So I dont truly understand how the West Point prep college works. Ive been on the website. I read through it etc. Its been raised as a possibilty for my son not a guarantee and Im still unclear. Do the kids then repeat these classes in their first year at West Point? Is an extra year of service requirement added? Is this frowned upon by the true cadets? Are the kids made to feel inadequate or less worthy? How is acceptance to the SA almost guaranteed the following year? My kid has a MOC nom. Thank you for helping me to better understand.
Please help...dont understand
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Islandmom4
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My daughter went to naps. The courses are post graduate, not college, so there is no college credit. But the experience may help them test into a higher level class at West Point. The year at prep they are considered enlisted. They still have 4 full years at the academy. The prep year counts towards retirement. At USNA, the NAPS kids had a leg up during plebe summer but they are all the same now. No stigma or differentiation.
Acceptance is "guaranteed" if they meet the conditions set forth, which include a certain gpa, a recommendation by the administrator of the prep school, meeting the prt, and applying to all nomination sources.
The nomination he has now does not carry over.
Acceptance is "guaranteed" if they meet the conditions set forth, which include a certain gpa, a recommendation by the administrator of the prep school, meeting the prt, and applying to all nomination sources.
The nomination he has now does not carry over.
Prep is a great option if offered. If they complete the academics satisfactorily, pass the PT test and generally stay out of trouble they will gain admission to USMA. As mentioned during that year they receive a pretty decent pay check while taking college prep classes that mirror a Plebe like schedule. No college credit but it does make Plebe year easier. Prep school kids have a very short Indoc period and live a regimented lifestyle that is much less strict than Plebe year. They learn the military nuances that helps give them a leg up initially. It all balances out within a few weeks of Plebe Year. Once you get to USMA no one cares how you got there. It's a great option if USMA is the goal.
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Note that retired four star Marine General John Allen was a NAPS alumnus. I don't think NAPS held him back.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Academy_Preparatory_School#Alumni
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Academy_Preparatory_School#Alumni
For clarity...are you speaking about civil prep or the USMA Prep school?
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In one of the many recurring annual threads on this topic, someone said the offer of a prep school is clear proof the SA wants you bad enough to wait for you, and believes the year of prep is just what you need to get you in the best possible shape for a successful 4-year journey to a commission.
Prepsters arrive at the SA with experience and maturity, from having dealt with a year away from home. They have learned "military stuff" at the military preps - an invaluable time-saver once at the SA. They can make serious bed!
They have successfully buckled down at prep and proven themselves worthy of the SA's belief in them. They and their parents set aside any misplaced pride issues and looked at the offer of prep as opportunity without comparison. Prepsters are cheerful, knowing they just have to successfully complete prep, get another nom, and their path is just about golden to what the real goal is - an appointment. Once there, no one cares.
Prepsters also build great bonds with each other, a ready-made set of friends going in.
And please, retire the term "true cadet." Cadets and mids arrive at an SA from many paths, and more than you would think than directly from HS.
Prepsters arrive at the SA with experience and maturity, from having dealt with a year away from home. They have learned "military stuff" at the military preps - an invaluable time-saver once at the SA. They can make serious bed!
They have successfully buckled down at prep and proven themselves worthy of the SA's belief in them. They and their parents set aside any misplaced pride issues and looked at the offer of prep as opportunity without comparison. Prepsters are cheerful, knowing they just have to successfully complete prep, get another nom, and their path is just about golden to what the real goal is - an appointment. Once there, no one cares.
Prepsters also build great bonds with each other, a ready-made set of friends going in.
And please, retire the term "true cadet." Cadets and mids arrive at an SA from many paths, and more than you would think than directly from HS.
If it is civil prep then depending on the school...I can only speak to Marion Military Institute...then the year at MMI will closely mirror the plebe year at West Point. The classes at MMI will transfer to another college. There is also a chance if the cadet is selected for USMA, they may not have to take plebe year classes for certain subjects...plebe year history is a good example. If civil prep an an AOG scholarship is offered...I highly recommend taking it! Search this thread for more information. There is a ton of information speaking to the advantages of a prep school offer. You have any specific questions, please ask. My 2018 Cadet went through civil prep at Marion. It was a tremendous experience for him and set him up well for his four years at West Point.
Thanks everyone. Yes I was talking about the school at West Point. Your input is very helpful. We are continuing through the process with an open mind and heart and believe whatever is meant to be will be. I appreciate your clarity. Yes this would be straight from highschool.
