Take Two

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

<p>Well after not getting an appointment to the Air Force Academy this year (co 2009) i have started the ball rolling on the entire application process again. While some here have discouraged me, i have found great support among my family/friends, my ALO and teachers and most importantly myself to begin the reapplication process.</p>

<p>I have already been contacted by my representitive (who mailed me first interestingly enough) saying my file is brought back up for renomination. Ive already registered at our Community College in the Honor Scholar program and selected courses in Physics, Calculus, German and English as well as a Computer Programming course. IVe selected these based on my interest and recommendations from my counselor at the AFA.</p>

<p>I have retaken the SATs and brought my 580 math score up to a 650. I also will be retaking the ACTs in hopes to bring my 27 up to over 30. While my class rank is 12% (61/511; 5.0 GPA/5.0) i still think in a rather competitive school (1.6) that holds some weight. I am on NHS and have been the head technician in our auditorium for the past two years, eventually hired by the school over the summer.</p>

<p>I have a job lined up starting in the fall working at my college. I plan to try out for the Cross Country (always good at running) and hopefully tennis in the spring. Hopefully work experience will help as well. I just have to take the exams (which mock exams show i will pass with no problem) for the CompTIA A+ Certification Exam. With this i can become a field technician for a computre repair company.</p>

<p>Other things that ive got going for me is assisting in community blood drives by Heartland Blood Center. Stage technician work for a churches theatre (volunteer of course). Ive also raised alot of money for the Make A Wish HAlf Marathon program.</p>

<p>Ive taken the new PAE and passed above average on all areas (65 pushups, 12 pull ups, 6:58 mile, 8’6" standing long jump) and overall in goodshape.</p>

<p>I received a presidential award for outstanding academic excelence, a Praire State Archeivement Award in Math, Science and Solcial Science. An Illinois State Scholar. I was also given an award thats given out by our school district, the Ray Livingston Human Relations Award but i am not sure if they will count that-doubt it.</p>

<p>Ive also attened Saturday Morning Physics (a competitive admission program) at Fermi National Accelerator Labs and received the Fermi Lab Science Award (two seperate things). I am an honorary thespian and got a scholarship from my theatre. I also got a scholarship for placing second on a district wide German Exam, offering me another scholarship.</p>

<p>Also based on words of many cadets and people ive talked with i have my reapplication going with me. This is said to carry alot of weight as well.</p>

<p>I hope it doesnt sound like i am bragging (my ALO had to help me talk more about myself…guess it helped :-P) but i wanted to post all i have.</p>

<p>There really is not much i want more than getting into the AFA instead of going to another college. It is what i have wanted to do since iwas in 7th grade and each day i work more and more to getting that goal. Hopefully i can make it as far as i did last time and just get that final boost i need to get an appointment. I think experience from last round is also going to help some too.</p>

<p>Update: Ive sent in my PCQ and its came back competitive.
My source of a nomination for last year said they do NOT rank their nominations and usually do not offer principal nominations. This i think is a good thing…</p>

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<p>Fermi is my back yard! What HS did you attend? And yes, I think that regional award you received is definitely important. Anything helps. After my whole application was accepted I continued to send them any news article about myself that I happened to be in or anything that I voluteered with or any award I received since I sent in the application. ANY LITTLE THING HELPS! I also called admissions several times as I was trying to get things in, making sure they arrived, etc. At my interview, I had both a major and a colonel come to my home to meet my parents then they bombarded me with questions. Nothing too difficult, but they were most concerned with numbers...such as i was tutoring some students in percussion and they asked me how their grade improved...or I helped the JV throwing team with shot and they wanted to know on an average how the team improved because of it. i raised some money for a charity and they wanted to know exactly how much. I think all of this is very tangible for them to report back. Keep that in mind and have stats ready for your interview. That's just my two cents and GOOD LUCK!</p>

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<p>I took my ACT's three times, improving greatly all three times....keep taking them!</p>

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<p>snipper a comment... if I may.</p>

<p>I know people in large competetive schools like yours and i know your work in theatre is stunningly time consuming ,,,as you mentioned in a previous post you wouldnt have time for it and track ( for example) .. no doubt..</p>

<p>but if you have sought AFA since 7th grade, you must have known a sport would be a better fit )more valued by AFA)....... MY guess is that you went with what most fascinated you..... technicl theatre and many of the EC such as at Fermi</p>

<p>So if these are what fascinate you and they are not 'that' important to AFA ...are your sure AFA is where you want (or need) to be </p>

<p>I have struggled with this and what i have told some is ---if you have pursued the things you like and are good at AND you are able to accurately portray that --then -- you will be accepted at places that value who you are ...... not saying a system is perfect but</p>

<p>just for consideration --for you to think about.</p>