USNA Foundation Scholarship vs. USNA Civilian Prep Program

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subchop

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DD received word today that she has been recommended for a USNA Foundation Scholarship or the USNA Civilian Prep Program. Plan B has been the University of Maryland (Honors College and School of Engineering) and NROTC, but she really wants to go to USNA. Few questions:
  • Which program provides the better chance of admission to USNA in 2025, Foundation or Civilian Prep?
  • Which program would better prepare her for USNA?
  • For the foundation schools: which schools offer the best use of an extra year: a) partner prep schools or b) military junior college (e.g. New Mexico Military Institute)
She is determined to go, so we want to help her choose the best option. The USNA Civilian Prep Program appeals to us because it lets her move ahead with a college engineering program while she re-applies. Any opinions/insight would be appreciated.
 
This link will help with some of the pros for the Foundation Scholarship Program:

There is no way to say which is the better path a year from now, because it is an entire new set of applicants, and we don’t know how your DD was evaluated by Admissions.

The single greatest thing about being offered a Foundation Scholarship is if she successfully completes the program, a seat is essentially saved for her in 2025. She still has to apply for all the noms for which she is eligible in the next cycle. If for some reason she is unable to get one, USNA is quite likely to find her one. The partner prep schools are all well-versed in SA requirements, and she would have instant friends among multiple SA preppers.
This path is often called the “Golden Ticket.”

Going NROTC as a re-applicant is a fine way to go, with the added opportunity to request a nom from that source. Momentum would be maintained toward degree and officer commission. Competition would be versus the entire next cycle of fully qualified applicants.

The merits of the various prep schools are discussed in several threads in all the SA forums. You might have better luck using google to search “Service Academy Forums USNA prep schools” or with school names, than the internal SAF engine.
 
Add-on to the above - there are no guarantees with either path above. Always worth noting.
 
Agree 100% with Capt MJ. If USNA is where she wants to go, then this is an amazing opportunity. Foundation Mids have the highest graduation rates from all sources from USNA. This is a ‘golden ticket’. She completed the program successfully, she will be a Mid next year!

Picking the right program will come down to what she wants to get out of the year and costs. The Foundation program will provide info on that as it varies by school and family. Does she want a military school or not, prep or more of a college environment, location, sports, etc. The Foundation program can also assist providing recommendations. For instance if maybe her math is an area she wants to work on, might be some schools they recommend.

Amazing opportunity! Congrats!
 
As my chances of a direct appointment look slim, I was wondering if both of these programs are similar to NAPS, in that they're only offered to 2Q candidates?
 
Yes, the purpose and outcome are similar. NAPS is a Navy school, free program, and NAPSters are given enlisted rank and pay. Bedmaking and marching and uniforms. Prior enlisted go there, recruited athletes, and some that don’t fall in either category.
 
subchop said:
DD received word today that she has been recommended for a USNA Foundation Scholarship or the USNA Civilian Prep Program.
Click to expand...

> Can someone tell me what the "USNA Civilian Prep Program" is ? I've been a BGO for almost 20 years, and haven't run into that term ? Is it actually USNA sponsored ?

I am well familiar with both NAPS and Foundation ... both great programs; While CAPT MJ is correct, there are not guarantees, it is as close to a sure thing as you can get so ong as you do your part.
 
I believe the sponsored prep program is similar to Foundation but the candidate can select any school in the country. It was put in place to counter the notion that USNA was "sponsoring" certain schools or directing students to certain schools at the expense of other schools in the country. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

As for the Foundation schools, I don't think there's a "best" option among them generally but there may be a better option for your DD. Things to consider: distance from (or closeness to) home, sports offered, whether she wants a military environment (no need for one -- will do fine at USNA w/o one), particular strengths of the school vs. any areas where your DD needs assistance, etc. There is someone from USNA who handles Foundation students who will be a great source of information. Had a relative who was a Foundation student. PM me for more info.

I don't know much about the civilian prep program so can't help you there.
 
Yeah. That's really not the way to do it.
 
Two major things she will need to do in the fall. First is apply to all nom sources to which she's eligible. If she doesn't get a nom, USNA will give her one. But USNA wants all the prep students to apply. Getting that done well and done early is a plus. Second, she will take the PRT (not the CFA). Doing well is also a plus. Congrats on a great path to USNA and beyond!
 
Thanks for the feedback on this site. DD was accepted this AM by NMMI through the Foundation and will be attending this summer, social distancing permitting. She is very excited to get started. She is using the down time to start working her nominations and physical fitness. Unfortunately like lots of people on the site, she has lost her senior season of track. However, she is still getting her long distance in so that she can join the Cross Country team at NMMI. Always looking forward.
 
Have a question about the Civilian Prep Option for my DD. Already received an appointment but may have to defer a year could usna1985 PM me?
 
USNA 1990, I can't PM you. It appears you need to have post 5 or 10 messages before I can PM you. Unfortunately, the message limit seems to worth both ways.
 
USNA 1990 said:
Have a question about the Civilian Prep Option for my DD. Already received an appointment but may have to defer a year could usna1985 PM me?
Click to expand...
Just guessing here, and no need to provide details, and realizing you are stymied by PM barrier - if your DD already has an appointment (congrats), that means she was not a candidate for any kind of sponsored prep. She was considered ready for direct accession.

If she is unable to report in this year, she should call Admissions to discuss what the best path forward is. If she is physically unable to call Admissions, then this is one of the few times I would recommend a parent call. I would predict they would tell her to follow the college re-applicant path, take plebe-like courses, and re-apply. In some cases - and only they know the criteria - they might issue an LOA for 2025, essentially telling her to remain qualified, take college courses, re-apply, get noms, etc., and she would likely get an offer for 2025. As a 2024 appointee, she would a get a huge boost.

If she knows she can’t accept it, she should call soonest Monday morning. Not email. She needs to speak with a live Admissions contact, even if it is not her regular one. They are very nice people, they have seen and heard everything, and they will give her specific guidance. “Life stuff” happens - broken leg, family member death, other issues.

Re-applicant guidance:
www.usna.edu

Previous Candidates & College Candidates

Previous Candidates and College Candidates page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Apr 09 05:23:10 EDT 2024.
www.usna.edu

Admissions will be able to see this cycle’s record, of course. DoDMERB is good for 2 years from exam date.

@usna1985 more thoughts?
 
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I concur. If there is a possibility she cannot report to I Day she needs to call admissions and have a discussion.
 
Are you asking about deferring Civilian Prep? I would first call the person who runs the program for the Foundation (the new CAPT Wallace). Must confess I forget his name but he's the one who contacted you about the program, worked with you on your financials, etc. Start with him.

Deferring is a bit more complex, b/c the program is privately funded, the school itself provides funding, etc. I'm not saying a deferral is impossible, but it involves numerous moving parts. The reason for the deferral would also be important (no need to tell us on a public forum, but it would have to be pretty compelling. Hard to imagine may reasons.

One that comes to mind is a dying immediate relative. Keep in mind that this type of thing will continue to occur in life. If it's something else (change in desire, medical issue, etc.), I suspect there will be less "sympathy."

While civilian prep start dates are usually late August/early Sept., keep in mind that USNA may have already paid the school, etc. This could create financial penalties.

So please contact the Foundation point person ASAP.
 
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