<p>There were alot of posts from many young guys. So this is for all of you. If you are even slightly considering the academies, I would look into the IAW for WP or the summer semniar for AF and navy. Traditionally the Navy summer program is known to be the toughest, then WP then AF. (not acceptance rate, but I mean, how hard they push you)</p>
<p>for myself before I applied and attened the summer programs I was gung-ho for AF, however once you live a week at each academy (one at AF and one at WP, for me) you really get to know what type of atmosphere each academy has. WP cadets and AF cadets are totally different from each other and so is the campus/attitudes/environment. </p>
<p>before any one makes a hastey decision on what academy they would like to persue, or even thinking about atteneding an academy, look into these summer programs. </p>
<p>If you are a junior, you have to apply, I think some time before febuary of your junior year. If any one reads this and is interested leave post, and I’m sure other people can vouch for the summer seminar</p>
<p>I went to AF Summer Seminar this past year, and let me just say that you should BY ALL MEANS GO if you are considering USAFA, or any service academy for that matter. It was invaluable to me, really. I don't think I could have possibly known that USAFA was a good fit for me had I not gone to Summer Seminar.</p>
<p>It can be daunting, but you should go anyway. Truth be told, I didn't want to go originally, and I think I applied about an hour before the final deadline (ie, around 11pm the night before, and the app was due at 12). For three months I was dreading it, but when the time finally came and I went through it, I couldn't have been more happy that I went and my parents more or less forced me to push that "submit application" button. You just get a great idea of what the place is like, what the people are like, etc that you honestly can't get unless you go.</p>
<p>I only went to AF's, but I did hear that Navy's was BRUTAL. People had actually just come from the Navy camp and were surprised at how "easy" AF was. Don't get me wrong... it wasn't a piece of cake, but there weren't very many forced workouts (haha, in fact most elements ditched two of the three "mandatory" PT workouts in the morning). The altitude probably made it harder than anything. I didn't hear much about Westpoint's. From what I understand though, Navy focussed a lot more on the physical side of things than did AF and WP; AF in fact claimed to want to focus slightly more on the academics.</p>
<p>Regardless, if you are a junior considering a service academy, SIGN UP FOR SUMMER SEMINAR, even if you have to skip school to go (Navy's and WP's are held in late May, so some schools are not out yet) because it's worth more than you can imagine, and plus it is EXTREMELY fun! :D</p>
<p>There's a VERY high correlation between attendance at USAFA's SSS (Summer Scientific Seminar) and an appointment the next year. The cadets and faculty that work the program write evals on the students in the program, too, so you can hurt or help your chances based on what they see in you. USAFA's program isn't meant to be all that physical, but my advice to anyone going is that they participate to the fullest.</p>
<p>I attened both WP and AF's summer seminars. </p>
<p>WP is usualy the 1st week of june, and the 2nd session being in the 2nd week of june. It definitly ran more like a cadet's life. manditory PT in the morning, classes, lunch, classes, sports, some other activity, lights out </p>
<p>AF is definitly alot easier than WP's. Alot of down time. no manditory PT. but the labs were good. </p>
<p>Navy was the most military based, they get up in your face. They have indoct night etc. </p>
<p>but defnitly apply to all three, it will help you prioritize which academy you want during nomination time</p>
<p>SS was very neat. It showed me much more than their corny admissions pamphlets-the people, facilities, life, etc. Just being able to interact with and ask questions of the element leaders and see what they thought about the different aspects of USAFA was very enlightening. By all means APPLY.</p>
<p>I applied to and attended only USNA's Summer Seminar because of my huge interest; if there had not have been scheduling conflicts I'd have loved to have gone to the other two programs. I had a blast! My squad members were just great and I remember coming back from S.S. completely elated. I was also SO sore! The physical aspects are demanding (& mandatory), but at the same time rewarding and similar to (if not less than)what I imagine you'd do at Plebe Summer. I really enjoyed everything. My experience ultimately solidified my decision to apply. </p>
<p>I agree with the previous postings, attending the summer seminars is one of the best ways to see if Academy life is for you.</p>
<p>ah. are the SAT numbers they posted required minimums? i got 500 on Reading, 700 on math, 640 on writing...
Yes, although do you mean to say you got a 500 on ACT reading (because SAT I doesn't have a reading section per se, and USAFA does not consider SAT II scores for SS or redular admissions)? But either way, those scores are the minimums. </p>
<p>also, what % of summer seminar applicants do you think they admit? hopefully a lot higher than their admissions numbers
What percentage of SS candidates get into the academy? I don't know the exact percentage, but it's significantly higher than people who didn't do SS. When you go to SS, your element leader writes an evaluation of you that goes in your file if you decide to apply, and that looks really good. Essentially, going to SS greatly improves your chances of admission at USAFA.</p>
<p>If you're asking about the percentage of applicants admitted to the program, again I'm not sure of the actual number/percent, but it is a highly selective program, and I mean HIGHLY. There are probably a few thousand applications for about 1000-1400 spots (I think there are 500-700 kids in each week long session). </p>
<p>is there any air time involved in the seminar?
