Help!

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

<p>Okay, sorry to post something not 100% about the AFA (warning: Army)</p>

<p>So USAFA was my first pick, but I applied to West Point as well because I thought that would be awesome too. </p>

<p>Got into West Point and gave up on Air Force bc of paperwork and counselors…</p>

<p>TODAY I got accepted!!</p>

<p>Gah! I started to really get into West Point stuff (since I thought I was going there…) But now…? I know it’s MY decision and all, but:</p>

<p>Any advice?</p>

<p>Also, what is the breakdown of what grads do? (I saw this a coupla yrs ago w/ percentage breakdown–ie med school, pilot/navigator, etc)</p>

<p>Thanks for any help!!</p>

2

<p>well, I know that Usafa is more known for academics, and its just a LITTLE more prestigious than West Point. Its a big math and science school, about 35% or something of it's grads graduate as Engineering majors. Im not sure about West point tho. 700 grads have entered med school, anything else specifically that ya wanna know?</p>

3

<p>Gave up on Air Force because of paperwork and counselors?</p>

<p>Don't you have the same amount of paperwork/red tape/crap-thats-necessary-but-still-a-hassle getting into USAFA?</p>

<p>Also, if you're a senior (which guessing from your post you are), it's too late to apply to the AFA if you haven't already... I think the deadline was 31 Jan. </p>

<p>I suppose my advice to you would be this:</p>

<p>You need to decide what you want to do AFTER your 4 years at whatever. Don't pick a career path you don't want just so you can say you went to West Point. If you want to fly, your chances of flying are much higher in the Air Force. If you want to do artillery, you'll probably want to go Army. Lots of kids get so focused on the Academy/ROTC aspect that they forget what comes after. </p>

<p>Hope that helped.</p>

4

<p>Well, ya I agree with ya on some of that stuff, but you could transfer, and also, I dont want to fly or do artillery, actually, I'm not even sure I can, but either way, that makes stats a little more important to me. I plan to get into Public affairs for either the Air Force or the Army, and I VERY much agree with if you dont really want to be in the Military, do not go to an academy. The academies are if you want to get a good education and a head start in the branch of your choice at the same time</p>

5

<p>Sorry I wasn't clear...I am accepted to both as of now (today).</p>

<p>Not to rag on them, but AFA was very disorganized and sad when I got a new counselor...according to the website I'm not even accepted (uh, so maybe there was an error?--ha ha if so)</p>

<p>USMA was helpful and so nice, answering q's, telling me I had a spot guaranteed if I just do the paperwork. And obv, they accepted me earlier!</p>

<p>I really am unafraid of being in either branch doing anything! I'm just not sure what I need to be considering now...the decision is now difficult whereas before it was clear-cut (I only want AFA) and then (I only got WP and I love it)</p>

<p>So, any help, or what made you decide AFA would be so appreciated!!!</p>

6

<p>BAnglin08--so I'm figuring you're a junior in HS, then? (Genius I know)</p>

<p>Anyways, since you can't transfer academies, I guess you mean after graduation how cadets may (possibly) be able to commission into another branch of the military?</p>

<p>Yes, I am up for the academies' rigors along with the career (I'm imagining at least 20 yrs in, with luck--haha)</p>

<p>I just need some guidance here--I want to spend the next 4 yrs (and then a career) in the right place. </p>

<p>Some more stats: Not gonna fly, but considering med school? Flight surgeon, even, so I guess they technically fly...or lang, behav sci, something "fuzzy" lol</p>

7

<p>Experiences with counselors can very, mine with USAFA was awesome, always friendly and helped as much as possible. But if that's what would make your decision, I'm not really sure what to say. Making a decision based on how the admissions went is sketch, would someone reject Yale or Harvard if it was their first choice because the admissions office wasn't as caring? I understand that you are trying to consider other aspects, but the impression you're giving is that its based on how the admissions office staffed with civilians and such treats you.</p>

8

<p>I don't know WP's med school stats, but USAFA's are pretty low. In other words, it is very competitive to go striaght to med school.</p>

9

<p>My friend here who wants to go to med school talked with the other academies admissions offices, they all said to go to USAFA if she wanted med school.</p>

10

<p>Councelors are no view of the academy. I had some trouble pushing mine to get paperwork done, but every faculty i've met here has been awesome. If you don't specifically want pilot or artillery, then one important thing to look at is lifestyle afterwards. From what I've heard from people from every branch, the AF is the best as far as being family-oriented and helpful. Not sure what all that means, but i'm guessing stations and such the AF is more likely to accomodate what is best for your family.</p>

11

<p>Again to clarify--</p>

<p>'hornetguy' & 'eagle36': I wasn't saying the admissions teams were even part of my decision! I was explaining to 'zachogden' that I had different types of "red tape" and why I gave up on hoping for admission from AFA. I know there are slightly different protocols, people, etc, and I do not blame any counselors, civilians, or academies. </p>

<p>'raimius': I believe they are both somewhere around 20 per class or "up to 2%"
Plus, getting IN to med school is challenging, so competitive all around. Though I met a 2LT during an AFA tour who said he was going to med school in the fall, so maybe an extra year of giving tours is not a bad deal at all! haha</p>

