Civil Prep and the admissions process?

G

GreenG

Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2020
Messages
21
Does anyone have a good feel for how the admissions process works with Civil Prep? DD was asked early on (January?) if she would accept the AOG Civil Prep program. After she said yes, it seems like that was where she was slotted and she received her offer March 20th. We're very happy that she got the "Golden Ticket" - She actually thinks it will be good to have a prep year. But if they identified her early on, why not a direct appointment? Maybe something to do with coming from a competitive district in NC? If that's the case - is there any chance she'll be picked up from the NWL? The letter says she may still be, but I'm wondering if now that she's been slotted, is that realistic?

Again, it doesn't really matter at this point - after the initial disappointment, and some time to think, she's happy and excited about the process, but these questions might help someone else - I didn't find much when I searched for the topic.
 
It kinda sounds like you realize you won’t get an accurate answer here and I’d bet you are correct.

At this point I’d personally lean straight ahead into civil prep and not worry about the NWL. If she gets a May/June call it will be a fun surprise and you can be the new forum expert on civil prep to last minute appointment. Either way you’ve got great options.
 
Last edited:
Planning for these offers starts rather early in the process as everyone is trying to read the tea leaves. It was probably clear in January that she would not win her MOC's slate and without another nomination it is difficult for them to slot her somewhere else. While her package may look good, it is hard for a high school applicant to compete with the college re-applicants for the 150 qualified alternate slots. While anything is possible, I would also suggest to move forward with civil prep and get ready to shine next year. I am not sure I have ever meet a cadet or graduate that has a negative opinion of having to attend prep school after it is all said and done.
 
GreenG said:
Does anyone have a good feel for how the admissions process works with Civil Prep? DD was asked early on (January?) if she would accept the AOG Civil Prep program. After she said yes, it seems like that was where she was slotted and she received her offer March 20th. We're very happy that she got the "Golden Ticket" - She actually thinks it will be good to have a prep year. But if they identified her early on, why not a direct appointment? Maybe something to do with coming from a competitive district in NC? If that's the case - is there any chance she'll be picked up from the NWL? The letter says she may still be, but I'm wondering if now that she's been slotted, is that realistic?

Again, it doesn't really matter at this point - after the initial disappointment, and some time to think, she's happy and excited about the process, but these questions might help someone else - I didn't find much when I searched for the topic.
Click to expand...
Congratulations! My DS accepted the AOG Civil Prep program as well. Remain hopeful on the NWL, but excited for this option. Still looking at the schools. Have you decided on which school your DD will attend?
 
ArmyMom! said:
Congratulations! My DS accepted the AOG Civil Prep program as well. Remain hopeful on the NWL, but excited for this option. Still looking at the schools. Have you decided on which school your DD will attend?
Click to expand...

Great question - probably good to document it here for anyone searching for info in the future. A little background - 1st in class, Three sport athlete, (State champion swimmer), 1410 SAT, attended NC school of Math and Science, etc, etc. Went to SLE for USMA and USNA. 2 Noms. Received an LOE from USMA.

DD was first asked in early January if she would consider AOG. She of course said yes. She 3Q'd in early March after DoDMERB cleared her ACL reconstruction from a year ago. Shortly after 3Q, the RC called on the 20th of March and told her she had received the AOG Scholarship. She accepted on the portal on the 24th. We started receiving calls and emails from GMC, Marion and NorthWestern on the 25th. We haven't heard anything from New Mexico other than a response to an inquiry we sent. She was pretty inundated with calls from former prepsters and school officials. It felt a lot like when she was being athletically recruited before her knee injury - GMC sent a t-shirt, and business cards from the leadership. Here's our perception of the options:

1. Marion - Strong ties to USMA, strong academic program, not much to do other than school and training.
2. Georgia Military College - Good all around program - good military training/prep, in a college town. Amazing recruiting, nice facilities.
3. NorthWestern - Seems like the most fun. Amazing setting. Personal attention through the admissions process. All about test scores (Academic and Physical) offers the opportunity (for better or worse) to experience "regular college" the second semester.
4. New Mexico - no real info - sorry.
5. Hargrave - Men only - not an option.

One other note - she was also offered Civil Prep by USNA, but declined.

My guess here is that they know pretty soon in the process if there's a slot in your District. We are in a very competitive area with many bases nearby.

Interested to see if that syncs with your impressions, and hope it provides some info for others.
 
Last edited:
DS just accepted today. Will keep you posted on our experience and information obtained. Information is very helpful. Thank you!
 
DS received his AOG appointment yesterday. We celebrated of course. He had a received a Medical DQ in Sept that he finally received a waiver for in February. His hopes were dashed by his RC early March that he would not be receiving his interview. We were moving on with a solid Plan B (AROTC and AFTROTC-4 year scholarships to his first choice schools). We are also waiting on AFA and USNA. He received noms for all four schools! Then all of a sudden about a week ago the RC contacted him and said we have to get your interview done asap. FFR called that night and got it done. A week later-WOW! Our oldest attends Marion and loves it, little bro (DS) will follow him now and we couldnt be happier. Marion is such a special place. Not much to do there but to "Finish what you came here for" Col. Mollahan.
 
