<p>Hi Jena,
I was homeschooled every year except for kindergarten. I also did Civil Air Patrol for four years and got to the rank of C/Lt Col. I received a three year Type 7 (15K/year) High School Scholarship and now study at Rhodes College in Memphis. After I graduate in May, I’ll be headed to Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH where I’ll begin four-year stint on active duty.</p>
<p>When the board meets, they’re going to be looking of course at grades, so if you can, have your son take some AP exams to demonstrate his abilities academically. Similarly, taking college classes at a local state college can be affordable and also look good on applications for scholarships as well as to colleges, especially if he’s setting his sights high.</p>
<p>As for extracurriculars, don’t worry about his lack of sports. I didn’t play either because Vermont doesn’t have a big enough homeschool community to have leagues I could play in. I fell in love with CAP and devoted a lot of time to the program. If your son also loves it, then I would suggest he start going to National Cadet Special Activities. Bear in mind that ones with a leadership twist will look much better to the AF than, say the National Emergency Services Academy. I would suggest Cadet Officer School (if he’s A C/2d Lt or higher) and Civic Leadership Academy (C/Capt and higher, as I recall). On the note of rank, he should get as high as he can. I think there are checkboxes on the form for the Mitchell Award (C/2d Lt) and Eaker Award (C/Lt Col). He should also try to get leadership positions within the squadron (think: Flight Commander and Cadet Commander) as well as at encampments and other Wing activities.</p>
<p>The Air Force loves accomplishments so building a resume is important, but don’t lose sight of the fact that CAP should be fun. If he’s not passionate about getting as involved as I’ve suggested, then it won’t be any fun for him and it will likely show in his application.</p>
<p>Also consider getting a part-time job if he has time. Don’t undervalue it as an important extracurricular.</p>
<p>I have just a few other notes not specific to homeschoolers and Civil Air Patrol cadets. You may have heard that students who select the sciences (especially engineering or physics) are more likely to get scholarships so you should put those on your application to increase your chances. That’s true, but you can be locked into the majors you put on your form, meaning he would HAVE to major in a science. If he doesn’t really want to do that, he will hate all four years of college studying something he doesn’t enjoy. Let your merits, not your major, determine whether they select you or not. I’m so thankful I was honest and put in Poli Sci and Business, because it gave me the flexibility to switch my major when I discovered that I really love Psychology.</p>
<p>My story is very similar to yours so I would be happy to talk to you (and anyone else who’s reading the thread) about it as much as you like about any of this, whether it’s applying to college as a homeschooler, applying for AF scholarships, doing ROTC in college, etc.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
