Summer Seminar Hopeful? How am I coming?

EmoryAllstate

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2012
Messages
9
Hey guys, I'm a junior in HS and I recently met with my ALO. She really stressed the importance of Summer Seminar. I will be applying December 1st and just wanted to compare "stats" with other hopefuls or past seminar participants.

GPA UnWeighted: 3.88
GPA Weighted: 4.7
Class Rank: Not official yet, but estimated top 25 of a 550 person class
Currently in AP Physics and AP USH, all other classes honors except weightlifting

PSAT: Math: 63
Reading: 60
Writing: 62
(These were my sophomore scores, my scores this year should improve)

PLAN ACT: 29 total score (can't remember individual scores)

Extra-Curricular and Volunteer...
4 years of football, 2 JV and 2 Varsity
Rugby which is not an official school sport
I am an Eagle Scout, in BSA for around 10 years
Member of the Junior Board at my school
Earned the Presidential Award for Volunteering twice
150+ documented volunteer hours at the Carolinas Aviation Museum
Started a fully incorporated business with my brother, we have employees and such.
Various other clubs at my school (French Club, Key Club etc...)
I will be a member of the National Honor Society this year.
Private Pilots license later in October

I have heard that the academy also takes into account the school you attend...anyone know howich truth there is to that? My school is definitely "prestigious" and apparently it's name means something to most colleges.

Thanks for anyone that has something to say,it will mean alot!
 
I got in with slightly lower scores last year but I am from a northeast state that does not get a ton of AFA applicants. NC has a fairly large AF and military presence so your competitition may be a little tougher. Ask your ALO how you look compared to other people in your congressional district - At the end of the day that will be the most important factor.

In regard to your High School, the Acadamey will look at the percentage of students who go on to 4 year colleges. If it is above about 85% than they will give you a little extra credit on the academic portion of the total score.

Run five miles per day, everyday. - I thought I was in good shape but I lost over a minute off my mile time when I was at the academy due to the lack of oxygen.
 
Alrite thanks, I know I need to get some better cardio endurance. I'll stry working on that this spring after football. Thanks!
 
PSAT: Math: 63
Reading: 60
Writing: 62
(These were my sophomore scores, my scores this year should improve)

PLAN ACT: 29 total score (can't remember individual scores)

Keep in mind that USAFA will accept both your ACT and SAT scores and then use the higher of the scores. I advise that you check the individual scores on your PLAN ACT. For instance, an ACT 29 on math is equivalent to a SAT 700. Much better than your PSAT math score. As a general rule students should take both exams even though in most regions of the country, one exam dominates and students may not even be exposed to the other exam. However it is common for a student to score significantly higher on one exam than the other exam as they present material in different ways.

I realize you junior year is busy, but it is advisable to take both exams as many times as you possibly can. USAFA superscores taking the highest score from each section of the exam. So if you score great on math one time while performing poorly on CR and then flip it the next time, you will end up the highest math and highest CR score. This is very advantageous for those candidates who take the exams multiple times. Note: If your are applying to AFROTC, they do NOT superscore. They use the highest score from a single exam.
 
Thanks for anyone that has something to say,it will mean alot!

You are applying to SS, which is more of a "sell the academy to you" rather than "sell yourself to the academy" event.

Test scores (SAT, ACT, PSAT, PLAN) are optional.

That being said, there are many factors which influence SS selection, and the prestige of your HS or the high number of AF personnel in your area are probably not among the highest selection criteria.

Summer seminar application/selection may look good on your resume but for your ALO to stress its "importance" on admissions is probably not accurate, as over half the incoming class did not attend SS, and there are many who have never even heard of it.

Please keep in mind that selection to attend Summer Seminar is NOT in any way a prerequisite for admission to the Academy.
If you are not selected for Summer Seminar, it should not be interpreted as a reflection on your qualifications or ability to
successfully pursue an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.
 
As always Luigi is correct - quality of HS won't mean much for SS admission but it will be counted when you actually apply to the academy. SS also does not give you any extra points in the overall admission score but I think it helps a lot in the nomination process - at least in my district. The congressional staff people I have spoken with all have asked about SS and it has given me some good points to write about in my essay and talk about in the upcoming interviews. I also think it will help me tremendously if I do get in. Having spent a few days at the academy and knowing where the buildings are, how to eat at attention, what type of PT they do etc, etc has helped me mentally prepare.
 
Thanks again guys...
I realize that SS is not all that important for the academy when they are considering applications, but I know that it is really the bet way of seeing if the academy is right for me and what I really want to do.
 
Thanks again guys...
I realize that SS is not all that important for the academy when they are considering applications, but I know that it is really the bet way of seeing if the academy is right for me and what I really want to do.

Don't take my post as a sign of discouragement at all, by all means apply and if accepted go - you'll love it!

