Prep school/Appointment question

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Wareagle24

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Mar 23, 2023
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I have received two nominations (one from senator and one from rep) and I have everything checked off in the portal. Does anyone know when the cutoff day is for usafa appointments and when they will send out prep school appointments? How do they select prep school cadets? First time doing this so any and all information would be very helpful.

Thanks!
 
You can do your own quick research on here and find all those answers. Will serve you well to do your own homework on simple questions. Everything you’ve asked has been discussed here over and over again.
 
Bigrod said:
You can do your own quick research on here and find all those answers. Will serve you well to do your own homework on simple questions. Everything you’ve asked has been discussed here over and over again.
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I have the same questions, and looked around before I asked. Would you consider being helpful instead and vectoring me to where I can find those answers? Again, I haven't read the entire site, but I did look around before I asked.
 
Wareagle24 said:
I have received two nominations (one from senator and one from rep) and I have everything checked off in the portal. Does anyone know when the cutoff day is for usafa appointments and when they will send out prep school appointments? How do they select prep school cadets? First time doing this so any and all information would be very helpful.

Thanks!
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Hi,

You're not the only one wondering. I'm sure someone helpful will chime in with either an answer or a vector on where to look. Good luck!!
 
Someone recently posted that they’re telling everyone by April 21st. You could still be waitlisted though. Based on my understanding prep school usually is given to people lacking in certain areas or prior enlisted
 
The cutoff day is basically right before the day to report. Looking through past years, I have seen late May appointments. And same with Prep School and Falcon Foundation. But, yes, everyone should hear something by April 21.
 
franknd said:
The cutoff day is basically right before the day to report. Looking through past years, I have seen late May appointments. And same with Prep School and Falcon Foundation. But, yes, everyone should hear something by April 21.
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I will echo what I've learned in past years by asking similar questions here myself....Anyone else should feel free to correct if I'm not correct, or feel further illumination would be helpful.
There's no official application for prep school grants. (Falcon Foundation Scholarship, in this case).
You'll be chosen, or you won't hear anything regarding prep school, either the on campus prep school, or the outside schools that are affiliated with Academies and approved to accept sponsored students into their Service Academy Prep programs. DS is at MMI doing their SAP program as a self-prep (I'm sponsoring him😊). And it's essentially like a one year "major", at MMI.
If you have the unfortunate outcome of being "unselected " to USAFA, that generally means not selected for FFS as well. But, there are plenty of cases of receving that selection at a later date as well.
Our experience has been, that self-preping is definitely been "the way to go", towards gaining appointment in later round of applications. Others might suggest State U, or the like, with ROTC. For my son, especially at one of the 6 "Major Military Universities". For us that would have been either Norwich University, or Texas A&M this coming fall. But nothing wrong with ROTC programs elsewhere either, for your plan "B", straight out of HS, or after a yr or two at a Service Academy Prep program school. (PM me for more info on which of these....DS went to 2 yrs of these...diff schools, and I have strong opinion that you should SELF-PREP where you can ROTC simultaneously, ie., Accredited College).
Best of Luck!
 
The original purpose of each of the prep schools was to prepare airmen, soldiers and sailors serving as enlisted members of the Air Force, Army and Navy for the associated service academy of their military branch. As a high school senior, you will be considered automatically for admission to the prep school associated with the Academy to which you apply. One important point is that you must complete the application process. A nomination is not required. Your leadership record across all areas (academics, athletics and activities) will be a principal consideration. Frankly, competing well for an Academy appointment places a student in an ideal position to be considered for the prep school. Most 'non-prior enlisted' students have strong records with a need for some additional academic preparation. A good number of students are also recruited athletes.

A student who applies to any of the five U.S. service academies also will be considered automatically for the foundation scholarship programs, such as the (Falcon Foundation's) Falcon Scholarship Program. These programs are supported by private dollars through the associated foundations that sponsor them. In all cases, the Academy Admissions Office identifies young men and women to be offered a scholarship, like the Falcon scholarship. The scholarships are intended to cover all or portions of the costs for school, such as Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia; Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama; New Mexico MilitaryInstitute in Roswell, New Mexico; Northwestern Preparatory School in Crestline, California; or Randolph-MaconAcademy in Front Royal, Virginia.

I recommend that my students make a "Plan C" that allows them to attend university, join the on-campus ROTC unit, and then reapply to the Academy as a freshman, just as Jetbill suggested. I have had three students who won a scholarship or simply joined ROTC on campus (as part of Plan C) and then won an appointment the following year (3 out of 3). One of the students is graduating this May, USAFA C/O '23. Some 25 - 30% of all cadets at USAFA (and the other SAs) did not come directly out of high school as many attended a prep school, or a year or two of college, prior to becoming cadets. I hope this information is helpful.
 
