<p>WOW i was just offered the AFA prep school and have an hour to think about it!! I’m still in shock, but I’ve also gotten used to the idea of attending Cal Poly. I know none of you can make my decision for me, but damn…such a life changing decision for so little time.</p>
<p>Wow! Only an HOUR to decide? Where do you want to see yourself in 5 years? 10?</p>
<p>In 5 years..working for a business as an engineer or manager, I'm not quite sure what I want to major in although I got into Cal Poly for business.
In 10 years...maybe get an MBA.
Someday I want to be a CEO of a large corporation, but I feel guilty wanting to attend the AFA without wanting to pursue a career in in the AF.
If I go to the prep school, in 10 years I will have finished up my required service, either choose to stay in the service, or I may have some other job offers. This could be a good opportunity to get my MBA a great school, because the AFA would allow me to get into a better graduate school than Cal Poly would allow me.</p>
<p>hmm...I was really gung ho about it a few months ago!! now that i've gotten used to the idea of Cal Poly and this sudden need for a decision has made me more apprehensive.</p>
<p>Go to Cal Poly. It's a great school in a beautiful town. Doesn't sound like you're all that enthused about AFA right now. Either way - prep school or Cal Poly - you can still reapply to AFA. Why not do Cal Poly?</p>
<p>I would've probably said the same thing as you, alex, when I was 18. Instead, I'm still in 28 years later. If you like the opportunity AFA provides--then give it a shot. but make sure you give it your all if you do. Good luck either way.</p>
<p>I just called and he gave me until tomorrow.</p>
<p>I think I'm gonna do it.</p>
<p>Good call. Don't look back.</p>
<p>Did you know that your one year at the prep school counts toward pay longevity and towards retirement if you graduate from USAFA? It's true. You'll be eligible to retire at 19 years after graduation instead of 20 like your classmates. It may not seem like much now... but it's something. Plus, you get paid at the Prep School!</p>
<p>Hello fly boys! I've never posted here but just read about alexk. WHOA! The pressure is on! We have just come from a reception given by our Congressman for the kids going to academies. I met a very impressive young man there who will be in his last year at the AFA. He was attending because his little brother will be at USNA this upcoming year. All the kids had alot of questions about AFA for this guy. He was so great. He told everyone about his years there and about the campus. OUTSTANDING, although I'm partial to USMMA myself. The opportunities that he's taken at AFA were true adventures. The only bad thing he said was that the food was awful. Isn't it everywhere..... Alexk, this place would look awfully good on a resume! They have everything you'll need to be a leader in life. The kid I met was. If that is what this academy produces, you will meet your goals there. And I add "But damn" Don't think twice! :)</p>
<p>Thank you.
Exactly, "don't look back", and "don't think twice"...i'm too intuitive and think about things too much sometimes. I'm going for it!</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me about what my schedule would be like at the prep school? How often we run, how long classes are, when we are allowed to leave campus, etc.</p>
<p>0545 - wake up
0600 - 0700 - timeframe for breakfast
0730 - 1125 - academics (three class periods/ usually one period off)
1145 - 1245 - lunch timeframe
1245 - 1345 - military time (a lot of briefings usually)
1345 - 1445 - extra instruction time period if you need specific help from an instructor.
1500 - 1740 - athletics time (train with your team, intramurals, or work out on your own, depending on your situation).
