Civil Prep

We were told that if he agrees to the ECP program he signs on at that point and transferring to West Point isn't an option. They made that very clear and explained it was the difference between the jr college versus a 4 year college. I guess I'm taking their word on that? I really appreciate your feedback. As parents we are at a loss. He doesn't want the financial obligation if he doesn't have to and sometimes I think he feels it will burden us, especially knowing if he would have listened to us to begin with he could have avoided a lot of this. He has made contact with the ROTC program (email on Tuesday) at the state school but have not had a response yet. Hopefully he will be able to contact them this coming week for a visit. Again, I thank you for your feedback.


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Does anyone know if you accept a scholarship into the army early commissioning program (ECP) at a military junior college if you can still seek an appointment at West Point? We have been given the impression (told by the school) you can't but it doesn't make sense when enlisted personnel can.


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DS was told differently, that was a 5 years ago and things can change over time. Sounds odd, based on what they told him back then. If I got it correctly, if you get and accept an appointment to an SA, all prior commitments/obligations are waived, however if you are separated from the SA (dismissed or you leave for some reason), you may fall back into a position of being held responsible for prior commitments/scholarship limitations. Depends on what those prior commitments are.

I would verify once more with that school and then check with some other military junior colleges. I would even suggest to speak both with the PMS and the school's Financial Aid office, just to make sure. It is possible there is some misunderstanding. You could also talk with Cadet Command, either at USMA or the national headquarters (although at this moment their web site looks a bit messed up http://www.cadetcommand.army.mil/) for more clarification. My two cents, worth a few phone calls.

-RLTW
 
There seems to always be this train of thought that going to some military related school or doing ROTC in college will somehow make the candidate more appealing the next year. It doesn't. There is no check the block fix that will guarantee admission.

First, from a RC and FFR perspective, Civil Prep is a place to put those really great candidates that mathematically have little chance of gaining admission but are otherwise fully qualified. In more concrete/objective terms, they are outstanding in the leadership and physical fitness assessment pieces, and while qualified academically, they won't (even with a college bonus) likely score high enough to win a district spot.

Civil prep is not to build up leadership. In fact, chances are no college will do that for a freshman given the parameters of the West Point application. Whether they are a plebe, rat, or just freshman, they aren't going to be in a high leadership position; especially one that trumps what they were capable of earning their senior year of high school. That means that their leadership is likely to stay consistent with what they earned before.

That leaves academics - and if going to a SMC or prep school that puts lots of demands on your time and rewards you with OK grades is the result, than you may be hurting your own chances. Especially if it is one that precludes you from preparing for and retaking the standardized testing.

In this realm, a regular college with or without ROTC could be just as valuable as a SMC. Not to take anything away from a SMC or prep as they have their place, it all depends on what your goal is. If West Point admissions is yours, self sponsoring at Valley Forge may OR may not be the right route. A 30 ACT super scored might be above average for West Point, but might not cut it for your district. Do they give you the time to prepare and score better? Your MOC might like to see commitment to prep or ROTC before awarding a principal nomination that would distinguish a prep program from normal college. There are just too many variables to speak specifically about a candidate from an online/anonymous forum to make the right recommendation.

RCs have busy schedules. Responding to a candidate that is not gaining admissions this year on what to do next year is not high on their priority. Finishing out the current class, planning and conducting spring travel, recruiting 2020 and beyond, and SLE questions are the current top priority. Usually around June/July is when they will reach out and start asking candidates that were close and have a shot with college to reapply. That way they will know which applications they will roll forward for the next year.
 
I understand the issue with the civil prep program and the view point that it may or may not improve my DS chances for West Point admission. Yes, they do offer help to increase test scores. In the end it merely comes down to the fact that his end goal is to be an officer in the army. If he chooses ROTC, ROTC early commission program or West Point his end goal will still be met. He likes Valley Forge because it is a smaller more intimate school. His dream has always been to go to West Point but after not being selected this year he is accepting of the reality he may be denied again next year. He wants to do everything possible to increase those odds. In the meantime place himself in a positive position that he can continue with regardless of next years decision.


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1proudmom said:
I understand the issue with the civil prep program and the view point that it may or may not improve my DS chances for West Point admission. Yes, they do offer help to increase test scores. In the end it merely comes down to the fact that his end goal is to be an officer in the army. If he chooses ROTC, ROTC early commission program or West Point his end goal will still be met. He likes Valley Forge because it is a smaller more intimate school. His dream has always been to go to West Point but after not being selected this year he is accepting of the reality he may be denied again next year. He wants to do everything possible to increase those odds. In the meantime place himself in a positive position that he can continue with regardless of next years decision.


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1proudmom, have you looked into Northwestern Prep (NWP) in Crestline, CA? They are a WP foundation prep that do things differently. Give them a call and bounce questions off them. They are not a "military" school. They focus on academics and improving ACT/SAT scores. If your DS does or does not attend WP he will be very well prepared for his eduction.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
1proudmom said:
We were told that if he agrees to the ECP program he signs on at that point and transferring to West Point isn't an option. They made that very clear and explained it was the difference between the jr college versus a 4 year college. I guess I'm taking their word on that? I really appreciate your feedback. As parents we are at a loss. He doesn't want the financial obligation if he doesn't have to and sometimes I think he feels it will burden us, especially knowing if he would have listened to us to begin with he could have avoided a lot of this. He has made contact with the ROTC program (email on Tuesday) at the state school but have not had a response yet. Hopefully he will be able to contact them this coming week for a visit. Again, I thank you for your feedback.
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Words matter, so I would say no one transfers to West Point. Everyone starts over. So if someone says you can't transfer to West Point, he or she doesn't know what he is talking about. I am a cynical person, but the fact is Civil Prep schools are for profit institution. I was on ROTC scholarship when I accepted my appointment to West Point. Had a classmate of mine that graduated New Mexico Military Institute with an Army commisison that resigned his commission and came to West Point.

My gut feeling is that whoever you or your DS is talking to at Valley Forge is not 100% being honest. It's similar to some recruiters telling kids that they can't apply to West Point once they enlist.
 
Just to throw my two cents in, my DS is at MMI this year. They had 23 AOGs this year that all received appointments as well as 5 non-sponsored students receiving appointments as well. My DS was in the same position last year as you are right now. We were thrilled when he qualified for an AOG scholarship even though we had no idea what we were getting into since we are not a military family. I cannot tell you what a fantastic experience it has been. Marion is in the middle of nowhere and not that exciting but my son was able to spend the year with 22+ other like-minded young people. If you think about it, all these young people wanted admission to West Point so badly that they were willing to give up a year of their youth in order to fulfill their dream. He has made amazing friends from all over the country that he will already know when he begins his plebe year at USMA. He also now knows how to make his bed, shine his shoes and march in formation, all of which will help him in the difficult year ahead. His professors are excellent and Colonel Bauer has 30+ years experience with helping these young people gain appointments. Another benefit of MMI is that all 5 academies are represented and our son will know young people at all the academies next year.

Civil prep was not in our original plan but we would not change a thing. I recommend it highly!
 
PJdaines said:
Anybody hear anything yet? I was told I would know by early may.
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I received word from my Field Force Rep thursday (4-30) that I had received a civil prep scholarship for this coming school year. I hope that you receive a WPPSP Scholarship and that we can be in class of 2020 together!

If selected , what are your top 3 prep school options?
 
Gabrielparish I just got informed today that i have received a civil prep offer!!! I am going to accept. I haven't decided which prep school yet. I need to look into it more. Send me a private message. Lets go Class of 2020!!!!!
 
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