Questions about life at USAFA

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

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I’m 17 years old and am in the middle of this whole process with applying to USAFA. It is where I have always wanted to go and I hope to receive an appointment for the class of 2012. However, I am concerned about a few things.</p>

<p>First, I know life there is unlike life at a typical college… but just how different is it? I have a very strong bond with my family and have had a girlfriend for 4 years now (and I dont plan on breaking up with her if i go to the Academy)-- how difficult is it to maintain relationships with people back home?</p>

<p>Also, how do things change from year to year? I know that Doolies are quite limited, but what about the next 3 years? What responsibilities, duties, etc, are upperclassmen given that separate them from fourthclassmen?</p>

<p>I know this is a long post, but I appreciate all the help I can get… thanks!</p>

2

<p>VERY Different! We have to sign out to leave. We only have limited passes to do this. NO alcohol in the dorms and underage drinking is punished HARSHLY. No partying on campus. Dorms are quieter, well kept and clean. Academics are tough, and its even tougher with military and athletic responsibilities on top. Average class load is 21 hours per semester. </p>

<p>You will only have snail mail contact with family from I-day to A-day (June 28th to August 10th), then only e-mail till parent's weekend (August 31/Sept 1st), then phone privileges only on weekends till mid semester (October), then full cell phone privileges if not on a probation (honor, academic, athletic, conduct, military). </p>

<p>The 2% club is the ratio of people entering with gf that still have that same gf (or bf) when they graduate. </p>

<p>Responsibilities are slowly escalated as you go up the classes. Probably about half the wing's efforts go into 4 degree training, its that important. And its lots of physical and mental training. </p>

<p>There's a short picture for you. :)</p>

3

<p>Everything hornet mentioned is spot on:</p>

<p>
[quote]
NO alcohol in the dorms and underage drinking is punished HARSHLY.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The Comm and the Supt aren't really happy about the number of alcohol hits the Wing took last year, so they cranked up the punishment - it's now presumptive disenrollment for just about anything alcohol related. Not that you should be drinking underage or anything like that anyway...</p>

<p>
[quote]
Dorms are quieter, well kept and clean.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Correction please, sir: Dorms are quieter, well kept, and spotless. This will be one of your jobs as a freshman. Every morning, we 4 degrees wake up early to take out the trash and clean the bathrooms. Our rooms are expected to be in perfect SAMI at all times. Making the squadron look good is important, especially since Group AOCs like to check in on rooms and things, and ensuring cleanliness is largely the job of the C4Cs.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Academics are tough, and its even tougher with military and athletic responsibilities on top. Average class load is 21 hours per semester.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Due to the rigors of doolie year, they try to give you only 15 hours during your first semester. If you test well though and validate some courses, this easily could be higher. I've got 23 hours this semester. Pile on military and athletic duties and you'll have enough to stay busy.</p>

<p>
[quote]
You will only have snail mail contact with family from I-day to A-day (June 28th to August 10th), then only e-mail till parent's weekend (August 31/Sept 1st), then phone privileges only on weekends till mid semester (October), then full cell phone privileges if not on a probation (honor, academic, athletic, conduct, military).

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You'll get used to this, it's not really that bad. During Basic though, getting mail will pretty much be the coolest thing that's ever happened to you.</p>

<p>
[quote]
The 2% club is the ratio of people entering with gf that still have that same gf (or bf) when they graduate.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I've heard that it's difficult, but not impossible (just like everything else here).</p>

<p>
[quote]
Responsibilities are slowly escalated as you go up the classes.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>They tell me that it doesn't get any easier after freshman year, and I believe it. As you progress, you have the added responsibility of leading and taking care of others. Your first year, the only person you really have to worry about is yourself. But by the time you're a firstie, you could be in charge of 30, 100, even 4000 people, which is an enormous responsibility.</p>

<p>In sum, this is not State U. There are days when you'll wish it were, because you'll be challenged essentially on a daily basis. Still, while I realize it's early in the year, I like it here even as a doolie. There are some awesome things that go on here, and the Academy is full of some awesome people. So, learn all you can about the place, visit if at all possible, and, if you decide this is something you want to do, go for it. I guarantee that, if this is what you choose, you will not regret your decision come 2012. Best of luck to you.</p>

