What steps to take after rejection

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

<p>I havnt gotten a letter of any kind from the Academy yet, but just out of curiosity i’m wondering which of the two paths i’m about to propose is most likely taken by the unfortunate people who do not get an appointment.</p>

<p>A) I would reapply to the Academy starting again in July, which I believe is the earliest possible , and complete the material for early admission. In the process I would try to get as much leadership experience as possible over the summer before I head off the college for a year. At college I would take the same courses that the Academy 4th degrees have to take. Also, I would be enrolled in Air Force ROTC.</p>

<p>B) I would go to college, take part in ROTC, gain more leadership and such, but wait till the class of 2015 to apply, so basically I would reapply after 1 full year of college, and have to complete 2 years before going to the Academy.</p>

<p>The problem I see with plan A is that when I apply, it will be so close to this year that I wont have much stuff to add, I wont be able to show the Academy my college grades, I would have trouble getting reccomendations since none of my college proffesors would know me. Basically, under plan A i would be the same candidate as this year, just with an impressive schedule lined up for college.</p>

<p>Under plan B, I would have enough time to be able to show the Academy how I did at college, gain more leadership from ROTC and incorporate that into my package, most likely get to know more proffessors and get better recomendations.</p>

<p>I would love to reapply starting this June, but i think that if I get rejected now, the same thing will happen if I reapply so fast.</p>

<p>If anyone has any input for me, or knows what most people that get accepted to the Academy after being rejected once normally do, I would greatly appreciate some advice.</p>

2

<p>Want2fly,
First thing I would advise is do is stay positive. I read your post along the lines of "I'm still positive, but I want my back-up plan to be focused on 'getting in' next year."</p>

<p>So, if you get bad news, first do all you can to find out where your package could have been stronger and focus on those things. Ask your admissions counselor and your ALO for feedback and to point out the areas that needed improvement. Then focus on THOSE areas. It appears both your stated options (which are really the same thing; the difference is when you chose to apply) work on "leadership" and "college-level" academics, but is that where you feel you need improvement? And remember, "leadership" in a first year of ROTC is mainly learning "follower-ship."</p>

<p>If your SATs are low look into a "free-agent" at one of the civil prep options. There are those who chose to go to the same places the Falcon Foundation sends their Falcon Scholars; they just pay their own way. Many, if not most, of them are successful the next year. That might be an additional option for you that many others have found yields a positive result.</p>

3

<p>As a college applicant, I understand what you are saying about plan A. However, I think you concern about not getting recommendations from your professors is unfounded. Get to know them as soon as class starts, and ask them about giving recommendations. I got recommendations from 3 of my profs, and I only knew one of them before the school year began. I found that they were very willing and even eager to help me, and I think their endorsements helped with getting my nomination. Supply them with your resume, and give them the opportunity to get to know you so they can feel comfortable about giving you the recommendation. </p>

<p>Also, besides official transcripts (which depending on the college should be ready by the middle of December), and a nomination, you should still be able to have your application about complete at a fairly early date. You would be able to show them what you're involved in, what steps you taken to improve yourself, and that you are truly committed to the AFA. It might even be possible to have an unofficial transcript w/ your mid-term grades, or perhaps ask your profs to send out grade reports just to show the Academy how you've done so far. It never hurts to try. </p>

<p>I definitely agree with RaptorDad that it would be best to inquire as to what areas need the most improvement. But if I were you, I wouldn't throw out Plan A because of the things you listed. Just my $.02. :) Good luck! I'm in the same waiting game you are.</p>

4

<p>First off I just want to thank both of you for your input. </p>

<p>I have talked extensively with my ALO and we have both come to the conclusion that the main weakness in my package is the amount of leadership I possess.</p>

<p>I live about 15 miles away from my school, and i'm a year younger than most people are in my grade, so naturally I got my license a year later. The distance from school, and the fact that both of my parents work all day, didnt enable me to join school sports teams or clubs until late junior year. </p>

<p>Most of the leadership experience that I presented to the Academy was from the part time jobs that i've held since i've had my license. I made it a point to let the Academy and my Congressman know that I found and still find it more important to be able to come home afterschool during the time that I couldnt drive, and help my parents out by doing chores to take the load off their minds after work.</p>

<p>Nonetheless I know that i'm still lacking in leadership experience.</p>

<p>So, generally what I really need to improve on for this next year, or the year after that, (provided I dont get in) is increase my volunteer time/ experience and get more leadership experience.</p>

<p>And yes, RaptorDad2013, I realize that the first year of ROTC will result mostly in learning more " follower-ship", but i'm sure theres bound to be few occasions where I can step in and take charge of something, or help someone out in a positive way.</p>

