Need more advice!

RCave

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2013
Messages
52
I'll be honest, you guys have been a MASSIVE help, but I'm still absolutely scared to death.

I received my Air Force Academy Candidate book from Amazon today, and I'm going to be reading through that tonight.

Right now I'm really worried about my GPA and class rank. My GPA(as of last December) is only 3.48 and my class rank is only 152 of 437.. which is embarrassing. As I've mentioned in previous threads, I've just recently discovered the AFA and I'm trying to do my best. I know that the Academy adjusts your GPA, and my school is extremely competitive.. but I don't know how much good that'll do me. Would they bump it up a whole .2 or .3?

I've started Krav Maga and going to the gym for athletic activities, and I'm joining the Civil Air Patrol and starting community service through a program with the court. I'm also going to try and do Boys State this summer.

Just today we turned in our schedules for our Senior year, and I feel like it's not enough. Does the Academy receive your transcript up to the end of your Junior year, or up until the first half of your Senior year? We have 8 periods and next year 2 of them will be taken up by Varsity Choir and another 2 by Cross Country. Aside that I'll have Construction Tech, Earth/Space Science, Government/Economics, and AP Psychology. Along side that I'm taking English 4 over the summer at the local community college for dual credit.

I'll have at the very least a Presidential nomination, so I have a shot at getting in no matter how slim. I'm doing everything I can but I just feel like it isn't good enough and I don't know what else to do.

I've heard you are put in different categories based on your nominations, like for Senatorial and Congressional. Is it easier to get in with a Presidential than other nominations?

Honestly I don't expect anything better than a Prep Academy invitation, but even that would be AMAZING. It'd give me the chance to prove my worth to the Academy, and I feel like that's all I need.

I've read up on everything on the Academy website, and I read through the forums here every day for new information. I just keep finding more and more questions, and my liaison hasn't responded in two weeks.

Thanks everyone.
 
Right now I'm really worried about my GPA and class rank. My GPA(as of last December) is only 3.48 and my class rank is only 152 of 437.. which is embarrassing. As I've mentioned in previous threads, I've just recently discovered the AFA and I'm trying to do my best. I know that the Academy adjusts your GPA, and my school is extremely competitive.. but I don't know how much good that'll do me. Would they bump it up a whole .2 or .3?

You can't dwell on what you can't change. Take the most challenging classes available to you and do your BEST. The academy looks at your school profile and adjusts you GPA in order to compare it nationally. I'm not sure of how it's done, but USAFA has been doing it for over 50 years. They know what they are doing.


I've started Krav Maga and going to the gym for athletic activities, and I'm joining the Civil Air Patrol and starting community service through a program with the court. I'm also going to try and do Boys State this summer.

Try and select activities that you personally enjoy and can find leadership positions in. Remember that your ALO will see through an attempt to just make your application look good. An ALO can not get you an appointment, but they can certainly prevent you from getting one. Also, I a little worried about the "through a program with the court" comment. Do you have a legal issue? That may be a problem as well.

Does the Academy receive your transcript up to the end of your Junior year, or up until the first half of your Senior year?

During the application process, the admissions board will be looking at your 6th semester (end of junior year) transcripts or 7th semester transcripts depending on which you submitted. If appointed, you will submit your final transcript on or before I-Day.


I've heard you are put in different categories based on your nominations, like for Senatorial and Congressional. Is it easier to get in with a Presidential than other nominations?

You should try and get as many nominations as available to you. The Academy can appoint a maximum of 100 from the Presidential nomination pool. That is a national competition for those slots. The competition for your Senators is state wide. The competition for your Congress rep is only in your district. The important thing is to get at least one nom. Without a nom, you're out. To answer your question if one is 'easier' to get in with, it all depends on your competition and how you compare locally, state wide, and nationally.

my liaison hasn't responded in two weeks.

Remember that your ALO has a full time job other than ALO. They are still focusing on the current candidates during 'the wait'. Also, they may be out of town, deployed, or too busy to contact you at this time. Be patient until your application is deemed competitive. You should hear back from your ALO at that time. FYI: The ALOs do this purely for the satisfaction of assisting fine young men and women of character in gaining admission to USAFA. They get no pay for the many hours they put in, so be considerate of their time.

Thanks everyone.

