NMMI? Other prep schools?

[NMMI SAP]

Mine is a Falcon Scholar, and like many USAFA prepsters, narrowed it down between NWP and NMMI largely because the elevation is similar to USAFA. NWP is a one semester non-transferrable school, so for many, that's a turn off and elevation ends up becoming a wash since you'll have to take the 2nd semester at home which for many, is lower altitude. But at least you train, and take the CFA at high altitude, which at the minimum, you'll prove to yourself that you can handle that kind of training and performance at 'thin air.' Mine was offered the FFS at the last minute, and didn't get a chance to explore what the schools are like, so she "toured" each one, and the surrounding areas by Google Maps. She felt NWP was the best choice for her based on environmental location (National Forest), cost (there's still an out of pocket cost for FFS), atmosphere - things like being able to wear civilian clothes vs spending money on uniforms that she'd only wear one year. The down side of NWP is that the 1 semester you spend there, the classes do not transfer any where. The other 4 prep schools are full year, junior military colleges, so credits can transfer. With NWP, you go home after 1 semester (which you spend boot camping yourself to improve on everything you need for USAFA Admissions) because by the time you go home, Admissions will have everything they need from you anyway, and deadline is either closed or near closing. You'll need to take your 2nd semester at any college of choice (most go to a community college for affordability) and those credits can transfer, or be validated at USAFA. So you're really only missing out on 1 semester worth of credits, which will be moot should you gain an Appointment. One perk mine discovered she has over her friends who went to the year-long program is coming home for the 2nd semester, she got get a part-time job to make some spending/gas money, hone some job/life experience, deal with things like banking, DoD required vaccinations general adulting/business, relax a little (however much you can while taking 15 credits) hang out with friends, and be available to attend events at USAFA like Appointee Tours, which ended up being invaluable for her. (I mentioned it in this post: https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...n-prep-without-scholarship.95130/post-1025873 )

Occasionally, however, mine does kinda wish she was at a year-long prep school, because it's easier to have someone keep her on track vs doing all the planning, time management, and self motivation to finish things up. So if you put that into consideration, you'll have to ask yourself: how good at self motivation are you? Also keep in mind that if and when you get to USAFA, those are essential skills to have in order to succeed. Time management was stressed heavily at the Appointee Tours.

wish I had seen this post our costs for a Falcon is 2500.00 for the year. We take the Cadets to the Air Force Academy for their Appointment Orientation in the spring. We just got back right at the end of the school year. I am sure she will do well with the other program.

 

[NMMI SAP]

Please reach out to me I am the Director of the Program here in NMMI. hosea@nmmi.edu I am sure I can help you.

 

[Cprice3418]

Please reach out to me I am the Director of the Program here in NMMI. hosea@nmmi.edu I am sure I can help you.

My DS is a football recruit that received his LOA to USMMA. He has been stuck waiting on approval of a medical waiver from DoDMERB for more than 3 months on an injury that took place in 2021. He got word today that his LOA would not be honored at this point weather or not he received his waiver due to the larger than expected class size this year. Is there still a chance to potentially self prep at NMMI this next year?

 

[franknd]

I can't speak for NMMI, but I'm sure that Marion Military Institute would still take a self-prep. Unfortunately they don't have football, but I'm not sure how much that matters at this point if USMMA isn't pushing for your student as a football recruit as things stand now. Marion has a great self-prep program, which my son just finished. He got appts to West Point and the Air Force Academy and is headed to WP.

 

[JKHDelta]

wish I had seen this post our costs for a Falcon is 2500.00 for the year. We take the Cadets to the Air Force Academy for their Appointment Orientation in the spring. We just got back right at the end of the school year. I am sure she will do well with the other program.

Can you speak more to the Air Force Academy Appointee Orientation? Our DS is at GMC for his Falcon Foundation Prep. Is this a normal thing for all of the other preps? I know it's hard to speak for the others just didn't know if this may be something common.

 

[robnrbrtsn USMA93]

After dropping our daughter off at NMMI and speaking at length with the Service Academy Prep director in person, I am very confident that this tough program will best prepare her for West Point next year. They have many opportunities to make decisions and learn from their successes and failures.

 

[snarfly]

Can you speak more to the Air Force Academy Appointee Orientation? Our DS is at GMC for his Falcon Foundation Prep. Is this a normal thing for all of the other preps? I know it's hard to speak for the others just didn't know if this may be something common.

It's not so much an orientation but an optional Appointee Tour, and it's for all Appointees, not just Falcon Scholars or prep programs. Your candidate will get an invitation to sign up for one session, typically in April, after he/she gets an Appointment. It's nothing you can't do with your candidate, in fact, you should at least consider going with them as there are panels and other things geared towards parents. During the Appointee Tours, you'll hear from and meet with the Dir of Admissions, admissions team, Academic Advisors, Parent Liaisons, etc. then you'll break for lunch and get a guided tour of the cadet area including academic building, library, dining hall, and dorms.

