Non-Sponsored Prep

SAG said:
The reason I posted this question was because I felt that my son was not going to get a nomination or a sponsored prep nom because of his very weak SAT scores.
I didn't know if there was any value in going to a prep year ( say at Valley Forge) or a military Jr. College as a non-sponsored student. The ECP program is not an option he would like to take after discussing it with an ROTC recruiter.
Plan B is a Senior Military College, such as VMI or Citadel.
Click to expand...

my daughter had LOW SAT scores... but everything else is exaclty what they ... (USCGA & USMMA) wanted.. she got prep school. (USCGA Scholars).
This is what prep school is about..... My daughter did receive a MOC nomination to the USMMA, but she didnt need it as she received a prep school appt. and she decided on USCGA.
 
Last edited:
usna1985 said:
MOST (not all) people want or need to attend a prep school to improve their academics. Whether it has a military orientation or not isn't really the issue. A prep school that is not actually associated with the military is essentially a "pretend" military environment. That type of environment may be great for certain people for various reasons. But for someone who is well qualified to attend USNA other than needing add'l academic help, I don't know that it makes any difference whether that help comes at a military school or non-military school.



Maybe you should read those posts with the same approach you would view a TV commercial.:smile:
Click to expand...

I loved your answer to #2 :shake:...


with my daughter going to NMMI as a CGAScholar.. I think the military PREP school will be a choice then a non military, as not only is she getting help with her SAT scores (he gpa is 3.719, so that isnt a worry, she is just a bad SAT/ACT test taker). While she is brushing up on those requirements she will be taught military history, how to wear a uniform etc.. and her all around person will be educated and physically pushed... I think the miltary type prep school is a way to better prepare the whole person... :)
 
Correction

"This year 9 ( 12 started the program, 3 dropped out for various reasons) students completed the program with the following results:
(Note: I numbered each student randomly, the number is not indicative of any kind of rank or GPA, it is strictly used to make it easier to distinguish each candidate.)
Candidate:
1. Naval Academy Foundation – Naval Academy Appointment
2. Naval Academy Foundation – Naval Academy Appointment
3. Naval Academy Foundation – Naval Academy Appointment
4. Naval Academy Foundation – Naval Academy Appointment
5. Non-sponsored – Appointments offered to USAFA, USNA, USCGA – Accepted USAFA appointment
6. Non-sponsored – Appointment offered to USMMA, wait listed USCGA and USMA – Accepted USMMA appointment
7. Non-sponsored – Wait listed USNA
8. Non-sponsored – Wait listed USMA
9. Non-sponsored – Appointments offered to USNA, USMA, USCGA – Accepted offer to USNA."


There were actually fifteen students who started off in the program this past year, four involuntarily removed from the program, and two voluntarily dropped from the program. Four of the students who left the program (three involuntarily, and one voluntarily) were also Naval Academy Foundation. I know my information to be accurate.

I also believe that the one waitlister to USNA did receive their appointment, but not 100%. And as far as I know the USMA waitlister did not receive their appointment.
 
^^^^^^^^^

So eight Foundation students showed up and only four received appointments. This is a very low percentage. Historically, for USNA of those who accept foundation, a much higher percentage, usually well over 90%, make it to the academy. Why do you feel Greystone is so low? Are the academics too difficult? Disciplinary without the structure to instill it? I seem to remember cheating issues at Greystone in previous years.

And of the seven non-Foundation, only three were definitely offered appointments. Also, was candidate #6 turned down by USMMA previously, prior to attending Greystone? I would think that this would have to be true in order to claim him as a 'success'. Does Greystone not insist that all students apply to all academies? I am not sure I applaud this direction. If a student truly wants to fly jets and, in addition to USNA and USAFA, he is coerced into 'practicing' applications to USMA and USCGA, accepted only at USMA, and wakes up in the middle of plebe summer realizing he is not happy, has he really been helped?

