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Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
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<p>My S, 17, rising senior, is meeting with his assigned ALO for first time this week. S has his letters ready to go to Rep, 2 Senators, Dick Cheney (I have no idea why we are bothering with that one - !). Is there anything we should know about this meeting? S has filled out candidate pre-questionaire and has all online forms completed. </p>

<p>I, as mother, am nervous too. This might be S’s #1 school. ALO wants both parents to attend (no problems there), but I want to make a good impression, too, for my S. </p>

<p>Any suggestions for my S? For his nervous mother?</p>

<p>Thanks to all!</p>

2

<p>It will be fine. As in all interviews, everyone needs to be "who they are" - act normally. My son's ALO wanted to know how we felt about our son applying to USAFA. I think he was checking if we were "pushing" him one way or another. We had a short chat, then he put on the DVD from BCT to let me see what my son would be doing in BCT while he had an hour+ discussion with him in another room behind closed doors. BTW - he had invited us to his home. The ALOs are there to help you and your son, there's no tricks although they do know what to look for. Just go and enjoy the time.
BTW - we later borrowed the BCT DVD to show family and my son used some of it for a CAP presentation about USAFA. It was amazing to watch and now he's almost finished with BCT. WOO HOO!
Falcons '11 mom - borrowing his name while he is in BCT</p>

3

<p>i had a couple meetings with my ALO. the first one was purely to get to know each other. he wanted to learn where i can came from, what interested me, why i was thkning about the academy, etc. each ALO writes a letter stating why your son/daughter should be accepted, and the more they know about you the better. as falcons '11 mom's said, tell your son to be himself and try to relax. my only advise for you would be to try to relax, but to mainly just let your son handle the interview. while questions from you are imporntant, you do not want it to appear as if you are pushing him to apply instead of him wanting it himself. good luck with the meeting!</p>

4

<p>Falcon 11's mom is right on target. The ALO wants to see your real son. See an applicant who indeed wants to go to the academy. Of course, no 2 ALOs are the same, just like no 2 applicants are the same. While I didn't/wouldn't dress my son up in a suit and tie, (Because FEELING comfortable is just as important), I also wouldn't let him go in shorts and sandles either. Some will approach this like it was a job interview. While there is something to be said about that, your child has to feel comfortable. </p>

<p>The ALO is looking for enthusiasm, excitement, a certain spark in the child's eye. While I can almost guarantee that most parents on the forums, as well as their child, are here and doing all of this because it is what the child wants, there are many kids going through this because somehow it is what is expected of them. While I didn't go to the academy, I have a lot of experience with many who have. I have worked with and for many graduates. Having spent 21 years in the Air Force, the academy and Air Force in general is not something to be taken lightly.</p>

<p>There are no right and wrong answers, per se, in the ALO interview. Some of the answers however can be viewed as inconsistent. For example, with the generic question of; "Why do you want to attend the Air Force Academy"? There is obviously a difference in attitude and enthusiam between answering using words such as "Serve my country", "Become the best officer i can be", "Great educational opportunity that will allow me to be part of something important and bigger than me", etc... (And Really Believing those answers); and answering with things like; "I really can't afford college otherwise", "Many people in my family were in the military", "So I can get a good education and travel away from home". None of these are bad answers, just that they don't have the enthusiam or desire that the ALO may be looking for.</p>

<p>As already said however, the key is to have your son be himself. If he really believes in the Air Force Academy; if his pulse rate goes up and a major smile comes on his face when you talk to him about the academy and the Air Force; if the thought of the Academy and the Air Force automatically makes him get excited and glow; then the ALO will see that. We all know that feeling and look in someone's eye. It's different. Just have him be himself. Same with you. If the desire to go to the academy is genuine, they will see it. If it is fake, they will see that also.</p>

<p>It's a shame that more kids aren't permitted to attend the summer seminar. There's a lot of applicants who probably don't know what they are getting into. Last year, a student at my son's high school applied to the summer seminar and the academy. She was selected to the seminar and was eventually given an appointment. But after reflecting on the seminar and getting a taste for what was to come, she said that it just wasn't for her. She turned down the appointment and is now excited about starting her freshman year at Yale. My son on the other hand has been around the Air Force his entire life. He was born on a military base in Spain and is a traditional BRAT. Combined with football and soccer, he is very familiar and comfortable with the discipline that he's been subjected to his entire life. The summer seminar only reinforced what he was used to and really wanted to continue with. There was no doubt in the ALO's mind during/after the interview with him that this was his choice. That he was entusiastic and excited. Whether he gets into the academy, goes ROTC, or takes a scholarship to a normal university, the choice has to be his. That is what the ALO is looking to see in his eyes.</p>

<p>Good luck to you and your son. If he really "Wants" the academy, then the ALO will see that in his eyes and his demeanor. The answers themselves won't mean anything. Like I said, there is no right or wrong. If his grades are good, he has EC, sports, leadership, etc... then you all will do fine, the ALO will see that, and the ALO will give a good interview report stating so. Good luck. Later... Mike....</p>

5

<p>Thank you for your careful consideration and advice. You have all set my mind at ease. Of course, my son isn't nervous at all, "Mom, the ALO already KNOWS I want the Academy." I am just being an uber-Mom maybe. </p>

<p>My eldest son wants to fly helicopters for the Marines but decided against the ROTC option when he realized (in Soph. year of col) that he would have to find a ride to the nearest ROTC unit, which was almost 50 miles from the school. Looks like we'll have a lot of uniforms in our family!</p>

<p>Gladly accepting advice! I'll let all of you (if you're interested) know how things go tomorrow; our appt is at 6:30 pm.</p>

