Class of 2015 - Mailbox Stalkers Club

WOW! It has been crazy busy here. I thought I would post an update. My daughter came back from her school visit very happy. She had an opportunity to sit in on classes and fell in love. It was fun hearing the stories because she had only visited the Academy. Last week she signed her acceptance and is pursuing a whole new dream. She turned down her AFROTC Scholarship because it was not needed. She also changed her major from Aero Eng to BioMed Engineering. I suppose, that is the benefit of taking all AP classes, it offered her opportunities in so many areas of interest. Following her dream of USAFA, only made her a more well rounded person which has a huge value to other universities. I wish for all the potential cadets great success in their future.:yay:
 
Falcon Foundation Scholarships

With regard to the Falcon Foundation Scholarships: Can anyone say FOR SURE that successful completion of the prep school program guarantees an appointment? The letter my DS received states that "completion of this program "virtually" guarantees an appointment. We are very skeptical with the recent developments and mandated downsizing. Also, according to those in the know, he shouldn't have received this letter with his stats - too high academics. He's kind of feeling like they threw him a bone and might make the quick switch next year when they start crunching the numbers again... Wouldn't it be safer for him to just go with plan B and re-apply (having earned a semester of college credits.) Wish this process was a little easier to navigate.
 
gotaplay2 said:
With regard to the Falcon Foundation Scholarships: Can anyone say FOR SURE that successful completion of the prep school program guarantees an appointment? The letter my DS received states that "completion of this program "virtually" guarantees an appointment. We are very skeptical with the recent developments and mandated downsizing. Also, according to those in the know, he shouldn't have received this letter with his stats - too high academics. He's kind of feeling like they threw him a bone and might make the quick switch next year when they start crunching the numbers again... Wouldn't it be safer for him to just go with plan B and re-apply (having earned a semester of college credits.) Wish this process was a little easier to navigate.
Click to expand...

I can only tell you of our experience and it comes close to the "guarantee".

Class of 2014 had my son's friend in the Falcon program. He and ~93 of the 94 Falcons received appointments. The one that did not get in was not appointed because of academics during his prep school year. (This was told to me by a person on the USAFA side, not the Falcon side of administration.)

Class of 2015: I do not know the number of appointments; however my son and his Falcon buddies at the prep school all received appointments for this fall.

IMHO they are not throwing out bones disguised as Falcon scholarships. They are throwing out appointment opportunities disguised as Falcon scholarships. I tried to think of it like being red-shirted on a football team. (You still have to reapply, make the grades, get a nomination, etc. but it proves to the USAFA your perserverance and desire.)
 
Brookhaus said:
NKP, if you don't mind me asking, has your nomination status in your online profile changed from none to something else? Thanks.
Click to expand...



Brookhaus, My mystery nominating source has finally been revealed. It now reads as follows:
Nominator: Vice President Joseph R Biden Jr

:biggrin:
 
Last edited:
gotaplay2 said:
With regard to the Falcon Foundation Scholarships: Can anyone say FOR SURE that successful completion of the prep school program guarantees an appointment? The letter my DS received states that "completion of this program "virtually" guarantees an appointment. We are very skeptical with the recent developments and mandated downsizing. Also, according to those in the know, he shouldn't have received this letter with his stats - too high academics. He's kind of feeling like they threw him a bone and might make the quick switch next year when they start crunching the numbers again... Wouldn't it be safer for him to just go with plan B and re-apply (having earned a semester of college credits.) Wish this process was a little easier to navigate.
Click to expand...

My son was a Falcon Scholar and we were told that basically USAFA is holding a slot for him. He needed to do his part to show he still deserved the slot. They will never say it is a total guarantee because that locks them in if the student does not perform or does something really foolish.

Being awarded a Falcon means go do a great job continuing what you did trying to earn a direct appointment and you will be the next years class. My son was told by admissions after earning his Falcon - "Do a great job at your prep school and we will see you next June."

FYI...there are 5 different options for the Falcons. I believe all are excellent, but only NWP does not offer college credit for the semester spent at NWP. The second semester is usually spent at a local community college. All the Falcons my son has talked to valued their extra year, regardless of which school they chose. My son went to MMI, so feel free to PM me with any questions on his experience.
 
gotaplay2 said:
With regard to the Falcon Foundation Scholarships: Can anyone say FOR SURE that successful completion of the prep school program guarantees an appointment? The letter my DS received states that "completion of this program "virtually" guarantees an appointment. We are very skeptical with the recent developments and mandated downsizing. Also, according to those in the know, he shouldn't have received this letter with his stats - too high academics. He's kind of feeling like they threw him a bone and might make the quick switch next year when they start crunching the numbers again... Wouldn't it be safer for him to just go with plan B and re-apply (having earned a semester of college credits.) Wish this process was a little easier to navigate.
Click to expand...

