Evaluations at Summer Seminar?

MedB

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A quick search didn't turn up the answer to this question. So here goes...

At AFA, are the Summer Seminar attendees evaluated/scored during their time there and do those evals go into their application file?

I've seen hints to indicate this may be the case. And apparrently at other SAs it's stated openly that they are indeed evaluated by cadre during the summer sessions and those reports have some impact on the appointment process. So can anyone "in the know" provide some insight?

Thanks!
 
A quick search didn't turn up the answer to this question. So here goes...

At AFA, are the Summer Seminar attendees evaluated/scored during their time there and do those evals go into their application file?

I've seen hints to indicate this may be the case. And apparrently at other SAs it's stated openly that they are indeed evaluated by cadre during the summer sessions and those reports have some impact on the appointment process. So can anyone "in the know" provide some insight?

Thanks!

Well I am not "in the know" but my DD attended summer seminar at USAFA and is now a basic cadet at USAFA. She did not receive an evaluation while at summer seminar and from the few times I looked at her portal during her application process I never saw any note that she had attended summer seminar. Others on this forum have repeatedly said that attendance at a summer seminar has no impact on receiving an appointment and I believe them.

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When I did summer seminar in 2007....(WOW!) we were told that it would have no impact on our application and as far as I could tell, it didn't. Things may have changed, but I don't think the Academy does any sort of evaluation, SS is more for you to evaluate the Academy
 
I attended Navy's summer seminar in 2011, and there was no evidence it affected anything at that time.
 
Thanks for the responses thus far. But the confusion seems to remain...

NASS (Navy's summer session, yes?) was one of the specific references I referred to where it's openly discussed that cadre submit evaluations of the summer campers. See this thread for an example where several folks including one of the mods validate that there are evals written and submitted by the detailers... http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=32688

Here is one where a former cadre at AIM (Coast Guard's summer session) talks about how he had to fill out evals on his attendees... http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=32774

And yes, I know that attending or not attending Summer Seminar does not impact your appointment chancecs either way. Clear on that part.

But the specific question is... If you DO attend Summer Seminar at AFA, is your performance there passed along in any way at it seems to be at other SAs?

Thanks!
 
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But the specific question is... If you DO attend Summer Seminar at AFA, is your performance there passed along in any way at it seems to be at other SAs?

Thanks!

Interesting threads about the other SAs. To my knowledge, my DD did NOT have an evaluation filled out during her attendance at Summer Seminar. Her attendance was never reflected on her application (or at least the part of the application that she could see!), her ALO had no idea she had attended until she told him and it was honestly something that just never came up again.

Now maybe Insider here on the boards could offer information from another perspective but that is all that I know. HTH:thumb:
 
Can any former Summer Cadre, ALOs, or Insiders spare a moment to weigh in on this topic?

As evidenced in the links above, several of the other SA's clearly fill out some sort of evaluation of summer session participants.

Does AFA do the same thing?

Thanks,

Bob
 
USAFA will have a record of the SS attendee...they'll know how they did on the "fitness test" they take while there. And if they become candidates later, they are offered the option of using the SS fitness test score as their "CFA" score.

ALL that being said, I will tell you that being a SS attendee DOES NOT really mean anything in the admissions cycle. In the past, it did; however in recent years (5-8) it really has been used as a recruiting tool, a diversity tool, a "how do we pick the perfect group" test ground, etc. In short, USAFA has been changing the SS program to better meet their needs for "visibility" to both the community and potential candidates.

To put it in numbers, since many people like statistics: I had 9 candidates for USAFA this past cycle. Of the 9 candidates I had, 5 were SS graduates. Currently I have 2 "of my kids" in BCT at USAFA: one was a SS attendee, the other was not. The other 4 SS graduates were not offered appointments, and they had GOOD packages.

What I tell my "kids" is this: SS is a great program, it is fun and interesting and if you're selected for it, put it on your resume as it's pretty select simply based upon the number of applicants v. number of selectees.

And don't count on it doing anything for your application other than giving you a "taste" of USAFA!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Steve is dead on balls accurate. (What else is new)

The only thing I want to add, which I always do when the "Importance of summer seminar" comes up" is:

Everyone interested in the air force academy SHOULD APPLY for summer seminar in December of their Junior Year. If you get selected for it; great. You'll have the opportunity to see the academy first hand. Summer Seminar is more of a tool for YOU the applicant to get a taste of what you MIGHT be getting yourself into.

If you don't get accepted for summer seminar, that's OK too. But it is still VERY IMPORTANT that you apply for it. Why? Pray Tell!!!

In most states, you are simply a name, number, application, etc... when applying for your congressional nominations. Your senator or representative can only submit 10 nominees for each slot they have open. So you are trying for 1 of 10 slots, out of possibly 40, 60, or even 100 other applicants trying to get a nomination. You MUST STAND OUT!!!

Well; congressmen love to see committment, determination, passion, etc... If you "APPLY" for summer seminar, it shows you really want the academy. It doesn't matter that you get accepted or not. If in your nomination application/essay/etc... you squeeze in the point that you applied for summer seminar, your congressman knows you're not just applying for a scholarship education. You actually want the academy enough that you were willing to go to Colorado springs for a week and check it out. (If accepted). This helps you stand out. Your congressmen know that not everyone can get accepted to summer seminar or the academy. But, if they can only give 10 nomination, an they have 20 applicants, and hypothetically all 20 were pretty equal when it comes to academics and extra currilcular activities, the deciding factor many times to make a final choice, can come down to things like volunteering for summer seminar. Volunteering for Boy/Girl state. (if your state allows applying).

Acceptance to Summer Seminar won't affect you receiving an appointment, but it "COULD POSSIBLY" have an impact on you receiving a nomination. And you can't get the appointment without a nomination. I suggest that you always apply for summer seminar. If you get it; great. If you don't; no big deal. But simply applying shows committment and determination to your congressmen.
 
The references in #6 above for USNA simply state people's opinion on whether or not there is any impact on NASS recommendations on a candidate's application. In some prior years, others have indicated it is as much an exercise for the mids to fill out the forms as anything else.

It might also vary from year to year as to how these forms are actually used. Someone who makes a really bad impression probably has more to lose through this process. The real answer to me is that would you try/behave any differently at these summer seminars based on whether or not your are being evaluated? Safe to 'assume' you are and always put forth your best effort.
 
Thanks everyone.

It sounds like while Admissions will know if you attended, more than anything else Summer Seminar application/attendance shows a serious level of interest on the part of the applicant. That has to be a good thing no matter what.

For the record, my current C4C (err "basic") DS did not attend SS, as he was already 100% sure years before that AFA was for him

However, my rising high school senior DD did attend SS this year, because she needed to see if the SA lifestyle was for her. (BTW, she fell in love with it!)

To Time's point above, my daugther and I spoke about acting any differently if she knew she was being evaluated or not. I was proud of her answer... but then did the Dad thing and told her to assume they were just in case. :wink:

Thanks all!
 
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