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Is your DS a Free Agent or did he receive a Falcon Scholarship?
Free agent.
Of course there is no guarantee going this route, but his interests, strengths, and needs were best served at MMI.
MMI reps are in contact with each of the academy's admissions departments, and visits occur between each during the year. The SAP program is modeled and structured based on what each academy is looking for. Again, no guarantee, but MMI has a vested interest in wanting their cadets to succeed, and set up their program offerings to make that possible. Professors reviewed DS's essays, local ALO is former Academy military pilot, and meets with MMI cadets. I know the adult leader on my DS floor also submitted a report on his leadership during the reapplication process.
Again, different routes if one wants to reapply, this was just the best fit for him.
Please feel free to PM if you'd like some more details about experience as a free agent.
Thank you pa_ptmon.
My DS is also a reapply from last year. We also come from a large geographical district, however our district also has a large population.
My DS attended NWP as a free agent. MOC and ALO recommended my DS attend NWP last year. I was not excited about DS attending NWP because there is no college credit attached to it, but DS was determined to going there because MOC and ALO recommended it.
Like MMI, NWP also has a great program and is contact with each academy admissions department and has visits from each academy for the students. They also have modeled and structured their program based on what the academies are looking for.
Despite my original feelings NWP was a great fit for DS and he received a Principle Nomination on 12/22/16 and we are still waiting to hear from USAFA. You are correct, I thought last years wait was excruciating, and I didn't expect the same this year with the Principle Nomination. Last year DS recieved his TWE on 4/28/16.
Congratulations to your DS on being close to PPL, that is a great achievement. My DS got his PPL two years ago. He is close to getting his glider rating now.
Thanks for the information about the April 15th deadline for current offers, I was not aware of that. Most of the Falcon Scholarships my DS attended NWP got their appointment offers last month. So far none of the free agents have gotten any. You are correct there is much that goes into this process and they are not falling through the cracks.
All of DD and DS are the best of the best and not matter what the outcome they and their families have much to proud of.