<p>Anyone who thinks the altitude won't affect them at USAFA is delusional. I'm a marathon runner who's run up Pikes Peak in <3:00. It's an issue. For all of you XC runners out there, here's a comparison... My sea level PR for 10K is 34:15. Above 6kft, I've NEVER broken 36:00. And I was OLDER when I ran the 34:15 (age 41).</p>
<p>Another factor is the dry air. It'll rip up your lungs, especially in the cold, if you're not well hydrated ALL of the time. You won't notice yourself sweating like you might anywhere else, just because it evaporates so fast, but don't kid yourself--you're losing it even faster than in humid climates. Dehydration comes on fast and hard and can be deadly. There's a reason they have forced drinking/hydration at all meals during USAFA BCT.</p>
<p>Another example: For the cadet PFT you do a 600-yard run. Altitude times will EASILY be 8-10 secs slower than what you can do at sea level on a 400m track in good shoes. Cadets do it on an 6-lap-to-the-mile indoor track with non-banked tight turns. I think 2:02 is the male min with 1:35 being max.</p>
<p>I have to admit I was one of those parents huffing and puffing going up and down the stairs during our AFA visit and all the while cursing the altitude and searching for an elevator.</p>
<p>Run up Pike's Peak!? I couldn't get back down to some life sustaining oxygen fast enough -felt like I had slammed a few drinks when we were at the top.</p>
<p>Haha! Yeh, I went to the AFA to see my brother there, and we were climbing up a hill, trying to get to a parade, and my mother and I were having a little bit of trouble getting up. I thoguht it was kinda funny.</p>
<p>Mind you, I was out of shape (it was the summer y'know, well the end of it anyway)</p>
<p>Mine was about 190. Quality over quantity has to be the rule though on this. Out of all parts of the essay, this is your time to shine. I think it was a major factor in helping me get in.</p>
<p>Yes... These are the exact essay questions that were on the 2004 USAFA application....4 essays ALL must be hand written in pen</p>
<p>(not specific wording)
Why do you want to attend the AFA
What qualities do you have that wold make you a good officer in the AF
Describe a challenge that has defined you
what are your two greatest accomplishments</p>
<p>I guess no real surprises when it comes to colelge essays</p>
<p>and to keep you updated, even though I was accepted to the 2004 summer seminar, i didn't recieve a nomination to the AFA.... so I guess Ill give it one more shot next year</p>
<p>Well I'm still on the National waiting list for USMA, and I will most likely do Army ROTC. Even thoguh AF was my number one choice, I prefer the Army ROTC program, But hopefully I will get an appointment to USMa</p>
<p>Does anyone remember the kind of topics covered in the academic classes at SS? We noticed you pick the classes during the application process for USMA and USNA.</p>
<p>There were so many topics. Here are some examples off the top of my head: History of Science, rockets, robots, gliding, philosophy, economics, aerospace physiology, chemistry.....lots!! I even think that "the study of water" was on there. -seriously :)</p>
<p>^come on now... water is an essential part of the body, and it has thousands of uses and composes more than half of our body (what was it around... saay... 78% of your body? that number comes to mind)</p>
<p>people I remember who took the study of water class really like it. You got to a near by stream and take a sample of the water, study the organisms that live in it. I took Computer tech, Space physiology (really cool, we got to see a cadaver), uhhh... Jump ( we just looked at the parachute training site)... Drill.... </p>
<p>the classes at AFA are less indept. b/c unlike USMA (you spend the whole day in one class) you spend 1/2 a day on each class.</p>