Prep questions

flyboymom1923

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I have no idea how any of this works so hopefully someone can help me/us. How exactly does Falcon Foundation work? I got the general FAQs but do they pick the school or does the student? Is he supposed to apply before we even know that he doesn't receive an appointment to the Academy? I got the general feeling from what he told me about his MOC interview that this might be a better route for him so I want to make sure that he knows his options. Any help/input would be appreciated.
 
I have no idea how any of this works so hopefully someone can help me/us. How exactly does Falcon Foundation work? I got the general FAQs but do they pick the school or does the student? Is he supposed to apply before we even know that he doesn't receive an appointment to the Academy? I got the general feeling from what he told me about his MOC interview that this might be a better route for him so I want to make sure that he knows his options. Any USAFA admissions

I have no idea how any of this works so hopefully someone can help me/us. How exactly does Falcon Foundation work? I got the general FAQs but do they pick the school or does the student? Is he supposed to apply before we even know that he doesn't receive an appointment to the Academy? I got the general feeling from what he told me about his MOC interview that this might be a better route for him so I want to make sure that he knows his options. Any help/input would be appreciated.
Usafa admissions works with Falcon Foundation to chose candidates and FFS notices usually don't come out till later on. If offered 1 of 60 to 70 scholarship, then you can chose one of five prep schools. Good luck and be patient.
 
Hello, current Falcon Foundation Scholar here. Here's how the Falcon Foundation Scholarship works: when you apply to USAFA, if admissions thinks that you are not competitive enough for a direct appointment (for a wide variety of reasons, for me I have a feeling it was test scores) but they still want you, you may be considered for a spot at the USAFA Prep School (actually on the USAFA campus in CO Springs, a lot of recruited athletes go there, however, some are not), or a Falcon Foundation Scholarship. There is no separate application to apply for a Foundation Scholarship, it is all included in with your USAFA application. In fact, if you scroll to the bottom of your USAFA portal, you will see a list of organizations that may see your USAFA application, and the Falcon Foundation is included in that list.

Anyway, if you are one of the lucky 60-70 applicants offered one of these scholarships, TAKE IT. Some of my friends that are Falcons at my prep school with me said that they received a USAFA rejection letter, and then their scholarship offer came in later. Personally, I never received a rejection, just the Falcon Foundation Scholarship offer. Just keep on the lookout.

This scholarship is often referred to as a "golden ticket." In meetings that I have been in with the foundation directors say that as long as we stay focused and do what we are supposed to do, we have a spot at USAFA in the Class of 2025 (of course if you slack off and don't do what you are supposed to, you won't make it). In regards to picking the school, there are five to choose from I believe, and YOU make the choice. There is NWP, MMI, RMA, NMMI, and GMC, links to these schools are on the Falcon Foundation website.

In my personal opinion, this has definitely been the better route for me. Spending this year to brush up on the academics that the academy wants us to know when we arrive on I-Day, has been amazing. We also focus a lot on the CFA as well, as we are required to complete the entire USAFA application over again during the Falcon Foundation year, with the exception of the essay, and the interview. We are still required to re-obtain a nomination, and of course pass the CFA (you won't just pass however, as I took mine yesterday, and had improvement in every single event from last year).

I also like to note, that if an academy is truly your goal, you can still go to some of these prep schools as a "Free Agent," as I mentioned earlier, only 60-70 Falcon Foundation Scholarships are given to the nearly 11,000 people who apply to USAFA every year. I know that my prep school, NWP, has a great number of students as free agents, and there is absolutely ZERO difference in the instruction we receive. Everyone is treated the same, and everyone has a great bond.

So I hope that this clears up your question, if you have any further questions, you can either leave a response here, or feel free to PM me.
 
Hello, current Falcon Foundation Scholar here. Here's how the Falcon Foundation Scholarship works: when you apply to USAFA, if admissions thinks that you are not competitive enough for a direct appointment (for a wide variety of reasons, for me I have a feeling it was test scores) but they still want you, you may be considered for a spot at the USAFA Prep School (actually on the USAFA campus in CO Springs, a lot of recruited athletes go there, however, some are not), or a Falcon Foundation Scholarship. There is no separate application to apply for a Foundation Scholarship, it is all included in with your USAFA application. In fact, if you scroll to the bottom of your USAFA portal, you will see a list of organizations that may see your USAFA application, and the Falcon Foundation is included in that list.

