USMA Prep School - Page 2

army2012 · 02-23-2008, 02:08 PM

i have told her since i was five that i wanted to go to west point , and she fully supported it until she realizzed that now it is very possible. Her huge problem is the WAR, and like any mother does not want me to go to war. But she is completly against me going now, even to the prep school she is saying its a wasted year and that you not good enough to get into to the academy , they already showed you that. What my mother does not understand is that a good majority of recruited athletes go to the prep school , i am being recruited for the soccer team. I just do not know waht to do i know i am going either way but, she said if i decide to go i am out of the house after graduate and all of that kind of stuff. any ideas ( she is very stubborn btw)

JesuspleaseUSMA! · 02-23-2008, 04:34 PM

Hopefully I receive my appceptance soon!

mom3boys · 02-23-2008, 05:13 PM

How is prep school a waste?!!

If you went to any div 1 or 2 school, you'd be red-shirted...this is no different. Very few athletes get through college in 47 months (other than at academies)
...AND another thing...none of us want our kids fighting in wars. So, whose kids should we send? Some people have said, "your son is so smart, why would he choose to do that??" So only those of inferior intellect should fight our wars and make decisions that impact everyone? Several friends who know my son is choosing between Army and Navy say he should choose navy..."it's safer on a boat..." That's not why you kids choose this life. It's not about me; it's not about what I want; it's not about safety. It's about feeling a calling to a purpose that is so beyond selfish. It's about making a choice to serve. I commend you for your choice. I am sorry your mom is not being supportive. She will likely come around and be like other moms on this sight: proud. You are what most people dream of when they think of what they'd like their kids to be. Your next five years will be easier if your mom gets in your corner, no doubt. However, I feel you will be successful even without that support. When I come visit (if USMA is my son's choice), I will sneak over to USMAPS and bring you cookies and hugs! You are a great kid and deserve to be lauded!!!

majmattmason · 02-23-2008, 07:51 PM

USMAPS is not a wasted year, your mother does not know because she has never had a child go to Prep. It sounds like she is saying anything to get you to change your mind. That's a shame. A great majority of athletes do attend Prep for an extra year. Our son got the chance to play lacrosse, something that was not played here in the south until a few years ago. He had a blast and we went up to see a match between USMAPS and Princeton. Boy, was that a lopsided game. The Prep year is a fantastic year because you are in the Army and get your weekends off, unlike your first year at West Point. It's a great year to decide for yourself if, in fact, you do want to be in the Army. And Prepsters have a leg up on their classmates when it comes to Plebe year as well as advancement. Don't believe me? Ask Dick Chilcoat.

army2012 · 02-24-2008, 08:59 AM

thanks mom3boys i cant wait for thoes cookies haha , i am actually glad that i am going to the prep school first i think it will help my transition into the academy. O well we will see if she turns around but i most likely doubt it

JesuspleaseUSMA! · 02-24-2008, 06:23 PM

still waiting!

PointMom2012 · 02-24-2008, 07:30 PM

Army2012 - Follow your dream!!!!

Your mom will come around, after all you are her son. It may take a month, maybe a year, but time does wonders. I am a high school counselor and have had so many fantastic kids walk away from ROTC scholarships to top notch schools because their parents won't allow it. I keep in touch with many of my former students, and I know two very well who sit around now in their 20's and say, "What if I went to Embry Riddle" or "I wonder what my life would be like had I gone to USC."

Go for it! You don't want to live with "What if's."

Good luck and remember we're all here rooting for you no matter what decision you make!

chad43 · 02-25-2008, 10:50 AM

I just received my appointment to USMAPS today. The wait was definitely worth it. I had always wanted to go to West Point, but never really knew if I could. It feels good to have your dreams come true.

GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY!

Ann · 02-25-2008, 11:18 AM

Congratulations chad43!

