Hornet, You know I adore you, but you need to be honest and no sugar coating...you are no longer a cadet, but an OFFICER who is an AFA ring knocker.
FutureAFA
If I really try and push myself, which I will regardless of what career path I end up taking, the chances of succeeding don’t seem too low
Don't (doesn't) seem too low?
Fess up, and give the straight skinny.
3.0 gpa at the AFA and you basically have a snowballs chance in Hades to get accepted, UNLESS you have a hook!
3.5 gpa makes you competitive, but now what is that breakdown for the AFA?
You know me, I prefer to be calling it like it is. For a candidate to state after you just gave the criteria that he thinks his chances are high, means he doesn't get what you just said. I don't know if he didn't do the math to realize that it would be 10K to apply for Med school. I don't know if he thinks MCATS are like SATs. I don't know if he thinks that because he may be the Valedicatorian at his HS that he will be in the minority. (no offense future, I just don't know your academic record or your mindset)
I also adore Flieger, but I think his one statement got lost in the mix
What folks forget is this: it's very difficult to go to medical school from ANY college. NOW...toss in the added issues from ANY SA of: military training, athletic, academic, other training, etc....etc...and the load is frighteningly difficult!
That would be why 25% of any SA that arrives on I-DAY is not commissioned 4 yrs later at the AFA.
EVERY SA is like an IVY. It is not a cake walk, and what needs to be realized is you are no longer the best of the best at your school, you are starting with a brand new slate against everyone that was the best of the best at their HS.
I also think Hornet is a better example of someone who was FUTURE 5 yrs ago. He went in thinking this is my path, but he allowed the AFA to show him the unlimited opportunities and when he was a C1C he actually had to think about the options that were offered to him. I bet if you ask him when he showed up for I DAY in 2006 he never saw his career path taking this route.
Future,
I really do wish you the very best and I hope you get into the AFA, HOWEVER, don't put the cart before the horse. Have your dreams and goals, but be open to other things. You are 17, you'll be amazed that in 14 months when you come home for winter break and re-read your posts on this site how much your mind thought will have changed.