USAFA Prep School Answers

Sweeeet! A LEAD appointee! I am enlisted just waiting on those results. however my Sat/act scores weren't as high as I would like so I think the prep school route is my only option. I just wanted to know, if u don't mind, what were your scores?
 
Awesome, an enlisted preppie! First and foremost, when did you find out about the appointment and how did you find out?
 
Sweeeet! A LEAD appointee! I am enlisted just waiting on those results. however my Sat/act scores weren't as high as I would like so I think the prep school route is my only option. I just wanted to know, if u don't mind, what were your scores?

After digging for my transcripts (thank you usafa portal for changing up on me) my SAT scores were reading: 530, math: 570 and writing: 390. Obviously these scores arn't the best in the world. I applied for direct entry, got denied, then was SOOOOO stoked when i got a prep school spot. I remember in my application I knew my acadmic scores wern't going to be my driving factor (keep in mind I graduated with a 3.8 gpa), I think what helped carry me over was my leadership position I had at my last base along with my awards, BTZ didn't hurt either.

I actually would prefer the prep school compared to direct entry. I graduated back in 2010 so a lot of this stuff is a good review. According to the Dean the classes here should be exact/really close to the same classes we will be taking freshman year. Plus since basic pay for cadets is 1070 (keep in mind you still have to rebuy all your uniforms and everything) I would rather save a nice sum of money. I know that answered a bit more, but hopefully it helps! What else you got?
 
Awesome, an enlisted preppie! First and foremost, when did you find out about the appointment and how did you find out?

So for me I found out the tail end of May. In my case, my CC found out before I did. A couple weeks prior I got BTZ and maybe after two weeks of wearing it he told me, yet again, I'm out of regs and he will be taking that new stripe along with all my other one's because I got accepted to the prep school. Your command will find out before you, about half an hour after he told me I get an invite from the Command Chief to come in his office and talk for a bit, along with talking to the Wing Commander (who happened to be a 91 grad and a cadre for the current prep school commander Col Rodda). It was pretty cool :)
 
Again, this would be really helpful to others so I'm going to post this in my thread, but to answer your questions:

1. Depends if your civilian or enlisted. I found out towards the later end of May, but I hear some offers have being offered so you still have plenty of time. (Ya it sucks, I know)

2. Again, because I was enlisted I was told by my Squadron Commander, if your civilian you will probably find out by your ALO or the portal if he/she isn't quick on the draw.

3. Prep school is called 'the best year at the academy' which for me I personally hope its not true. I'm a bit of a stiffler when it comes to common sense rules and this is the wrong place for that. It’s literally like I'm back at high school. Besides those chosen few who you would question if they are here for the 'right' reasons, Its really enjoyable. You get a bit of taste of all four years at the academy through phases. If your 21 it really helps on the weekends after a couple hours of hard studying, but overall I can say I've had a good time so far and have met a lot of awesome people.

4. a) So are the academics challenging: maybe. It depends on what you are good at. Me personally, I'm a math science guy so those are a breeze; English on the other hand is brutal. It is a nice review from high school (graduated 2010) so it really depends on your personal learning style. You change teachers every quarter so some teachers you will have an easier time with compared to others. Overall these classes are supposed to be either a) exactly the same or b) very similar to the classes of your freshman year on the hill. To me, I would say overall on the normal track of classes I would give it a 7 out of ten. 7 being the subject you are week at.

b) Classes that are offered. So your 'normal track' goes through the whole year is covers English, math (full year of algebra, two quarters of trig, and two quarters of calc (yes you take two math classes a quarter)), and chemistry. The 'happy track' (or at least what we call it) are just slower classes of whatever you are weak in and DOES NOT affect your appointment to the academy, or so they say. The last two quarters you may be selected to go on the accelerated class that substitutes a normal track class (physics, calc or English) if you get a good enough grade you can actually get credit for the class for your freshman year so you don't have to take it again.

