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Panson

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My DS was extended the opportunity to apply for sponsorship by the Foundation. We have been provided a list of foundation schools. We are not familiar with the Foundation sponsorship program or schools. We are looking at Blair Kent, Salisbury... Can anyone provide any information on these schools and the process?
 
Panson said:
My DS was extended the opportunity to apply for sponsorship by the Foundation. We have been provided a list of foundation schools. We are not familiar with the Foundation sponsorship program or schools. We are looking at Blair Kent, Salisbury... Can anyone provide any information on these schools and the process?
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Congrats to your DS. The following link with additional embedded links might provide helpful in answering some of your questions: https://www.usna.com/asp-partner-schools

This quite the opportunity for your DS. Good luck
 
For others reading this thread, this is the list of schools, plus program/process info:

Home - www.usna.com

Welcome to the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, serving graduates and supporting the mission of the Naval Academy.
www.usna.com

Recommend your DS:
- thoroughly research school websites, particularly % of sponsored students successfully obtaining an appointment in their SA program, and build a comparative analysis table for himself
- develop a list of questions and call the school’s service academy program coordinator to discuss
- figure out the costs remaining after the scholarship is applied and have an adult discussion with you
- call the USNA Foundation staff with questions about the process - they and the partner schools have been doing this for years and years, and they love to help prepsters
- go visit if possible


If your DS (1) is focused on commissioned service as a Navy or Marine Corps officer, (2) really wants USNA as their commissioning path, then this is essentially a “golden ticket.”

If he successfully completes the prep course, turns in a solid PRT (corrected from CFA, no basketball throw!, just regular USNA PRT), obtains nominations again in the next cycle, USNA is essentially “saving him a seat.” They like what they see but believe a year of prep will set him up for success at USNA. His DoDMERB is good for 2 years. He will update any changes to his medical history. He will be coached through the re-application process, but best he get started on his timeline for nom applications before he heads off to prep school.

Happy researching! This is a huge gift. Assuming a good outcome, your son will be well prepared for USNA, will have learned how to live and go to school away from home, gained a year of maturity, and will have a ready-made set of friends heading to USNA and possibly other SAs. A brilliant result, next best thing to an appointment.
 
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My son is currently in the civilian prep program. It is essentially a “golden ticket.” However they don’t retake the CFA… instead they take the PRT.
 
It looks like the list has high schools and junior colleges. Are there benefits to attending one over the other? I would assume a junior college may be better as students will receive college credits in case the USNA path does not work out.
 
It looks like the list has high schools and junior colleges. Are there benefits to attending one over the other? I would assume a junior college may be better as students will receive college credits in case the USNA path does not work out.
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A relative did Foundation. To answer the questions / comments above . . . there are only 2 reasons Foundation doesn't work out. The first is that the student does something stupid (drugs, alcohol, major conduct, fails PRT). The second is that the student changes his / her mind about USNA. Both are rare but do happen every year.

I would not attend Foundation with the expectation of it not working out (sorry for the double negative) because the overwhelming majority go on to USNA. Most Foundation students go to a non-JC. The goals of Foundation are (primarily) to increase academic prep, foster independence, and improve study skills / time management, not to earn credits for a civilian college that (in all likelihood) is not in your future. And you can't "transfer" credits to USNA.

You will be contacted by someone from USNA whose only job is working with Foundation students. He is very knowledgeable about each school. Since you have a DS, one consideration is whether he wants to attend an all-male school as some of the Prep schools are only for men. Second, does he want a military-style prep or civilian? Some want a "head start" on military stuff -- others prefer a year where they don't have to even think about it. If he plays a sport, certain schools are strong in certain sports, and that can be a factor. If he wants to live in a certain area of the country, that can make a difference.

They are all great schools and that extra year is invaluable. In the end, it's just one year, so even if the school isn't the perfect fit, it's not as if he's investing four years there. Finally, the additional maturity, perspective, independence, etc. form a Foundation year makes plebe year quite a bit easier.
 
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My two USNA brothers and two USNA nieces did the Foundation prep year. It’s a great program. Congratulations.
 
KB7801 said:
My son is currently in the civilian prep program. It is essentially a “golden ticket.” However they don’t retake the CFA… instead they take the PRT.
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That’s right on the CFA, thank you, I knew that, slipped into “general re-applicant mode.” I got back into the post and edited.
 
I am familiar with Avon Old Farms {all male), Kent School and Portsmouth Abbey. Each of them is a great school with very good academic programs. As Capy MJ says above figure out the costs after the Foundation. Each of these schools have a boarding tuition of $70K. My son attended a school which was at the time a Foundation school (not Foundation sponsored). When he did go to a Maritime Academy, he said it was much easier than High School and the biggest advantage he had, other than academics, was learning time management.
 
In terms of cost, parents are required to contribute based on their ability to pay. Some Foundation students may be on full scholarship whereas (wealthier) parents of others will pay a fair amount. In any event, it's a lot less than 4 years of college.
 
Schools do perform financial assessments over and above the Foundation amount and can provide financial aid.
 
In what circumstance would an applicant be recommended to the Foundation prep program?
 
There can be all sorts of reasons for being recommended for Foundation. Usually, it's due to one or more of the following factors: high school doesn't have high level math / science courses; student does really well but the high school itself is terrible; student has many attributes USNA wants but hasn't taken the right courses for USNA or hasn't done super well in school (for various reasons); student needs help with study skills. Overall, for some reason, USNA believes the student needs additional academic prep to be successful. Roughly 1/3 of USNA Foundation students are recruited athletes -- usually for sports other than football and basketball.
 
Thank you for all your suggestions. We will be traveling to visit Salisbury Academy early April. We have been given the financial splits like captain MJ made reference to. Although, this is only for one year, I want my son to get a feel for the school and the environment. I really appreciate all of your comments.
 
Congrats on foundation! That is a great accomplishment. Foundation appointees do very well at USNA. This time next year your DS will look back on the year with a new level of maturity and preparedness that will carry him well through USNA. It’s a great program and will set him up for success at USNA.
 
Foundation was a great experience for our DS. After attending Salisbury School, DS ( So happy he was able to attend Salisbury) is now a Plebe at the Academy. Captain Don Hughes and Mariola were great! Any questions please feel free to ask! I would love to help answer any questions .
 
I love it when SAF members come back to update. Way to pay it forward @Panson and be willing to guide/help other Foundation parents/candidates. Congrats on your son being a part of the Class of 2027. Bravo Zulu!
 
Panson said:
My DS was extended the opportunity to apply for sponsorship by the Foundation. We have been provided a list of foundation schools. We are not familiar with the Foundation sponsorship program or schools. We are looking at Blair Kent, Salisbury... Can anyone provide any information on these schools and the process?
Click to expand...
Congratulations! This is our foundation experience only with DS '26.
* TRB (tuition, room & board): total $62K+. Our share was $20K. Foundation and school picked up the rest. Your share is determined by your current tax return. Note: monthly payments are allowed but there's a 10% charge.
*12 Candidates started: One did not make it due to a medical condition. One failed PS.
*School Selection: DS selected school based on academics. Second, there's no uniform requirement; casual wear.
* Fitness: PRT requires the 2 second cadence pushups. Cadence video is in YouTube.
* Nominations: Required to reapply for all nomination sources.
*Picture/Biography: Need to submit.
*Swimming: Take advantage of the school swimming facilities in preparation for PS.
 
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