NAPS vs Marion vs GMC

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NavyUMO

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Can anyone tell me the pros/cons of NAPs vs Marion vs Georgia Military College if you were to be given the opportunity?
 
I can tell you my about my sons experience at NAPS.

Pros
Second to none military preparation. Most of the training is done my Marines. My DS thinks very highly of his Gunny and his Captain has been superb. Both Marines.

Academic preparation generally good. Lots of additional instruction available.

Cons
It’s on a military base and as such is far stricter than MMI or GMC in my opinion. For example there has been practically no off base liberty this year. Since dropping DS off last July we have only seen him once at Christmas.
 
Is Marion /GMC self prep or sponsored ? Obviously there is a cost factor - NAPS is free , and you get paid as E-1/E-2.

NAPS is the "golden ticket"; virtually assured of Admission (if successful completion), well prepared for Plebe Summer/Plebe Year. I would absolutely, 100% recommend going to NAPS if you have the chance
 
Old Navy BGO said:
Is Marion /GMC self prep or sponsored ? Obviously there is a cost factor - NAPS is free , and you get paid as E-1/E-2.

NAPS is the "golden ticket"; virtually assured of Admission (if successful completion), well prepared for Plebe Summer/Plebe Year. I would absolutely, 100% recommend going to NAPS if you have the chance
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MMI, GMC and NAPS are all options for sponsored prep for USCGA. Obviously self prep can also attend MMI and GMC but not NAPS.
 
Apples and oranges. NAPS is the so-called “golden ticket” to USNA. Spend a year there, meet all obligations, don’t do anything stupid, and you’re all but assured an offer of appointment in the next USNA plebe class. The other two have somewhat different “assurances.”

Cross-posted with @Old Navy BGO.
 
NAPS - a student must be selected for a Sponsored Prep program to attend this school, 100% military environment, well funded and likely the best overall prep experience considering it is officially affiliated with USNA.
MMI - entire student body is part of the Corp. Can self prep here at your own expense in addition to sponsored prep options
GMC - portion of the student body is part of the Corp. Can self prep here at your own expense in addition to sponsored prep options

I did not attend any of these. When considering self-prep options as a parent, we selected MMI but DS received direct appointment. If all three were presented to a candidate, I would give the advantage to NAPS and then my preference would be the full-time military environment of MMI with everyone working on the common prep objective as compared to GMC where my classes are likely filled with students who have a mix of goals and objectives.
 
OK...from the academic side. MMI and GMC are fully accredited junior colleges. That means all courses are for college credit which can transfer into the academy (pending validation exams). NAPS is an excellent prep school, but the courses are not for college credit.
 
From observation, even if you don't make NAPS, GMC (not sure about MMI but I am sure it is since it recognized by CGA), is still academically challenging. Don't think it will be a cake walk. The CGA is not going to send their scholars to place that isn't going to challenge them. As for the military side, it is definitely not as strict as active military because they cater to civilians too.
 
Physicsguru said:
OK...from the academic side. MMI and GMC are fully accredited junior colleges. That means all courses are for college credit which can transfer into the academy (pending validation exams). NAPS is an excellent prep school, but the courses are not for college credit.
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FWIW, I validated 2 semesters of calculus, a semester of English and a semester of Comp Sci after attending NAPS. The four semesters of French were courtesy of a great HS teacher.
 
I have to brag up a bit. I was the Coast Guard Academy faculty advisor since 2006, and I have a number of alumni active duty and presently at the academy. At my last count over 10% of the CGA enrollment are either MMI CGAS or MMI self-prep including the two students who were selected for graduate school in this year's graduating class.

There is no heirarchy for prep schools; no one school is better than another. Each offers their own unique experiences. Each school will well prepare a student for success at the academy using the programs that are established.

What makes a school hard or easy is the student. Study habits, interaction with instructors, seeking out help from peers and instructors, asking questions in class; these are all things that will help a student succeed, regardless of what prep they attend.

My first day in ROTC the unit CO gave a short welcome speech. He said, "Throughout your career, you will go to your assigned station, and you'll do your assigned tasks to the best of your ability. That's how you're going to be measured." Prep school is your first opportunity to carry this out. You will have a lot of support regardless of where you go, and you'll be given all the tools you'll need to succeed.

Go forth and do great things!
 
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