Hopefully that answers everything. Anything else? :)
 
Gotcha. I think I'm the same boat you were in. Test scores were definitely not outstanding. They were close to yours. but I think I did pretty well in the volunteer/leadership department. I also got btz. I'm crossing my fingers I get it but hopefully not as late as yours cause I was originally supposed to pcs mid may but because Im applying to the academy, that delays the processing of my orders. which leaves me to other bunch of questions. How was the transition from prior to cadet?(shipping household goods, finance, unused leave, orders, anything else you can think of)
 
Gotcha. I think I'm the same boat you were in. Test scores were definitely not outstanding. They were close to yours. but I think I did pretty well in the volunteer/leadership department. I also got btz. I'm crossing my fingers I get it but hopefully not as late as yours cause I was originally supposed to pcs mid may but because Im applying to the academy, that delays the processing of my orders. which leaves me to other bunch of questions. How was the transition from prior to cadet?(shipping household goods, finance, unused leave, orders, anything else you can think of)

Wow, well that’s a question lol. Where to start.... well for household goods and things of that nature I guess first. If you do get in, part of your orders will state you can pretty much have nothing with you once you come here. Because of this, the DTS office (pretty sure its DTS... been a while) will pay for government storage for all your things. Pretty much like you are moving they will come to your place, pack everything up and just move it to storage while your here. It will be stored somewhere local to your base. Once you graduate here you renew the contract with them for another four years and once you graduate the academy you can have them move it to where you will be stationed at.

Finances. This one isn't as bad as you think. At the P you would get the same enlisted base pay as you would at your base. With that being saved, just save. As far as bills go, you know more about your situation. Just remember you can get power of attorneys at the JAG office.

Unused leave: This is a weird one honestly. So the rumor right now is that when we graduate we will go to reserve statues, if that is the case spend all the leave you want. I personally took about a month off and visited family i knew I wouldn't be able to see for a while. Your personal preference on this one I would say, but whatever you do, enjoy it.

orders: went smoothly. As soon as you get them though you need to go to DTS and get your dates straight so you can do all your moving stuff.

From prior to being back in high school: Ya.... this one. So I'm kinda of a "hard-ass" when it comes discipline and things of that nature. That being said, don't come here with the idea that this is the real air force. There was about 40 priors at the start of the year and roughly 180 something direct entries. It's like being back in high school honestly. There is drama, attitudes start showing up (mostly from the athletes) and ego get in the way. There will be little clicks and all the other annoyances you can think of. I wish I had known that before I came here. Priors will be expected to help the directs change to "BMT" here. Honestly I would say going to the academy means more to us then them: reason why is they can just raise their hand and say I quit, and they will out process within two days. For us, this is what we wanted and busted our ass for to get here. They won't understand that. Just be aware it will pretty much be another year in high school and you should be fine.

Hopefully I answered everything. Anything I missed?
 
yeah more like a bunch of questions combined into one haha i realized after I posted it that it didn't make sense. Anyway, You definitely answered all my questions! now it's just a matter of waiting which is absolutely killing me. Thanks for your help! Goodluck to you at the academy!
 
Ya the wait is killing us as well. We arn't finding out till the late end of May around graduation. I hope you get it, its an amazing place overall. If you think of anything else, feel free to ask.
 
Tman,

My advice to you is to drop the sense of entitlement that comes with being prior enlisted as soon as you possibly can. The Us VS Them attitude will lead you to a cadet life of anger and resentment. Remove yourself from your ego and understand that these kids are straight out of high school and have not had the chance to mature to the point that you have had. They truly do want to be there just as much as you, I guarantee it.
 
I think it’s more of butting heads due to maturity, rather then it being I’m prior enlisted. I don't mean to say that not a single direct wants to be here as a prior enlisted person, you can tell some want to be here. I've had some people tell me they are just here for the pay, you see people run inside as retreat starts to play, to me: their actions speak more than anything. There are going to be people here for the wrong reasons; at the prep school it’s easier to get away with that attitude compared to the academy. All im saying is if that is going to bother you be prepared for it.

Now it doesn't bother me. I just ignore it to be honest, not sure if that is good or bad lol.
 
During the preppie year, you figured out who the prior guys were, for the most part they had the military part figured out...it took the rest of us a while to get it, but through their example we did. After a while at the zoo you forgot which preppies were prior, they were all your friends...

