<p>So i’m a college freshmen right now and am highly considering to either drop out or transfer. Before i enrolled here i had already highly considered applying to the academy but my parents didn’t support me a bit. I was wondering what you guys think are the chances for a college student to transfer to the academy. how much more difficult is it compared to simply applying as a high school senior? ANY input would be great. also does anyone know how much parental involvement is needed for the process of applying and hypothetically if i was accepted how much involvement would be required of them?
thanks a lot!
also if i try to involve myself in lots of leadership things at my college would this help?</p>
<p>You are in a better position if anything. Being in college for a year/semester and doing WELL shows you are capable away from home in that environment. </p>
<p>Now, its unfotunate you can't have parental back-up, but you don't need it. You would have the support of the local parent's club and AOG, so you are not alone. If you get accepted, the only hard part is sending $2,000 before hand that is required (but if not possible, then the Academy takes care of you). Then, parents are not needed, you will find support at USAFA via sponsers, area families, etc. </p>
<p>If you want this, you are perfectly capable in your situation, applying is a lot of work no doubt, but not impossible alone by any means. </p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>USAFA does not require any advance money at all unless that has changed for the class of 2011. TennisFan88, the academy will look at the courses you are taking now. It will help a lot if they are equivalent to freshman courses at the academy. Of course, high grades will be a great help, too. The big hangup right now would be if it is too late to receive a nomination. You may have to put it off for another year because of that.</p>
<p>I know this is straying from the original subject, but you've hit on something that I have been trying to find an answer to. My son will be part of the 2011 class and I've seen conflicting information on what if any costs there will be. RTBdad, you said there are no up front costs. Are there any costs at all that we should be preparing for, such as his computer?</p>
<p>When the cadets first enter the Government gives them a loan. This is where all of their uniforms, computers, and everything is else comes from. They are given the loan to pay for all of these things. Then the cadets get paid, and some money is deducted from their paycheck so they are paying off the loan without having to do anything. I hope that makes sense.</p>
<p>You will not "transfer" should you be accepted. Everyone has to go through all four years and so you start all over; but that's no big deal if you really want to attend. The only problem is you need to have a nomination to be considered and it's getting VERY late in the process to get one for the class of 2011. It is not any easier to apply as a high school senior to the academies, nor is it better. The academies are filled with prior service soldiers and sailors. It's not anything like a typical college experience. But that's why you're considering it, right?</p>
<p>thanks for the advice everyone. yea i wasn't planning on applying now becasue i know it's definiteily way too late to do anything, also my parents don't even know i'm thinking of "dropping out". i'll probalby have to go through one and a half more years of college anyways for personal reasons. another question, i know AFA has a general curriculum that all cadets must take, is there any chance that they will accept some of the classes that i have taken in college or will i have to do them all over again, like economics?</p>
<p>jwags, my son at USAFA is the fifth child I have sent to college, so I'm familiar with college expenses. While I would not recommend choosing USAFA for economic reasons, the free ride is a wonderful blessing. Our only real expenses have been his tickets home for holidays and our expenses going there for parents weekend. With no car and no social life he is still putting money in the bank just from his $100/month take home pay and the expenses for books and things that the academy gives him as a draw on his salary. The military of all branches are used to taking in people with zero money. His initial transportation to the academy for inprocessing was fully reimbursed. I can't think of any circumstances where money would be a significant problem for a cadet (assuming he doesn't get kicked out as a senior and have to reimburse the Air Force for his education!).</p>
<p>You could get credit for some classes, but its usually different with each department. There are many placement exams in BCT as well to allow you to move up before starting classes.</p>
<p>This has probably been asked before, but which departments give these exams during BCT, and in which subjects? Also, are there any subjects where AP exam scores are good enough, and the placement score is irrelevant?</p>
<p>Required:
Chemistry
DoD Language Proficiency Exam
Calc/Math basic
Computer Science</p>
<p>Optional:
Advanced Math/calc 2
Foreign language (any of the 7? offered at USAFA)</p>
<p>I took all of them. </p>
<p>For English, my AP score was fine to validate freshman english 111, Biology 215 and Comp Sci 21(some number). You can validate Physics with the C exams. Don't know what else though.</p>
<p>My son told me that there is a cadet at the Academy that had already graduated from Notre Dame. </p>
<p>Continue to take the most challenging classes at college even through your application process. </p>
<p>My son's friend that is a freshman at a civilian college has asked me to walk him through the application process. If he were offered a nomination and an Appointment for the class of 2012, he knows he will be two years behind his high school graduating classmates. That not a big deal when you stop and think about the opportunities you will have after you graduate from the USAFA (or any military Academy).</p>
<p>While some cadets initially start at another college, graduating from that college is not common at all. The Notre Dame grad was definitely an exception. He barely made the entry due to age; to give you an idea, his younger brother was my squadron commander (a first class cadet/senior) when he was a fourth class cadet (freshman). However, he really wanted to go to the Academy, and in addition to his brother going to the Academy, his father is currently a 2 star general in the AF. /random trivia you'll never use</p>