Prep vs. S.A's: SAT/grade differences

Thank you for all the great responses! I really didn't know much about the prep schools - but I do now! They seem to be a great vehicle for kids and enlisteds and even those athletes who might eventually play at the div I level.
 
I am currently a NAPSter in Newport RI, I am a prior and I can tell you that most of the kids are not the "dumb" recruited athletes that I'm sure alot of people think they are. The Prep school is not just for athletes that arent academically smart enough to make it through the academy. Most of the kids here had around 3.8 in HS and everything. The reason some are sent here are because they were just the bottom half of the gifted students who applied for the Academy. They were all very competative to recieve an appointment this year to the Academy but they were just the lower 200 or so out of the 1,200 that got direct appointments this year. However the academy knows that they do not wanna lose these great young leaders so thats why they send them here. The academy just does not have enough room to accept everyone that is qualified. Yes some of the students here are recruited for various sports however some of the time they are the brightest students. This allows them to also have another year of training before they compete at the Academy. It also allows next years class to have alot of leadership and foundation from the NAPSters, a building block for our plebe class. I am one of the few priors (theres only 28 of us) that was lucky enough to recieve an appointment here, there were around 500 fleet applicants and there were only 25 i believe directly accepted and 28 accepted here. I believe that the NAPS route is by FAR the best route that anyone can take, it allows you to transition to military life and strengthen academically before going through the rigorous academicas at the academy. I wouldnt want to go any other way.
 
I've never considered NAPSters to be "dumb." NAPS and Foundation schools provide additional academic preparation for those who need it for any number of reasons. I could have used it myself as I came (years ago) from a top-notch all-girls' high school where (at the time) math & science weren't priorities.

The NAPSters I knew at USNA did extremely well academically. After the first few weeks where they really excelled b/c they were already familiar with most of the military stuff, I'm not sure most of us could tell you who was a NAPSter and who wasn't.
 
Recently spoke with three families whose sons were "at the Prep School." Turns out, one was indeed at the AFA Prep, but the other two, though they said the were at the prep school, were not actually there. One boy was at Valley Forge, and the other was spending a semester at NorthWestern Prep (may have the name wrong),and then was doing an academic semester at a college in the south. Who picks up the (substantial) tab for schools like Valley Forge?
 
Sounds like they were sponsored by the academy and had a Foundation prep (Navy) or AOG (AF and WP) scholarship. They would have received a scholarship from the academy and paid for the balance.
Were they there for Air Force? When my daughter was at MMI - she told me the AFA sponsored cadets got the "best deal". MMI much cheaper than Valley Forge so I am sure the parents are paying a chunk. Families may apply for Federal financial aid and qualify for federal loans and grants. Some schools have special scholarships for kids who have a Foundation or AOG sponsorship.
They also may qualify for a ROTC scholarship if they are at a military school.
At MMI, my daughter, who was sponsored gets a very nice scholarship from the school (usually about $10,000) supplemented by the AOG scholarship and we paid the rest.

There is definitely a cost for families whose children have a 'Civil' prep scholarship, that cost varies according to the school they pick and the scholarship they get from the academy's alumni organization.
 
My friend's son is at MMI this year. He has the AOG $ and about $10K from MMI as well. They pay about what they'd be paying if he were at the state U for the difference.
 
The CGA, I think, is the only academy that has an Orientation Week for the students they have awarded CGAS (Coast Guard Academy Scholars). It is 9 days of mini-Swab Summer, testing and indoctrination into the Coast Guard environment. Their cadre are former Prep School students.
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I do have a question...does your daughter and the other CGAS go to the regular swab summer the following year or is it just the nine days? I was confused by your statement.
 
trackandfield08 said:
I do have a question...does your daughter and the other CGAS go to the regular swab summer the following year or is it just the nine days? I was confused by your statement.
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Before they (CGAS) go to NMMI, they attend a "mini" swab summer indoc at the academy, then the following summer they will get the full 7-week experience.
 
I concur with Luigi -- they still have the full Swab Summer the following year. At this point in time, having just talked to my D, who is at MMI now, I'm convinced that this Prep School option is the best thing that could have happened to her. She is juggling a heavy class load (Chem, Physics, Calc, English & MMI military classes -- she says it is 21 credits), doing well with the military environment and strengthening her resolve on her life decision. She sounds very happy with everything. In addition, she is maturing ... having to handle grown-up situations and make decisions. The orientation at USCGA this summer was a great prep for the kids going to Prep School - she said it made MMI's orientation look easy. They are through the ROC cycle now and are earning rank and leadership skills.