1745 - 1845 - dinner time
1900 - 2200 - evening study time (ACQ)
2200 - TAPS = bedtime</p>
<p>I just graduated with the Prep School class of 2005, now I get to join the USAFA class of 2009, so if ya got any questions about the P just let me know and I'll see if I can help ya. I dont really check this forum that much so you can also email me at <a href="mailto:Achilles_MC0302@hotmail.com">Achilles_MC0302@hotmail.com</a>. This schedule is basically what I remember, but it could change, and this is for the academic year... not basic training. Good luck there. It'll suck going through it but when you look back you'll be glad you did. Later.</p>
<p>Im going to the Navy Prep School, so Im glad you're going to the AFA Prep School. When you start Beast, you'll be ahead of a lot of doolies. But make sure you're heart's in it. Good Luck!</p>
<p>go to Cal Poly. Ask your rep how many kids jumped out of windows this year due to stress. You'll be shocked at the answer (and I'll be shocked if he's honest.)</p>
<p>Dube, take the prep school. When you get to the Academy you'll have an advantage over everyone.</p>
<p>People are jumping out of windows at Cal Poly? Why would he go there, then? Is it bungee jumping?</p>
<p>Answer to number that have fallen out of windows at USAFA (or jumped--no conclusions made since the fall was only two stories, injuries weren't life-threatening, while there are plenty of bigger falls only a hallway away at six stories) is 1. Yes, I know the true number here. What's the basis of your info?</p>
<p>Guess what? USAFA's a stressful place. I don't think anyone on this board would deny that. I, for one, wouldn't want it to be anything less. It prepares officers to defend their country--that's a stressful profession. Shouldn't stress be part of that training? Suicides at USAFA? I'm unaware of any in the past 10 years, though I can't say conclusively that none have occurred.</p>
<p>Stick with USAFA. Worst case scenario, you dont like USAFA after a couple years, you reapply to CalWhatever and leave USAFA and go there. The credits earned at USAFA will transfer over and you are good to go. Make a note it doesnt work the other way around though... you start USAFA as a fourth class cadet no matter what. So stick with USAFA bud. Plus you might actually look back on your time at the P and be glad ya went there. I know I do. ;)</p>
<p>PS: I just got that warm fuzzy feeling... its gone now though.</p>
<p>doc:</p>
<p>1) what IS the number? You say you "have the truth"....</p>
<p>2) your logic is intriguing....since its only two stories, kids can only break bones? Huh? More importantly, how many kids from ANY schools jump out of windows because of stress (ignoring drunks jumping into pools); how many at West Point, or Annapolis? </p>
<p>Absolutely, the academies are extremely stressful, and should be.....The real question, IMO, is why the AFA has in its mission to encourage kids to leave, and the other academies do not to such an extent. Over the past five years, what is the retention rate (first year to second year) of AFA and what is the retention rate of the other academies? Stats please.....</p>
<p>bluebayou:</p>
<p>Am I missing something here? If I read docfrance's response correctly, he said that the number of kids who had jumped or fallen out of windows was one.</p>
<p>Are you questioning the accuracy of his response?</p>
<p>Retention over 4 years at USAFA has averaged about 25% for the last 15 years (source: AOG Register of Graduates data). Class of '06 attrition is at about 25% already (1210 reporting and about 925 still left). It is NOT in USAFA's mission to increase attrition or to identify cadets for disenrollment. USAFA's philosophy is that any cadet that's appointed has the potential to graduate and will get the support they need to do so unless and until their behavior or performance warrants disenrollment. I told you the numbers. Now either list something other than hearsay or be deleted.</p>
<p>Data:
Class Entered Graduated Attrition Rate
1990 1338 993 25.8%
1991 1362 977 28.3%
1992 1485 1076 27.5%
1993 1383 959 30.7%
1994 1391 1024 26.4%
1995 1391 994 28.5%
1996 1226 922 24.8%
1997 1164 797 31.5%
1998 1215 947 22.1%
1999 1340 963 28.1%
2000 1239 942 24.0%
2001 1118 862 22.9%
2002 1220 942 22.8%
2003 1330 997 25.0%</p>
<p>I don't have '04's data handy, but I can get it soon. '05 had 1269 report for BCT and 905 graduated two weeks ago.. About another 20 will graduate late (during this summer) due to grades, medical issues, or disciplinary reasons.</p>
<p>Pff. CalPoly has like a 50% attrition rate. Look at the chart on page 3. </p>