You are welcome (on behalf of the entire serviceacademtforum.com nation). :thumb:
 
My GPA really wasn't that stellar in high school but the Academy takes into consideration if you are taking AP/IB classes or are in accelerated courses. I would definitely recommend taking either pre-calculus or calculus!!! As you will find out, even if you want to major in English or a "non-technical" major you will still be required to take many math (calculus) and science courses. Also, I would recommend physics or chemistry if you haven't already taken them.

As great as resume building is, it really shows a lot if you demonstrate commitment in your activities. Sometimes it better to be very committed and involved in a few clubs or activities than it is to be just a regular, not-committed member in every extra curricular you can get your hands on. There has to be a balance.

My biggest piece of advice is to relax a little. If going to the Academy is really what you want to do, you can get there. It will not be easy or maybe not the way you expect it to happen but if you are medically qualified and ready to push yourself, it can happen. Personally, I did not get in the first time I applied. I went to Northwestern Preparatory School to better myself for "round two." I did have a Falcon Foundation scholarship but the important thing to remember about NWP is that the majority of the students there are free agents and do NOT have a scholarship. If you are really worried about not getting in the first time remember that there are still options for you and familiarize yourself with them.
 
My GPA really wasn't that stellar in high school but the Academy takes into consideration if you are taking AP/IB classes or are in accelerated courses. I would definitely recommend taking either pre-calculus or calculus!!! As you will find out, even if you want to major in English or a "non-technical" major you will still be required to take many math (calculus) and science courses. Also, I would recommend physics or chemistry if you haven't already taken them.

As great as resume building is, it really shows a lot if you demonstrate commitment in your activities. Sometimes it better to be very committed and involved in a few clubs or activities than it is to be just a regular, not-committed member in every extra curricular you can get your hands on. There has to be a balance.

My biggest piece of advice is to relax a little. If going to the Academy is really what you want to do, you can get there. It will not be easy or maybe not the way you expect it to happen but if you are medically qualified and ready to push yourself, it can happen. Personally, I did not get in the first time I applied. I went to Northwestern Preparatory School to better myself for "round two." I did have a Falcon Foundation scholarship but the important thing to remember about NWP is that the majority of the students there are free agents and do NOT have a scholarship. If you are really worried about not getting in the first time remember that there are still options for you and familiarize yourself with them.

+1 :thumb:
 
Youth Court

Dad,

I think (RCave, correct me if I'm mistaken) that he is talking about Youth Court or a similar program. It is a program in which teens serve in the role of the prosecution, the defense, and as judges in real sentencing trials for first-time offenders under the age of 16. Sentences include community service hours and therapy classes. It is a really good program that tries to keep young people out of the Family Court system and give them a second chance.
 
To start, no legal problem! Agh! The program I talked about was one where I'll take the position of a Defense Attorney or Prosecutor for/against other teens that have committed minor crimes. My record is clean!:)

Basically what I'm scared of is that my competition is going to be the "average cadet". A varsity athlete with a 3.8 GPA in the top 25% of their class with a 2000 on the SAT with lots of extracurriculars.. because that's the kind of person that would win hands down.

I need to keep moving with my life - if I don't get an appointment or prep school invitation I'll be going to Texas A&M and joining the Corp of Cadets. Not exactly what I want, but I'm rather sure I could get into Texas A&M.
 
Dad,

I think (RCave, correct me if I'm mistaken) that he is talking about Youth Court or a similar program. It is a program in which teens serve in the role of the prosecution, the defense, and as judges in real sentencing trials for first-time offenders under the age of 16. Sentences include community service hours and therapy classes. It is a really good program that tries to keep young people out of the Family Court system and give them a second chance.

Thanks for the clarification. :thumb:
 
To start, no legal problem! Agh! The program I talked about was one where I'll take the position of a Defense Attorney or Prosecutor for/against other teens that have committed minor crimes. My record is clean!:)

Glad to hear that! Best wishes. Keep doing your best and look for those other options like NWP or AFROTC (with or without scholarship).

Remember:

What do you call a recent AFA grad? Lieutenant.
What do you call a recent ROTC grad? Lieutenant.
 
Sent you a PM RCave. :smile:

I couldn't reply via PM because I'm currently still under 15 posts but I will say that it definitely gave me a boost of confidence. It's hard not to compare yourself to the average cadet and say "I've got no chance".

Thank you!
 
I couldn't reply via PM because I'm currently still under 15 posts but I will say that it definitely gave me a boost of confidence. It's hard not to compare yourself to the average cadet and say "I've got no chance".

Thank you!

Hey, no problem. Keep working hard and show USAFA how much you want it. :smile:
 
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