GPA vs placing out of classes

M

Matthewmillr94

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2011
Messages
77
Hey all,

I spent last semester at Northwestern Preparatory School on a Falcon Foundation Scholarship. This semester I plan on taking a class that my local university offers called multivariable calculus with linear algebra along with second semester chemistry and probably physics III. These are all classes that I should have a fairly thorough understanding in by the end of the semester if this semester is anything like my experience with these subjects in the past. Therefore, I believe that I will be able to place out of a lot of these classes during BCT. At NWP Major Schantz, who is the only F-22 demo pilot and went through ENJJPT, advised us to be careful about placing out of classes because it could have a dire effect on your GPA, which should be pretty good to be considered for ENJJPT. Being that ENJJPT is my dream placement out of the academy, this advice has been on my mind a lot. Right now, I'm considering astronautical engineering as my major. I have also considered changing majors to something a little less hardcore, but ultimately decided to keep aiming for astro in case I ever get the chance to be a test pilot way down the road. (High aspirations :rolleyes: )

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks a lot
 
Matthewmillr94 said:
Hey all,

I spent last semester at Northwestern Preparatory School on a Falcon Foundation Scholarship. This semester I plan on taking a class that my local university offers called multivariable calculus with linear algebra along with second semester chemistry and probably physics III. These are all classes that I should have a fairly thorough understanding in by the end of the semester if this semester is anything like my experience with these subjects in the past. Therefore, I believe that I will be able to place out of a lot of these classes during BCT. At NWP Major Schantz, who is the only F-22 demo pilot and went through ENJJPT, advised us to be careful about placing out of classes because it could have a dire effect on your GPA, which should be pretty good to be considered for ENJJPT. Being that ENJJPT is my dream placement out of the academy, this advice has been on my mind a lot. Right now, I'm considering astronautical engineering as my major. I have also considered changing majors to something a little less hardcore, but ultimately decided to keep aiming for astro in case I ever get the chance to be a test pilot way down the road. (High aspirations :rolleyes: )

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks a lot
Click to expand...
Matt; not saying that GPA at the academy isn't important, it is. But according to instructors and others at air force, the whole "Best of the academy got ENJJPT" is no longer the way it works. That's how it use to be, but it actually became counter productive. I know many in the recent class of 2012 who were in the top 10-20 of the class who got their pilot slots, but they didn't get ENJJPT, even though that was their 1st choice. The air force has switched their position and have now decided to spread their trainees among all the pilot training bases. Remember, it how well you do at pilot training that will determine the airframe plane and choices you get. If you take the top 20 from the academy and put them all in the same pilot class at the same base, they can't all be the "Best of their class". By spreading the trainees among all the bases, you create better classes with better trainees and thus better opportunities for all.

So definitely go for the best gpa you can get, but don't think that it is going to be what gets you into enjjpt. I know a few top 20 in the class that are at Laughlin, Columbus, and Vance.
 
Matthewmillr94 said:
Hey all,

... Therefore, I believe that I will be able to place out of a lot of these classes during BCT. At NWP Major Schantz, who is the only F-22 demo pilot and went through ENJJPT, advised us to be careful about placing out of classes because it could have a dire effect on your GPA, which should be pretty good to be considered for ENJJPT. Being that ENJJPT is my dream placement out of the academy, this advice has been on my mind a lot. Right now, I'm considering astronautical engineering as my major. I have also considered changing majors to something a little less hardcore, but ultimately decided to keep aiming for astro in case I ever get the chance to be a test pilot way down the road. (High aspirations :rolleyes: )

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks a lot
Click to expand...
My DS took biology, chemistry I-II, and Calc 1, and Stats during high school (full time college in 11th and 12th grade). He tested out of all of these technical classes at the USAFA.

The only point of retaking these classes if you can test out of them is to pad your GPA. The benifit of testing out means that he can now minor in something else and take interesting classes of his choice. For instance, he loves Chinese and wants to take as many classes as he can. In summary, he was glad that he tested out of these classes. He too was warned not to test out but he made the right choice.

He did mention that in his Calc II class, several students already went through multi-variable Calc and a couple beyond but were not able to test out. He is a Doolie. Rumor has it it's also rare to test out of Chemistry II. Testing out of technical classes means that you have a very good handle on the material and you retained the information.
 
This year, it seemed like the academy looked at two things for ENJJPT:
1) Are you on airfield duties (Soaring IP, Flying team, PTWOB)
AND
2) Are you pretty high in your class (top 100-200)

Soaring IP's and Flying team get a lot of ENJJPT slots...
 
MN-Dad-2016 said:
My DS took biology, chemistry I-II, ....
Click to expand...

I didn't realize that I hit "submit" so I didn't proofread my post.:redface: What I meant to say was testing out of some technical classes gives you the opportunity to explore other non-technical classes. That's a good thing. :)

Additionally, the math and chemistry departments have the bar set high in order to test out of their classes. To increase your chances, It's a good idea to re-familiarize yourself with the material before BCT.
 
The reality is that ENJJPT is no longer any advantage in getting a fighter seat if that is why you have it as your goal. In fact, if you look at the last few drops from each UPT base, Sheppard (ENJJPT) has a lower percentage of fighters than any of the other three.

Vance - three fighters out of seven T-38 students.
Laughlin - two fighters out of seven T-38 students.
Columbus - three fighters out of nine T-38 students.
Sheppard - four fighters out of sixteen T-38 students.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't have ENJJPT as your goal, just that you should be aware that you have no more chance of getting a fighter because of it.

Stealth_81
 
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