Falcon Scholarship, What is the full meaning?

sherrie

sherrie

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My DD just got notified this morning she got a falcon scholarship not an appointment to the USAFA.
Here is the quandary. She has gotten a NROTC scholarship ($180,000), first girl in East Tennessee to ever receive it.
What if she takes the Falcon Scholarship but not get into the AFA next year after going through the whole application process again, she will have given up the other scholarship already?
This is so confusing to us right now in what is the right path. She really wanted the AFA but afraid she may be disappointed again next year and not get in again.
What does getting a Falcon Scholarship really mean?
Can anyone really explain the full implications and chances of getting into the USAFA next year and is it worth giving up a guaranteed military position through the NROTC?
 
@sherrie please see what I just posted in response to same essential query on the other appt thread.

Oh heck, copied and pasted:

USAFA Class of 2021 Appointments



Quite often here on SAF, the sponsored prep scholarships are referred to as the "golden ticket." For good reason.

One way to think about this is USAFA wants your DD so strongly, and believes in her, they are willing to wait for her, giving her the opportunity and the financial help to buff up whatever area they found lacking.

If she successfully completes prep, remains physically and medically qualified, and gains another nom (usually not a problem), then this time next year, you will be doing the happy dance.

The year away from home develops maturity and independence that will stand her in good stead and give her additional confidence. She will have a set of friends from prep, so she will already know classmates. There are cadets of all ages in the incoming class. Many are prep, multi-year re-applicants; not all are direct admits. No one cares once you are at USAFA.

These prep schools have a long history of success of helping SA applicants get their appointments. Jump on the website for Falcon scholarships and start looking at the schools.

She will not be behind. Take the long view. It is extraordinarily difficult to get into a SA. She now has a near-guaranteed seat.

If your DD wants USAFA above all, they have told her they want her, but she needs to do this one more thing. She is understandably doing a bit of grieving for the door that just closed, but there is now another one, standing wide open, that goes to exactly the same place. Let her think it through with heart and mind.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...share_fid=79838&share_type=t&share_pid=550250
 
LOL Got it and responded it you there! Thank you, we are feeling better about it. Going to visit prep schools this week as she has to make a decision by the 21st. Also found out appointments are set aside for the scholarship awardees from the year before as long as they reapply and get a nomination.
 
sherrie said:
My DD just got notified this morning she got a falcon scholarship not an appointment to the USAFA.
Here is the quandary. She has gotten a NROTC scholarship ($180,000), first girl in East Tennessee to ever receive it.
What if she takes the Falcon Scholarship but not get into the AFA next year after going through the whole application process again, she will have given up the other scholarship already?
This is so confusing to us right now in what is the right path. She really wanted the AFA but afraid she may be disappointed again next year and not get in again.
What does getting a Falcon Scholarship really mean?
Can anyone really explain the full implications and chances of getting into the USAFA next year and is it worth giving up a guaranteed military position through the NROTC?
Click to expand...

The Falcon Foundations acceptance rate is extremely high. Yes, there is a risk you wont get in, but it is only if you really screw up. To receive the NROTC scholarship your daughter must have been really exceptional, which to me would indicate she wouldn't have academic or behavioral problems, which are the main reasons people don't get their appointments. Additionally, the reapplication process is streamlined for Falcons with many of the forms already filled out from last year and some forms completely omitted (like teacher LOR's and personal essays). I received my appointment at the end of February and couldn't be happier that I gave up my AFROTC scholarship to have a second chance at the academy.
If you have any questions, feel free to DM me!
 
sherrie said:
LOL Got it and responded it you there! Thank you, we are feeling better about it. Going to visit prep schools this week as she has to make a decision by the 21st. Also found out appointments are set aside for the scholarship awardees from the year before as long as they reapply and get a nomination.
Click to expand...

Your DD is really in a great position. She has a bird in the hand, and a bird on the way to her hand if she reaches out for it. If going NROTC feels like "settling" in a not good way, because she yearns for a lighter blue rather than a darker blue in her heart, then that is one of those intangible decision elements.
 
BoundByHonor said:
sherrie said:
My DD just got notified this morning she got a falcon scholarship not an appointment to the USAFA.
Here is the quandary. She has gotten a NROTC scholarship ($180,000), first girl in East Tennessee to ever receive it.
What if she takes the Falcon Scholarship but not get into the AFA next year after going through the whole application process again, she will have given up the other scholarship already?
This is so confusing to us right now in what is the right path. She really wanted the AFA but afraid she may be disappointed again next year and not get in again.
What does getting a Falcon Scholarship really mean?
Can anyone really explain the full implications and chances of getting into the USAFA next year and is it worth giving up a guaranteed military position through the NROTC?
Click to expand...