5

<p>Want2Fly,</p>

<p>First of all, keep your positive attitude no matter what happens. You sound like you sincerely want to go to the USAFA, and become an Officer. Remember that you may, or may not get accepted...but also know that those who do get accepted are no better than yourself. Circumstances sometimes dictate the way things turn out. If you do go through an AF ROTC program, you may find this is an excellent opportunity to get a commission, and flying slot. I would highly recommend you apply for an AF ROTC scholarship if you do not go to the USAFA this year. I wish you the best of luck whatever your future holds. I know it sounds silly but it's true that "when one door closes, another opens". Keep your great attitude. It will serve you well!</p>

6

<p>Thanks Equiracer,</p>

<p>I'm still positive, and always will be.</p>

<p>I applied for an AF ROTC scholarship and am waiting on both word from it and the Academy.
My ALO told me I was a stronger candidate for a ROTC scholarship than the Academy, which doesn't surprise me given my current package and whatnot. If I am granted a scholarship then i'll be happy and use it at one of the colleges I got accepted to. I know that ROTC is a great way to become an Officer, and I would be happy to get commissioned through the program, but i'm going to set my sights on graduating from the Academy until I cant reapply anymore.</p>

7

<p>Want2Fly, I was in the same situation as you. I had originally planned on going to USAFA, and my ALO made it clear that leadership was huge. However, I did not realize its importance until it was too late. When the Congressional Nomination interview came, they burned me on that one aspect, and I knew walking away from that interview I didn't have a chance. Sure enough, a week later I got that "thanks but no thanks" letter, so I didn't even bother finishing the USAFA application online.</p>

<p>Now, assuming you got the nomination, do not get discouraged if you get a disappointing letter in the mail. You have made it past the stage where most applicants have washed out, at the Nomination stage. Upon receiving my rejection letter, I immediately revamped my resume and filled out an AFROTC application. About a month later the interview came, and learning from the mistakes I made at the Nomination interview, I was a great deal more prepared. After a few months of suspense I awarded a scholarship on the second selection board. </p>

<p>I am positive you will be fine whatever path you choose. I can't imagine you not getting the AFROTC scholarship if you have made it this far into the USAFA application. When I went to Embry-Riddle on a college search I talked to a female cadet who had actually gone to the USAFA her freshman year and left after that. She made it clear it was not for everyone, but what made her go with AFROTC instead of following through with USAFA was the harsh lifestyle, whereas in AFROTC you live pretty much like a normal college student, and that AFROTC and USAFA were two paths to the same outcome. Don't get me wrong, the USAFA is an awesome way to go and graduating from there is a very prestigious honor, but with AFROTC you would still be able to fulfill your dreams of becoming and Air Force Officer just as you would going through USAFA. If you go there it will be the hardest four years of your life, but also the most rewarding.</p>

<p>Either way, I know you will be fine. Best of luck on getting your Academy appointment and scholarship award! Be sure post when you find out!</p>

8

<p>Thank you Seannay320, and congratulations on getting your AFROTC scholarship.</p>

<p>Just out of curiosity, did you end up going to Embry-Riddle for ROTC? The reason I ask is because i've been accepted and if i'm lucky enough to get a full ROTC scholarship i plan on going there this Fall, unless the Academy accepts me.</p>

<p>If you are at Embry-Riddle right now, how do you like the detachment? I know it's supposed to be the largest in the nation, but sometimes smaller can be better. When I went to Valdosta for my ROTC interview, I fell in love with that detachment, granted it's the only detachment i've visited. The Valdosta detachment is much smaller than the Embry-Riddle one, perhaps 1/3 the size. I guess what i'd like to know is, how is the camaraderie at such a large detachment?</p>

<p>If you dont go there, then I apologize for rambling on, haha.</p>

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<p>Want2Fly,</p>

<p>I am a high school senior right now and visited Embry-Riddle in November 2008, I was accepted in January. It is definitely the largest detachment, with around 250 cadets. When I went there I only talked for a few minutes with the cadets, but from what they said I wouldn't worry about getting lost in the crowd. There are tons of groups and things to do with such a giant detachment, and they have nice central ROTC building.
When they warm up in the morning, they sometimes run on the Daytona speedway (2 mile lap!) which I think is pretty cool. The pilot selection rating is quite high at about 75% considering all the people there (the highest I know about it Purdue University where 92% (23/25) got pilot slots last year).</p>

<p>Anyways what I got from visiting it was that it was a really awesome detachment and the cadets seem to love it there, but I understand your ideas about a smaller detachment there is a more close-knit group. I wouldn't worry about that at Embry-Riddle.</p>

