<p>So I’m kind of confused on what role the ALOs play in the application process. I know that they have to interview you, and that they are also mentors. But when should I contact mine, and what do I say? Do they administer the CFA, or do you have someone else do that?</p>
<p>I could just use a brief overview of their whole role in the process.</p>
<p>packermatt, the role of an ALO is exactly what his name implies- an admissions liason officer. this means that he/she corresponds with the admissions panel giving a subjective overview of your charactar and abilities. they also help you in any way they are able because they are familiar with the admissions process. you should contact your ALO once you have been deemed candidate status by the AFA, and they should have sent you or will send you a letter regarding that status. once you get it however, i encourage you to do the interview pretty soon thereafter. </p>
<p>with regard on what to say....well, mine asked me some "tough" questions that i had to be ready for. be prepared to tell him/her why you want to become an AF officer and why you think you are qualified. also expect him/her to ask you what is the right thing to do in a theoretical, morally challenging situation. </p>
<p>i advise you invite him/her over to your house to meet your whole family, and dress nice!! a suit and tie will not be required, but some slacks and a nice shirt is what i wore. </p>
<p>well, that's about it and i hope that helped. oh yea, your ALO CAN administer your CFA, but it can be anyone else with a physical education degree (PE teacher, coach, etc.)</p>
<p>Thanks flyboy47. About when do you recieve the letter, because online it says:
Your Status: Applicant* (your application is under consideration)
Your Application is: Competitive</p>
<p>By the way, does this look pretty good when seeking a nomination?
GPA: 4.00
Class Rank: 1
Class Size: 165 </p>
<p>Test Scores: ACT English: 34
ACT Math: 31
ACT Reading: 29
ACT SR: 33 </p>
<p>I come from a smaller school, and the curriculum wasn't very challenging up to this point (Only 1 AP class offered, with about 8 duel credit classes available). My senior year I am taking Physics DC, English Composition I DC, English Composition II DC, Calculus DC, Modern Problems, Psychology, Sociology, Weight Training, MacroEconomics DC, and Business Law.</p>
<p>P.S. I was debating whether to take Calculus or Pre-Calculus. I took Functions, Statistics and Trigonometry this year, and got through it pretty well (all A's). What is the first year math like at the Academy? Is it better to take Calculus there?</p>
<p>Oh yeah, and do college credits earned in High School really matter at the Academy? 'Cause by the time I graduate, I'll have 6 College Credits.</p>
<p>Take as much high level as you can. Those can be tough classes and it is good to get as much prep as possible. College credits won't do much unless you can validate AP.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, the ALO's interview and write up is part of the 20% Admission Panel selection in your over all score. Mine was a great guy and gave me lots of info. These guys do a lot and are really great!</p>
<p>I think some college credits are counted, but only if it is from a 4-year school. I know they wouldn't accept my dual credits from a 2-year community college. Also, if you haven't taken pre-calc, you probably want to take it before calculus. I learned the basis for almost everything in calculus from that class (in other words you may not have the skills to learn calculus without pre-calc).</p>
<p>Pre-Calc for me was combined with trig, but it was a really good class and we learned a lot of stuff that's coming back to haunt me in calc 2...I'd take it before Calc. If you can do both, do both :)
In my precalc class at least, we learned some elementary stats which was good to be exposed to (I'm sooo bad at statistics! don't know why!)</p>
<p>you should be receiving the letter soon with further instructions on how to proceed with your application. </p>
<p>p.s. i admire your attitude of being proactive!! it WILL pay off :). oh yea, your numbers are very competitive for a nomination, you just have to be good in an interview.</p>
<p>Thanks. I'll be looking for interview advice here in a few months for obvious reasons.</p>
<p>What are some of the scores you guys got? Did you take the ACT? I'm looking to take it again. I know I can get that reading score up, and increase my Math score a point. I'm ok with my English score, as well as my Science Reasoning score. Writing is kinda scaring me. I got an 8/12. Probably going to take that again.</p>
<p>Your ACT scores look good. Since you already took a trig course I would say take the Calc like you have planned.</p>
<p>My ALO was a really cool guy who I still talk to via e-mail. Just remember the basics going into the interview, good eye contact, sit up straight and thank him for his time.<br>
Other then that you look competitive.</p>
<p>I think we can all vouch that at this point time, the writing portions for both the ACT and SAT are not commonly used by most colleges... As for as your scores bud, ya beat me in all areas by a lot except SR... You can be a hot shot scholar, but what are some other activities you participate in? Sports and extra curriculars, as well as any special circumstance that helps you stand out? Don't worry bout the small school bit, I am graduatin in a couple weeks with only 150 in my class... ;)</p>
<p>I've got a lot of Extracurriculars...
