<p>Hi guys. I’ve been snooping around this forum for quite a bit now, but this is my very first post.</p>
<p>Now, a Senior at Classen School of Advanced Studies and I’m interested in attending USAFA. Now, I’ve gotten mail from USAFA and they told me to fill out my PQC (Precandidate Questionnaire). I did, and now I’m kinda clueless in what to do. My status right now is “Applicant,” and I’m considered “Competative.”</p>
<p>What do I do now? Do I just wait for mail or something? I’m currently working on getting Congressional Nominations and whatnot, but what else do I need for the Academy? I know that USNA (I’m applying for that too) has a whole list and everything, what you need to send in and whatever, but do I need to send in LORs and a transcript? Or should I just wait until I get further information from USAFA.</p>
<p>Also, I haven’t taken the SATs yet, but I have taken the ACTs. Does it really matter? I got a 25 on my ACTs (kinda low for service academy standards), and taking it again this October. I’m also planning on taking the SATs this October also.</p>
<p>If you have not already done so, contact your ALO (academy liason officer).<br>
USAFA should send you a large packet in the mail with the formal application; however, this could take a while. Forms for transcripts and reccomendations will be included.</p>
<p>You should retake your ACTs. Every little bit helps.</p>
<p>check your congressman's deadlines about SAT/ACT for your nomination. Their deadlines are often earlier than the academies. As has been said often on this site, don't wait for stuff to happen to you - make it happen yourself or you'll be left behind.</p>
<p>As far as I know, the USAFA application for us 2011 hopefuls is all online. They're calling it a "candidate kit" and there are a bunch of different things that you must complete/submit to the academy:</p>
<p>-personal data record
-activities record
-drug and alcohol abuse statement
-official SAT scores
-transcript
-ALO interview
-2 writing samples
-candidate fitness assessment
-3 teacher evaluations
-DoDMERB medical exam</p>
<p>This is all online, so you can only begin the process once you are in the academy database. You should be receiving a letter in the mail soon that provides you with the web address to access the candidate kit. I could access mine at the end of June, but I think that was only because I went to summer seminar. If you don't hear something soon, it is always ok to call your counselor at the academy and check on how things are coming.</p>
<p>This is all separate from your nominations. But it sounds like you have that part figured out. :) Good for you and good luck!</p>
<p>It makes me so happy to see 2011 already going through the app process...that means less and less time I spend as a smack!!</p>
<p>But in all seriousness, my bit of advice is this: You need to get EVERYTHING done as quickly as possible. Don't even look at deadlines. As soon as you get a form or find out how to do something, do it immediately. You stand a much better chance the quicker you finish your application.</p>
<p>Sure, glad I could help. It is kind of nice going into your senior year having your application taken care of because unlike everyone else, our senior year is probably the toughest and busiest of our high school career.</p>
<p>SAT/ACT scores are important, so make sure that you do some kind of studying. I learned this the hard way. The math section is the most important as far as the academy is concerned, so if you can learn a few techniques before you go into the test that will help a lot. The math on the SAT is extremely basic; the questions are super easy in the beginning and then get progressively trickier. Make sure you know exactly what they're asking for because there is a host of common mistakes that can give you the wrong answer and really hurt your score. </p>
<p>The most important thing is to stay motivated because the academy doesn't just want people who look good on paper. They want to see our enthusiasm about USAFA, serving our country, and striving for excellence. My ALO told me of a young man who applied to USAFA several years ago and had the perfect stats (valedictorian, 800 on the math part of the SAT, etc.) but didn't get in because in his interview it was obvious that his character was only skin deep, or I guess paper-deep. ;)</p>
<p>I still think it's cool that I get to talk with people who may be my classmates in just a year! I'm glad you finally posted and keep doing it. For all you other 2011 hopefuls who are lurking around this forum, JOIN! It will actually help a lot.</p>
<p>Okay. I finished my PCQ at the end of August and I'm considered a competative candidate. Yet, I have recieved nothing in the mail from USAFA. I was hoping they could give me like a candidate number or something of that sort like how USNA does, so I can open up my application online.</p>
<p>However, I've recieved nothing. Nothing. It's been about two weeks, and I'm getting a little anxious. What should I do? And is it okay if I apply for a Congressional Nomination before I even have access to my Candidate Application?</p>
<p>Yeah, get everything in that packet done as soon as humanly possible. Every extra day early you get that done shows the board that you are serious...and you are considered earlier.</p>