Alright, I need a little insight

Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
1

<p>Hello everyone, I made an account specifically for the USAFA page, and more or less some advice from people who actually know.</p>

<p>I’m a junior in a rural area, my gpa atm is 3.77, all Honor and AP courses,and I scored a 28 on my first ACT attempt (second coming up soon as well as SAT). I’m not involved with any school sports, but I am involved in Taekwondo, and I consider myself physically fit, enough for the entrance tests anyways (working on getting my endurance run up to 6 miles, that should give me about a three mile decent run up there right? and pull ups are being worked on right now, progress is steady.) </p>

<p>I am the Cadet commander of my local CAP squadron, and I am the deputy commander of a JROTC squadron. I have soloed, and will hopefully be getting my Private pilot’s license this summer. I’m involved with clubs at school (Key club, science/Kittyhawk air/math honor societies). I went to a National youth leadership forum on national security recently, and I’ve attended as many CAP encampments as I could Both my parents were Air Force, and my mother went to the academy, it’s always been my dream to attend the school.</p>

<p>I applied for the Summer seminar about midway into the application process and was turned down, I’m worried that it might be an indication that I’m doing something wrong, or not enough. it’s to late to get into a Varsity sport, and I know that’s my biggest weakness, but is there anything else I could be doing? and from your collective experiences, am I “on track”? </p>

<p>and I know this is a stupid question, but if I keep up my grades and leadership roles, what are my “chances” of admission/nomination?</p>

<p>I’m really sorry for asking such random questions, but I am really looking for help and advice from people who know what they are talking about. Thanks for whatever you can give me in advance, it’s much appreciated.</p>

<p>…so can you help me?</p>

2

<p>Cadets are off this week for Spring Break. </p>

<p>From what I have seen approximately half those who attend summer seminar end up going to the Academy and this group comprises about one third of the entering class. So there’s still plenty of opportunity.
Try to get your standardize test scores as high as possible. A lot of 4 digs struggle with calc, chem and physics so taking APs in math and science and getting 4 and 5’s should help.</p>

<p>If it’s something YOU really want - go for it !</p>

3

<p>Trust me, this is my decision, my parents are actually against this, they think I should go for a “real college” experience and not go so quick into the military, but it’s always been my dream to be a pilot in the USAF and the academy is the best way to get there. I just am nervous about if I can actually get there.</p>

4

<p>It’s good that it is your decision.</p>

<p>The “real college” experience is probably really nice but every cadet will tell you they have done things that no other college student could even come close to doing.</p>

<p>As for chances… well that’s tough. Each person is different, and we have no clue how they grade. All you can do is try your best, apply, and hope for the best.</p>

<p>What I can say is that you look pretty good on paper. Your GPA is good, especially with all honors/AP classes. Your ACT score could use improvement. You should shoot for around a 30. Make sure you are above the minimum in each sub-category.</p>

<p>Otherwise, you look good. Do well on your CFA, and I’d say you’d have a good shot, but then again, my opinion holds on wait whatsoever. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Reality is NOBODY can give you a Chance %. What we will all say is that you have 100% chance of not being appointed if you don’t apply!</p>

<p>The positive is you are ahead of the 8 ball since you have found this site. I would suggest going to [United</a> States of America Service Academy Forums - Powered by vBulletin](<a href=“http://www.serviceacademyforums.com%5DUnited”>http://www.serviceacademyforums.com) also.</p>

<p>I will say if you come from a competitive district you need to get that ACT up.</p>

<p>The AFA will give you a WCS, your academics(PAR) including SAT/ACT makes up 60% of that score. Your ECS and CFA will also add into the equation. Use the summer to round out your resume. If you are weak in EC’s volunteer for Habitat for Humanity instead of playing Xbox with your friends. If you are weak in course rigor take the hardest classes you can, but don’t over reach.</p>

<p>You will be asked for recs. Our DS was TKD national and state champ. He was also a TKD instructor. We submitted an additional rec from the Master stating that the Olympic team trains yr round, not just for one season. I know for a fact that if you are a Black belt or on the competitive team they place that into the equation. They did for our DS and there is a 2010 AFA grad who was also a TKD champ.</p>

<p>Make sure you apply for all noms, you stated your Mom was an AFA grad, are you eligible for Presidential, if so apply! Is your JROTC squadron eligible to nominate you also?</p>

