Nomination Packet Questions

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

<p>I just got off the phone with the Senator’s and Congressman’s offices. The packets should be here next week for the class of 2014.</p>

<p>Couple of things:
1.) My high school takes the ACT next week (mandatory for Michigan) so I won’t be able to send it in for probably 2-3 weeks.</p>

<p>2.) Transcripts. Do I get a transcript like next month and send it in, or should I wait until the end of the year?
I’m taking 2 college classes NEXT year as a senior (not offered to Juniors). Should I wait to send in the nom. packet until that shows on the transcript (around late August, early September)?</p>

<p>3.) Test scores. I’ve already taken the ACT once, and next week will be twice. Should I send in copies of BOTH ACT scores, or just one? Next week’s will probably be higher, but I don’t think the congressional offices superscore the tests.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

2

<p>Hold on there buckaroo...no need to start the nom process until you have completed your PCQ and the AF assigns you an ALO! You are jumping to the fact that the AFA will even allow you to submit a packet. They won't even be opening files for several months, so the 2-3 week wait is a NO ISSUE! The earliest you will be able to start this process is JUNE and that is considered early! Your ALO will be a large part in this process when completing your nom packet and your AFA packet, don't rush it, it can hurt you.</p>

<p>MOCS don't have due dates until @ Oct-Jan, and I am shocked that they are even sending out the packets before the AFA has accepted you as an applicant.</p>

<p>AS far as ACT and SAT just put the AFA code and it will be sent directly to them via college board, no need to send copies. Also your official transcript will include the scores for verfication. Again this is why I am shocked that the MOC is accepting, b/c you don't even have your final JR grades.</p>

<p>FOR NOW PRACTICE THE CFA...Pull-ups are the killer---max is 18. Push-ups are @85, Sit-ups are 95, BBall throw is 100, run is in the 6 minute zone, can't remember the max for shuttle. Don't take the CFA until you are near max..every little point matters!
Good Luck...didn't mean to be a downer!</p>

3

<p>Max for shuttle is 7.8 or somethin round there</p>

4

<p>Oh yeah...the 'application season' started January 1st here.</p>

<p>That's weird that Michigan is like that. We're a bunch of crazy rebels.</p>

<p>My CFA actually isn't bad. I can blow the pull-ups right away. My push-ups are at 90, sit-ups at about 80, and my mile was around 5:50. Hopefully 5:40 by SS after Track.</p>

<p>I'm just super pumped about the application starting.</p>

5

<p>Overachiever - Michigan is not weird in starting in January - I am aware of quite a few MOCs that begin accepting file materials as soon as their fall submission date is closed for the current year - even before noms are due for one year they are taking apps for the next, though the deadline is typically fall of senior year. A student will not have an advantage in the nomination process by having the file submitted early. It just depends on how your particular MOC office handles it. Most MOCs accept apps from any student in their district regardless of if the SA finds them to be qualified or not.</p>

<p>As to the testing scores, MOCs evaluate candidates in their own way - most MOCs superscore the tests but some do not. Most superscore because the SAs superscore and MOCs like to keep consistency. Along those lines, some MOCs will not take scores from any source other than the official testing agency - even if the score is on the HS transcript they may require it directly from the testing agency so don't assume they will accept it from your transcript. The MOC will have explicit instructions that should be followed. Some MOCs won't mind if you deviate from the instructions and others may be real sticklers for following directions. You can wait to send your transcript until the final semester grades are in from the end of your Junior year. </p>

<p>The bottom line is that every MOC can use their own criteria, deadlines etc... so any student interested in getting a nomination should become very familiar with their own MOCs process as their MOCs process is what is important.</p>

6

<p>I was just a little concerned about those tests. I know if I was to superscore I would do a lot better.</p>

<p>One of my senator's packets (that was on the internet to print) just said to write them in and send a copy of my score report.</p>

<p>I intend on following all directions to the letter. Plus I'll call 2 or 3 times throughout the year just to make sure I'm still good-to-go and not missing anything.</p>

7

<p>Slow down overachiever, you have PLENTY of time. You said class of 2014 right? Okay, as a member of 2012 that recieved an LOA and then an appointment and is soon to be RECOGNIZED (WOHOOOOOOOO), I can tell you to take a deep breath and relax. I didn't even start the nomination process until the end of JULY the year before I came, and I wasn't even pressed for time by starting that "late". While it is a good idea to get ahead when you can, don' rush it. Be excited, but take things one step at a time. Right now, focus on doing as well as you can academically, and DOMINATE that ACT</p>

8

<p>I'm taking 2 AP classes next year (Spanish 4, Adv. Bio) as well as college freshman algebra and college English.</p>

