What is the best call

[sendmetoENJJPT]

Hi! I have been given the opportunity to make a unique decision that I think is going to be very tough for me. I am currently talking to a sports coach at USAFA. My GPA is 3.35 and my ACT is 29 which is low for direct admit but potentially possible (low chance). I have also been given the opportunity to try to go for a prep school slot instead. I am concerned that I would be throwing away my shot at USAFA for this year but at the same time, raising it significantly for next year. I am okay with going to the prep school but I also am enticed by the possibility of direct admit. Any thoughts?

 

[Old Navy BGO]

It appears USAFA approaches Prep School Admission differently than USAFA. For Navy, there is only one application, and Admissions Board makes the decision to offer Prep School v. Direct Admission.

That said, if you have any reservations about getting admitted or succeeding at USAFA if you apply directly, then by all means take the Prep route. I went to Navy Prep (NAPS) a long time ago, and still think it was the best thing thing the ever happened to me. Of course, I was disappointed when I didn't get an offer for direct admit, and thought I was "wasting a year." Instead, I matured a lot, learned to study and learned, and was much better prepared for USNA.

 

[MCA_10]

Lot of cadets go to the prep school. There is nothing wrong with it and it gives you a chance to work on yourself before going to USAFA. Preppies typically adjust better to campus life because they have been indoctrinated into the military lifestyle and have practice time management while at the prep school. You will also take calc 100 and chem 100 at the prep school and then take it again doolie year at USAFA. Preppies typically do really well in those classes as the content is pretty much the same. I think the prep is an amazing place to prepare yourself mentally, physically, and academically for academy life. If given the offer, I would say go for it!

 

[Devil Doc]

Hi! I have been given the opportunity to make a unique decision that I think is going to be very tough for me. I am currently talking to a sports coach at USAFA. My GPA is 3.35 and my ACT is 29 which is low for direct admit but potentially possible (low chance). I have also been given the opportunity to try to go for a prep school slot instead. I am concerned that I would be throwing away my shot at USAFA for this year but at the same time, raising it significantly for next year. I am okay with going to the prep school but I also am enticed by the possibility of direct admit. Any thoughts?

Hi, for my education, what is the "unique decision" and why is it unique, and which "sports coach" are to talking to? Football, baseball, tennis, fencing?

 

[Capt MJ]

Hi! I have been given the opportunity to make a unique decision that I think is going to be very tough for me. I am currently talking to a sports coach at USAFA. My GPA is 3.35 and my ACT is 29 which is low for direct admit but potentially possible (low chance). I have also been given the opportunity to try to go for a prep school slot instead. I am concerned that I would be throwing away my shot at USAFA for this year but at the same time, raising it significantly for next year. I am okay with going to the prep school but I also am enticed by the possibility of direct admit. Any thoughts?

If you are being offered either USAFA prep school or Falcon Scholarship to a civilian prep school AND your goal is to commission as an Air Force officer and serve at least 5 years, via USAFA, then grab this golden ring and hang on.

Think of it this way. USAFA wants you, is willing to wait a year and invest $$ in polishing you up and preparing you to succeed. If you complete prep successfully, remain physically and medically eligible (DoDMERB is good for 2 years), earn a nomination (not going to explain that at this stage for prep), you will be offered a seat in Class of 2027.

There will be many classmates who are not direct admits. No one cares. You will have the benefit of maturing a year away from home, being academically ready in every respect, and likely have a built-in set of friends joining you at USAFA.

Pride issues? Ditch them. USAFA wants you and is offering a path.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

What I don’t understand is how saying you would be open to prep, or applying to prep, would hurt your chances for a direct admit?

That makes no sense if so

the reason the coach is talking prep school is because of your scores and grades.

The prep schools are filled with people like you and some slightly less well prepared academically.

And after those 9 months at prep school, you may not be happier, but you will be stronger, smarter, better prepared and lots more salty,

And as long as you have a 2.0 and have not been thrown out for behavior issues etc going to a SA next is as much a lock as there can be.

You are throwing away nothing.