Now, many moons later I remember the priors who were standouts at the PS...and the ones in my squad...the rest all blurred together in a collective preppie group.


...there were some standout priors in the other direction...they didn't graduate from the zoo...if they even got accepted.
 
Great answers on this thread. Now I have a few questions?

What is this "BMT" consist of?

Do we get to go to football games?

Do we intermingle on campus with cadets?

How are living arrangements (maybe compared to tech school)? And what are
inspections like and how frequent?

Being from New Jersey at practically sea level I have no idea what to expect weather wise... Even four seasons like the Mid-Atlantic or is it considerably colder most of the year out there?

Since we aren't really recruited for athletics, what sports do most prior enlisted choose to pursue?

And whats the deal with the issued gear? how much did you keep and reuse and if so, are you still billed for it?

Lastly can we still wear our occupational badges we earned as priors along with our ribbons? Thanks!

Thanks for any answers you can provide. I can't contain my excitement for this upcoming 5 years in Colorado! This reply may take you a while but it's better to be armed with information rather then go in blind!
 
What is this "BMT" consist of?
I can't remember if it was four weeks or six weeks, but it's pretty much a lot of physical training, learning how to wear the uniform, memorizing the code of conduct, etc.

Do we get to go to football games?
"Get to" hahahahahaha yes. You get to freeze to death with the rest of us. :smile:

Do we intermingle on campus with cadets?
Not unless you want a frat hit. (Disenrollment.) You really won't be on the academy campus unless you're up there to take a class. Otherwise, the prep school is secluded.

How are living arrangements (maybe compared to tech school)? And what are inspections like and how frequent?
I can't compare it to a tech school, but you live in a room with one bunk bed and two desks. Community bathrooms for females on the ground floor of the squadron and male bathrooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Laundry rooms are also on the third floor. Inspections are standing at parade rest outside your door for two hours while your AOC/AMT inspect your uniform and room. They usually occur once a month.

Being from New Jersey at practically sea level I have no idea what to expect weather wise... Even four seasons like the Mid-Atlantic or is it considerably colder most of the year out there?
Winter 7/12 months, beautiful weather the other five. You can have all seasons in a day, though, so it's fairly unpredictable.

Since we aren't really recruited for athletics, what sports do most prior enlisted choose to pursue?
Football, if any, but most priors don't make the academy teams after the prep school.

And whats the deal with the issued gear? how much did you keep and reuse and if so, are you still billed for it?
I've reused all my issued gear except my blues, because they give us enlisted service dress. Service dress is different for cadets. There are no reimbursements for uniforms.


Lastly can we still wear our occupational badges we earned as priors along with our ribbons? Thanks!
Sure can.
 
I was wondering if they offer visits to the Prep Academy like they do The Academy(tour)?
 
Does anyone have any knowledge on issued running shoes at the prep school? Being an avid runner and track coach I am very specific in the shoes I wear. If I buy a pair at home and bring them...can I use them? Or are they all standard issue like enlisted BMT at Lackland where you step up onto the machine and it fits you based on the pressure sensor? Just don't want to waste the money if I can't use them. Thanks guys!


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Does anyone have any knowledge on issued running shoes at the prep school? Being an avid runner and track coach I am very specific in the shoes I wear. If I buy a pair at home and bring them...can I use them? Or are they all standard issue like enlisted BMT at Lackland where you step up onto the machine and it fits you based on the pressure sensor? Just don't want to waste the money if I can't use them. Thanks guys!


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For BMT everyone wears issued shoes. After BMT ends you can wear your own shoes.
 
I have heard several different things in regards to pay at the USAFAPS.
I know that the directs get 35% of an O-1 pay.
I was told that Guard and Reserve fall back down to the E-1 pay bracket and only Active Duty keep their current pay at their rank. Is this true?


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Like Tman910, I am also at the P, and ready to answer some questions, so about the pay, if you're a prior (which I am not) You get to keep the pay you were receiving before coming to the prep school. If you are direct you receive E-1 pay. Then, when you go to the academy everyone drops down to that 35% of an O1 regardless of whether you are prior or not.


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