MMI Parent's weekend

Zmansmom

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I want to post about my experience last weekend at MMI's parent's weekend.
We found MMI last year after my son was wait listed at USNA. We made the four hour trip to the school within a week of finding it and my son immediately knew that this was the place for him.
Fast forward to October 9-10 - this past weekend.
Parent's weekend included going to class with your cadet on Friday. On Fridays, our son has Physics, Chemistry, and Calculus. (This was exciting to us since we are math and science teachers.) We were very impressed with the professors and the classes. We know that our son is receiving quality instruction from a caring faculty. (This statement isn't based solely on what we saw on that Friday but on conversations that we have had with our son over the last couple of months.) The calculus teacher even hangs around in his classroom during the evening in case anybody wants to come by for help.
Another high point of the weekend was the Mother's Review parade. I had never seen or experienced a military parade but really enjoyed this one. Very formal. Very "military"-for lack of a better word. What struck me more, though, was what I saw beforehand in the dorm while the cadets were getting ready for the parade. My son and his roommate helped each other and checked each other to make sure everything was straight and right. Then all the cadets went out into the hall and the second year cadets helped the first year cadets and made sure they had everything on correctly. It was truly amazing to me to see how well they all worked together and how everybody propped each other up and worked together as a team.
We are hoping that our son only spends one year at MMI and is appointed to USNA next year but I just wanted to put in a plug for MMI, in case anyone finds themselves in the same situation this year that we were in last year. Whatever happens when appointment time rolls around, I am very thankful that we found Marion Military Institute in Alabama.
 
DS went to Marion 2012-13 as a sponsored AOG Cadet.

It was a very positive experience and I was pleasantly surprised at how much it helped prepare him for Plebe year. I do not know if there is a true measure of how one prep school is better than another, but Marion did not leave him lacking in a particular area.

A secondary benefit is that he and his other Marion classmates have provided each other an additional support group since they got to the academies- including some who went to the other academies. Several of us parents have remained close friends throughout the process too.

At first, I had some pretty big concerns about any prep school being a part of the equation. Those concerns were all for nothing.
 
Zmansmom, looks like your DS is off to a good start at MMI. Good to hear you had a great time at Parents Weekend, too. DS completed a foundation sponsored year at a civilian prep school. What was good about his prep school, and as you noted, is the support students receive from faculty and staff. In my opinion they are dedicated to the success of their students and obtaining their SA appointments. Good luck to your DS!
 
Is your son sponsored by foundation ? My DD has MMI as plan B if she does not receive an appointment to USNA this year and as already been accepted. Great to read the positive experience you are having!
 
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He is not sponsored by foundation but has been able to meet the same people as the sponsored preps.
 
Just saw this today, and very happy to read it. My daughter has decided to attend MMI as an ECP Scholarship winner. Her first choice has always been USNA since she was in 5th or 6th grade, but her SAT scores are not really high enough to be competitive. When the Army offered her this scholarship, she felt that she should not turn it down so is feeling pretty good with her solid Plan B. It would be a huge thrill to her to receive an appointment to NAPS, and that would be about the only thing at this point that would change her plan to attend MMI this fall.
 
DS went to Marion 2012-13 as a sponsored AOG Cadet.

It was a very positive experience and I was pleasantly surprised at how much it helped prepare him for Plebe year. I do not know if there is a true measure of how one prep school is better than another, but Marion did not leave him lacking in a particular area.

A secondary benefit is that he and his other Marion classmates have provided each other an additional support group since they got to the academies- including some who went to the other academies. Several of us parents have remained close friends throughout the process too.

At first, I had some pretty big concerns about any prep school being a part of the equation. Those concerns were all for nothing.

DS was also there as CGAS 201-13. There were some things he didn't like, but it was a good experience for him as well. Even though he is at a differenct Academy, he has kept in touch with some of the other prepsters, particularly USMA.

A thing to keep in mind, no matter what prep attended, is to stick close to other Service Academy Prepsters. Some of the ones not going on to an Academy have no reason to restrain themselves, shall we say.
 
Zmansmom, looks like your DS is off to a good start at MMI. Good to hear you had a great time at Parents Weekend, too. DS completed a foundation sponsored year at a civilian prep school. What was good about his prep school, and as you noted, is the support students receive from faculty and staff. In my opinion they are dedicated to the success of their students and obtaining their SA appointments. Good luck to your DS!
Did your DS get an appointment yet? Was the prep year worth it? Thanks
 
Hey 2020 Dad - 2018 DS had an incredible experience at Marion and it set him and his fellow Marion peers up for exceptional success at USMA. The Marion cadets are a close knit group at WP and IMHO - the value of the year at Marion prep was immeasurable.
 
Did your DS get an appointment yet? Was the prep year worth it? Thanks
We haven't heard yet. His transcripts got to USNA and USAFA during Christmas break. Will update when we hear. Either way, appointment or not, it was a great year at MMI. The friendships made and the support from the faculty were immeasureable.
 
Great info. My ds has been asked if he would take cp if he doesn't get an appointment.
 
Great info. My ds has been asked if he would take cp if he doesn't get an appointment.
Take it! I have heard so many good things about plebes who have been through prep! I guess I will know next year how true they are. :)
 
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