<p>Start thinking about the teachers you want recs from and get their emails prior to the end of school so you can have a completed package by September (especially since they will be hit with other students requesting recs).
Good luck</p>

6

<p>Packermatt7 is so right…sure…it’s tough at the Academy at times, there is not as much freedom, or alcohol fueled carnage. But our son is spending Spring Break jumping at Cape Canaveral, Fl - no way he would trade that for Penn State.</p>

7

<p>Your ECs look good. Your GPA is decent. ACT could come up a couple points. Athletics isn’t very descriptive (from an application point of view). Try to put some points to that (what belt, what competitions, etc)</p>

<p>Summer seminar weights certain aspects differently than the actual application, and there are fewer SS spots available than appointments. You still have a decent shot.</p>

<p>What does your ALO recommend? They usually have a pretty good idea of what is going on.</p>

<p>You mentioned your mother went to the academy. Have you talked about why your parents are against you going? They probably have some good insights that you’ll want to square if you get accepted.</p>

8

<p>My Alo is coming back from Afghanistan, he won’t be back until the end of next month, My JROTC instructor went to the academy and worked closely with the ALO in getting previous cadets into the academy, so he recommended working with him. my JROTC is also a HUD unit so there’s that option. </p>

<p>on the parent issue, dad was ROTC and served 21 years, mom went to the academy and served alittle bit more than her mandatory, they are “against it” because like I said, they want me to go have a “real” college experience, but they are supportive of my decisions thus far. </p>

<p>Athletics, I’m a purple belt and we don’t have a competition team, but they are working on it. I’m also on the JROTC pt and drill teams, I wasn’t sure of if I wanted the academy as a freshman, if I was I would of gone back and joined a sport, but it is what it is. I’ve talked with a few cadets and I think I’d love the experience, not to mention the effect it’ll have on my leadership abilities as an officer. on that NYLF conference, I went to Annapolis and got some good insight, but I really want to go air force as opposed to Navy. If I don’t get into any academy I’ll go ROTC, but the experience wouldn’t be the same.</p>

9

<p>On top of all that, I’m getting a job, do part time jobs have any impact on the academies “whole person” view? I am just very nervous about the lack of a team sport, will the leadership positions in CAP and JROTC, as well as the job help me out balancing it?</p>

10

<p>addressing the rejection to SS, don’t worry about it. i’ve posted on it before, but i was also rejected by SS with which i thought i was a shoe-in for. i still applied and was quickly accepted here. now 56 days from graduation, i’m in the top 5% of my class and have had numerous unique opportunities and leadership experiences here. so don’t worry about the rejection, just keep performing in all areas you can and see what happens. best of luck</p>

11

<p>I am not going to sugar coat it, lack of athletic participation is going to hurt. The AFA is very concerned about physical fitness due to the altitude. You will really need to hit the CFA out of the ball park…MAX to overcome their fear of physical fitness.</p>

<p>You will be required to do PT, take athletic classes, they do not want to worry that the reason you go on probation is you failed swimming.</p>

<p>Many kids get wrapped up in CAP and JROTC. The reality is they should spend less time there and more time becoming well rounded. CAP and JROTC will mean squat when you get to the AFA, and if you brag about it at BCT, i.e. I know because I was JROTC Cadet Commander, you might be putting a bullseye on your back, especially if you are dieing doing butterfly kicks compared to the others.</p>

<p>Leadership in CAP and JROTC help, but you still are lacking the “WHOLE” package because of athletics. I would suggest that you go to your TKD Master and ask to get a job there teaching class or get a life guard position. This will show that you job is athletic, compared to working at Target or the local air field. You need to strengthen the athletic part.</p>

<p>Curiosity where are you standing with your CFA…the biggest problem for most are Pull ups and BBall throw. 3 Pull ups will hurt you with no athletic background, 15 is going to reduce their fears of your athletic ability.</p>

<p>You should look at how they score.
60% PAR (GPA, SAT, Rank, and course rigor)
20% EC (CAP, JROTC, BSA, Jobs, Sports, etc)
20% OTHER (recs —teacher and ALO, and CFA)</p>

12

<p>Max pull ups (Not chin ups) in one rep? 17, Mile run is 5:30 on a good day, 630 on a bad one, I’m going to be working out of the TKD school this summer with the “kid” classes before my own. I’m not on any High school sport teams, but I do work out on my own in addition to the TKD and PT team. </p>