Army 2012: Keep communicating with your mom. Try not to let this become a barrier between you. Let her know your hopes and dreams, and let her know why this decision is "right for you". Sometimes moms (and dads) have a hard time letting go of their own dreams that they have for their kids. It sounds as if your mom has done a great job of raising an independent young man who is willing to serve selflessly. Do you have anyone that can mediate between you?

Good luck!

Ann · 02-25-2008, 11:31 AM

Army 2012:
"even to the prep school she is saying its a wasted year and that you not good enough to get into to the academy , they already showed you that."

You may want to explain to your mom that by offering you the prep school, USMA has effectively said that you have the qualities they are looking for and that they are willing to invest an additional year in your education to make sure that you will succeed at West Point. You see, the academies are different from civilian universities. Civilian universities often admit more students than they need to a particular program, and then "weed out" those who are not up to par. The academies do not do this. If they accept you, they believe that you have what it takes to succeed and will do everything in their power to make sure that you do (of course you have to do your bit too...). Rather than seeing the prep school offer as a rejection, your mom needs to understand that is a wonderful opportunity that is offered to a very select few.

Anonagron · 02-25-2008, 01:46 PM

army2012:

Mom3boys' words were eloquent and just what I wanted to say to you, too. Please know you have a whole bunch of other "moms" out here supporting your decision, and we could not be prouder of the young men and women who choose to serve, whether you be our own flesh and blood, or someone else's. If I had it all to do again, I am sure I would have gone the military service route after college, but I am too old for that now, so I will choose to serve by being supportive of those who are much younger and stronger (and in shape!) than I am.

As has been suggested in other threads, let her know there are other moms struggling with some of her concerns. Perhaps talking with other parents, even via internet forums, will give her some peace of mind and insight to your needs and desires.

army2012 · 02-25-2008, 03:53 PM

thanks everyone ... i have given her a day or so to just relax and not even bring it up ( the house has been peaceful haha) but i told her to come up with a list of why she does not want me to go and we are going to discuss it, not that its going to change my decision one bit but i just want to show her that i have researched this and know what i am getting my self into . I will let you all know how that goes if i am still alive haha .. thanks for everyones thoughts and imput

mom3boys · 02-25-2008, 05:24 PM

Tell her to join the forum; we promise not to bite! I'm sure there are members here now who felt the way she does at one point. If nothing else, she can make some friends to vent with when she's missing you next year!

djfrro · 02-25-2008, 05:47 PM

My first thought when my son was offered a foundation scholarship was "he is to good for that” he had offers from several good universities, full ride athletic and academic offers but his goal was to attend and graduate from a military academy. I was still unsure when we dropped him off at the place that he likes to refer to as "the place that God forgot" in Marion Alabama. But now I truly believe that it is the best thing that he could have done. He has received his appointment for the class of 2012; he knows what is expected of him when he gets to USMA. I am so proud that I cannot even express it in words.

PointMom2012 · 02-25-2008, 05:53 PM

I bawled my eyes out when I realized this was going to happen. I never ever thought he'd get in (sounds mean, I know -not that I don't think highly of him, I just know how competitive it is and there a lot of qualified kids out there). When he got early acceptance into two selective schools in December and then the nomination came, I knew it was going to happen and really started to freak out. I couldn't sleep at night because my mind was racing about what I could do to entice him to stay closer to home. I spent many sleepless nights worrying about the distance, the war, what if he gets hurt during beast then he's SOL because it'll too late to go to 2nd choice school. Blah blah blah - I was not a happy camper.

For me, it was more of a feeling of losing him. I always thought he'd go to a So Cal school which is hop skip and a jump from here. The thought of not being able to hop a plane at the last minute and take him out for dinner, or having him come home and hang out on weekends for birthdays, mother/father's day etc. is what I'm really sad about.

But now that I've had a month to deal with it, I'm fine. I just woke up one day and was excited for him. I can't wait to see the man he's going to be in a few short years. I'm very proud and can't wait to watch him grow as he embarks on this incredible journey!

Army 2012, your mom will come around. Just give her some time.