Falcon Foundation

[DDmom]

I have question about falcon or self preps. At a place like NWP is it realistic to go from 25 to 30 on act.

Success is not guaranteed. NWP provides all the resources for improvement, but it is up to the prepster him/herself to get where they want to be. I improved both academically and physically at NWP, but I really struggled with the pull up/flexed arm hang portion of the CFA. If I did not make time every night after study hall to work on my pull ups, I would not have improved. Yes, there were PT sessions every day. However, if one wants to improve a little extra in a certain area, they must make take time to focus on it.
Same thing goes for academics. Some prepsters needed to bring a certain section of their ACT/SAT up. For example, I knew of a student who had an amazing score in the math section of the ACT, but struggled in the English section. Yes, NWP has an English class but said student had to put a little extra time into studying to improve his score. Some students had a low SAT score in general, and spent their free time reading SAT prep books (their scores improved as well).

It's not difficult to set aside some free time to improve since you have practically no internet and very little contact with "civilization." Nevertheless, it can be tempting to take a nap or just "chill" with your fellow prepsters instead of studying or getting that extra workout in.

The real magic on the mountain happens when students realize that it's not the school that gets them the high score on the ACT, SAT, or CFA. NWP gives prepsters all the tools to achieve their goals, but it can't take the tests for you. In the end, you get out what you put in.
Is it realistic to go from a 25 to 30 on the ACT? Yes, you just have to put in that extra work.

Thanks so much for all the information. I know he is very determined so my sense is he would give it everything he has. I wish I had a realistic picture of a free agents chances.

My daughter was a free agent at NWP a year ago. They had past students from all the academies come and speak to them about their experiences. It was an amazing opportunity and they encourage the free agents to apply to all the academies. I think the free agents had a great percentage of appointment. My DD went from a 26 to 30 act, so it is definitely possible.

Thanks so much. Did she get in as a free agent.

Yes. She is finishing her plebe year at USMA!

 

[Momofteens]

Every year there are one or two Falcons who have their offer of appointment rescinded because of grades in the second semester (NW Prepsters mostly), drinking, violating school polices, etc.

Is NWP not as academically rigorous as other prep schools?

 

[Thunder]

Every year there are one or two Falcons who have their offer of appointment rescinded because of grades in the second semester (NW Prepsters mostly), drinking, violating school polices, etc.

Is NWP not as academically rigorous as other prep schools?

Bold statement

 

[Falconsflyhigh]

Every year there are one or two Falcons who have their offer of appointment rescinded because of grades in the second semester (NW Prepsters mostly), drinking, violating school polices, etc.

Is NWP not as academically rigorous as other prep schools?

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Two words: Black Book...If you know you know

 

[TheTrueFalcon]

Every year there are one or two Falcons who have their offer of appointment rescinded because of grades in the second semester (NW Prepsters mostly), drinking, violating school polices, etc.

Is NWP not as academically rigorous as other prep schools?

Bold statement

I don't know where people are getting this fact from. I remember hearing General Kelley, head of the Falcon Foundation, state how rare it was for this situation to happen. I'm not sure why people are trying to give the school a bad reputation because it's truly a perfect place to improve your character and prepare for a service academy.
On another note, NWP was rigorous enough to boost my SAT scores by almost 200 points, so I hope that answers your question.

 

[BravoFoxtrot]

Every year there are one or two Falcons who have their offer of appointment rescinded because of grades in the second semester (NW Prepsters mostly), drinking, violating school polices, etc.

Is NWP not as academically rigorous as other prep schools?

Looks like Momofteens is quoting Fiddlesticks from a previous post, #29. Is Fiddlesticks from admissions?

If you read between the lines, the NW Prepsters comment refers to grades in the second semester. That's when the prepsters take college classes. I doubt it has anything to do with NWP itself but could have something to do with the student not being able to handle college courses to begin with or having a little too much "fun"with their newfound freedom and jeopardizing their grades. If that's the case an SA might not be a good fit for that student.

 

[USAFA_Grad]

Historically, the majority of Falcon Foundation scholarship recipients have attended NWP; last year 40 of the 66 recipients went there. So even if what Momofteens posted is indeed factual (just to be clear, I am not personally endorsing that speculation), then it would make sense from a statistical perspective that NWP would be the FF sponsored prep school to have 1 or 2 appointments rescinded each year since they have the majority of FF attendees. Additionally, NWP is only a 1 semester program so the attendees can be faced with additional temptations the second semester that they would not have at one of the other prep schools with a full year program. The feedback I have received on NWP as my son and I researched his options has been nothing but amazingly positive. In talking with a current 3rd class cadet who attended NWP, he said it was the hardest semester of his life (including his 2 years so far at USAFA). He credits NWP for his success to date at the academy and he's incredibly grateful he had the opportunity to attend. My DS will be attending NWP in the fall and I personally think it is a gift to have this extra year of preparation prior to starting USAFA. I am confident he will handle the temptations he might face his spring semester with the same strength he did in high school. (If he doesn't, then he's probably not meant to be at USAFA, or he will certainly struggle during his time there.) I'm also glad he will get to see what a "real" college is like and that he won't have to wonder like so many other direct entry cadets do.