 

[gck105]

Thinking about Plan B and C for my son if he doesn't get an appointment. I assume if he was awarded one of the foundation scholarships, he would likely take that option. In the case of self prep, would there be a major difference of doing a year at one of the senior military colleges vs one of these prep programs? He has already been accepted to VMI, Citadel, and Norwich. Are there advantages/disadvantages?

 

[Gogiberries]

Hello, DS is trying to decide between Northwestern Prep, NMMI, or MMI. Any thoughts?

 

[AimHighMom]

Hello, DS is trying to decide between Northwestern Prep, NMMI, or MMI. Any thoughts?

My DS attended NWP. It was a great experience for him. He improved his study skills and learned time management. He improved his CFA and test scores. He made lifelong friends that he is looking forward to going through USAFA with. The Durbecks care about each student’s success and help them all reach their goals.

NWP is only one semester, so my DS is attending University this semester and taking high level stem courses. It is challenging, but great preparation for USAFA. He has been able to apply the skills he learned at NWP to be successful at UI and beyond.

 

[robnrbrtsn USMA93]

Hello, DS is trying to decide between Northwestern Prep, NMMI, or MMI. Any thoughts?

DD is at NMMI on a Civil Prep scholarship for West Point. She earned a 4.0 last semester while taking multivariable calculus, advanced military history, advanced composition, and chemistry. She received nominations from both state senators and is fully qualified. Her CFT improved dramatically, to where she is doing pullups rather than the arm hang. The atmosphere is demanding, but a great preparation for any of the Academies.

 

[snarfly]

Hello, DS is trying to decide between Northwestern Prep, NMMI, or MMI. Any thoughts?

NWP is a 1 semester admissions bootcamp if you will. You go for the 1st semester of the school year, work specifically on everything needed for admissions, including SATs and ACTs, crank it out, go home, and take your 2nd semester at any college of your choice. (NWP credits do not transfer at all.) Many go to a community college for the cost savings as nothing will transfer. You can get classes validated, but that only means you essentially "test out" of those classes. It doesn't shorten the amount of time or credits necessary for graduation.

NMMI and MMI are full year programs at a junior military colleges where credits may transfer so if for some reason your DS doesn't get an Appointment, he can take those credits and transfer to a traditional college. They also incur a cost of uniforms which is rendered useless after a year or 2.

You can do a search for the 2 right here on this board. You can also Google Maps the schools, surrounding areas, and think about how your DS would get around and get home on breaks, etc. All 3 tends to do a great job at prepping candidates, and plenty of mids and cadets come from any of them. It's really a personal preference.

 

[Gogiberries]

My DS attended NWP. It was a great experience for him. He improved his study skills and learned time management. He improved his CFA and test scores. He made lifelong friends that he is looking forward to going through USAFA with. The Durbecks care about each student’s success and help them all reach their goals.

NWP is only one semester, so my DS is attending University this semester and taking high level stem courses. It is challenging, but great preparation for USAFA. He has been able to apply the skills he learned at NWP to be successful at UI and beyond.

Great, thank you for sharing. How were you able to know which classes to choose at University second semester if NWP classes are not transferable?
For example, if DS takes Chemistry I at NWP then do you enroll in Chemistry II if offered? What about prerequisites?

 

[Gogiberries]

Great, thank you for sharing. How were you able to know which classes to choose at University second semester if NWP classes are not transferable?
For example, if DS takes Chemistry I at NWP then do you enroll in Chemistry II if offered? What about prerequisites?

DD is at NMMI on a Civil Prep scholarship for West Point. She earned a 4.0 last semester while taking multivariable calculus, advanced military history, advanced composition, and chemistry. She received nominations from both state senators and is fully qualified. Her CFT improved dramatically, to where she is doing pullups rather than the arm hang. The atmosphere is demanding, but a great preparation for any of the Academies.

Wow, that is great to hear! Thank you for the feedback.

 

[Gogiberries]

My DS attended NWP. It was a great experience for him. He improved his study skills and learned time management. He improved his CFA and test scores. He made lifelong friends that he is looking forward to going through USAFA with. The Durbecks care about each student’s success and help them all reach their goals.

NWP is only one semester, so my DS is attending University this semester and taking high level stem courses. It is challenging, but great preparation for USAFA. He has been able to apply the skills he learned at NWP to be successful at UI and beyond.

