<p>I have a question that someone on this forum can hopefully answer. How important would you consider CAP and AFROTC to be in the admissions process? My little town of about 5000 doesn’t have either one of these activities, and I was wondering if not being in these programs would gave someone else an advantage over me, and if it does, how I can make up for it.</p>
<p>I am from a smaller town of 800. My school (7th -12th) had 130 kids. We didn't have CAPs or JROTC. Just make sure you get involved in anything that you can. I played 4 varsity sports each year, worked, had other leadership positions outside of school, and participated in band and drama. You just need to get involved in everything, and be good at it. And make sure you apply for Summer Seminar if possible.</p>
<p>My town doesn't have either one either. I think it helps, I mean it certainly doesn't hurt, but I didn't do either and I'll be headed to BCT next Wednesday. Just be involved in what you do have. Play sports, join a service organization, whatever you can do to make you stand out.</p>
<p>Haha, I didn't see your's Viper. Pretty much the same thing I guess!</p>
<p>that's ok! the same thing from 2 people might get the point across!</p>
<p>If you really want to do those activities, see if they have it somewhere close by. But don't do it because of admissions, since there are lots of other E.C.s that are just as good. Choose something you are into.</p>
<p>Liberator CAP and JROTC will not be essential. It is helpfull during admissions but that is all. Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts and any number of other EC groups can provide the same or equivilent experience. They want to see you are committed to something. A well rounded candidate is what they want.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. They put me at ease a little more.
I have been in Cub/Boy Scouts since first grade, and I am currently an Eagle Scout and the Senior Patrol Leader (The highest leadership position a scout can obtain in the troop) of well over 50 scouts. My experience in scouting should help me out, but I was just wondering if CAP/AFROTC had an advantage due to a more military background.</p>
<p>The admissions board love Eagle Scouts. Put it right up there with being a Cadet Colonel in either CAP or JROTC</p>
<p>My town didn't offer CAP or JROTC either. That's pretty common though - the majority of cadets weren't involved with either one. You'll be in good company.</p>
<p>i had AFJROTC, but i think it personally hurt me more than it helped me. not with admissions, but with my experience. my unit was poorly run and gave me a negative view of the type of ppl the military produces. luckily i had other experience to contradict my negative experience, but i quit AFJROTC for my senior year before i applied to USAFA.</p>
<p>Our son had the opposite: was in CAP for 2 years and JROTC for 4, but was not an Eagle Scout nor active in scouting other than member of a Venture Crew through his high school. He was afraid not having scouting experience would hurt his chances!</p>
<p>If you are not beyond the summer of your junior year, you can also look into going to your state's American Legion Boys' State. Basically, all of these organizations - CAP, JROTC, Boys' State, 4-H, Scouting, Church and others - offer opportunities for leadership development and committed involvement. If you are already an Eagle Scout, you have reached the level of leadership that admissions boards are looking for. Don't forget about church or other community/civic involvement as well. Just be sure to be well-rounded as a scholar, athlete, and leader (not one-dimensional with only one type of leadership role) and you should be a competitive candidate. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>eagle I know what you mean. I was a C/SSgt in CAP and the squadron was so poorly run that I eventually quit. I am planning to go back though, depends on what happens.</p>
<p>I think the main advantage to JROTC and CAP is that both programs will provide leadership opportunities that can be identified very clearly on your application. Like ds was saying, the Academy uses a "whole person" method when evaluating candidates. Academics (grades, class rank, SAT/ACT scores, level of classes, etc.), athletics, leadership, and extracurriculars are the main components that they'll look at. You'll definitely need solid material to put under the leadership heading of your resume. Team captain, class president, club president... that kind of stuff is really solid to put on your resume. If that's not really your area, then JROTC or CAP might be a good choice for you, just so that you have some leadership experience to speak of. Just remember that you can't expect your Academy experience to be similar to these programs!</p>
<p>On the subject of CAP, does anyone know how much leadership experience is available in the first year? I'm 18, and am considering joining CAP for the leadership experience, so I can put it on my resume, and because it looks so dang sweet! :) But, I'm wondering, would it be worth it to join for just a year (as I'm hoping to be at the AFA about a year from now)?</p>
<p>You will not get a lot of leadership opportunity in one year, but you amy still find it very rewarding. If you are in a good program you will get a couple of cessna O-flights and learn a little about the Air Force.</p>
<p>Well, I joined for two years, so I would have some leadership positions because I spend most of my time playing tennis and only seniors could be team captains on my team, so there was no leadership opportunity there. As far as the experience you'll get, if you promote every two months exactly you can get to I believe Cadet Master Sergeant, which is high enough for some leadership positions. It all really depends on your local squadron. The one I joined was dying so I got thrown into the flight sergeant/logistics/scheduling/ pretty much everything position when I was a staff sergeant, only about 8 months after I joined. This gave me TONS of leadership experience. So my advice is check with your local squadron, chances are in six months or so you could be flight sergeant, which provides some pretty good experience</p>
<p>Liberator, my suggestion would be to follow the advice of everyone here, and really try to get accepted to the summer seminar. I remember reading in some forum my son's junior year that 80% of those who go to summer seminar go on to get accepted into the adademy!! I can't think of a better advantage than that! And, my son starts basic next week!! No CAP or AFROTC experience.</p>
<p>Just for clarification, I would want to attend the Summer Seminar after my Junior year of high school. Since I graduate from high school in 2011, I am trying for an admission to the USAFA class of 2015, which means I would want to attend Summer Seminar 2010. So I could send an application for Summer Seminar between 1 January and midnight, 15 March 2010.</p>
<p>Is this correct?</p>
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<p>Olds! And yes, you're correct.</p>