<p>The Basketball throw seems so strange to me, but I will probably begin practicing that soon.</p>

<p>And for the record, I really appreciate all the advice and help, I’m just trying to figure out where I need to work on things.</p>

13

<p>on the CFA pull ups, is it cadence or just two minute time limit? I’ve got two different CFA forms infront of me, and they differ on that, which one should I expect?</p>

14

<p>Gasdoc: you echoed my kids’ statements when they were home last week: with commitment coming up, we wanted to MAKE SURE they were S U R E. Even with the enticement of a new car, they looked at us like we had lobsters coming out our ears when we suggested Penn State! </p>

<p>To our OP: try and get your ACT up a little, and just keep plugging at it. </p>

<p>I think leadership and the willingness to take on a really tough challenge are especially appealing to the adcoms at USAFA - or any Service Academy. The sports are important but can be those individual sports like TKD or even… fencing! but dedication to the sport is looked on as an advantage. </p>

<p>You know if you don’t try, it’s for-sure you won’t earn either nomination or appointment. If you want it, go for it, but go full tilt!</p>

15

<p>I’m sorry to keep bugging everyone, but as I look more and more into things, I keep finding questions, and right now, I’m curious about a letter of assurance, how do you get one, and what exactly does it mean?</p>

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<p>A letter of assurance (LOA) is sent to a limited number candidates usually in the fall assuring an appointment upon receipt of a nomination. It’s nice to get one, to have a chance you have to have all components of your application completed early (e.g. by Oct 1st).</p>

17

<p>Janie Raincloud again…LOA’s are rare, I believe it is only about 150-200 that are given out…now realize 6K make it past PCQ and become an applicant. That is an incredibly small number % wise.</p>

<p>You do not need a nom for an LOA, but Gasdoc is correct all of your components of your application must be submitted. Too many times kids get wrapped up in the thought of getting an LOA and submit a weaker package than if they waited to submit later.</p>

<p>For example, you will receive a Presidential because your folks qualify. If you get your package done and submit with Pres by Oct 1st. You will meet the first boards. No need to give you an LOA since you already have a nom. LOA’s are guarantees acceptance on the condition of a NOM any NOM. Additionally, realize that only 100 cadets can come in under Presidential, the early Presidential apptmts typically go to cadets that the AFA says their score from historical data puts them at the top. Many cadets get Presidential apptmts, but they receive it during the MASS MAILING in MARCH.</p>

<p>Now you submit a weaker package, but went to the board because you have the Presidential nom. You now have a WCS. Your packet will only be reviewed again if you update it, and only the section pertaining to your update will be re-scored. I.E. take the SAT get a higher score only PAR will get score. Become class President only EC will be re-scored. They go by points, highest one wins when you have a nom.</p>

<p>LOA’s are truly used as a recruiting tool. It is not commonplace. Don’t get caught up in the excitement that having it done early means that you are competitive for an LOA.</p>

<p>Next yr will be a hurry up and wait yr. You are anxious and excited to start this life, but understand you might not have a definitive answer until 1 yr from NOW. I believe I read somewhere statistically only 25-30% find out before the mass mailing.</p>

18

<p>I understand, thank you for the detailed response.</p>

19

<p>Well, another blow to my morale, I didn’t get into the Naval academy summer seminar either, I can’t think of a reason why, is there something that is outstandingly wrong with my application? Is this an indication of something that I need to do if I want to get into the academy? </p>

<p>In other news, I got a job at the local Mcdonalds, so hopefully that’ll lend something to my application.</p>

20

<p>Hey man, don’t sweat it. I didn’t get into the West Point SS (I did go to Navy and AF SS) and they didn’t seem to mind. They still really wanted me to apply. </p>

<p>I think the sports may be what is getting you. That is the only thing I can think of. And if it is make sure you do well in the CFA (Candidate Fitness Assesment) you can show yourself to be a good applicant. Other than that you sound like you are a good candidate and you have a good chance. I know its really disappointing not to go to SS but its not the end of the world. Make sure you do well in your interviews. That will also go a long way. I probably had less of an impressive application than you and i live in a big city and I got my appointment (USAFA Class of 14!).</p>

<p>Don’t worry about it and nail your senior year!</p>