The cadet candidates at prep are not necessarily recruited athletes. I am not sure about USMAPS but believe it is geared toward academic improvement for prior enlisted and/or athletes. A fully qualified candidate will not be offered USMAPS. My son applied to USMA 2023 and was fully qualified but did not receive an appointment this year. He was not offered USMAPS but he was offered an AOG scholarship (one of 40) to attend prep school this year at one of 8 schools throughout the country. He did not know this was going to be offered and was told he could still get an offer but chances were low. He is not an athlete, as I mentioned, but could use some improvement in his academic test scores...ACT 29. His leadership scores were very good and he passed the CFA and medical.
Fast forward...he is currently at Northwestern Preparatory School and reapplying for 2024. He has to maintain a B average with no grade below a C, reapply for admission and get a new nomination plus maintain fitness and retake the CFA. The AOG scholarship is a binding contract too and if you are offered admission you must accept or repay the funds. So, that being said...he did meet a fellow prepster friend on AOG scholarship that was an injured athlete (football) that needed time to recover. WP wants him on next years team and is giving him time to heal and somewhat lock him in to the commitment.
Keep in mind that self prep is also an option and students can apply and pay for their own education to improve their chances for admission. I have been told that prepsters have a higher graduation rate and class rank overall. That extra year of prep can really make a difference in maturity, physical fitness and ability to handle the WP demands for coursework and time management.