I recently received an appointment to the USAFA (direct/full appointment), but my Regional Commander for USMA offered me an AOG scholarship for a year of civil prep. I plan on visiting the AFA soon, but USMA has been my #1 choice since I can remember, whereas USAFA is probably my #3 (USNA is #2).
My parents want me to go for the AFA because they say that there isn't much of a difference between the SAs if I like all the career options. In other words, my standardized test scores were fine (32 ACT), but my HS grades in my math classes and some science classes were quite poor, which is what I believe prompted an AOG instead of direct appointment to USMA. Naturally, my parents are just worried that even if I do alright at civil prep, it's not a guaranteed appointment/won't hear back about an appointment until March next year - if I even get one. They ask, is that extra year truly worth it? I have explained to them how it's an additional year of maturity and military/academic familiarity, but they think I could do just fine going in this year to AFA. I keep telling them that an extra year in the future won't make a difference, but I am torn.
Can anyone offer any insight with similar situations, or can anyone tell me (in detail) about a year at civil prep? Thanks in advance.
My parents want me to go for the AFA because they say that there isn't much of a difference between the SAs if I like all the career options. In other words, my standardized test scores were fine (32 ACT), but my HS grades in my math classes and some science classes were quite poor, which is what I believe prompted an AOG instead of direct appointment to USMA. Naturally, my parents are just worried that even if I do alright at civil prep, it's not a guaranteed appointment/won't hear back about an appointment until March next year - if I even get one. They ask, is that extra year truly worth it? I have explained to them how it's an additional year of maturity and military/academic familiarity, but they think I could do just fine going in this year to AFA. I keep telling them that an extra year in the future won't make a difference, but I am torn.
Can anyone offer any insight with similar situations, or can anyone tell me (in detail) about a year at civil prep? Thanks in advance.