<p>Thanks, Good luck and God bless you and your kids!</p>

6

<p>Don't stress to much the ALO will be doing this for several candidates in your area. think about the things you may want to know about USAFA. Has your S attended Summer Seminar? If not you may want to ask the ALO about Ac Year visits. Not all ALO's are Academy grads; they also serve to interview for ROTC programs. For your purposes he is there to answer any questions you may have about the Academy including why it is important to seek all sources of nomination (including the office of the Vice President). You will find out it is a lot less about Politics and more about the quality of the candidate seeking the nomination. Good luck with the interview and begining the admissions process.</p>

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<p>Certainly keep us posted on how things go.</p>

<p>This site isn't only for parents, so encourage your son to jump in and ask questions, seek advice, whatever. There are no bad questions and no one person here is an expert in everything.:)</p>

<p>Best of luck</p>

8

<p>Well, my dH and S and I met with the ALO! It went great and the Col. was fantastic. A dentist! He spent about 2 hours with us and went over all S's stats, and discussed his sports, leadership, etc. </p>

<p>He is very pleased with S's scores and the only thing he wanted S to do right away was go to the office of our Rep and introduce himself. We'll do that on Monday. </p>

<p>Thanks for all your advise. My S is really excited now, and my H is very pleased with all the info we got and the Col.'s demeanor, candor, etc.</p>

9

<p>Just keeping everyone updated (and thank you for the private messages of support. You folks are the BEST!):</p>

<p>S completed ear,eye,and physical today - flying colors. </p>

<p>Biggest plus of all though: The fencing coach called my son and talked to him for almost an hour. He even remembered S fencing in the Nationals last month. Coach asked S: (put on eastern euro accent here:) "Why you no beat 7 foot tall guy?" My S thought he was being tested, and answered truthfully and with resolve. Seems the coach liked that a lot.</p>

<p>Meeting with Rep on Wed. That should be interesting since we are from the other main party and actively campaigned against this man.</p>

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<p>Good to hear Fencersmother. Quick info on the medical. Once he finished the medical and vision physicals, the doctor or whoever did it, will send the completed forms and results to CONCORDE. You can actually go to their site, register, and see the progress. The "Transcribe" the results of the physicals and put it into a transcript. This takes about a week. (If they've sent it, and you log in, it will say "CLOSED" in status. </p>

<p>It is then FEDEX'd to DODMRB for review. From the time the receive it until they are done reviewing it, is about 4-5 business days. You can also log into their site and see the status. When it is reviewed by the board and completed, it will say "Qualified", "Disqualified", or that additional information is needed. I.e. redo a blood test, etc... basically something that they need qualified. Anyway, after the status is set, the results are "Transmitted" to the academy and through their system. It took about another week after transmitting the data to the academy before the online application shows the medical status. Hope this info helps, unless you already knew the process. In which case, maybe it's good for someone to know. Later... Mike....</p>

11

<p>Oh thank you and I do appreciate the guidance from all of you. My S is more determined every day and it is a great thing to witness.</p>

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<p>Fencersmother; I was speaking with some friends who went to the academy, and they said that because fencing is so specialized and not offered in many high schools, the academy has a hard time finding students who can do it; and do it well. So, if he does get accepted to the academy, and wants to continue fencing, that even the Freshman students participate a lot. </p>

<p>At least that's the way it was a few years ago. Many of the college sports, freshman don't get a lot of "starting" positions. Your son should have a really good time if he goes that direction. Have fun and good luck to you. Later... Mike....</p>

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<p>Christcorp: You're right and that's one of the draws for my son. He wants to fence and the coach at the acad. indicated he could do it his freshman year. At PennState, he'll get to practice his first year, with the possibility that he might fence toward the end of the season. That never sits well with a 17 yo.</p>

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<p>Fencersmother -- noted above that you are meeting with your "Rep on Wednesday" and you were wondering how it might go, since you are not of his/her party. </p>

<p>I would suggest it will go just fine. First, remember that none of this is partisan and I'd be floored if your representative was any different. Second, you may be actually meeting with a staffer -- and that's okay, as long as it is the "staffer" that handles the academy nominations. In almost every instance it is the staffers who get the applicant data together and they can have real influence on the process. As an example, the staffer for one of our two senators has done the academy appointments for many years and knows the process inside out. We know (from the experience of others), for example, that she wants to talk to the candidate, not the parents, so we always insure our son is the one who calls or speaks with her. We also know she is the one who suggests the rankings of the applicants to the senator. The staffer in charge of the applications for our representative, doesn't mind speakng with parents and is more focused on meeting deadlines. So, if you end up meeting with the representative in person, that's great, but they will likely treat every constituent the same -- after all, they're politicians! That STAFFER who handles the details may be the most important one to know!</p>

<p>Lastly, it may be that you will find that your representative uses a panel of others -- military officers, community leaders, etc -- to help him/her rank their applicants. That is as important as an interview with the ALO, if that's their process. The biggest thing is that this is your son's chance to shine, whoever it is they are meeting with, and make a great first impression. And, this is also your/his chance to ask questions about the process, the deadlines, and what they need from him. The fact that you may have different political leanings than that of the Representative shouldn't even enter the equation!</p>

15

<p>Great post!</p>

<p>Our congressman's staffer has become a long term friend. She calls or e-mails periodically just to update herself on our family and how our son is doing at USAFA. In the beginning I was a little concerned about our friendship being perceived as browning up to an influential person, but the relationship is genuine and I'm glad we weren't shy in getting to know the people who really do the work on the nominations. It has given us a chance to meet our congressman several times, and we respect him, but we know that his personal input into the academy nominations is minor.</p>