What else should I do to become a cadet?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
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<p>I just found this forum and am so glad I found lots of topics about getting into the Air Force Academy. I am to be a junior in high school as of now. I’m wondering: what kind of involement did you have in high school that you thing helped you get accepted? I’m a Life Scout right now, working on Eagle, which I hope to achieve later this year. </p>

<p>As far as GPA on the 4.0 scale, I’ve found many different conversions, but my overall average over high school so far has been about 94 or so, about a 3.8 GPA according to the Princeton Review website. I’m taking the most challenging courses my school offers, and as of now I am on the track to taking 5 AP classes. </p>

<p>I also have 8 college credits so far from the Project Lead the Way engineering program, and will receive 12 more as well when I complete the courses I’m taking in the program. I’m in the tech club at school now, and have worked on some small robotics projects and ways to learn about engineering.</p>

<p>In my spare time I do things with my Boy Scout troop, volunteer at a homeless shelter, participate in church youth group activities and practice target rifle shooting. </p>

<p>I hope to start track for the first time in a long while being on the school team this year. I want to practice on my own until I can go on the team. I really screwed up not participating in more sports activities when I was younger and hope to remedy that while I am still able to. Any ideas of what else I could do? Do you think anything I’ve described would catch the eye of the admissions office?</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for your time and for taking the noble choice in serving our country with your time and lives.</p>

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<p>The only thing that will catch the admissions office more than what you're doing are some high SAT and ACT scores. Take it at least twice, or as many as three or four times, since they will mix and match scores from different sections to give you the best possible score.</p>

<p>Secondly, get EVERYTHING done as soon as you can. Meet every application deadline in advance, start talking to your congressman's office, senator's office, find out who you can contact as far as a Liason Officer is...etc. Be persistent with application, and as professional as possible. That will grab attention immediately.</p>

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<p>You sound a lot like I did. Make Eagle! Do well on the Standardized tests, be sincere, get stuff in early, and most importantly BE MOTIVATED.</p>

<p>I almost lost sight of my goals last year, and it almost cost me Eagle. Just make sure you know what you are doing and why (i.e. USAFA).</p>

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<p>Ryan,
just as Guy said, stay ahead of the deadlines. Since you are a junior in hs, you still have time to work on scoring well on ACT and/or SAT. Take both! You may do better on one over the other.<br>
You can send introduction letters to your Congressman's and Senator's offices now, however I personally would wait until after the 2011 Applicants deadline has past. There is a chance your letter may not get the attention is deserves while the 2011 files are still active. If you stay at it, you can be done with all your stuff before your senior year starts. At least that is a goal to strive for. I have shared this approach before. You want to enjoy your senior year. Once classes start next fall, you will have more on your plate. Start practicing the AFT skills. Work hard at Track and consider running XC in the fall. The altitude at the AFA will affect your breathing and stamina. Work on endurance more so than speed.<br>
Last but not least, remember to thank your parent(s) for the years of guidance. I doubt you give your parent's any problems. None the less, we love to hear our kids appreciate us. ;)</p>

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<p>Your in good shape. Keep your physical stamina up to score decent/well on the CFA and keep doing what your doing. I'd say your well in the running.</p>

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<p>Thanks for everyone's help. I've lived by the Scout Oath and Law to the best of my ability and hope to continue to do so. </p>

<p>As for the physical side, for which I feel I might be lacking, I started doing pushups last February for a reason I still cannot remember. At the time I could only do 10 pushups at a time (I was pathetic), and slowly progressed to now where I can do 70 (fast, not holding on "up") pushups at a time, at least 2 times a day, sometimes more.</p>

<p>I have several reasons for wanting to attend the US Air Force Academy. First is to serve my country "...to do my duty to God and my country...". I have been thinking about joining some branch of the military for some time now, since about 9th grade I have been thinking seriously about it. Second is to try something new and challenging, as I am sure the Air Force Academy is by the accounts I've heard about it. Third is to make my parents proud, which I hope to have done so far in my life. </p>

<p>My parents have always given me motivation, will continue to motivate me, and will back me up on what I choose to do with my life. For this reason I think I've never had an "I want to join the Air Force" talk with my parents. If there is any way I think I can repay them for all they have done for me I hope to do it somehow.</p>

