lc06 and frijoles, Congratulations on your quest thus far to attend USMA. There is one reason and one reason alone that you are not at the academy now and that is due to marginal academics. The only reason the admissions board will recommend prep school is for marginal academics, be it SATs, curriculum, or GPA/class standing or a combination of the three. Should you enlist, you would probably end up two years behind because they would send you to the prep school. LC06 is correct, you now have control over your admissions. Make the most of it. Prep schools will put you ahead of the power curve. Next year you will be much better equipped to handle the rigors of both plebe year and academics. As a moderator, sylvan should be more responsible in his posts. Good luck.