Related question:

What is the reapplication process as a Prep School applicant, FF Scholar, or self-prep? I know DODMERB is good for two years, so that would be taken care of. And I know you need a nomination (although what about applicants from Prep School?). Does anything else roll over, such as recommendations? Essays? ALO interview? Etc.
 
One of my students is an AF Preppie now. They repeat the entire application process, including seeking nominations. As you noted, the medical/eye exam are good for two years as long as your health status is the same. Preppie's are also allowed to use the service's nominations as airmen, sailors, soldiers, etc. The majority of prep school students will win appointments as long as they complete the program and perform well.
 
AcadAdmCoach said:
One of my students is an AF Preppie now. They repeat the entire application process, including seeking nominations. As you noted, the medical/eye exam are good for two years as long as your health status is the same. Preppie's are also allowed to use the service's nominations as airmen, sailors, soldiers, etc. The majority of prep school students will win appointments as long as they complete the program and perform well.
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FFS is refered to as "the golden ticket".
If a sponsored preppie follows through with the application process, remains physically qualified, (un-injured, passing CFA again), and does reasonably well academically, then just about guaranteed an appointment.
Sometimes kids get away from home for the first time, and don't handle things well. Other times they just change their minds.
I have heard some pretty incredible stories concerning sponsored kids and their screw ups. And most still got through the prep year process. (But not all of them).
If it were a choice of accepting a FFS prep year, or an ROTC scholarship, I'd advise you to take the FFS. One thing is for sure. You WILL be more prepared and better off when you finally do get to Doolie year. There are statistics that point to better outcomes for cadets that were preps, as opposed to direct from HS, on average.
My son recently told me he is REALLY REALLY HAPPY he didn't get in out of HS. He just "didn't know, what he didn't know". And he has experienced so much about perseverance after almost 2 yrs of self-prep to date.
Again, Good Luck. I hope your appointment or FFS comes to fruition. And keep seeking guidance....it's the mark of a good leader.
 
Just to clarify for everyone, there are three different prep paths being discussed here with a lot of information being mixed together.

USAFA Prep School is a part of USAFA on the Academy grounds. This is where highly desired prep students are sent, and an appointment is yours to lose. There is no cost and cadets are actually paid as an enlisted airman while attending. Cadets still must reapply, but they receive a lot of guidance and are eligible for additional nomination sources.

Falcon Foundation Scholarships are sponsored by the Association of Graduates and pay for attendance at one of several select academy prep programs. Cadets are not paid a stipend, and are responsible for reapplying like any other reapplicant. Nominations must be secured through the normal channels available to the student. These cadets are desired by the academy, but are sponsored by the AOG, not USAFA itself. The prep schools offer guidance on the reapplication process and have a lot of experience.

Self prep candidates attend an academy prep program at their own expense and have no official sponsorship from the Academy. These students are on their own for reapplication, with the exception of the guidance provided by the prep school.

Stealth_81
 
Thank you to everyone that has replied. You have answered a lot of my questions. Good look to all!
 
Stealth_81 said:
Just to clarify for everyone, there are three different prep paths being discussed here with a lot of information being mixed together.

USAFA Prep School is a part of USAFA on the Academy grounds. This is where highly desired prep students are sent, and an appointment is yours to lose. There is no cost and cadets are actually paid as an enlisted airman while attending. Cadets still must reapply, but they receive a lot of guidance and are eligible for additional nomination sources.

Falcon Foundation Scholarships are sponsored by the Association of Graduates and pay for attendance at one of several select academy prep programs. Cadets are not paid a stipend, and are responsible for reapplying like any other reapplicant. Nominations must be secured through the normal channels available to the student. These cadets are desired by the academy, but are sponsored by the AOG, not USAFA itself. The prep schools offer guidance on the reapplication process and have a lot of experience.

Self prep candidates attend an academy prep program at their own expense and have no official sponsorship from the Academy. These students are on their own for reapplication, with the exception of the guidance provided by the prep school.

Stealth_81
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Thank you for all of this information! It's most helpful and so appreciated.
 
franknd said:
Related question:

What is the reapplication process as a Prep School applicant, FF Scholar, or self-prep? I know DODMERB is good for two years, so that would be taken care of. And I know you need a nomination (although what about applicants from Prep School?). Does anything else roll over, such as recommendations? Essays? ALO interview? Etc.
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USAFA Prep School Cadet Candidates DO NOT REPEAT THE ENTIRE APPLICATION PROCESS. They seek nominations and they need to fill out just a small questionnaire on their portal. No essays, no DoDMerb, no ALO interviews. If they do not get a nomination, they may receive one from the Prep School. Not guaranteed. You may graduate but you may not go to the Hill.
 
Do students that get appointed to Usafaps still receive envelopes?
 
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