<p>I don’t know if anyone else is in my same situation but it can be kind of awkward for me at times. I have wanted to go to USAFA since 6th grade and have talked about it since then. My best friends since 7th grade recently started talking about the Air Force Academy and wanting to go there during junior year. I have higher SAT’s than both of them, a varsity sport, letter, and team captain and neither of them have any sports. It is hard to talk about the application process and it gets awkward when we all know that only one if any of us will probably get in. Is anyone else in this same predicament where it puts quite a bit of extra stress on the friendship?</p>
<p>I'm not in this situation, but I can understand why it would be awkward. I think you should just avoid talking about the entire process as much as possible, whenever possible. If something needs to be brought up, then so be it, but I'd say to try away from that topic. Awkwardness doesn't have to happen...just try to avoid it.</p>
<p>If it comes up, just be supportive, but no need to go out of your way to encourage them. If the rulers are whipped out, walk away...</p>
<p>There are a couple of two degrees here that are brothers. Imagine THAT...</p>
<p>I had the same situation with 2 of my friends. We were all applying to some combination of the service academies, and all of us were trying for USAFA. It ended up that I got in here, one of the guys got in to West Point, and the other didn't get in to anything at all. For us it helped to talk about the process because we all were going through the same thing at the same time. It surprised me that neither of them got in here, but that's the way it happened. Now both of them are in ROTC (albeit Army because for one guy that's the only program his college offers and for the other one because they gave him the most money), but are perfectly happy where they are. They ended up not doing the "academy thing" but are still going to get to become officers, and heck, they're sure enjoying life more than I am now, but it should all be getting better soon enough. Anyway, I'd say that if it doesn't become too awkward, you all should try to help each other throughout the process. I know that the two guys I mentioned immensely helped me and at the same time, I helped them where I could. It's always nice to have someone else who knows what's going on too.</p>
<p>In response to Shines, in my squadron we have one of two 3 degrees who are sisters too, so it's not like it's set in stone that only one person from each district can get in. My state probably had 7 or so spots last year and we had 14 inprocess, so your chances are better than you think.</p>
<p>My first thought was not to share. But I think Bluefalcon is right - there are no hard and fast rules. If you're all good candidates, you could all get in. The whole point of the Academies is to work together and to help your buddies - good to start early. My son at West Point is spending a lot of time helping his fellow cadets with their math and chem - he's not worried about changing the curve and hurting his own grade. And why don't you encourage your buddies to think about ROTC - as Bluefalcon said, the ROTC guys have a lot more fun and they still end up as officers. And if they go the Army route, they'll learn something about leadership, not just engineering. (I had to throw that in - Go Army, Beat Air Force!</p>
<p>In high school, one of my friendships ended rather bitterly and the girl decided to compete with me for everything throughout the remaining 2-3 years of high school. I didn't really mind, although I was rather annoyed when she suddenly came up with the idea that she suddenly wanted to apply here (not because she wanted to be an officer or serve her country but because she figured it'd look good on a resume later and wanted to ). Our senior year, we both got accepted (as well as a male from our school). Shortly before inprocessing, I was disqualified due to a medical "issue" they didn't waiver. As it turns out, I got in the next year and will be graduating in less than 220 days; the male graduated a few months ago since he was a year ahead. What happened to the other girl? She never made it through basic cadet training.</p>
<p>My point? I think that in the end everything works out how it's supposed to, however that may be.</p>
<p>I think I have a great situation. I know of only one other guy at my school applying for the USAFA, but I don't talk to him. I have 3 other frinds, each applying to a different one (USMMA, USMA, USNA) and we helped each other out with our congressmen's stuff. Also, its great to be able to talk about the academies and be excited with all of us trying for each one. I love it.</p>