My son attended SS and came home so gung-ho for the USAFA it was all he talked about for days. He was loaded up with an AFA logo jacket, shirts, calculator, shorts, water bottles, backpack, etc - a lot of AFA logo items.

I was amazed at the amount of items he had to give away when he declined his appointment. :eek:
 
Why did he decline?? Just out of curiosity

Because they won't let you go to 2 different SA's at the same time, except on a semester exchange program. :wink:

(He accepted a USCGA appointment instead.)

Good luck with your SS application, looks like you are on the right path for an appointment as long as you stay out of trouble and stay healthy.
 
I am not sure the actual high school as too much to do with your application to USAFA (though not sure specifically about SS since my kids didn't apply). My sons were home schooled/cyber schooled/4-year-college by the time they were 16, never had a "regular" high school or high school experience.

Just don't forget when applying to any US Service Academy: you probably are a top dog in your high school, but so is almost EVERYONE else who applies. That's your competition, not the guy from Physics who's off to MIT but can't run a mile, or the nice gal in Calc AB who aces every exam but has no leadership experience or ability.

But one thing you DO have going for you: have your football coach contact USAFA's Football coach. They might need some help there. :thumb:
 
You look pretty decent. The Academy is looking for commitment to sports/extracurricular activities and that you are enrolled in accelerated academic courses. As for the high school being a determining factor, no. USAFA does not look at what high school you came from, YOU are applying not the high school.

Here is a link from a few years back that helped me, an old eligibility link that is still on the academys site:

https://admissions.usafa.edu/secure/summer/start.html

I had the privilege of attending the Summer Seminar this last summer. Loved it! The people there were great and it really helped me make a decision on whether I was going to make a commitment or not. Go for the seminar, just don't stress about whether you are going to get in or not. Enjoy the ride... :thumb:

Good luck!
 
If you don't mind me asking:

What kind of business do you run? If that is too personal to post on a forum could you pm the details? I also ran a business this summer and want to compare, of course only if you feel comfortable.

Thanks,

Bear
 
Well it is just a lawn cutting service that my bother and I started about 5 years ago around the neighborhood. Now we have grown to service 20 somethin lawns all over town. It may seem childish, but it brings in plenty of money for a little work each weekend. This past year we officially became a business and have employees, although we do have to pay taxes now.
Thanks for everyone's posts! They help a ton!
 
I've just been laying in bed and come up with a few questions to ask...

First off, how often shouldi be in contact with my ALO, againg im a Junior in HS.

Second, I am taking the PSAT and PLAN test later this week, but scores will not be back in till late December. I know I didn't do too well on these tests last year but now I fear that my new scores won't be a part of my SS application....

Lastly, when do you actually apply to the Academy, and when do you typically get the big news?
 
Emory, you might consider getting out of bed and reading past posts here on how/when to apply, what questions go into interviews, what to expect, etc.

Just a mom here, doing what I do best (annoying teenagers being my specialty!).
 
Emory - You don't need to apply on decemebr 1st. Looks a little better but not a huge deal. However you can submit updates after you send in the original application also. I would suggest taking the SAT in early December and then applying after you have those scores which will be only 2.5 weeks later.
 
Ok it is good to know that you can make updates to your application. I also have scheduled a day in November to take the SAT, so those scores will be in by December. I have the PSAT tommorow morning, thanks for all of your help!
 
Second, I am taking the PSAT and PLAN test later this week, but scores will not be back in till late December. I know I didn't do too well on these tests last year but now I fear that my new scores won't be a part of my SS application....

I realize you are a junior and you have not taken an ACT or SAT yet. This is common and you have some time.

But since you are asking for free advice, I'd recommend taking multiple ACT tests ASAP. My DS took about two tests a year starting in 9th grade. Knowing the material is one thing. But learning how to test efficiently is another and is problematic for a subset of students. My DS thought he could get a 36 if he had more time. That's because he has an analytical mind and test taking speed is not his strength. I joke his mind is a serial port versus a parallel port.:smile: He worked his way up from 26 (9th grade) to 32 (12th grade) after taking it 6 or 7 times.

To mitigate possible perception risks, we didn't send multiple test scores to every college that he was interested in. We waited till he was a senior and submitted only one set of test scores. This isn't a problem with the SA's but it could be if you were applying to a traditional tier one college. Because of the time limits and the ability to take the test multiple times, I'm not a believer that ACT scores benchmark intelligence but I understand there is a correlation. But that is societies perception and the way colleges measure your "brain power".:rolleyes: Learn the game rules and play it as best as you can.

When you sign-up, realize that you have the option to buy the test questions (showing what answers you got wrong) on about 1/3 of the ACT tests. We didn't realize that until he was a senior and didn't notice this option when my DD was taking the tests. So if you are in the phase of mastering the material, buy the test questions and your answers. :thumb:

Good Luck! :)
 
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