My DD did NWP as a free agent. She needed to build her application with stronger test scores. From what she has told me: best decision she ever made!
As AOG scholarship recipients you would have the added security that you know you will be offered a place in the next class...the golden ticket. So no matter where you go you will have that security, but with NWP you get a 2 fold experience. 1st as part of their unique program then home for a semester of regular college with plebe like courses.
The other options are a year long structured programs and if that is what you are lacking are great options.
My feeling is you will have four years of that at West Point so why add one more if you don’t have too. Feel free to message me if you have more questions.
 
GreenG said:
Great question - probably good to document it here for anyone searching for info in the future. A little background - 1st in class, Three sport athlete, (State champion swimmer), 1410 SAT, attended NC school of Math and Science, etc, etc. Went to SLE for USMA and USNA. 2 Noms. Received an LOE from USMA.

DD was first asked in early January if she would consider AOG. She of course said yes. She 3Q'd in early March after DoDMERB cleared her ACL reconstruction from a year ago. Shortly after 3Q, the RC called on the 20th of March and told her she had received the AOG Scholarship. She accepted on the portal on the 24th. We started receiving calls and emails from GMC, Marion and NorthWestern on the 25th. We haven't heard anything from New Mexico other than a response to an inquiry we sent. She was pretty inundated with calls from former prepsters and school officials. It felt a lot like when she was being athletically recruited before her knee injury - GMC sent a t-shirt, and business cards from the leadership. Here's our perception of the options:

1. Marion - Strong ties to USMA, strong academic program, not much to do other than school and training.
2. Georgia Military College - Good all around program - good military training/prep, in a college town. Amazing recruiting, nice facilities.
3. NorthWestern - Seems like the most fun. Amazing setting. Personal attention through the admissions process. All about test scores (Academic and Physical) offers the opportunity (for better or worse) to experience "regular college" the second semester.
4. New Mexico - no real info - sorry.
5. Hargrave - Men only - not an option.

One other note - she was also offered Civil Prep by USNA, but declined.

My guess here is that they know pretty soon in the process if there's a slot in your District. We are in a very competitive area with many bases nearby.

Interested to see if that syncs with your impressions, and hope it provides some info for others.
Click to expand...
The calls have started to roll in, so thank you for the heads up! Appreciate your insight. My DS is in research mode but seems to think Marion would be a good fit. We are in TX, so he would be prepared for the AL heat at the beginning of the year. 😊
 
I'm a FFR AND have a son in Civil Prep (aka Foundation Program for USNA). We've had a good experience in his year at Marion. I recommend it. Just make sure your kids understand that they have to stay focused on grades and staying out of trouble. Marion does have the SA programs, where the kids are mostly united in their goals of getting to the SAs with good grades and staying out of trouble. However, there are plenty of chances to go astray due to "excessive fun" - similar to any school. I've had regular candid check-ins with my DS on that front. Good luck!
 
Quick update, after LOTS of soul searching and mind changing, DD selected NWP. I can tell you that if she had not been sponsored or was not comfortable with time management or military structure, she probably would have chosen Marion. As it stands, I think the possibility to work hard in a beautiful environment for a few months, then experience a little bit of "regular" college someplace cool like Colorado at Bolder, or similar before locking into 4 years of hard work at West Point was appealing. If we had any question about her commitment, we would have encouraged a different choice, but that's not a problem in this case.
 
GreenG said:
Quick update, after LOTS of soul searching and mind changing, DD selected NWP. I can tell you that if she had not been sponsored or was not comfortable with time management or military structure, she probably would have chosen Marion. As it stands, I think the possibility to work hard in a beautiful environment for a few months, then experience a little bit of "regular" college someplace cool like Colorado at Bolder, or similar before locking into 4 years of hard work at West Point was appealing. If we had any question about her commitment, we would have encouraged a different choice, but that's not a problem in this case.
Click to expand...
I’m sure she will love it there! My DD went as self prep and was so glad she chose NWP. I wonder if she called my daughter about a week ago?
 
GreenG said:
Quick update, after LOTS of soul searching and mind changing, DD selected NWP. I can tell you that if she had not been sponsored or was not comfortable with time management or military structure, she probably would have chosen Marion. As it stands, I think the possibility to work hard in a beautiful environment for a few months, then experience a little bit of "regular" college someplace cool like Colorado at Bolder, or similar before locking into 4 years of hard work at West Point was appealing. If we had any question about her commitment, we would have encouraged a different choice, but that's not a problem in this case.
Click to expand...

Two additional items for those of you researching things in the future -

1. DD's plan B was the 4 year ROTC scholarship. She was offered a full ride to Georgetown and Columbia. She was turned down by Georgetown and wait listed by Columbia. After being awarded the ROTC Scholarship, Columbia called to say she would be accepted (I'm assuming they like the idea of a fully funded student). She's still going West Point, but I thought that it's good for folks to know that getting the ROTC Scholarship can affect the admissions process at highly competitive schools.

2. Evidently there are additional AOG funding sources. We received a call today letting us know that the full amount of Civil Prep would be covered by AOG because of the zip code/district we are in. Nice!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top