4

<p>For the record, as a freshman you cannot exceed 6 classes in a semester, and typically even if you perform well it will be 5 first semester and 6 the second semester.</p>

5

<p>Its hard..</p>

<p>Make sure its what you want. its so annoying seeing ppl quit and leave cas its not what they thought it would be. </p>

<p>You best be livin it up right now ;)</p>

<p>good luck.</p>

6

<p>Hornet guy: "VERY Different! NO alcohol in the dorms and underage drinking is punished HARSHLY. "</p>

<p>Underage drinking is ILLEGAL. Period, end of statement. Don't commit the crime if you cannot do the time.</p>

7

<p>Good discussion.</p>

<p>No cars for the first two years - and my son informs me that without at least a 2.3 GPA no car even then. My sentiments exactly.</p>

<p>Concerning the 2% club. Our congressman's academy staffer is married (over 50 years) to her high school sweetheart. They waited till he graduated from Annapolis (about 1954 I think). So, yes, high school romances can endure. However, I would say that it takes a God-given calling for it to happen. Quite frankly, if you don't pray together, you probably won't stay together.</p>

<p>Additional responsibilities for upperclassmen. My 3dig son is mentoring a doolie who happens to be four years prior enlisted and is older than my son who is not yet 19. Says it makes it easy for him.</p>

8

<p>CadCandMateus; excellent post and input. When you look at the few hundred candidates that get the opportunity to go to summer seminar, and how many come back weeks later saying; "I don't think the academy and Air Force is for me". It's a shame that all candidates can't have the chance to attend the summer seminar. It would make sure they have at least some idea what they are getting into. Plus, it would lower the chance of someone not getting in that might be a perfect match, but because of selection, they might have been right near the cutoff. Especially when you consider that close to 300 cadets won't make it the entire 4 years.</p>

<p>The academy may indeed be a school, but it's much more than that. The academy and the military is a way of life. It's difficult to explain. The hard work, discipline, rules that don't always make sense, moving every 2-4 years, instable family life, etc... Military service is definitely not for the undecided. It's something that you really want to do. If not, you will be miserable.</p>

<p>If however it is something that you want, and that you can put up with, then it can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. The training, travel, friendships, pride, ethics, morals, professionalism, etc... It's endless.</p>

<p>Now I know that I am not actually providing you with any usefull information for life at the academy. But I wanted to piggy back on what CadCandMateus said. Remember, the primary goal of the academy is not to give you a college education. It's to train you to be an officer in the US Air Force. Life at the academy is only a small piece of what you will have to give of yourself. You've got another 5 years of active duty beyond that. Later.. Mike...</p>

9

<p>Quick comment on the 2% club--it's not exclusive to academies. That's the national statistic on long distance relationships, so I've been told. </p>

<p>To piggyback on what the others have said, although some of the things we do here I don't like, I am really enjoying the overall experience and things I've had the opportunity to do.</p>

<p>There are some really good things about this place and some bad things about this place. You just have to focus on the good, and you'll like it here. There are two types of people here: either really happy, or really miserable. You can choose what kind of person you are.</p>

10

<p>Thanks for all the great input, everyone! Good to hear from people who really know their stuff....</p>

11

<p>Are any of the responders IC athletes? With ~20% of the cadets in this category, it would be interesting to hear their perspective.</p>

12

<p>I'm an IC...</p>

<p>basically the only difference between us and "normal cadets" (and I hate saying that) is that we are down at our practices during the afternoon when other cadets have classes, intrumurals or free time. We miss some weekend things. There is definitely a stigma against IC's, and I can see why from a lot of people. I just try to help out as much as I can and be as involved as I can within the squad to reject that persona of the "S**tbag IC".</p>

<p>As far as difference froma normal college experience, I can also tell you about that cause I went to a "normal" school before I came here. Basically, you wil have a LOT less free time (mostly during the week), you wont be partying as much (mind you, you can still have fun), and you'll be slightly less connected to your family and friends. </p>

<p>IMO, everything about this place is worth it. I've tried out many things, and I can honestly say that I've made the right decision by coming here, I wouldn't trade it for the world. The positives of this place FAR outweigh the negatives.</p>

