<p>Does anyone think 7th grade is too early to start to prepare for the Air Force Academy? I don’t think so but I would like others opinion. If no what can I do now to get ready? </p>
<p>Thanks Tyler</p>
<p>7th grade is NOT too early to start preparing for an academy. The earlier you start to prepare, especially academically and physically, the better. Right now, work your hardest to excel in school. Take the hardest classes possible (AP, CIS, honors, whatever your school offers) and get A's in them. Push yourself. You should also join a sport or two if you haven't already. Take leadership positions in your school and community. There are some excellent previous posts that detail how you can prepare, even in 7th or 8th grade.</p>
<p>I started preparing when I was in 4th grade. ;) Never too early if its your dream.</p>
<p>Echoing what they said.. It's never too early. I was set on the Academy since 7th. I made myself work hard through jr high and high school, which is where it really counts. I developed a huge work ethic that's carried through til now. it'll definitely help if you prepare your mind and work hard :)</p>
<p>Make sure you start working on leadership and athletics now as well. If you don't have a sport or two that you excel in, find one! :) 95% of 2012 had a varsity letter in a sport. I know of many people here who were lacking in the athletic department, and unfortunetly it's not easy for them, especially during Basic. start ASAP in becoming great at a sport so you can be varsity in High School. Really work on leadership opportunities as well.</p>
<p>Along with all of that, make sure you're keeping track of everything you do. Make a list of all the leadership positions, sports, extracurriculars, and everything else you do from now on. Trust me, it'll help. I took that advice starting around 7th grade, and found that it made my life sooo much easier when it came time for writing resumes and college apps.</p>
<p>Great advice from DMAC. Do this.</p>
<p>Go for your eagle scout!</p>
<p>Definitely take the time to start a comprehensive resume NOW. To add to DMAC09's post, you might want a list of your community service work and hours, along with important achievements in your activities. Believe me, it makes it MUCH easier when applying to anything where you need a resume (like National Junior Honor Society, NHS, even the AFA :) ) It is a lot harder to remember what you were involved in a few years down the road!</p>
<p>My son started writing to our congressman and senator when he was in 8th grade and continued with updates throughout high school. Not only were they familiar with who he was, he received nominations from both.</p>
<p>Besides the scouting idea I mention above and the other excellent suggestions, I would add a few more things...</p>
<p>(1) Concentrate on your grades
(2) Take all the math and science you can.
(3) If you are not active in a sport, become so now.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Just a little shameless plug for scouting for everyone.
In my opinion, scouting is perhaps one of the greatest leadership/training opportunities the youth of today have. Where else do you get to do things that apply in real life, learn of the real world, all while usually in some sort of leadership position. Lord Baden Powell (the founder of scouting) designed scouts to resemble the military in organization and operation.<br>
I can attest to the great resume boost eagle gives, but it's only that great because of what has to be done to earn it. The leadership abilities you learn and the leadership you encounter are unforgettable. You learn almost immediatly what leadership styles work and which ones don't which that helps you become a better leader too.
Sorry, it's been said that I was born into a scouting family so plugs like this are just in my blood (also, another sorry to all females! The U.S. is actually only 1 of the few countries that is specifically Boy Scouts and not just the Scouts of America).</p>
<p>See if there is a CAP station nearby. 3 months before I started applying, I found out there was one 1.1 miles from my house.</p>
<p>YES, I am a HUGE CAP advocate, although some units are not as involved as others, I got my best leadership experiences and some extremely valuable other experiences as well in this program. When I joined summer before my Junior year, the unit was dying out, with only a few cadets. I was in charge of stuff in about 2 months and it was a steep learning curve, but SOOO valuable. All I can say is I wish I had joined earlier, there are so many cool things I would have liked to do.</p>
<p>As a prior enlisted guy I usually am not fond of the JROTC and CAP people but USAFA10s has a point. Those types of organizations not only give you leadership expirence but they show your congressmen that you want a life in the military. CAP also has a reserved slot to get into the P school if you don't get in direct. Civil</a> Air Patrol Members</p>
<p>Actually I spoke with USAFA10s and they also let me know that some of the things they learned from CAP translated directly to classes here at the Academy. That in and of itself should make it worth looking into.</p>
<p>Yes, I almost never had to study for Engineering 101 because I had learned the majority of what would be considered "The hard stuff" in CAP</p>
<p>I agree with Soaring Dad. And I started my interest in about seventh grade. It makes high school a lot easier because you have a goal for those four years and I'm a senior and kids in my class still don't know what they want to do next year. You on the other hand will have something to work towards and some direction in your life...which is good! :)</p>