DS received an email from FFR asking if he would consider Civil Prep? He currently has a earned 4 year Navy and Army ROTC scholarship to his #1 Senior Military College choice which he has been accepted into. He currently is 3Q and has 3 nominations to USMA. Looking for advice or insight on Civil Prep versus remaining with plan B of AROTC if not granted admission to USMA.
Civil Prep vs 4 year AROTC Scholarship
- Thread starter SAHM2526
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He wants USMA real bad but weighing out pros and cons of civil prep versus reapplying as ROTC student if not granted appointment in class of 2026. Concerns are losing scholarship (because he would have to give it up if he goes to Civil Prep) and taking an extra year to commission. We are from a very competitive district.
Sounds like your FFR is offering your DS a sponsored enrollment to Civil Prep; I would verify and if my assumption is correct, I would jump on that offer. A USMA sponsorship to a civil prep should be considered a golden ticket when ROTC participation is not guaranteed to land your DS a spot at USMA. As long as your DS completes the program successfully, USMA is basically going to reserve a spot for him the following year. My DS was offered USAFA sponsored civil prep and he successfully completed it. He subsequently received an appointment to the USAFA this year. He was also offered an Army ROTC scholarship which he declined along with the direct appt to the USMMA; he accepted the sponsored civil prep for USAFA because we were advised that it was basically a golden ticket for an appt once you successfully complete it. However, you will still have to reapply for a new nomination the following year but that shouldn't be an issue.
My son had a 4 year ROTC scholarship to a great school but chose the AOG civil prep at GMC because USMA was his dream. He has no regrets and says he was extremely well prepared for the physical, military and academic challenges at USMA. That said, I have another son who chose Army ROTC and had more opportunities to do a wider variety of Army summer training than most cadets at USMA. Both avenues will lead them to success as a 2nd Lt.
UHBlackhawk
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I think civil prep is a great idea even if he decides to go ROTC.
There is this push for kids to go to college right away after HS. Many schools even push this.
I’ve found many “kids” need a few more years past the age of 18 to “bake”. A civil prep year gives them the chance to do this.
There is this push for kids to go to college right away after HS. Many schools even push this.
I’ve found many “kids” need a few more years past the age of 18 to “bake”. A civil prep year gives them the chance to do this.
Armyfeight
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My son was in the same position last year. He had two four-year ROTC scholarships for Penn State and Pitt and liked both programs. Both also had students successfully get appointments after a year or two. When he was offered the AOG civil prep he took it and is finishing at Georgia Miltary College this year. There are 9 sponsored WP prep cadets with him and all received their appointments in February as well as three other students there. Also, do not worry about getting the congressional nomination the next year. Finally, the credits they take at GMC would transfer is the student decides not to attend an academy. My son will have his associate's degree (in one year) when he graduates from GMC in May, they take A LOT of classes, it's not easy! My son also feels much better prepared than had he gone to WP right away, especially as he was virtual for much of his senior year. Both are amazing options, as others say it depends on if he wants WP or to be an Army officer. Good luck!