NWP is a 1 semester admissions bootcamp if you will. You go for the 1st semester of the school year, work specifically on everything needed for admissions, including SATs and ACTs, crank it out, go home, and take your 2nd semester at any college of your choice. (NWP credits do not transfer at all.) Many go to a community college for the cost savings as nothing will transfer. You can get classes validated, but that only means you essentially "test out" of those classes. It doesn't shorten the amount of time or credits necessary for graduation.

NMMI and MMI are full year programs at a junior military colleges where credits may transfer so if for some reason your DS doesn't get an Appointment, he can take those credits and transfer to a traditional college. They also incur a cost of uniforms which is rendered useless after a year or 2.

You can do a search for the 2 right here on this board. You can also Google Maps the schools, surrounding areas, and think about how your DS would get around and get home on breaks, etc. All 3 tends to do a great job at prepping candidates, and plenty of mids and cadets come from any of them. It's really a personal preference.

Thanks so much for the information. How do you choose the 2nd semester classes in college? I know they have to take Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, and English Comp. If DS takes classes at NWP, how does he choose the 2nd semester classes?

 

[AimHighMom]

Great, thank you for sharing. How were you able to know which classes to choose at University second semester if NWP classes are not transferable?
For example, if DS takes Chemistry I at NWP then do you enroll in Chemistry II if offered? What about prerequisites?

My DS already had a lot of dual credit courses that transferred to the university. He is taking the next in the sequence. If a student doesn't have any transfer courses, then they should probably take a calculus (or pre-calc if they didn't have it in high school), physics, intro chemistry, and gen ed English. Take ateast 15 credit hours.

 

[Gogiberries]

My DS already had a lot of dual credit courses that transferred to the university. He is taking the next in the sequence. If a student doesn't have any transfer courses, then they should probably take a calculus (or pre-calc if they didn't have it in high school), physics, intro chemistry, and gen ed English. Take ateast 15 credit hours.

 

[Gogiberries]

Great, thank you!

 

[snarfly]

Thanks so much for the information. How do you choose the 2nd semester classes in college? I know they have to take Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, and English Comp. If DS takes classes at NWP, how does he choose the 2nd semester classes?

The Durbecks (who runs NWP) will advise students on what courses they should take but more than likely your DS will just take the semester of those year-long classes. So like they take Chem 101 at NWP, he'd take Chem 102 at whatever college in the spring semester. If your DS chooses NWP, my advice is, prior to going there, decide where he wants to go his 2nd (spring) semester. Let's say he's going to a local community college, (prestige, and where you go has no bearing on Academy decision, but SAs will ask for a final transcript from wherever you do go) before he goes to NWP, apply, do FAFSA, and go through all of the necessary steps to be ready to enroll at the 2nd semester college so as soon as spring enrollment opens, he'll be ready to talk to the Durbecks and register for classes right away. Many colleges require orientation and academic advising, and financial aid counseling before you're allowed to register for classes so get that out of the way before you go to NWP as much as you can. If the college won't do that (say they're only do it for the upcoming, fall semester, then check to make sure they have a virtual way for you to do that while you're at NWP, but do NOT take online classes. SAs want to see you took in person classes.

 

[usna1985]

A few thoughts for SELF-PREP (sponsored prep is a different thing entirely). First, recommend selecting a program that will be useful if a SA doesn't work out for you -- for any number of reasons (medical, lose interest, don't receive an appointment). You don't want this to be a "wasted" year academically or otherwise.

Second, check with the SA that you most want to attend regarding their advice for unsuccessful applicants. For example, USNA recommends a 4-yr college (not prep school) unless a candidate needs additional help with academics, study skills, time management, athletics, etc. However, other SAs may take a different view. I personally think prep school can also be useful if the candidate's high school was of low academic quality in that it can help prepare that student for the rigors of SA academics.

Third, for those students who are of limited financial means, definitely check the costs of prep school vs. 4-year college vs. community college. Many prep schools offer scholarships which can help defray the cost. SAs also understand that finances affect decisions. Wherever you go, do your best bet is to take plebe courses (usually calc, chem with lab, English with writing, and history, though some variability may be ok, such as physics instead of chem). Fully agree re in-person classes vs. on-line.

Fourth, if you decide on prep school, focus on their success rate for SELF-PREP for the SAs in which you are interested. I can't emphasize this enough. Sponsored prep are virtually guaranteed an appointment if they successfully complete the prep program. You only care about those who are doing it on their own. And the fact that 4/5 got into USMA may not mean anything if you want to attend USAFA or USNA.

Finally, look at the SA acceptance track record over the last 5-10 years. There could be good or bad apples in a class or two that skew the numbers. If they historically are getting >67% of self-prep into the SA you want, it prob means the prep school is selecting the right attendees (those who are likely to be successful) and that they are providing good prep for that SA.

Prep school can be a great opportunity, both personally and academically. Spending the time and doing due diligence will make your experience all the better and give your greater benefits for the money your parents spend.