Foundation, one does what the Academy asks, because they have a vested interest in the acceptance process. Non-foundation, who is to say that the three who were successful would not have been just as successful at a less costly state university, which is what the Academy recommends, and, bottom line, the four who were not successful would have been well established in their backup plan instead of probably being rerooted once again. But I doubt if Greystone can survive depending solely on Foundation students, hence the rub.
 
Last edited:
I have yet to see any mention of Northwestern Preparatory School. I personally attendede this program as a non-sponsored student with my sights set on USAFA. I came out with what I went there to get: an appointment to the Air Force Academy. Due to a change of heart, however, I am pursuing USMC flight at the Merchant Marine Academy.
Their program is unique in that it is not a military college (no uniforms, no rat/knob/plebe indoc) and the curriculum is completely standardized.

These ideas may seem completely new to some with preconceived notions as to what a military academy prep school is supposed to look like, but let me explain. Because we didn't have uniforms, we could spent more time focusing of our studies (that isn't to say we could dress how we wanted, just no uniforms); because we didn't have sports, we could spend more time on academics; because the entire day was structured, we were working out for a hard hour and a half everyday. They leave the military training for the INDOC period of each academy, it's what INDOC was designed for-teaching new appointees. The results of this program?

-It was not uncommon for ACT scores to go up by 6 points
-Many of the students maxed the SAT and ACT math portion
-We were in the best shape of our lives after running at altitude everyday, and were able to max many parts of the PFT
-The school has produced more SEALs than NAPS
-The school has graduated Wing (USAFA head honcho) commanders and Regimental (USMMA head honcho) commanders
-The dean of admissions for USAFA visited the campus for a day and personally told us our program was the best there was for Academy prep
-This school gets appointments for over 85% of its attendees

I realize most of this was qualitative, and as soon as I have the hard numbers, I will post them. Long story short, NWP will prepare you.

PM me if you want more information.

Respectfully submitted,
P/C Downing, USMMA 13
 
DDowning said:
I have yet to see any mention of Northwestern Preparatory School. I personally attendede this program as a non-sponsored student with my sights set on USAFA. I came out with what I went there to get: an appointment to the Air Force Academy. Due to a change of heart, however, I am pursuing USMC flight at the Merchant Marine Academy.
Their program is unique in that it is not a military college (no uniforms, no rat/knob/plebe indoc) and the curriculum is completely standardized.

These ideas may seem completely new to some with preconceived notions as to what a military academy prep school is supposed to look like, but let me explain. Because we didn't have uniforms, we could spent more time focusing of our studies (that isn't to say we could dress how we wanted, just no uniforms); because we didn't have sports, we could spend more time on academics; because the entire day was structured, we were working out for a hard hour and a half everyday. They leave the military training for the INDOC period of each academy, it's what INDOC was designed for-teaching new appointees. The results of this program?

-It was not uncommon for ACT scores to go up by 6 points
-Many of the students maxed the SAT and ACT math portion
-We were in the best shape of our lives after running at altitude everyday, and were able to max many parts of the PFT
-The school has produced more SEALs than NAPS
-The school has graduated Wing (USAFA head honcho) commanders and Regimental (USMMA head honcho) commanders
-The dean of admissions for USAFA visited the campus for a day and personally told us our program was the best there was for Academy prep
-This school gets appointments for over 85% of its attendees

I realize most of this was qualitative, and as soon as I have the hard numbers, I will post them. Long story short, NWP will prepare you.

PM me if you want more information.

Respectfully submitted,
P/C Downing, USMMA 13
Click to expand...
I'm a little biased toward NWPS myself, being a graduate!

And in my class from NWPS?

BG Brian "Beebop" Bishop, former USAF Thunderbirds commander, #1
Col Jeff "Big" Fiebig, former USAF Thunderbirds #4
30 or more of us as Colonel's and Captains (USN).

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
NWPS '78-'79 (Back when it was in lovely Mound, MN)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top