've chosen.
 
Has anyone else noticed that Giovanny shows up every day or two at about the same time in the late afternoon and makes exactly two posts? The replies are suitably relevant, but vague enough that it could just be information gleaned from browsing this forum or other sites on the internet. It’s almost like a computer program or something. Intriguing.
 
Stealth_81 said:
Has anyone else noticed that Giovanny shows up every day or two at about the same time in the late afternoon and makes exactly two posts? The replies are suitably relevant, but vague enough that it could just be information gleaned from browsing this forum or other sites on the internet. It’s almost like a computer program or something. Intriguing.
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I thought that about the person who got injured every step of the process.

Like it was a patchwork of other people’s injuries.
 
This may be a great opportunity for this young person to mature an additional year, prepare themselves to test out of certain courses, I think the term is validate??.; then when they are in the academy, if they validate a course could conceivably have a more relaxed first semester or two.
 
Stealth_81 said:
Has anyone else noticed that Giovanny shows up every day or two at about the same time in the late afternoon and makes exactly two posts? The replies are suitably relevant, but vague enough that it could just be information gleaned from browsing this forum or other sites on the internet. It’s almost like a computer program or something. Intriguing.
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Haha! What else can I do during my break? Sorry, I don't have enough time to create longer posts or to spy on other users! Gladly, you guys have enough time to contribute to this forum :) Browsing info? Don't you think that I know some info from personal experience or from friends in the so-called REAL world?
 
Stealth_81 said:
Has anyone else noticed that Giovanny shows up every day or two at about the same time in the late afternoon and makes exactly two posts? The replies are suitably relevant, but vague enough that it could just be information gleaned from browsing this forum or other sites on the internet. It’s almost like a computer program or something. Intriguing.
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Almost like clockwork.
 
Gable#1 said:
I'm reaching out because my son recently received a Falcon scholarship offer from USAFA, which is definitely better than a rejection, but I can't shake the feeling that something might have gone awry in the admissions process. He ticks all the boxes for admission: top 3% of his class, nailed the CFA, serves as Class President, Boys State attendant, varsity letter winner, takes upper-level AP classes with a perfect 4.0, scored a 32 on the ACT, and even secured primary nomination from our HR, with an additional nomination from our US senator where he ranked #1 among their nominees.

There was a hiccup with a medical disqualification, but he received a waiver back in February. The thing is, after looking into the curriculum of the prep schools affiliated with the Falcon scholarship, it seems like it would just be a repeat of what he's already excelling in at his current high school.

I'm at a loss for advice to give him, and I'm left wondering if there might have been some mistakes made in the admissions process. I feel like I might know the answer, but is there any possibility for an appeal in a situation like this?

Any insights or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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I find that highly unusual given his academic record. I can't speak for the USAFA but I know that USNA uses the prep school and scholarship program only for those candidates who need more academic exposure (invariably these are recruited athletes) or candidates who have not been away from the academic environment for a while (usually former enlisted).

It's also possible that a candidate could have a high GPA but has not taken the type of courses the academy is looking for like Chemistry, Physics and high-level math courses (i.e. Calculus). But that doesn't seem to be the case with your son. It is odd, indeed.

Typically, they do not send academically-qualified candidates to a prep school because it's a waste of everybody's time. Usually, if there is no room for an academically-qualified candidate (of which there are always many) - and that candidate is desired - the academy will give them a standard rejection and encourage them to reapply.

I know that USNA does not usually use the prep school or scholarship program as a repository for desired candidates for whom there was no room. I guess it may happen now and then - but it's extremely rare.
 
Memphis9489 said:
I find that highly unusual given his academic record. I can't speak for the USAFA but I know that USNA uses the prep school and scholarship program only for those candidates who need more academic exposure (invariably these are recruited athletes) or candidates who have not been away from the academic environment for a while (usually former enlisted).

It's also possible that a candidate could have a high GPA but has not taken the type of courses the academy is looking for like Chemistry, Physics and high-level math courses (i.e. Calculus). But that doesn't seem to be the case with your son. It is odd, indeed.

Typically, they do not send academically-qualified candidates to a prep school because it's a waste of everybody's time. Usually, if there is no room for an academically-qualified candidate (of which there are always many) - and that candidate is desired - the academy will give them a standard rejection and encourage them to reapply.

I know that USNA does not usually use the prep school or scholarship program as a repository for desired candidates for whom there was no room. I guess it may happen now and then - but it's extremely rare.
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My DS has extremely similar academic and leadership stats to the OP's DS and was also offered Falcon prep. Admissions said there was nothing lacking in his application. They want him in prep this year and that's were he is headed. He plans to work hard and improve even more. Hopefully can cash in that golden ticket next year.
 
Feel blessed to have the opportunity to attend the USAFA no matter the path. My daughter will graduate this May form USAFA with an engineering degree and a minor in Chinese, has a pilot slot, just got back from South Africa for spring break on a culture experience paid for my the military, did a semester in Taiwan, summer session in Singapore, regularly goes snow boarding, great lifetime friends and by the way she was a Falcon Foundation Scholar. At first she had the same thoughts as many of you talked about above but she never has regretted the year as a Falcon Foundation. Many of her current friends are those she met while attending NWP.
 
Firstgo said:
Feel blessed to have the opportunity to attend the USAFA no matter the path. My daughter will graduate this May form USAFA with an engineering degree and a minor in Chinese, has a pilot slot, just got back from South Africa for spring break on a culture experience paid for my the military, did a semester in Taiwan, summer session in Singapore, regularly goes snow boarding, great lifetime friends and by the way she was a Falcon Foundation Scholar. At first she had the same thoughts as many of you talked about above but she never has regretted the year as a Falcon Foundation. Many of her current friends are those she met while attending NWP.
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Amazing and congratulations to your DD!! So good to hear these stories.
 
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