From Univerisity to USAFA

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

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I’m rising sophomore physics/engineering major at Brown University and I’ve decided that I want to apply to USAFA. I realize that I’ll have to “restart” and attend all four years, but as the school is free, I have no issue with this. </p>

<p>I’m just curious if anyone has an inkling of how USAFA regards students already attending university and if I’m at a disadvantage. I’d also like to know how important my high school transcript is given that I’m already in university (I did very well in HS, so I’m not too worried–just curious). I’m doing well at Brown and will most likely have a 3.8+.</p>

<p>Another issue is that I played no sports in high school. I went to high school in Switzerland, and the opportunities simply didn’t exist. For the last year, though, I’ve been doing Olympic weightlifting (and plan to continue to pursue it). Do you think the lack of high school sports is significant?</p>

<p>Finally, I haven’t exactly amassed a lot of ECs during college. I’m tutoring, doing weightlifting, and I got my private pilot’s license (getting my instrument rating now) and that’s pretty much it. I simply find it too difficult to do well and do a ton of ECs as well as weightlifting–do you guys think USAFA will recognize the inherent larger courseload at university versus at high school? I did a ton of stuff in HS.</p>

<p>I know a lot of these questions are rather esoteric, but if anyone knows anything (or was in a similar situation), I’d be extremely appreciative. Also, if anyone has tips about getting admitted, that’d be wonderful. </p>

<p>Also, on a sidenote, is anyone aware of how much freedom you’re granted to go off-campus (esp. in regard to the weekend), if at all, and if there is transportation available? The USA’s weightlifting association is based in Colorado Springs, and I’d love to be able to train there a few times a month.</p>

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<p>Sorry for not being able to answer many of your questions, but I went straight out of high school. </p>

<p>Have you contacted your local area’s ALO yet? They can help you understand how the process may differ for you. It has been done before, so try not to reinvent the wheel here! Have you found out what you need to do for a nomination yet, as far as deadlines and specifics for each MOC are concerned?</p>

<p>As far as freedom to leave, cadets have a certain number of passes every semester. How many will depend on what year you are, if you are on a merit list (for good academic, military, or PE performance the last semester), or have done volunteer projects that your squadron felt were worthy of extra passes. Freshmen don’t start with many passes (usually about 3 weekends worth per semester) as a base. It does improve each year. By senior year, most cadets don’t really worry about passes anymore (I think I had close to 3 weeks worth left over, at graduation).<br>
Also, first and second year cadets are not allowed to keep cars near the academy. So, you would have to borrow one from an upperclassmen. As long as you are responsible and no one has destroyed an upperclassmen’s car recently, most cadets are fairly willing to let underclassmen borrow their car.</p>