As far as the question about who pays for what, the Coast Guard has a unique situation for their scholars - they actually join the Coast Guard and are paid to go to school. The Academy pays for their tuition and they pay for Room, Board, etc out of their pay and still end up with something like $10K at the end of the year! I don't see how this can be interpreted as anything but a win-win situation. She gains an education, military experience and maturity AND gets paid to do it!
 
Just wanted to clarify this:

Sounds like they were sponsored by the academy and had a Foundation prep (Navy) or AOG (AF and WP) scholarship. They would have received a scholarship from the academy and paid for the balance...MMI much cheaper than Valley Forge so I am sure the parents are paying a chunk. Families may apply for Federal financial aid and qualify for federal loans and grants. Some schools have special scholarships for kids who have a Foundation or AOG sponsorship.
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There is definitely a cost for families whose children have a 'Civil' prep scholarship, that cost varies according to the school they pick and the scholarship they get from the academy's alumni organization.
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Our son (now a plebe at USNA) was Foundation-sponsored, and chose a civilian prep school. The Foundation paid part, the school contributed part (as scholarship) and we contributed part. The formula is determined by the Foundation.

Very few of the civilian prep schools are eligible for Federal student grants and loans--they're largely 9-12 schools with post-grads there. Post-grads are like our son and the other USNA-Foundation-sponsored kids there. They'd already graduated high school, but needed an additional academic year to beef up their background. There are other post-grads there, too. Often athletes who want to go Div I but need more academics first.

Valley Forge is actually a junior college, so anyone attending there (or the other colleges on the prep school list) is able to get grants and loans. There are special private school loans available for the civilian prep schools, but it's outside the FAFSA/standard financial aid process.

Totally worth it, by the way! We incurred a good deal of expense, but compared to paying for 4 years at a state university, it's nothing. And now he's living his dream at USNA (rough though it is as a plebe).

Just wanted to be sure everyone understood that part of the cost IS the family's...and Federal grants and loans aren't always available.
 
HuskiesMama -
Apologies for the confusion - You are correct.

Those who attend an accredited Junior college for their prep program - i.e. Valley Forge, MMI, NMMI etc may apply for Federal Financial Aid and may qualify for loans/grants to help pay for school.

Those who attend a Post-Grad year at a Prep school (namely boarding high school) do not qualify to apply for Federal Financial aid. The Navy foundation program uses the post-grad year much more than Army and Air Force.

Typically - a student will be guided by the academy/foundation program with help to make that choice. If finances are ever a problem - the academy can provide guidance to parents/candidates to help find an appropriate program.
 
Is Naps binding?

My son just received an offer from USNA to go to NAPS. Is this binding? He is concerned that it adds another year to this entire process. I believe it is a very good thing for him. Input appreciated
 
Driverainv: Not sure I understand your question. Does "Is this binding" mean MUST your son go to USNA if offered an appt? No. When my son was @ NAPS (06-07), students could drop out during OR quit after completing the NAPS year -- in either case, no further Navy service was required. Only prior-enlisted had to 'pay back' the Navy w/ extra time if they didn't go on to USNA.

Your son's right, of course. NAPS does add a year to the process. You'll find lots of voices on this board re: the incredible value of NAPS, and mine is one of them. But when you're 17 or 18, a year seems like an eternity. If your friends are headed to traditional colleges, it's difficult to explain what NAPS is -- many peers don't even know what USNA is. NAPS and other prep programs are a real test of statements like, 'I'd do anything to get to the Naval Academy.'

Good luck. I hope your son makes the choice that's best for him.
 
Driverainv: what did your child decide to do? Or, hasn't he made up his mind yet?
 
My MOC was unable to give me a nomination this year to the USNA, due to the amount of LOA's in my district. However, the person who takes care of the noms. called me the other day and told me that she was going to call USNA and recommmend me for NAPS.

It was to my understanding that the Admissions Board is the only source that can give out offers to NAPS. Can someone explain this to me????
 
Wheeler said:
... It was to my understanding that the Admissions Board is the only source that can give out offers to NAPS. Can someone explain this to me????
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You are correct - however, many MOC staffers are in constant contact with admissions during this time of year and often suggest a candidate for prep. It sounds like your MOC office has indicated their intention to suggest or recommend that you be given a prep slot. It is certainly helpful for such a recommendation but it remains the SA's decision to grant it or not.
 
What criteria does the Academy use to determine if a candidate will be offered NAPS?
 
The first criteria for consideration to NAPS is that the candidate has not been scholastically qualified.
 
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