<p>I recieved the letter telling me that my precandidate application has been “accepted” or is “competitive” or whatever I should call it. Now that I have an assigned ALO and counselor, what should my next step be? Wait for the additional instructions to be sent? Or call my ALO? Thank you!!!</p>
<p>Well, in the next couple of weeks 2012 is going to be attending summer seminar, and directly after that is when the real application begins. :) I got a letter in the mail at the very end of June last year after seminar that gave me the web address to access the online application. You'll have to wait for that next letter to start the application for the class of 2012. But it should be coming soon!! :) You will be asked to submit an official transcript, other official information like SAT/ACT scores and class rank, get your DoDMERB medical exam, take the Candidate Fitness Assessment, write two short essays, have three teachers write recommendations, and then fill out online personal information forms, drug/alcohol statements, that kind of thing. It's all on this online application, which you can access at the end of June or beginning of July. You're also going to need to get a nomination from a member of congress, which is separate from the USAFA online application. It will likely entail more paperwork, recommendations, resumes, etc. You should take care of as much of that as possible this summer before the beginning of your senior year. One, because the school year is going to be extremely hectic, and two, because it's totally worth it to have everything done early so that you have a better chance of getting a LOA or early appointment. In the meantime, it's a good idea to contact your ALO and set up an interview. Be confident but not cocky, honest, and enthusiastic. And ask lots of questions! Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Quick question related to this topic... does the summer seminar application count as the PCQ? I'd imagine it does since I have a file opened with the Academy, but one can never be too sure with such things!</p>
<p>Yes, if I recall correctly I read that if you did the SS application you do not have to do the PCQ. Should be on the instruction page for the application site at academyadmissions.com</p>
<p>Yep. I went to summer seminar last year and never had to fill out the PCQ. Your SS application takes care of that, since you give them the same info in the SS application.</p>
<p>There ya go :) Thanks Falcons</p>
<p>nice info redhead.. what're these essays on?</p>
<p>I second HNeedle's question and add another: What do the drug/alcohol statements say? Just curious, not implying anything about myself. Everything else seems self-explanatory.</p>
<p>There are three essays, and you have to write on two of them. I forget the topics but I remember one has to deal with an obstacle in your life and how you overcame it, another is about your integrity and I think the third is why you want to the go to the Academy. As for the drug statement it basically is about any illegal drug use and stuff like that. Basically says that from that point on you will not use them again.</p>
<p>ah thanks zman..</p>
<p>Hey guys, I'm new here. I'm going to session B, and according to yall that means I don't have to fill out the PCQ, which is good, who likes repetitive paperwork? Anyway, I was wondering about this, I have talked to my ALO in a few emails, and I've asked and answered plenty of questions there, but I've never had a formal interview... have you guys?</p>
<p>Hey buckaroo, welcome to the College Confidential Air Force Academy forums! I am Falcons '11, and I'm an appointee for the Class of 2011 at the Air Force Academy (which means I start training there pretty soon). </p>
<p>When I went through the application process last year, I was required to have a formal interview with my ALO. As far as I know, it is a requirement this year as well. Since you've already gotten in contact with your ALO, it shouldn't be too hard to set up a time for you to be formally interviewed by your ALO. After Summer Seminar, your ALO will probably contact you about an interview, but if he/she doesn't by pretty early in July, you should contact him/her instead. I hope that helps.</p>
<p>yea, you've gotta set up the interview between you and the ALO. just whenever's convenient most of the time</p>
<p>It's not insanely formal, but it is important to treat it pretty serious (dress nice for it and all). It will be a lot of questions and information that you have probably gone over with your ALO or will go over with him or her. With my ALO, I had a meeting prior to SS and once for my interview for the actualy application. The more you meet, the more comfortable you and only good things can come from that. What are you concerns about the interview?</p>
<p>It's my understanding that ALO's do not schedule official interviews until they get the word from the academy to do so. Until then, if your ALO enjoys schmoozing, that's great. But don't assume that bugging him/her will speed things up any.</p>
<p>Meeting your ALO before your official interview is a good thing. My ALO remembered me, and I think it made things go smoother. Plus, it gives the impression that you really want to come. Early August-September is a good time to do this, as you're going to be doing a lot of senior year stuff, plus with nomination interviews coming up, it's just easier to get it done during this time frame. Remember to do those nominations applications on time. Like my ALO said- getting a nomination doesn't guarentee you'll get in, but NOT getting one guarentees you won't. Good luck :)</p>
<p>My ALO and I have spoken in a few emails, like I said, and my being a girl, as well as her, makes things easier, and makes me more memorable I guess. We tried to set up a phone interview once, but her schedule and mine weren't exactly compatible, and it never worked out. I'm sure things will work out better for the real interview after SS. Thank yall for all the help!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your replies!</p>
<p>It sounds like a lot of prospective 2012 candidates are going to attend the summer seminar. Unfortunately I didn't determine that I wanted to go to the academy until recently, and so I didn't find out about the summer seminar until it was too late. Will this impact my chances?</p>
<p>Not at all! There are people who get accepted to the summer seminar and not into the academy and there are people who don't get into the seminar but do get into the academy. It really has little to no bearing.</p>
<p>For people who go the seminar though, they have a report filled out on them, so if they get into a lot of trouble or something like that, their cadet cadre can report that. That report goes into the pre-candidate's application file, so the academy ultimately knows that that person messed around. So it can hurt you in that sense, but again it has very little to no impact on your chances of getting in.</p>
<p>Summer seminar doesn't make or break the deal. It's just another activity, and there are others that can fill in that void. I didn't go, and I'm on board as one of the incoming cadets of 2011. I instead attended another leadership conference (on which I had a blast). My suggestion is go do something you want to do this summer- something interesting that plays to your strengths; you will probably have loads of fun in the process. Besides, I hear the t-shirts they give you are too big for most people anyway :)</p>