My advice is always——go to prep school and become better prepared as you find out if this is really for you———without wasting a year of college eligibility If it’s not for you.

 

[FlyFalcon]

Hi! Slightly different perspective. I'm at a prep school. Now a falcon scholar is different than the actual prep school but both fulfill the same function. I've never actually hear of someone being offer prep school before they were reject. I was rejected in the same email I was offered the scholarship.

Anyway I highly recommend prep school! First off it give you people who you know at the academy because you just spent a few months together.

Second off allows you to focus on fitness in ways you didn't realize you needed.

Third STUDY HABITS, oh my did I not have these before coming here. I was an A & B student with a ACT of 29. Andddd I would have gotten my but kicked, how do I know? Because on this tiny mountain top I got my butt kicked

No such thing as a year wasted, doesn't matter where you started only where you end up. And you want to end up top of your class.

If you have the chance to make weakness your strength always take the chance. People can look down on you, but they'll be looking up when you're in a fighter going mock one.

 

[Capt MJ]

Hi! Slightly different perspective. I'm at a prep school. Now a falcon scholar is different than the actual prep school but both fulfill the same function. I've never actually hear of someone being offer prep school before they were reject. I was rejected in the same email I was offered the scholarship.

Anyway I highly recommend prep school! First off it give you people who you know at the academy because you just spent a few months together.

Second off allows you to focus on fitness in ways you didn't realize you needed.

Third STUDY HABITS, oh my did I not have these before coming here. I was an A & B student with a ACT of 29. Andddd I would have gotten my but kicked, how do I know? Because on this tiny mountain top I got my butt kicked XD.

No such thing as a year wasted, doesn't matter where you started only where you end up. And you want to end up top of your class.

If you have the chance to make weakness your strength always take the chance. People can look down on you, but they'll be looking up when you're in a fighter going mock one.

Great peer advice!

 

[sendmetoENJJPT]

Thank you for all these responses. I really appreciate all of the input. Some clarification for the original post is that I do not feel I would be upset about the prep school, I just want to give myself the best chance for this year as well. I received a response from the coach as well that outlined how it would not hurt my DA chances and that it just provides another opportunity. Again, Thank you so much for the input as it is helping me understand what I am being offered!

 

[sendmetoENJJPT]

Hi, for my education, what is the "unique decision" and why is it unique, and which "sports coach" are to talking to? Football, baseball, tennis, fencing?

I felt it was unique at the time of posting because I was unsure if it would be hurting regular admissions challenges. That question has been answered and I understand what I am now deciding on. 2nd, it is one of the Swim coaches but I prefer to keep additional information private for the privacy of the coaches.

 

[sendmetoENJJPT]

If you are being offered either USAFA prep school or Falcon Scholarship to a civilian prep school AND your goal is to commission as an Air Force officer and serve at least 5 years, via USAFA, then grab this golden ring and hang on.

Think of it this way. USAFA wants you, is willing to wait a year and invest $$ in polishing you up and preparing you to succeed. If you complete prep successfully, remain physically and medically eligible (DoDMERB is good for 2 years), earn a nomination (not going to explain that at this stage for prep), you will be offered a seat in Class of 2027.

There will be many classmates who are not direct admits. No one cares. You will have the benefit of maturing a year away from home, being academically ready in every respect, and likely have a built-in set of friends joining you at USAFA.

Pride issues? Ditch them. USAFA wants you and is offering a path.

Thank you so much for the response. It is not a pride issue, I was only concerned about chances for this year. I appreciate the response and the encouragement!

 

[Devil Doc]

I felt it was unique at the time of posting because I was unsure if it would be hurting regular admissions challenges. That question has been answered and I understand what I am now deciding on. 2nd, it is one of the Swim coaches but I prefer to keep additional information private for the privacy of the coaches.

You're good. I didn't ask for anything more. Good luck.

 

[CrabbittMom]

Outside of the the benefits stated above, going to the prep school also gives you an opportunity for a redshirt year. Although you can’t necessarily train with the team, you can still train and get stronger without losing a year of eligibility.