Who goes to the prep school?

My understanding is that USMAPS, NAPS and the Air Force Prep Schools are for candidates that the service academies believe will make excellent officers with a little more work on their academics. They are candidate who have outstanding applications in all aspects of their applications except for academics (which still must be very good, but just need a little more improvement.) Not sure if there are any published breakdowns of the backgrounds of the candidates. Recruited athletes are certainly part of the group.
 
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.
 
On the athletics website for sports rosters, here is a sampling:

94 out of 172 rostered football players were USMAPS
25 out of 42 rostered lax players were USMAPS

Can you say "redshirt?" :scratch:
 
Under represented minorities are groups that do not have a representation at USMA as compared to the general population. This can include ethic minorities or candidates from economic disadvantaged parts of the country which have low representation at the academy. It may be easy to tell you what an under-represented minority is not - a white male from an affluent part of the country. The academy has plenty candidates who fit that bill, so it is unlikely you would get a prep school slot unless you were a recruited athlete or a current enlisted soldier.
 
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