FBLA (4 years, Vice President this year, President next year, National Qualifier 2 years so far... Chicago last year and this year Atlanta)
National Honor Society (2 years, Running for an office next year)
Speech (2 years, I kinda sucked, but it was my first year)
One Act (2 years, won state this year for the 6th year in a row)
Academic Decathalon (1 year-probably the least fun I've ever had)
Quiz Bowl (3 years-high scorer in the school-I'm the king of useless trivia. Like a walking encyclopedia of crap you really don't need nor care to know)
Football (Freshman year)
Baseball (4 years, Qualified for State this year, we play on Sat.)
Might do Cross Country next year
Attending the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security in Oct.
Employed Part-Time during school year and summer (Customer Specialist at Best Buy)
I should have done Boys State, but I knew it was during the Summer Baseball season. Still, it was kinda an opportunity I let go by me.</p>
<p>Do they take into account community service? I'm kinda lacking in that area.</p>
<p>I've got 165 in my class, so I'm in the same boat...</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your advice. I know I'll be here many times for advice and guidence, and from the looks of it, I've come to the right place. You guys are great!</p>
<p>And I beat most of you with 31 in my class :)
And I've heard of homeschoolers getting in too, though, so no fear.</p>
<p>And yep, get crackalackin on that community service. It's just good all 'round :D</p>
<p>
[quote]
Employed Part-Time during school year and summer (Customer Specialist at Best Buy)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>As long as you never tried to "force" (sell) the Extended Warranty to your ALO, you should be OK. ;)</p>
<p>But the replacement plan covers the battery for 2 years. This isn't covered by the manufacturer's warrenty. If your battery stops charging, just bring it in and we'll give you a new product absolutely free.</p>
<p>LOL! ...and packermatt is funny too! Good luck during the application process packermatt. It sounds like you're off to a great start! :)</p>
<p>Your stuff looks pretty good. And don't worry, during Basic, useless knowledge is what will get you some special (temporary) priviliges that help life be a little more enjoyable (the other cadets know what I'm talking about ;)).</p>
<p>Don't worry about your class size or easy classes. I was homeschooled all throughout HS, and I got in and am doing fine here. Just be prepared to work very hard that first semester, since you probably haven't had to kill yourself on school too much up to this point.</p>
<p>As for college credit for classes, they will help make you look a little better, but they won't count for anything for validation unless the class was at a 4-year university. That's a new policy that just got put into place this past fall. It's why I'm taking Eng 111 instead of 211 right now...:(</p>
<p>If you can, take Calc. Pre-Calc might help if you are weaker when it comes to algebra and trig, but will not help much beyond that here at USAFA. I took Pre-Calc at a 2-year college, and all it did was give me a small amount of background on trig...that's it. Now, that might have just been because my class wasn't that great, but my understanding is that Pre-Cal students usually have a harder time than most people once they take Calc1 at USAFA. That's just my personal experience though.</p>
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<p>yeah, there's a place on the online app (you'll get a link to this summer) where you can add stuff like that.</p>
<p>your act's seem very respectable. do your best on the SAT because some people do a lot better on one test versus the other.</p>
<p>extra-curriculars seem pretty good, the academy will like your being on team sports (baseball) and going to state. they also like community service, so keep up on that as well</p>
<p>Okay, I'm going to get going on Community service. It's kinda tough to find stuff around here. I think I'm going to volunteer to help at the Special Olympics this year. Not sure if the application is past due, though.</p>
<p>working with the special olympics would be very good, so would helping out the elderly or cleaning up with an orginization in a dirtier part of town- they all personify "service before self" which is the kind of attributes they are looking for. </p>
<p>if you are good at a certain subject in school, tutoring others who are not as gifted could be an avenue for you. i know the academy as well as congressmen really like this one. </p>
<p>see if you can become some kind of "youth commissioner" or "student liason" for your city council. its what i did, and i think the academy really liked it.</p>