No. You don't get to fly/jump/do anything crazy in the air. You get to tour a lot of the facilities though, and depending on what workshops you are assigned, you might get to try on parachute gear or be involved in a group demonstration in one of the flight simulators, but that's about as close to flying as you actually get.</p>
<p>bummer, i havnt taken the SAT yet, but on the PSAT i got a 50 reading, 64 writing, and 70 math. i was hoping my really high math score would offset my lower reading score, but i guess not. </p>
<p>is it easier to get into the other academies' summer seminars?</p>
<p>and yeah i was wondering about applicants/admitted as far as the summer seminar goes, not the actual academy.</p>
<p>*i was hoping my really high math score would offset my lower reading score, but i guess not. *
Well, there is still time to take the SAT. As I recall, applications for SS are due around March, and I know there is an SAT in January. It might be too late to sign up, but <em>shrugs</em> you could always try. I don't know if there are any SATs available in February.</p>
<p>is it easier to get into the other academies' summer seminars?
I'm not sure, although I imagine all are highly selective. I would check the websites of USMA and USNA for their requirements. They might be less stringent academically, but I don't know. I only applied to and attended USAFA's.</p>
<p>and yeah i was wondering about applicants/admitted as far as the summer seminar goes, not the actual academy.
Again, don't know the actual numbers, but the program is highly selective. That's why the GPA/score requirements are so high. I don't know if they post the actual numbers either. If I had to make a wild guess (this is completely wild, btw) I'd say they probably have around 8000-10000 applications for 1000-1400 spots.</p>
<p>5000-6000 people apply to the AF summer seminars for the 700 or so available slots</p>
<p>traditionally, for each academy, 50% of the candidates who attended each respected academy's summer seminar report as plebes/fourth classes, the following year</p>
<p>Taffy~ As far as I remember, I don't think I had taken the real SAT when I had applied to USNA's SS. They ask for your PSAT scores if you haven't taken the real SAT. My GPA was pretty good but my PSAT scores certainly weren't too hot & I was accepted. I think they asked for your leadership/extracurricular involvement as well, so if you've been fairly active and you're strong academically I don't see why you wouldn't have a decent chance. So go for it & apply; like everyone has said, the Summer Seminars are a blast. </p>
<p>V:63, M:53, W:54...yeah that's pretty embarrassing. Those were my scores & I got in if it makes you feel better. I think the selection people realize that not everyone tests well (uh, like me); you just have to compensate for it by doing well in other areas. Also, because you're wondering, the seminars are a lot less competitive than the actual admissions process.</p>
<p>have you guys talked with anybody who went to the Coast Guard AIM program? it looks awesome also, im hoping to go to that and any others i might get accepted to.</p>
<p>thanks bria that really restores confidence, i was thinking i might just get disqualified as soon as they look at my verbal test score, because i dont have the "minimum" of like 58.</p>
<p>i am fairly active although i wish i had done more stuff sports related besides badminton and 1 year of soccer.</p>
<p>no problem, Taffy. I would try & bring those scores up on the real SAT, where it really counts. Just keep up the involvement and work hard, maybe pick up some sport(s) that you enjoy outside of school-sanctioned ones. You should be fine.</p>
<p>Hello all, it has been my goal to get into USAFA since junior high, but I sadly have lost some track of it this last year and am trying to get back on track to get accepted into summer seminar. I'm curious right now to how good many of you think my chances are in getting there. Currently I have about a 3.985 (one A-) and am taking a heavy accelerated classload with one ap class (chemistry ). On the athletic side I might be lacking. I participated in the golf tem (i know how much this isn't a sport) for my freshman and sophmore years. This year I am running track and cross country and plan on doing so next year. I am very fit, but I'm thinking my record might not show that. On extracirriculats, I am a section leader in our schools drumline, student leader in our FIRST robotics team, and participate with the retreat team at my church. That's about all the info I can think of right now. Do you think this is enough to get me in the running for summer seminar?...thanks in advance to anyone who replies. This looks like a very good resource to use in the next year or so or application.</p>
<p>p.s. Also...if from experiance you know any other activities/things I could do that would improve my chances for SS or the academy a reply would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Sorry I forgot test scores...i got a 193 national merit composite on the PSAT and a 28-32 ranking on my PLAN...I'll be taking the ACT in january.</p>
<p>It sure seems to me like you have a pretty decent shot. Your grades are certainly up there (one A-, terrible! ;) ), and if you write about your physical condition in your essay, I'm sure that would account for the fact that you only have two years of golf (besides, it's not like that's bad). Your scores are also strong, so again I don't see why they wouldn't get you in. You seem not very confident though. What leads you to think you don't have an excellent shot (which I happen to think you do)?</p>
<p>Either way, you can definately write a very strong essay in your application to further solidify your chances. I think I have mine somewhere, if you want I could post it or PM it. I got in, so I guess it was what they wanted. Maybe that would give you a bit of guidance?</p>
<p>Regardless, I think your chance of getting in is very high. You seem like the well rounded kind of person they want there. Good luck, I'm happy to answer anything else if I can. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply...it was a good confidence booster. I think the reason I'm so skeptical is just hearing about how difficult it is to get in, and I reside in a family that dosen't support my decision to go to USAFA. I have sortof the opposite of those encouraging their kids to go there.</p>