Anyway, if you are one of the lucky 60-70 applicants offered one of these scholarships, TAKE IT. Some of my friends that are Falcons at my prep school with me said that they received a USAFA rejection letter, and then their scholarship offer came in later. Personally, I never received a rejection, just the Falcon Foundation Scholarship offer. Just keep on the lookout.

This scholarship is often referred to as a "golden ticket." In meetings that I have been in with the foundation directors say that as long as we stay focused and do what we are supposed to do, we have a spot at USAFA in the Class of 2025 (of course if you slack off and don't do what you are supposed to, you won't make it). In regards to picking the school, there are five to choose from I believe, and YOU make the choice. There is NWP, MMI, RMA, NMMI, and GMC, links to these schools are on the Falcon Foundation website.

In my personal opinion, this has definitely been the better route for me. Spending this year to brush up on the academics that the academy wants us to know when we arrive on I-Day, has been amazing. We also focus a lot on the CFA as well, as we are required to complete the entire USAFA application over again during the Falcon Foundation year, with the exception of the essay, and the interview. We are still required to re-obtain a nomination, and of course pass the CFA (you won't just pass however, as I took mine yesterday, and had improvement in every single event from last year).

I also like to note, that if an academy is truly your goal, you can still go to some of these prep schools as a "Free Agent," as I mentioned earlier, only 60-70 Falcon Foundation Scholarships are given to the nearly 11,000 people who apply to USAFA every year. I know that my prep school, NWP, has a great number of students as free agents, and there is absolutely ZERO difference in the instruction we receive. Everyone is treated the same, and everyone has a great bond.

So I hope that this clears up your question, if you have any further questions, you can either leave a response here, or feel free to PM me.
Well said @Hopeful Mid 2024 (2025?)

One thing to add, when my DS was offered Falcon Foundation Scholarship, there were only 3 choices available; NWP, NMMI and GMC. Could be the others already had their max # of FFS students. NWP typically has 40-ish FFS students in a cycle.
 
I'm not 100% sure about what you're asking, but I believe that if your DS does not get a waiver and does not pass DODMERB, it may be game over regarding the academies, including a Foundation Scholarship. The Foundation Scholarships are for candidates that the academies want, but couldn't offer an appointment to in the last cycle, wither that be for academics, nominations, etc. Definitely be sure to request a waiver and exhaust all available options before throwing in the towel. Please don't take what I say as fact, and you might want to ask that in the DODMERB thread. One of this forum's users is the Deputy Chief over at DODMERB and he replies to questions often.

I also would like to note, please do not make obtaining a Foundation Scholarship your main goal. Submit in the best package you can, and aim for earning an appointment.
 
That's basically the answer I was looking for. He's been medically disqualified and no waiver has been requested yet so I was trying to see if he would still be considered for a Foundation scholarship if they never requested a waiver. Thank you.
 
I'm not 100% sure about what you're asking, but I believe that if your DS does not get a waiver and does not pass DODMERB, it may be game over regarding the academies, including a Foundation Scholarship. The Foundation Scholarships are for candidates that the academies want, but couldn't offer an appointment to in the last cycle, wither that be for academics, nominations, etc. Definitely be sure to request a waiver and exhaust all available options before throwing in the towel. Please don't take what I say as fact, and you might want to ask that in the DODMERB thread. One of this forum's users is the Deputy Chief over at DODMERB and he replies to questions often.

I also would like to note, please do not make obtaining a Foundation Scholarship your main goal. Submit in the best package you can, and aim for earning an appointment.
How do you get notified for a foundation scholarship?
 
It's come in an email from admissions. It does not directly tell you that you got one, it tells you to "view the message in your portal regarding a Falcon Foundation Scholarship offer." (or something along the lines of)
 
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