Self prep academy acceptance rates

JBDA4

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Apr 2, 2016
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can anyone give me some insight on the self prep academy acceptance rates at Greystone, MMI & Northwest Prep? TIA
 
I have seen the statistics from MMI and at face value the percentages are not encouraging. However, what we do not know is how close to the cut the self preps were before beginning the prep program. Remember, your local district does not change, so if you have a 24 on your ACT and your district requires a 29 or 30, you have a huge hill to climb. Also, many candidates in the prep program have a DQ from DODMERB that they are hoping they can clear up with another year. For instance you have candidates who were on ADHD meds who attempt to come off them for the required year. From where I am standing, here are the advantages of self-prep:

1) SAT/ACT Test prep included in the program.
2) CFA test prep included in the program
3) Regular institutional contact with the service academies
4) Easy access to good letters of recommendation from teachers and administrators
5) Local MOC MAY be impressed with commitment and persistence
6) Showing that you can complete college work MAY improve your chances coming off the NWL, but I am not sure how much it improves you WCS
7) Prep programs with ROTC do provide another nomination, but only 25 are given out nationally

So, we know that an increase in your SAT/ACT and CFA scores will increase you WCS and if you need coaching in those two areas a prep program may be the answer. However your scores NEED to actually improve. Just going to the program is not enough.
 
I went on the MMI website and it gives number of appointments for sponsored and non-sponsored, but it doesn't say how many applied. The non-sponsored numbers are much lower than sponsored and you are wise to ask those questions. I couldn't find any stats on the NWP site, but maybe I missed them. Your best bet is to call them. I know there are some older threads on this in the prep school forum, might want to take a look.
 
They are eye opening. I just read them myself. I think it's important for every candidate who is going the self prep route to understand this path and throughly research each school. Not saying it's a bad way to go by any means, but a candidate should understand the pros and cons to going this route.
 
I agree that at first look it seems like self-preps at MMI (and likely at all prep schools) are an uphill climb. And honestly, it is. The main reason is while the sponsored students just have to show they can pass the courses satisfactorily, self-preps still have to compete against all the other applicants in the nations. As was stated earlier, for example, if you're applying to West Point and you're not near the top of the MOC list, it becomes tougher to get that appointment. While B's and C's get degrees, in the competitive world of SA appointments, you need to be shooting for A's in your college courses.

To me, if a student gets a path to a commission, then we've had a success. Another example, which is not shown on the chart, is how many students apply to multiple academies. Every year I see a student who applied to CGA get accepted to MMA, or vice versa. Two years ago I had a student who was primary Air Force instead accept an appointment to CGA. In addition, every year we have students who decide that they don't want to go to an academy, but instead transfer to a civilian university. Usually it's because the university offers programs that aren't available at the SA's, like the various flight programs at Embry-Riddle.

I guess what I'm trying to say is there is no yellow brick road to an appointment. Wherever you go, whether it is a prep school like NWP or Graystone, an MJC like MMI or NMMI, or a university or college on your own, look for a school that gives you options you can be satisfied with. If you have strong SAT/ACT scores, then a community college or university with a challenging curriculum might be the way to go. If you want the academy lifestyle with close ties to admissions departments, then there's the MJCs. The private prep schools are great in the scheduling and academic drills, as well as ties to the academies, so that may be the way to go if you want to reinforce study habits. In every case you'll get a chance to learn how to learn, develop your academic skills, and come out a more competitive candidate in the end.

Please contact the admissions departments of the schools you are interested in. Give each of them a chance to tell you what they have to offer as well as what makes them unique. Also, look into alternative paths to commissions like ROTC or Officer Candidate School programs. Whichever path you choose, I wish you good luck!
 
This pertains to USNA, but I am guessing the other SAs would be similar. In the turn-down email my DD received from USNA, it said "If you wish to reapply next year, you can continue to strengthen your application by continuing your education in a technical major at a 4-year college". No mention of self-prep.
 
That is true EOD/SEAL Mom. I think that this where the important conversations with admissions counselors, a self assessment of strengths/weaknesses, discussions with a BGO and ultimately parents comes into. Agree with everything physicsguru stated. What is a student's weakness? A year of prep won't overcome four years of mediocre test scores and grades. What district are they in and how competitive is it? What was their application weakness? Affordability of this option as a free agent? If you don't get into a SA, what then? I think this is where accreditation comes into play and is important factor.
 

When considering MMI for DS for Fall 2016 this was one of my first questions for the SAP director as well as the admissions counselor - why are the appointment rates so low for self-preppers? From what I can best recall, AC said their standards for admission to the SAP were lower than they should have been (ACT scores in high teens/low 20's, mediocre grades, etc.). He acknowledged it was a risk to allow these students into the program and in hindsight it was probably not the most appropriate decision and they are now being more selective for the program.

Stats seem more favorable for self-preppers seeking appointment to USCGA/USMMA. If I recall, MMI is USCGA's top prep school. USMMA started using MMI as a prep school in the 2015-2016 school year.

I really like Physicsguru's summary of choosing the most appropriate preparation environment based on strengths/weaknesses. Comforting to see that our choice to go to MMI is consistent with DS' needs.

Best wishes to all!
 
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