The Falcon Foundations acceptance rate is extremely high. Yes, there is a risk you wont get in, but it is only if you really screw up. To receive the NROTC scholarship your daughter must have been really exceptional, which to me would indicate she wouldn't have academic or behavioral problems, which are the main reasons people don't get their appointments. Additionally, the reapplication process is streamlined for Falcons with many of the forms already filled out from last year and some forms completely omitted (like teacher LOR's and personal essays). I received my appointment at the end of February and couldn't be happier that I gave up my AFROTC scholarship to have a second chance at the academy.
If you have any questions, feel free to DM me!
Click to expand...

That is nice to know, she doesn't have to do all the paperwork. She has a message into her MOC already about a nomination for next year. She had been nominated by both Senators and her Congressman District 2 - TN. The prep school just told her they do all the letters of recommendation for her etc.
 
Capt MJ said:
sherrie said:
LOL Got it and responded it you there! Thank you, we are feeling better about it. Going to visit prep schools this week as she has to make a decision by the 21st. Also found out appointments are set aside for the scholarship awardees from the year before as long as they reapply and get a nomination.
Click to expand...

Your DD is really in a great position. She has a bird in the hand, and a bird on the way to her hand if she reaches out for it. If going NROTC feels like "settling" in a not good way, because she yearns for a lighter blue rather than a darker blue in her heart, then that is one of those intangible decision elements.
Click to expand...
No she wants USAFA! My dad was a Colonel and Fighter pilot in the AF. But she wants to serve her country for her life and she feels the USAF is the route to take.
 
Our DS turned down a 4 year AFROTC scholarship he was prepared to take to Virginia Tech in order to go to NWP as a Falcon Foundation Scholar....after doing due diligence and speaking with Mrs. Durbeck at NWP, we realized it truly is the Golden Ticket to USAFA.....he accepted his appointment in February!
 
Hopefulcadetmom said:
Our DS turned down a 4 year AFROTC scholarship he was prepared to take to Virginia Tech in order to go to NWP as a Falcon Foundation Scholar....after doing due diligence and speaking with Mrs. Durbeck at NWP, we realized it truly is the Golden Ticket to USAFA.....he accepted his appointment in February!
Click to expand...

We have appointments at this time to visit Randolph Macon and Marion Institute this coming week as she has to make an acceptance and state the prep school by Friday. She is leaning towards Randolph Macon as they have a flight school there.
 
sherrie said:
We have appointments at this time to visit Randolph Macon and Marion Institute this coming week as she has to make an acceptance and state the prep school by Friday. She is leaning towards Randolph Macon as they have a flight school there.
Click to expand...

Marion also has a flight program called flying tigers. Several of the current falcons are involved!
 
sherrie said:
We have appointments at this time to visit Randolph Macon and Marion Institute this coming week as she has to make an acceptance and state the prep school by Friday. She is leaning towards Randolph Macon as they have a flight school there.
Click to expand...

MMI has a great flight program, our DS is close to finishing up his PPL. Weather in south has allowed for flying year round which has helped.
 
Does anyone know, does a falcon scholarship awardee possibly end up getting a direct appointment if others decline an appointment in her district etc. and then she is placed up on the scale? In other words have falcon scholarships winners been upgraded to an actual appointment in the same year ever? We are excited she has the scholarship, don't get me wrong, we were just wondering if that has happened in the past?
 
sherrie said:
We have appointments at this time to visit Randolph Macon and Marion Institute this coming week as she has to make an acceptance and state the prep school by Friday. She is leaning towards Randolph Macon as they have a flight school there.
Click to expand...

My DS is currently a Falcon Scholar at Randolph-Macon Academy and was offered an appointment to USAFA in February. He has had a great year there and feels much more prepared physically and academically. You should ask to speak to some of the Falcon Scholars while you're visiting. I'm sure they'd be happy to answer any questions. My DS actually answered some questions for another potential Falcon and his mother.
 
Congratulations to your DD!
 
mintyicedtea said:
@usafamama Do you know how many Falcon Scholars are there this year?
Click to expand...
I don't know the precise number...if memory serves (and these days...) the FF is limited to a maximum of 100 in any one year. I don't recall them hitting that number in a LONG time, if ever. The typical year I've seen is in the 50-75 range. Of course...that's all memory.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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