10

<p>Ok, thanks for letting me know, it sounds awesome, and I think that I would like that detachment the best, Embry-Riddle is where i'd go if the Academy rejected me and if I could afford it. So far all I have is the Embry-Riddle Scholar scholarship, which means I need to scrounge up another remaining $30,000 a year, or close to it. So i'm crossing my fingers for an ROTC scholarship.</p>

<p>Have you decided on what college you're going to attend yet?</p>

<p>I didn't know that they run on the Daytona speedway, but i have heard that they run on Daytona beach, which is pretty cool as well, in my opinion.</p>

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<p>I'm not quite sure where I'm going yet, I'm still waiting to hear from Notre Dame. My top three are Embry-Riddle, Purdue, and Notre Dame, I still need to visit them once more but I'm leaning towards Embry-Riddle right now....especially because of the proximity to the world's most famous beach!</p>

<p>And about the ROTC scholarship....some kids might not hear back until April if their application was reviewed by March or April review boards. Until then you can keep checking your status online...I found out my scholarship results 10 days before I got it in the mail. I was awarded the type 7 scholarship which is only applicable to a state school with tuition under $9,000, but if you're going to an out of state school it changes into a 3 year type II for $15,000 a year which is what I'm going to do. What's nice about that is Embry-Riddle will pay the $15,000 for freshman year that ROTC won't cover. And combined with the Embry-Riddle scholarship for $5,000 a year, that's a total of $80,000 off tuition....not bad at all.</p>

<p>Like I said, I wouldn't freak out about it you'll be fine either way. Do you have any top choices other than the three you mentioned?</p>

12

<p>Yeah, I just found out a few nights ago about those Embry-Riddles subsidies for ROTC,such as that extra $15,000 for freshman year, and then an additional $5000 with the 3 year $15000 is the reason i'm considering ERAU again. They gave the ERAU Scholars Scholarship as well, which is an additional $4000 a year for 4 years, so I'm feeling more comfortable about going there If I have to.</p>

<p>Besides the AFA, ERAU, and VSU, the only other college that i'm considering with ROTC is UGA, and they'll release decisions April 1st I believe. Theres a few other colleges that i've been accepted to that dont have ROTC programs, so i'll more than likely not end up going there.</p>

<p>I'm really hoping to get the Type 7 scholarship like you got and then swap it for the Type 2 as ERAU is my number 2.</p>

<p>If things dont go my way with the Academy, it seems more than likely that we could both end up at ERAU, haha.</p>

13

<p>Speaking from my own experience... </p>

<p>After</a> high school graduation... Northwestern Preparatory School</p>

<p>It is the best and most rewarding option. The experience and opportunities are amazing. I got rejected to USMA and USAFA last year and I got accepted to both this year (also still waiting to hear from Navy). Some of those other options sound tempting but if you want to get to an academy this is the closet thing you will have to a guarantee.</p>

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<p>Just to add my two cents. Embry-Riddle was my second choice and got accepted a couple days after USAFA. My father described it as the "Civilian Air Force Academy". Thats probably not quite a fair assesment however it is a lovely campus.</p>

15

<p>hey want2fly...check this thread out...last year i was in almost the exact situation you are in (erau vs. usafa), and this thread really put things into perspective for me -- especially the post by freefall_pilot. </p>

<p>USAF</a> vs. ERAU - Page 3 - Airline Pilot Central Forums </p>

<p>the whole thread is about erau vs. usafa, but i really think you should read the post by FREEFALL_Pilot on page 3.</p>

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<p>thanks everyone, just to let you guys know, I got a rejection letter on Saturday. So now I am planning for next year, etc. I'm not giving up yet =]</p>

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<p>good attitude!</p>

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<p>sorry about that man...good luck!</p>

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<p>I read that post undercoveraviatr, the freefall guy really glorified the USAFA in terms of aviation (don't get me wrong USAFA really is top shelf) but he didn't take into account ROTC or the aerospace engineering degree that is just as good if not better than USAFA's. USAFA does blow away ERAU as a school in general, but if you combine ERAU with ROTC and the prestigious aerospace degree (and a pilot slot if you're going for that), then you will end up in virtually the same position as if you had gone to USAFA.
But yes....USAFA would be the ultimate if you can get there!</p>

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<p>I'm sorry to hear that want2fly. However you should take pride in the fact you had made it all the way up to this point, you beat out thousands of applicants like myself. Remember, there's always the Academy prep-school if you're dead-set of going there.</p>

<p>I got some disappointing news myself, as I got deferred by USC and Notre Dame today, the most competitive schools I applied to. But it does narrow the college search down a bit which is relieving.</p>

<p>I'll be crossing my fingers for you on the ROTC sholarship decision....best of luck!!!</p>