<p>'hornetguy': thanks for the help...I suppose I should talk to officials at this point, as well :)</p>

<p>I've definitely heard that AF fam life is superior (from both my parents c/o '83 lol) and it is v. obv...</p>

<p>Thanks again to everyone's thoughts and concerns!! Anything else to add, I'd love to read about it!!</p>

12

<p>Ha, found something like the AFA grad breakdown--does this sound like it matches reality??</p>

<p>60% flight careers
~3% health care (incl med school)
half the webpage talks about space jobs
I know many are in the engineering category
and the "wait 2yrs for law school" policy is prob v. infinitesimal</p>

13

<p>Sounds like what I've heard. For med school, all biochem majors that have applied have gotten in over the years, I mean 100% have made it. In the last few years, they've had fewer or maybe 1-2 more applicants for med school than slots as well.</p>

<p>If you want to fly, you will assuming nothing DQ's you physically.</p>

14

<p>'hornetguy'--thanks for some insider info! </p>

<p>Also, not sure your year, but when do you "choose" your major? End of 3* yr? Pertaining to that, how competitive is that? How much of it is your choice? Do you make a top 3 list or something? lol, no idea...</p>

<p>I have bad eyes, but I hear you can get lasik or something...I was specifically looking into being a flight surgeon, but I thought they need to be pilot qualified (or at least somewhat so?)</p>

<p>Thanks!!!</p>

15

<p>I chose my major (biochem ;) ) in September (I'm a 4 dig). You can declare anytime early, but by mid 1st semester of your 3 dig year I believe. For chem majors, you need to declare 4 dig year due to the classes. But, you can choose whatever major you want, they do not have quotas and such. </p>

<p>They have PRK here and unless you royally screw up, your eyes have something else wrong besides the usual visions issues, or your OPA (MPA+GPA+PEA) is god aweful, you will get it. </p>

<p>I don't think flight surgeons need to be PQ.</p>

16

<p>I'm in the same position as Melanie is. I got into USCGA and USAFA. USCGA used to be my first pick but then I went to USAFA's orientation last week and I fell in love with it. I'm so confused. I don't know what to do!</p>

17

<p>I would say the reason West Point's staff was more involved with you is because they're worried about losing candidates to USAFA. ;)</p>

18

<p>hehe, nicely put g4c</p>

19

<p>Melanie,</p>

<p>Forgive a parent weighing in here, but I assume you've searched the other academy parts of the forum on this subject? There are several postings about people, who like you, are seeking input on which service academy to attend, having gotten two (sometimes three!) appointments. All the best advice seems to focus on what YOUR desire is to be doing in your career and which branch of service will get you there. If that is med school, then that may include whether you want a primary care/trauma practice that you might more readily find in the Army or the flight surgeon/space flight avenues that may be more readily available in the Air Force. Getting to that top few who go to med school out of the academy will be difficult enough, too!</p>

<p>I'd just like to congratulate you on your success of getting to the point of HAVING this choice! Good for you and good luck!</p>

20

<p>Hi Melanie! I recieved appointments to three Academies, and ended up having to decide between USAFA and USMA too. I applied to West Point as a backup, and had my LOA within a week; they responded much faster than the Air Force did, which is why I began to consider them as an option in the first place. Because I knew for sure that I would be able to go there, whereas things were still up in the air with the Air Force.</p>

<p>Your decision can't be based on the Academy alone that you prefer, but rather based on the branch of the service itself that you would work best in. One of my USAFA friends went on exchange to West Point this year, and she observed that both academies are really pretty similar. It's what comes after you graduate that's vastly different. She actally appreciated the tradition at West Point, but preferred the career opportunities in the operational Air Force better than those available in the Army. </p>

<p>Honestly, I appreciate the fact that West Point places such an emphasis on leadership (because that's what you're going to need more than anything as an officer in the Army). I've always wanted to work with people more than with machines, and I think that if the Army would allow women to be on the ground leading troops in combat, then I would have chosen West Point. But we're not men, so our choices are more limited in that department. And it's true that the Air Force is the more technical branch, and would therefore probably be best suited to you if you want to be a doctor. I'm probably going to be a fuzzy, though. :)</p>

<p>One reason that I chose not to go to West Point is because I don't really want to end up marrying a guy who goes career Army. That may sound ridiculous, but it was a factor for me. I've heard that it's easier to have a family in the Air Force and also that they treat their people better. And in all likelihood I'll probably marry someone in whatever branch of the service I enter, so...</p>

<p>Another thing to consider is that if you don't end up liking the operational Air Force, it is easier to cross-commission into another branch than if you graduate from West Point. At least, that's what I've heard. Army doesn't let it's people go once it has them, because they need all of the officers that they train, whereas the Air Force, on the other hand, is faced with a reduction in forces.</p>

<p>Those are the reasons, in a nutshell, that I chose USAFA over West Point. Plus, I'm a Falcon at heart. :) Go Air Force! Beat Army! (see? haha) Message me if you want to know more, and good luck! I know it's a tough decision, but I'm sure you'll make the best one.</p>