<p>Got a 27 on the ACT in December. Really hoping for that 30 on Tuesday :)</p>

9

<p>Well good luck, and is there anyway that you can get exposure to calculus next year? If so I would HIGHLY recommend it.</p>

10

<p>Unfortunately my high school only offers up to pre-calculus, which I am in now.</p>

<p>The next step up would be college algebra, which I intend on taking 1st semester next year.</p>

11

<p>I think the next step if you have taken pre-calculus would be calculus. Is there any way you can take a calculus class at the college level instead of college algebra? I am saying this because calculus here is tough, they move fast and not all the concepts get explained, and many you are just expected to learn on your own. I am just saying, I don't think the next step is college algebra, that may be what your school thinks, but it would be much better for you to take calculus.</p>

12

<p>is not having clubs a bad thing?
i'm usually busy with sports and like marchign band.</p>

13

<p>That is fine, I did Marching band and played tennis all the time, I was not a member of any clubs, although I did join Civil Air Patrol to get some leadership experience</p>

14

<p>yeah i was thinking about cap, but i'm already into the middle of my junior year. they do ask for how long you do your extra cirriculars right?</p>

15

<p>yeah, you do put that down, but if you have a strong CAP unit in your area, it ca still be worth while. I learned a lot in the short time I was in the program</p>

16

<p>I would have joined CAP in 8th grade, but the nearest one is 150+ miles away.</p>

17

<p>is cfa pass/fail or does it help you if you have exceptional cfa scores?</p>

<p>is not taking the SAT bad cause i know im gonna do bad, i'm just working the act, or should i take the sat too?</p>

18

<p>If you score well on the CFA, it will help your overall score, it is not strictly pass/fail. That being said, academics are weighted MUCH more heavily than the CFA, so before you stress about working out, focus on school. </p>

<p>As far as not taking the SAT, that is fine. It doesn't matter which one you take, I just think taking both is a good idea because the format of the questions on one test may be easier for you than the other. I know for me, I did a lot better on the SAT, scoring a 2210/2400 than I did on the ACT, with an overall score of 30.</p>

19

<p>AS far as ACT...I would aim for 31 at least. A 30 in Math is 590 SAT and 30 in Eng is 610. You want strong numbers that convert into the medians of AFA
[quote]
The high school grade point average for the Class of 2012 is 3.85, and their average SAT score is 1,290

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Thus, you want to be in the mid 600's for Eng and Math to even hit the avg.</p>

<p>It is not so much about getting in, but staying when you arrive. If you are weak academically as a C4C it will create additional burdens. It is not only about academics, but everything else that you must accomplish during the day. A strong educational foundation will allow you to have less stress. The AFA is 24/7 you will be getting a college education while having additional duties, if that foundation is not strong it will hamper you in your abilities.</p>

<p>Here is the suggested curriculum for an ENGLISH MAJOR...key here is ENGLISH! Some of these courses are mandatory. You may score an 800 in Eng, but a 650 in Math...you will feel pain without that strong foundation, even as a English Major. (Compare this to Princeton for English...both are highly selective)</p>

<p>
[quote]
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE:
3rd-Class Year 2nd-Class Year 1st-Class Year
Chem 200 Aero Engr 315 Academy Option
Econ 201 Biology 315 Astro Engr 410
English 341 Beh Sci 310 English 353</p>

<p>English Option 1 English 390 English 370
Engr Mech 220 English 461 English 470<br>
For Lang 3 English 462 English 490
For Lang 4 English Option 2 English Option 4<br>
Law 220 English Option 3 English Option 5<br>
MSS 200 El Engr 315 English Option 6<br>
Physics 215 History 302 Mgt 400
Pol Sci 211 Math 300 MSS 400<br>
Sys Opt Geo 310 Philos 310 Soc Sci 412

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I can't refit the quote for members to get a strong feel...so here is the link.<a href="http://www.academyadmissions.com/academics/curriculum/majors/english_course.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.academyadmissions.com/academics/curriculum/majors/english_course.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>There might be a lot of English courses, but the AFA still expects you to have a strong math background...i.e Chem, Engr Mech, Aero Engr, Astro Engr...you need to be well rounded in all subject matter...coming to the AFA without Calc or understanding the fundamental principles puts you at a disadvantage against your peers...want to be an engineer/flyer, you need to have that foundation under your belt. Want to fly fighters you need to grad at the top...your gpa is a part of your class rank. Don't grasp Astro, you might have to say goodbye to ENJJPT. </p>

<p>Push yourself now and reap the rewards later!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>AIM HIGH ABOVE ALL</p>

20

<p>ugh, i'm just not good at standarized testing. I'm pretty good overall with the classes and gpa and stuff. I'm taking calc I and II this year and hopefuly survive ap physics next year. </p>

<p>how hard is it to get your congressional nomination?</p>