<p>If you have any specific questions about the IC lifestyle don't hesitate to post a question!</p>

13

<p>Nearly 1/3 of the 4-degrees in my squadon are IC's, and they have all told me that it is harder, but the Academy does what it can to help (like fitting class schedule to training schedule, getting to sit with your team at lunch, and a couple others).</p>

<p>In effect, don't come here as an IC thinking that you're taking the easy way out, because you aren't. In some areas, it might be easier, but in others, it will be far more challenging. Best of luck to you, 2012.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
For the record, as a freshman you cannot exceed 6 classes in a semester, and typically even if you perform well it will be 5 first semester and 6 the second semester.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Sorry, maybe I should clarify this. You'll only take five classes here during your first semester (or only four if you sign up for Study Skills). Each class is considered three credit hours. But, like I said, if you place into any higher level courses, there's a chance you'll be taking more hours. Both my physics and chemistry courses are double periods, so my schedule has them listed as six hours each. Tack on another hour for gym class and one more hour for CPME and you've got a decent sized schedule.</p>

<p>My squadron has quite a few ICs as well. We've got football players, basketball players, swimmmers, wrestlers, you name it. There's one four degree in my squad who's recruited for both football AND baseball. The ICs, from my perspective, spend quite a bit of time at practice. They work hard and come back to the dorms tired. One of my roommates is trying for a spot as a linebacker, and I don't see very much of him during the day. He spent a pretty good chunk of the weekend getting some well-earned rest. </p>

<p>NCAA D1 sports aren't for everybody. To be honest, I don't know if I could handle the additional responsibilities and time constraints that go along with them, but the ICs I've talked to really seem to enjoy themselves. So again, if it's something you're interested in, go for it, and whatever you do, be sure to have fun.</p>

15

<p>Why do some take study skills? How many can take it? Do alot of the IC's take it? Sounds like they easy you into academics the first semseter then add more the second.</p>

16

<p>Taking a double-period at USAFA doesn't raise your credit hours as far as I know. Plus, at a normal college a typical technical class (such as chemistry, EE, etc.) will have 3 hours of class time + 3 hours of lab and be a 3 credit hour class.</p>

17

<p>yup. I have one period of orgo lecture and a double period orgo lab. Each worth 3 hours. :)</p>

<p>Study skills is for people "at risk" academically which puts them in only 4 classes plus study skills. Others with 5 classes can volunteer to be in it. While it may seem nice to have such a low load, you pay for it later with much high class loads as an upperclassman.</p>

18

<p>While we're on the topic of credit hours and such, is it possible to double major at the academies? By the time I'm out of high school, I will have Calc AB and BC, Biology, U.S. History, European History, and English Language + Lit AP course credits along with several IB credits. I'm guessing I will either get credit for these courses or test out of them, so I will be at a fairly advanced standing.</p>

19

<p>mmmm, double majoring is very hard but possible. I validated 29 hours when I got here. With my language minor I have 6 classes every semester (5 freshman, and one not required later in my career). You won't get credit for us history, european history, lang and lit will only validate freshman english. So, using my 29 credits as an example, I could have to only take 5 classes 5 semesters and 6 the rest without the minor and extra class. A double major would push that to 8 classes, 7 minimum with some semesters at 8. It's doable, but makes many miserable.</p>

<p>I validated:
English 111
Calc 141/142 (1 and 2)
Chem 141/142
Biology 215
Comp Sci 211 (wouldn't have taken it anyway, not a core class)
Japanese 131/132
Unarmed combat 1 and 2</p>

<p>I think the better choice (which I am pursuing) is to do one major (and a minor) here, do well and get accepted straight to grad school for my masters. They will also hold a pilot slot for you if you go to grad school. It's an amazing deal but requires a 3.5 GPA to do.</p>

20

<p>Hmmm, I reconsulted my schedule. We were actually issued two different versions. One says three hours straight up, and one splits the double period into two with three hours listed next to each. At any rate, it's not really important. The point is that you'll be spending a significant amount of time outside of class studying and preparing for your classes.</p>

<p>I don't know much about the prospect of double majoring, but from what I've heard, hornet is right on once again. It's supposed to be doable, but tough. A major and a minor would probably make your time here much more enjoyable.</p>