<p>Indeed, settling in the computers. I’m looking forward to academics starting too. Nice change. </p>
<p>A-day parade was today. Went off well, but I saw 3 people around me fall out unfortunately. They didn’t look good at all. One guy just fell backwards all of a sudden, thankfully an EMT was right behind him with someone else so he was ok, but disgruntled. Getting the shoulderboards rocked I must say. Many people had family then for a couple hours, the rest of us chilled. </p>
<p>Right now we’re just messing with these amazing computers. It’s going to be hard to get our rooms in order with this magnificent object sitting here!</p>
<p>Let’s see, I have 2 room mates, we’re all good to go. One of the lives 5 miles away from me at home, so its nice to reminesce (sp?).</p>
<p>Basic ended well for my squadron again! Barbarians was awarded a trophy for attaining honor squadron in both first AND second BCT. Basically (no pun intended) it certainly helps with the upperclassman as we hit the ac squads, but we have high expectations to meet. We’ll live up!</p>
<p>On a final note, our dear 2nd LT UNCynical loved to send me a letter with glitter and a package today with, I swear, a JAR’s worth of glitter and confetti mixed in with everything else. But its all red, so I can’t complain!</p>
<p>Welcome back, to you and the rest of your fellow four degrees.</p>
<p>"...package today with, I swear, a JAR's worth of glitter and confetti mixed in with everything else."s </p>
<p>Pretty close. There was a pint of the red glitter (plus a few packets of red confetti, a bag of red feathers, and a small bag of red beads). ;)</p>
<p>"But its all red, so I can't complain!"</p>
<p>Of course. You expected anything else? I thought you'd appreciate it -- I don't think i could have stuffed even another speck of glitter in that box as full as it was. :)</p>
<p>Just a tad of vacuuming from sorting out the stuff. My room is a mess from computer stuff anyways, o well. I mean, im eating dinner as I write this. Good stuff. For now. ;)</p>
<p>hi there, i'm brand new to this forum. i'm a senior in high school this year and i'm applying to the air force academy. i was reading over your posts and i have so many questions about basic. i know you're probably super busy getting adjusted to the academic year, but if you have time it would be great if you could tell me a little bit about bct and what you had to go thorough. also, any tips about the application process? i'm applying for nominations right now... thanks so much!</p>
<p>Bro...there's so much I don't know where to begin. Bottom line is, don't expect too much or too little of it or think about it too much. Basic is something you have to take as it comes, day by day, and just get by and do what you have to. I have to get to a briefing in 10 minutes, but send me an email and I'd be happy to talk to you one on one, about either basic, freshman year, applying, whatever. I'll send you my email in a private message.</p>
<p>Basic is very standard for everyone. But I can tell you that some squadrons are run differently than others. For example, in Barbarians, during JV, we were expected to support the entire squadron if anyone was trained, not just our flight. Essentially, we were almost always out in the "hall" training. We had tough cadre, but it was worth it. We trained hard and we earned the prize. That's the feeling you want coming out of Basic. Try thinking of some specific questions and we can answer well, you can't get anywhere near the idea from a generic overview. </p>
<p>On the same general note. We live meal to meal. Look any further and its overwhelming. Even now I live day to day looking to parent's weekend, if you don't, you go insane. You do what you have to do and you do ok. Look at me, I still have trouble locking it up I'm such an optomistic person! :)</p>
<p>Basic is really something you have to see for yourself. For me, I expected hours on end of physical training, but that really did not happen that often. (That is a very good thing for me, looking back.) Be fit though, it will make your time MUCH more enjoyable. Something that I did not fully understand was attention to detail. I spent 20 minutes making my bed, only to have it tossed because one sheet was a little over a quarter of an inch off.</p>
<p>It is very much about attitude and effort. The Cadre see both very clearly, and a good attitude is what will get you through.</p>
<p>Doing well in school, decent test scores, and VERY importantly are leadership activities. Just do as much as you can and follow the website instructions really.</p>
<p>Grades and leadership count a lot, at least that is what got me in. If you are a recruited athlete, (I did not know how many there were!) then, obviously, athletics is huge. Do well on the tests, because that is what they use for much of their initial screening, as far as I believe.</p>
<p>Yes, follow the web site advice!
<strong><em>My comments are just my personal opinion, not fact.</em></strong></p>
<p>Mine was a 1390, which is a tad higher than the norm. A lot of people hover between 1150-1300. One guy in my squad (mostly same classes as me) got a 1590. Ridiculous!</p>
<p>Maybe this forum should have a sticky or something where cadets post the scores that got them in? Might clear up all the "what are my chances/what got you in?" questions and will give a good gauge as to how competitve a candidate is.</p>
<p>We've done several threads in the past with that info. Just think of it this way. If you are decent in academics, decent physically, and you have leadership activites, you have a good shot. Plus, why would you not take the opportunity. In 5-10 years are you going to regret not TRYING to get in?</p>
<p>Oh, I'm gonna try. As of now though, I'm probably not competitive at all, yet I still have 2 years of HS to really kick it in high gear.</p>
<p>The sticky thread was just to stop the "what are my chances questions?" and just put a thread up where we see successful candidates scores. Maybe a sub-forum called "What Are My Chances?"</p>
<p>Oh and you say you have "done several threads in the past with that info" but why were they stopped?</p>
<p>They are just old now. If they aren't in the beginning of the threads they're in the archives. You can access the archives, search it or something. But again, apply anyways, its worth a few bucks to try.</p>
<p>mrob - take the time to read the older threads. There is no specific score or GPA that qualifies you as a shoe in. Each and every Appointee has many strengths, some much better than others. None the less, all applicants are evaluated as a "total package". Great stats on paper will not make up for a poor interview (if they are offered one). Each Congressional and Senatorial review panel has seen many applicants over the years. They are able to sift through the applications and weed out some that "look good" to the untrained eye. Continue to work hard, challenge yourself, demonstrate leadership (in and out of school). I might also suggest that you direct some of your questions to the parents forum. There are many more parents from ALL the academies that have guided their sons and daughters through the application process. We are glad to help.</p>