usafcellist2026
MSU AFROTC '26
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2021
- Messages
- 617
Curious as to what the difference is between receiving a Falcon Foundation scholarship and an appointment to the USAFA Prep School.
Adding some clarity, FFS is a partial scholarship to one of up to five different prep schools, each with some similarities and some differences. It is referred to as "sponsored prep". Anywhere from 60-100 FFS recipients each cycle. The earlier an FFS is offered, the more choices you have available. Arguably, the lion's share of FFS recipients select Northwestern Prep (NWP). It is an OUTSTANDING program with a very high appointment rate. NWP is one semester with them and the Spring semester at college of your choice. The other four independent prep schools (NMMI, RMC, GMC and MMI) are a typical Fall through Spring academic year where you live there. My '25 DS selected NWP. Here's a link to Falcon Foundation's website where the 5 prep schools are listed and links to each school's website: https://www.falconfoundation.org/PrepSchools6) USAFA P-school is a full two semesters vs. FFS to Northwest Prep is 1 semester and most choose to go to community college near home during 2nd semester.
While academics is only one component of the "whole candidate score". I would suppose the stronger a candidate's academics are, say 1400+ on SAT and/or 33+ on ACT the less likely they would be selected for sponsored prep. For my DS, his GPA, SAT and ACT scores fairly resemble the '25 class average. His CFA was strong in some areas but room for improvement in others (especially the run). His leadership, life experience, essays and interviews were pretty strong, he was also PPQ and fluent in a critical language, so I assume admissions saw the potential and offered him the opportunity to prove he can make the cut by sending him to NWP so he can polish up the academics and build some additional physical strengths for the CFA.I have heard that strong academic candidates don’t qualify for this, is this correct?
I got a 1460(770m) on my sat and in my nomination interviews they all said they didn’t think I’d qualify for prep school. But I’m still not confident that I’ll get an appointment. So I’m was wondering if I don’t get an appointment is it pretty much done for me?While academics is only one component of the "whole candidate score". I would suppose the stronger a candidate's academics are, say 1400+ on SAT and/or 33+ on ACT the less likely they would be selected for sponsored prep. For my DS, his GPA, SAT and ACT scores fairly resemble the '25 class average. His CFA was strong in some areas but room for improvement in others (especially the run). His leadership, life experience, essays and interviews were pretty strong, he was also PPQ and fluent in a critical language, so I assume admissions saw the potential and offered him the opportunity to prove he can make the cut by sending him to NWP so he can polish up the academics and build some additional physical strengths for the CFA.
Academically, you would appear to have a solid background. The SAT is in a range I consider comfortable -- should you for some reason not be selected for a SA, the SAT score will NOT be the reason. We lack context as to the rest of your resume, but academics look solid.I got a 1460(770m) on my sat and in my nomination interviews they all said they didn’t think I’d qualify for prep school. But I’m still not confident that I’ll get an appointment. So I’m was wondering if I don’t get an appointment is it pretty much done for me?
A bit surprising that the prep school would be brought up during your MOC interview (given your apparent academic strength). Bear in mind that if you are nominated even if you don't win the slate, you can still receive an appointment. You are in the hunt until you are not in the hunt. And, last year and in other cycles, there were USAFA candidates who reported (here) that they initially received a TWE and later received appointments - so while realism is appropriate (an approximate 10% acceptance rate), pessimism is not warranted. Having said that, your academics seem to limit any significant likelihood of being sent to the Prep School. But, if you aren't appointed this cycle, unless you are aged out, there are other opportunities to improve yourself and apply as a college re-applicant. It isn't "done" unless you decide it is "done" for you. Good luck!I got a 1460(770m) on my sat and in my nomination interviews they all said they didn’t think I’d qualify for prep school. But I’m still not confident that I’ll get an appointment. So I’m was wondering if I don’t get an appointment is it pretty much done for me?