What can you guys tell me about this prep school? I applied here after being rejected from USAFA and I talked to the director of admissions at NMMI on the phone and he seemed to have good things to say. Are there advantages to going to a different prep school as opposed to here, or advantages going here as opposed to a different prep school? My goal is to self prep and then receive an appointment to USAFA for class of 2029. I was very knowlegeable of the admissions process for USAFA itself, but I am complely unsure of the process for the prep schools. Any advice or knowledge helps!
NMMI? Other prep schools?
- Thread starter Wooda
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DS attended NMMI through USNA Foundation (three years ago) and got the appointment a year later. He is now Class of '26 USNA. He made friends with self-preppers who also got appointments at USNA. I guess it really depends, but one thing he has to say is that it is hard, but it did prepare him for the Plebe summer and Plebe year at USNA. But his stint there also forged friendships with other SA sponsored preppers who are now with other SAs. I encouraged him to go there because I want to see Roswell, and the alien hype. (LOL) Hope this helps.
Physicsguru
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There are four military junior colleges: NMMI, Georgia Military College, Marion Military Institute, and Valley Forge Military Academy. Each has a service academy prep program. I'd recommend you start out by visiting each school's website and maybe giving the SAP coordinator a call.
I can say the biggest determinant of success is the attitude of the candidate. If you do the work assigned, study to the best of your ability, stay out of trouble, and take advantage of leadership opportunities, your chances for academy acceptance goes up dramatically.
I can say the biggest determinant of success is the attitude of the candidate. If you do the work assigned, study to the best of your ability, stay out of trouble, and take advantage of leadership opportunities, your chances for academy acceptance goes up dramatically.
MountainCat
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What kind if negative things?
My DS got rejected from USAFA yesterday and is now choosing a self- prep school.
NMMI is being considered.
dirtyflaco
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Northwestern Preparatory School in San Bernadino, CA is a great option for USAFA prepsters. 15 of 18 free agent students got appointments this year.
NMMI SAP
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Its good to choose a Prep school when you reapply. I am the Director at NMMI over our prep program. 2 things the Academy's like to see people who reapply and who attend a prep school to improve themselves. We will do our best to help you improve your application.
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Nice to see someone who can bring insights from this perspective on the Academies.
snarfly
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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.
MountainCat
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My DS is going to NMMI as a self-prep. If it is not too much trouble, could you please give some feedback on the packing list? The mandatory items aside, was there something your DS wished he brought with him and vice versa, did he bring anything to find it useless later on?
KPEngnr90
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My good friend who is now COMDESRON 15 was an NMMI Prepster.
MountainCat
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DS' dream is USAFA, but he is considering USMMA as well. He wants to get a Mechanical Engineering degree and fairly good welder (lol).
KPEngnr90
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Honestly I think we're actually better mechanical engineers than the ones regular universities or the other academies turn out since we actually wrench on machines like mechanics and electricians and refrigeration technicians. Owe it all to the sea year experience.
robnrbrtsn USMA93
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DD has a USMA AOG sponsorship for civil prep. She spoke with several administrators and civil prep graduates before deciding on NMMI. Her impression was that the challenging environment at NMMI would best prepare her for plebe year. And she thought it was funny that she would be called a Rat!
MountainCat
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Any advice on labeling the clothing? I saw ton of different clothing labels on Amazon, but I am wondering if they will last through multiple washes.
Is dry cleaning and laundry included in the price, or it's an extra?
Is dry cleaning and laundry included in the price, or it's an extra?
I thought I replied to this but I don’t see it so I’ll try again! We had a permanent fabric marker on our supply list. I was told the cadets would mark their clothes with their markers once they arrived. We did buy two but he never used them. The laundry service is included (it was included last year anyway) and they attach little bar codes to each and every item so nothing gets lost. I wouldn’t spend a lot of money but if your cadet would be more comfortable with labels then you could/should!
And they laundry service bar codes seem to stay on very well. They are still on here at home after he’s been here for a few weeks…