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<p>DO NOT let this be a reason to come here. Your parents would be proud, but that is a WRONG reason, people leave this place when they come with reasons like that. </p>

<p>The other two are good reasons and you will do well if you concentrate on them. I want to serve to help my servicemen, chances are I won't be in the fight, but I will repair the people that do. If I can't fight well, I can ensure others can. See where I'm going here? Serving the country is a great reason, now try to think HOW you will and you will have a clearer path before you. </p>

<p>Keep up the great attitude.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice hornetguy. By ensuring you keep those who fight able to fight I assume you mean you are in the medical field. I do see where you are going about not "making my parents proud" be a reason to attend. </p>

<p>My parents have always said that if I'm happy, they are happy. By making them proud I mean challenging myself, finding what I am capable of, what I can improve on, taking the hardest courses I can manage, and become a follower and THEN a leader as I've heard, and to use my leadership to encourage and help others do the same. </p>

<p>In my high school becoming a leader is a joke. We have elections for student council every year, which is about the only position of leadership to be attained. The council includes President, Vice President, etc., and I've had the same President from 6th grade til 10th grade! Well this year, we were lucky enough to get a new one elected, who isn't as arrogant as the last one. The vice president is a C student who gets into more trouble than most, my point being it is a popularity contest, not based on abilities of any kind at all. </p>

<p>I want to become an engineer, of which kind I am not completely sure of at the moment, but probably an electronics, mechanical, aerospace, or chemical engineer. </p>

<p>I've received a PM from someone regarding checking out other academies as well. As a Tenderfoot Scout I went to the annual West Point camporee, where I toured the campus, saw the museum, hiked Bull Hill (I've heard it's "bull" if you can't make it :) ). I've also been to New London where I saw the Coast Guard Academy. I was more impressed with West Point of the two.</p>

<p>I looked into the Air Force and heard of the Air Force Academy. I've never visited, but would like to. The idea of working with aircraft or aircraft-related systems has been a fascination for me since I was younger. Making aircraft safer in design or electronics would be a way I could help the pilots.</p>

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<p>He's not saying that you shouldn't make your parents proud, but just that you shouldn't take it too far and let the reason that you are applying to the Academy be that your parents really want you to go or you don't want to disappoint them if you decide not to. Plain and simple, make it your desire and your goal to attend the Academy.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice usafa21. It's not that my parents want me to go or anything, choosing to talk to them about the academy was my decision, and would not disappoint them at all if I chose not to go or don't get accepted. </p>

<p>I've read a webpage written by a class of '00 graduate from the Academy who mentioned a version of SERE training done at the academy, involving a week of survival training and an "escape from the upperclassmen" test at the end of it. I later read that this was "discontinued" in 2003 due to some issues with the program. Has this since been replaced by something similar? What about the other summer programs between years at the Academy that would have taken place while this student was at the school, like getting glider wings and finding the colored rocks hidden by the seniors? It seems a lot has changed at the Academy over a short period of time, I'd like to learn what has been the usual summer program for cadets over the last few summers?</p>

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<p>Well, there is no single summer program. Cadets get some choices, although some are required. BCT, global engagement, and ops are required as far as I know. Soar, jump, Summer Seminar staff, and a bunch of others are optional (or "voluntold") possitions.</p>

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<p>Wow raimius, that really surprises me. I would have thought that more of it was mandatory by the way the cadet from the class of '00 described it. But then again, it's been 6 years and a lot has changed apparently. </p>

<p>Are these summer programs still on a 3-week basis or do they vary in length, and if you choose not to take one, would you have time to do something else other than Air Force Academy curriculum or Air Force training, or are you committed to spending your entire summer to officer training?</p>

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<p>You can get one three-week period of leave. You need to do something during the other two. An easy way to explain it would be that there are "core" programs that everyone does, then there are "electives." Although, as a cadet, you may be voluntold into an "elective" course. Two degrees and Firsties usually get more choices. I have also heard that your grades/standings will effect whether you can get your first choice or not.</p>