I've looked and searched and looked again and here we are. As if the waiting isn't hard enough, deciding between options is a whole fun new stress! ROTC scholarship with room and board included, prep school offer, one appointment and pending decision from top choice. Kiddo is about to accept the prep offer and let the college know. This is terrifying lol!! What if an appointment isn't an option come next year? Can the prep offer be declined after the 5/1 date if something comes trickling in super late from the top choice? USAFAP by the way...It looks like NAPS and USCGA makes it very known that the next stop is the Academy, but not seeing the same for USAFA. Talk through this with me please. Any advice, prior experiences, etc is appreciated
Fun new stress deciding between options!
- Thread starter crhath
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Hi!
Old-time ALO for USAFA here.
If your "kiddo" has set their sights on USAFA as their first choice, then take the USAFAPS appointment!! Preppies enlist in the AF reserve and are immediately brought on active duty "to attend the prep school" and that's all. Then, provided they complete the program and don't do anything stupid, their next stop is up to the cadet area to in-process with the new class. It's the "Wonka Golden Ticket."
PM me with any specific questions, I'd be happy to help!
Steve
USAFA ALO
(Mentor & Evaluator)
Old-time ALO for USAFA here.
If your "kiddo" has set their sights on USAFA as their first choice, then take the USAFAPS appointment!! Preppies enlist in the AF reserve and are immediately brought on active duty "to attend the prep school" and that's all. Then, provided they complete the program and don't do anything stupid, their next stop is up to the cadet area to in-process with the new class. It's the "Wonka Golden Ticket."
PM me with any specific questions, I'd be happy to help!
Steve
USAFA ALO
(Mentor & Evaluator)
WoolSocksinSummer
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I agree with @flieger83. Especially as one in your shoes last year. Unless the appointment offered is the #1 choice, then choose the prep program. It will be the best training and preparedness they will get to be ready for the SA.
Thank you. I'm just concerned that USAFAP seems to have the least amount of kids progress into the academy vs the other prep schools or maybe that's the only info I've come across and it's not super accurate. To turn down a full ride and take the "risk" that the academy could still not happen is another year of stress and waiting for my kid. I truly believe it's the best option though and she's on board too unless something comes in from USNA to make her question everything all over again. I guess we'll know soon enough and she'll make her best decision and it will all work out. You know how it is!!
COHO
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My DS is in the same dilemma. USAFAPS offer and a 4 YR ROTC ..I am so worried about the exact same scenario you just mentioned.Thank you. I'm just concerned that USAFAP seems to have the least amount of kids progress into the academy vs the other prep schools or maybe that's the only info I've come across and it's not super accurate. To turn down a full ride and take the "risk" that the academy could still not happen is another year of stress and waiting for my kid. I truly believe it's the best option though and she's on board too unless something comes in from USNA to make her question everything all over again. I guess we'll know soon enough and she'll make her best decision and it will all work out. You know how it is!!
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I don't have the exact numbers handy but picture this...approximately 225 - 240 "cadet candidates" (Preppies) enter USAFAPS each year.Thank you. I'm just concerned that USAFAP seems to have the least amount of kids progress into the academy vs the other prep schools or maybe that's the only info I've come across and it's not super accurate. To turn down a full ride and take the "risk" that the academy could still not happen is another year of stress and waiting for my kid. I truly believe it's the best option though and she's on board too unless something comes in from USNA to make her question everything all over again. I guess we'll know soon enough and she'll make her best decision and it will all work out. You know how it is!!
From the academy's own admissions information: "Between 75 and 80 percent of all entering students earn an appointment to the Academy. To qualify for an appointment, students must complete the prep school program in academics and military training, pass the Candidate Fitness Test, exhibit strong ethical character, receive the recommendation of the prep school commander, and be approved by the Academy board."
Now, that might sound scary however, in my 29 years as an ALO...EVERY SINGLE PREPPIE I have had the honor of "supplying" to USAFA PS has completed the program and gone to USAFA. The ones that don't make it are usually academic failures or "change of goal" candidates, from my experience. There are other reasons candidates don't complete the prep school successfully, you can probably figure many of them out.
The key is, at least in my limited visibility, EVERY candidate that I've worked with that completed the prep school program was appointed to USAFA.
(I know, I repeated myself...but I view the PS as a Wonka Golden Ticket)
Steve
USAFA ALO
(Mentor & Evaluator)
Texark147
Proud Mom of a '28 candidate.
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This calms my nerves. My son was offered a Falcon scholarship and he is giving up a 4 year ROTC scholarship at a great engineering school. We support this decision fully, it's just a little scary to give up something to take something else that isn't 100% sure.
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I had ROTC scholarships from AF, Navy, and Army...
And then USAFA asked if I'd be interested in going to a civilian prep school, no guarantees, but with a very high success rate.
I went to Northwestern Prep (back then it was in Mound, MN).
And then to USAFA.
Hello !
I applied for West Points class of 2028 and didn’t hear back until yesterday. (I applied as soon as the application opened last summer) I received a TWE and non appointment letter in my portal. I was fully qualified 3Qd with nomination. I previously spoke with my regional commander and FFR about the possibility of USMAPS and the Civil Prep Program. Since then I have not spoke with my regional commander about this. In February my FFR told admissions and my regional commander I would do this program if offered it. I have been in close contact with my Field Force Rep updating him and he informed me that he will check on my chances and if I can be offered the Civilian Prep Program still . Does anybody know if this is possible for me still? Is it too late to be offered a spot? I did receive a AROTC scholarship to UNH as a backup if all paths fail to West Point.
Thanks !
Go Army
I applied for West Points class of 2028 and didn’t hear back until yesterday. (I applied as soon as the application opened last summer) I received a TWE and non appointment letter in my portal. I was fully qualified 3Qd with nomination. I previously spoke with my regional commander and FFR about the possibility of USMAPS and the Civil Prep Program. Since then I have not spoke with my regional commander about this. In February my FFR told admissions and my regional commander I would do this program if offered it. I have been in close contact with my Field Force Rep updating him and he informed me that he will check on my chances and if I can be offered the Civilian Prep Program still . Does anybody know if this is possible for me still? Is it too late to be offered a spot? I did receive a AROTC scholarship to UNH as a backup if all paths fail to West Point.
Thanks !
Go Army