My DS was also a Falcon with others here at NWP. While we completely understand your concerns about academics and my DS was one with very high test scores. It is the WCS so there was a point where academics as high as they were did not move your DS to the top. IMHO- Yes it is tight this year but accepting a Falcon is a far safer option if his dream is USAFA then risking re-applying. As others stated Virtual can be taken as is and I love the red shirt comment below - right on target. What is a semester of in NWP case of losing college credits versus your goal.

Best of Luck as each decides what path to take!
 
Congratulations, NKP! As a result of your message I checked our son's online status and he has just received a nom from the VP as well! (He was a Falcon prep this past year, and we are in VA-10.) See you in Colorado.
 
gotaplay2 said:
With regard to the Falcon Foundation Scholarships: Can anyone say FOR SURE that successful completion of the prep school program guarantees an appointment? The letter my DS received states that "completion of this program "virtually" guarantees an appointment. We are very skeptical with the recent developments and mandated downsizing. Also, according to those in the know, he shouldn't have received this letter with his stats - too high academics. He's kind of feeling like they threw him a bone and might make the quick switch next year when they start crunching the numbers again... Wouldn't it be safer for him to just go with plan B and re-apply (having earned a semester of college credits.) Wish this process was a little easier to navigate.
Click to expand...

Nothing is for sure, but the Falcon Scholarship offer letter we received did say either 97% or 98% who succesfully complete prep school will be offered admission.
 
Successful completion of the sponsored Falcon prep program is as close to a guarantee of admission as you will ever have from the USAFA (it is essentially as much of guarantee as attending the USAFA prep school itself). The Falcon Foundation told us that in its entire history not one of its preps that successfully completed the program failed to receive an appointment. If your child is committed to attending the USAFA and has been offered a sponsored Falcon prep position, TAKE IT WITHOUT HESITATION!
 
I know it sounds too good to be true, but beleive it!! The only Falcon candidates I have heard of in the last two years that did not get an appointment were those that receved a D or F in one of their prep school classes (there was one last year, haven't heard of any yet this year). Its worth the wait if you really want it.
 
Falcon15 said:
I know it sounds too good to be true, but beleive it!! The only Falcon candidates I have heard of in the last two years that did not get an appointment were those that receved a D or F in one of their prep school classes (there was one last year, haven't heard of any yet this year). Its worth the wait if you really want it.
Click to expand...

It's been that way for a LOOOOONG time...

I did this in 1978-1979...there were 57 candidates at NWP (Mound, MN back then) pretty much split between USAFA Falcon's and USNA's program.

53 of us received appointments.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Brookhaus said:
Congratulations, NKP! As a result of your message I checked our son's online status and he has just received a nom from the VP as well! (He was a Falcon prep this past year, and we are in VA-10.) See you in Colorado.
Click to expand...

Awesome! So glad to hear it. I'll confess, I was a bit shocked to see mine. How many noms does Biden have?
 
NKP, the vice president gets ten nominations for each of his five allocated open spots at USAFA, USNA and USMA, just like members of congress.
 
Congrats to everyone who are members of the Class of 2015!

Nearly 1400 posts and 120,000 views later, this thread has served it's purpose. Over the course of these past 3 months it has been a tough wait for all of us who have been part of this thread. Some great people got appointments, many great people did not, it was exhilarating and heartbreaking at the same time.

Through it all, people supported each other on this forum and it made this process of gaining an appointment and waiting on decisions from USAFA much easier. To the class of 2015 - Congratualtions, and work hard when you are at USAFA, a lot of really talented people did not get the chance you have been given. To former stalkers who are now Preppies (be they Falcons, USAF Prep, or self sponsored) and ROTC cadets - my very best wishes and good luck next year!
 
Online status

Yea generally the status will change on the anticipated day that you'll get your official appointment package in the mail. "Your status" will stay as "candidate," and "appointment status" will change to "appointment offered," and later (if accepted), "appointment accepted." It won't ever change to "appointee."
 
falconfamily said:
Nearly 1400 posts and 120,000 views later, this thread has served it's purpose. Over the course of these past 3 months it has been a tough wait for all of us who have been part of this thread.
Click to expand...

Heck, we're still stalkin'! :rockon::rockon::rockon: Anyone else? With me as an example of someone who got a very late (June) appointment :w00t:, DS and DD (with Plan Bs firmly in place) will no doubt keep on mailbox stalking until the fat lady sings. :band:
 
I'm with you buddy... I would give an arm AND a leg for an appointment. Next year is do or die for me.
 
We met the parents of the #4 Thunderbird pilot at graduation - I asked if he was an Academy grad the reply was "no, he didn't get in." He did apply the following year, and received an appointment, but opted to stay at CSU. But they couldn't be prouder of their son, who they said "wanted to be a Thunderbird pilot since childhood."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top