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Looking back over the years we have been sponsoring USNA mids, we usually have at least 1 NAPSter a year and sometimes a civ prep. All were/are enormously grateful and appreciative of their prep year, because it got them to where they wanted to be, and confident in their ability. Many have noted that year allowed them to grow up away from family, but not so drastically as going to the SA direct from HS, especially when they saw how some direct admit classmates struggled their Plebe year.
Let me attempt some clarity to the subject. There are two avenues here:
1. USMAPS-Is a prep school located near WP. You must be deemed academically disqualified and need a NOM. Those who attend must be recommended by an RC and/or athletic director. MAPS has a purpose to polish up recruited athletes, prior enlisted, underserved minorities. No guarantee you'll win an appointment after completing the program and you'll need another NOM.
2.Civilian Prep-These cottage industry schools come in a wide spectrum. You'll need to do research to find the best fit. There are two types of students "sponsored" and "free agent". Sponsored students are those who have received an AoG scholarship to attend. "Free agent" students are privately paying their way, however, there are scholarships and grants to assist. There is no guarantee of winning an appointment and you will need another NOM. Sponsored students are recognized from a recommendation though their RC.
Both groups need to have their ACT/SAT scores brought up, time management skills, study skills sharpened.
I hope this helps
Push Hard, Press Forward
1. USMAPS-Is a prep school located near WP. You must be deemed academically disqualified and need a NOM. Those who attend must be recommended by an RC and/or athletic director. MAPS has a purpose to polish up recruited athletes, prior enlisted, underserved minorities. No guarantee you'll win an appointment after completing the program and you'll need another NOM.
2.Civilian Prep-These cottage industry schools come in a wide spectrum. You'll need to do research to find the best fit. There are two types of students "sponsored" and "free agent". Sponsored students are those who have received an AoG scholarship to attend. "Free agent" students are privately paying their way, however, there are scholarships and grants to assist. There is no guarantee of winning an appointment and you will need another NOM. Sponsored students are recognized from a recommendation though their RC.
Both groups need to have their ACT/SAT scores brought up, time management skills, study skills sharpened.
I hope this helps
Push Hard, Press Forward
Spartan917
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So prep schools are only offered for athletes lacking academically? Hypothetically if my situation was closer to the opposite in having about 4.05 (~15/200 class rank) GPA by my senior year and decent test scores but only one varsity letter and say CAP Lieutenant, model UN club president, and boys state delegate with MOC nom could I still potentially be offered an appointment at USMAPS if not USMA itself?
Spartan917
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1100 on PSAT which is 90th percentile according to College Board I'm only a sophomore currently and most of the leadership and ECs I mentioned are hypotheticals that I am considering/plan on doing. I am only doing marching band right now which is nowhere near enough in the leadership/athletics section of the WCS. I was just curious as to my odds of getting into USMAPS as a plan B as I am pretty devoted to the idea of going to USMA at this point.
Vitalzt
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You still have enough time to get yourself well packaged and you should apply for NASS next year, it really answers many of the questions you will have. Get involved more in school and throughout your community and marching band is pretty good but try playing anysports that interest you.
Spartan917
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I was thinking USMA which I believe the equivalent to NASS is SLE but I will definitely consider doing both and applying to USNA and possibly USAFA as well for the added chance of getting an SA appointment. Would you recommend boys state, NHS, CAP, Model UN, etc. for the leadership part of the whole candidate score? I definitely recognize the need to get more involved in sports as that seems to be the gaping hole in my resume atm.
Thanks for all the help.
Spartan917
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What about Civil Air Patrol? That is something I could start pursuing right now as I am only a sophomore and for boys state you must have completed your junior year.
WP look at three pillars, Academics-Leadership-Athletics. You need to be involved in a sport
Push Hard, Press Forward
Islandmom4
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I had a daughter at NAPS. MAPS may be different, but you do NOT need a nomination for NAPS. Also, you do not have to be an athlete or a prior. Nor do you have to have a low gpa or SAT/ACT. My dtr had a 3.8 and a 1360 SAT, not a recruited athlete, and did have a nomination (although not needed). Only low point of app was a less than stellar honors calculus grade. Sometimes, you don't know why they offer prep instead of a direct appt or a rejection. And they don't tell you. You just accept it and are thankful.
Once at NAPS, you do need a nomination to move on to USNA. However, if you don't get one from your MOC, they will find you one (such as Sec of Navy).
Once at NAPS, you do need a nomination to move on to USNA. However, if you don't get one from your MOC, they will find you one (such as Sec of Navy).