Hello, I did not receive an appointment to the AFA or Prep school this year (Portal Update April 10 NO TWE yet). I truly do hope and aspire to attend the AFA, but regardless of appointment I intend to pursue becoming an Air Force Officer through whatever means. I'm still dedicated to getting into the AFA, so I'm trying to determine the "best" or most ideal path to prepare for next year's admission cycle. Currently I have an AFROTC scholarship. I believe my ACT scores are truly my weak area, otherwise I think I'm a fairly competitive candidate (28 Composite, 30 English/Reading, 27 Math, 25 Science). It's been hard to decide what path to take, and I really appreciate any help. I need advice in the following aspects:
- I'm torn between doing AFROTC this coming year and reapplying, or trying to attend a military prep school as a "self-prep" student if I don't receive the Falcon Foundation Scholarship. Could anyone possibly link me to some statistics of "self-prep" students/AFROTC students getting an appointment?
- The prep schools I've been looking at are Marion Military Institute, Greystone, and Northwestern Prep. Given that I have an AFROTC Scholarship, do one of these schools stand out based on costs and appointment success rate? Disregarding cost, which of the military prep schools (that I suggested or any others) has the greatest statistical appointment rate for Falcon Foundation Scholars? And for "self-prep"? In general, what school(s) do you recommend for "self-preppers"?
- Do "self-prep" (at military prep schools) students compete for nominations/slots just like anyone else from AFROTC or other civilian schools?
- I would really like to know if you attend a military prep school as a "self-prep", do you compete for a nomination/slot in the area of which you are attending, or can you get a nomination from your residential home area? Similarly, what if I do AFROTC out of my residential area, do I compete for a nomination/slot in the school's area or at my home area?
- Could I finish my 2020 USAFA application before I even go to school (August)? Could I get a nomination before leaving home for school, and would it transfer? Should I go ahead and get recommendation letters sent again (same as last year's essentially)? I would just like to get ahead of the game, especially if I will have to compete in a different area for a nomination/slot.