GMC v MMI Question

Estab34 said:
Great news!! How many does that make?
My son emailed with LTC Bowen yesterday concerning classes for the fall. I'm so impressed with his attentiveness and support with the process!!
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I'm not sure of the total number of appointments, but I think it's 20-20+ across all branches. I'm certain there are more to come in the next few weeks. Excited for your Son. Lt.Col. Bowen is easy to speak to about the program and MMI in general.
 
futureusmcmom24 said:
It seems like there are a lot of similarities between these two foundation schools. Can anyone share differences they noticed after visiting, etc? Also do either of them have a higher ratio of students hoping for certain SAs over others?

If my DS were to go this route, his primary goal would be better time management and study skills, as well as best military prep for SA.

Thank you!
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My son attended GMC as a sponsored prep and is currently a Cow (3rd yr) at West Point. He made his decision to go to GMC vs MMI based on the more personal attention he received from GMC including a call from the school President General Caldwell (this was during covid so visits were not an option). Here are some things that impressed us about GMC: they had a great 4-6 week math immersion program that boosted most cadets ACT scores, cadre was very dedicated to making sure all cadets were accepted into academies, cadets could get academy application recommendations from the cadre, there were many military related extra corricular activies, the course work was rigorous and college level, the historic school is located in a beautiful small town on a recreational lake that had numerous hotels and restaurants - this made it great for parental visits. My sons best buddies at WP are still the cadets he met at GMC. All of the prep programs will do the job in preparing students for the academies. MMI is certainly the most talked about prep on this foum but we would not trade our experience at GMC.
 
Estab34 said:
Great news!! How many does that make?
My son emailed with LTC Bowen yesterday concerning classes for the fall. I'm so impressed with his attentiveness and support with the process!!
Click to expand...
Colonel Bowen has been excellent about contacting my son (and myself), before, during and even now while my son is at USMA as a Plebe. Often by phone.
He is the real deal! He genuinely loves the young Americans he works with to help them gain appointments. And is still doing his part to serve our country to this end. He is VERY good at his job. Incredibly experienced! It shows in the results. Obviously, there are no guarantees. Your DS or DD will need to put forth a major all out effort. But, if so, he or she will have a real advantage with the backing of MMI. And once at a Service Academy, a big leg up in everything there.
 
futureusmcmom24 said:
It seems like there are a lot of similarities between these two foundation schools. Can anyone share differences they noticed after visiting, etc? Also do either of them have a higher ratio of students hoping for certain SAs over others?

If my DS were to go this route, his primary goal would be better time management and study skills, as well as best military prep for SA.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Speaking as a parent of a current GMC Cadet, one of the major differences is GMC requires PT 5 days a week. So they are just as focused on training cadets physically as they are academically and in military leadership.

The other comparison is GMC's program has grown in numbers over the last few years. Currently there are 71 scholars of all SA's and 40+ have received appointments so far. IDK what MMI numbers look like exactly, but I'm pretty sure they have less scholars. This is just fact. Only cadets live on campus, but they see regular, civilian JR college students walking around during the day and even the High School prep students. It is more of a traditional Junior College than MMI, which is cadets-only. GMC is located in a very traditional "college town" as there is Georgia College and State University on the other side of a small downtown. There are plenty of hotels to stay at nearby when visiting. MMI is spartan and rural, however, they are a very close-knit group since their numbers are smaller. What also may make a difference is your proximity to home, as you will either be driving for pickups or drop offs, or ensuring your cadet has transportation to and from the nearest airport (Atlanta for us as it has more direct flights, so about 2 hours from Milledgeville).

If you can't visit, I recommend watching a bunch of YouTube videos. They were very helpful in deciding which would be a better fit. Speaking to leadership at each school, or a current cadet, can help tremendously as well. Good luck!
 
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I am patiently waiting to hear back from USNA, and am contemplating MMI. The director of the SAP program reached out to me and gave me a summary of the program. My cousin also went to MMI as a sponsored Westpoint candidate. Until I hear back from USNA on whether or not I get in or am sponsored, I will probably have to take the Self-prep route. Does the MMI application have a set deadline? The portal for MMI says it's due in August but that seems kind of late.
 
Kevin cosgrove said:
I am patiently waiting to hear back from USNA, and am contemplating MMI. The director of the SAP program reached out to me and gave me a summary of the program. My cousin also went to MMI as a sponsored Westpoint candidate. Until I hear back from USNA on whether or not I get in or am sponsored, I will probably have to take the Self-prep route. Does the MMI application have a set deadline? The portal for MMI says it's due in August but that seems kind of late.
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I wish I had the answer for you. Our DS is there now. He completed his app May/early June. I would speak with Lt.Col. Bowen again and ask him directly. It seems the deadline would be due before August because ours had to be there the first weekend of August. Good luck if you go the MMI route, sponsored, or self-prep.
 
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Kevin cosgrove said:
I am patiently waiting to hear back from USNA, and am contemplating MMI. The director of the SAP program reached out to me and gave me a summary of the program. My cousin also went to MMI as a sponsored Westpoint candidate. Until I hear back from USNA on whether or not I get in or am sponsored, I will probably have to take the Self-prep route. Does the MMI application have a set deadline? The portal for MMI says it's due in August but that seems kind of late.
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My son applied in the fall with plans to self-prep. He wanted to have his plan B secured. He's still waiting to hear from USNA, but he's very excited about attending MMI if he does not receive an appointment. Their whole staff has been amazing through the process. It's my understanding that the earlier you reach out the more availability they have for scholarships.
 
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