Made up my mind too late?

TitoRocket

5-Year Member
Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
38
Hello everyone,

I am currently a Junior in high school who, only until recently, had not considered attending the AFA. I'd always wanted to serve in the AF, but my parents sort of guided me along the traditional university school path. When I found out about the Academy, it was the perfect way for me to both serve and get a top class education, of which my parents wanted.

However, I guess this revelation came much too late. I have grades on the lower-middle side of the spectrum (Meaning 3.6 gpa with 9 AP classes so far, soon to be 14-15 by senior year) and relatively decent test scores (2090 SAT or 1440 w/o writing). My leadership position comes mainly from being President of the school's medical club this year. Athletic-wise, I am only junior varsity in cross country and track (I only discovered the joys of being fit and healthy in 10th grade...) but they are a huge part of my life.

My biggest regrets are not taking the NJROTC class at my school (because of AP and Honors class' priority), for I imagine it would have helped greatly, and not having anything extremely outstanding in my favor.

Do you guys think that it is too late for me to improve my resume in time? Or is there anything that I can specifically do to kind of help things along? I will be the first member of my family to be in the military, so all of this is new to me, but I am beyond excited to be part of something so honorable and meaningful!

Also, since I kind of jumped on the bandwagon late so to speak, I missed the summer seminar application deadline by a longshot. Is there any alternative, or any possible thing I can do to make up for this loss? I sincerely regret missing this. It looks to be such a great experience...
 
Considering I never planned on going to the academy till the age of 21 and I still got in, it's never too late to keep trying. I guarantee you my application was far worse than yours too.
 
Tito...

It is NOT too late! And do NOT look down on your accomplishments; they are excellent!!! :thumb:

There's work to do but ALL potential candidates need work...and this forum and these super folks will help you!!!

Welcome!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I agree with everyone, the results from the PCQ have yet to be released and will not for at least 6-8 weeks. There is a ton of time left.

The AFA will look at your 7th semester grades so taking all APs next yr will help you, because like colleges, what they want to see is a positive gpa trend, so as long as you keep doing well academically it won't hurt as much as you may think.

Good luck
 
My biggest regrets are not taking the NJROTC class at my school (because of AP and Honors class' priority), for I imagine it would have helped greatly, and not having anything extremely outstanding in my favor.

Don't worry about not taking JROTC. JROTC really doesn't help in getting an appointment since most JROTC cadets are on track to enlist rather than be commissioned. The only real advantage it can give is a possible additional nomination if the school's unit is designated as outstanding.
 
Don't count yourself out yet. You do have a lot of APs going there, so while your GPA isn't that high, your course difficulty is up there. Try to get on the varsity teams for next year. Take the SAT and ACT again, to improve your scores (although a 1400+ on two sections certainly isn't bad, you want every point you can get). Being a club president is good. Are you involved in any other ECs/volunteer work? Not everything has to be massive involvement.

BIG THING: did you contact your ALO yet?
If not, get on that.


You never know until you apply. You might not be the application all-star, but you aren't the kid who raises his hand senior year and asks if he can still get into MIT with a 2.4GPA either.
 
Hello there Tito,

You are not as bad off as you think. I would like to mention that I know of a guy who received an appointment with a 3.59 GPA with AP classes, a 1960 SAT (33 ACT), and no JROTC experience. He did have great athletics and EC's though which is what I think completed his package, he was a well rounded applicant. It is definitely possible with your stats as well.
 
Thanks everyone! The fact that it is actually a possibility, not just a dream, is perhaps the best thing I've heard all month.

I just shot an email to my ALO that the admissions site provided for my school. Hopefully this can get the ball rolling...

Thanks for the warm welcomes, and to everyone applying for 2017 too, perhaps we'll see each other there if fate is kind...

-Niko
 
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