Math at USAFA

Im not good at math so should I apply to USAFA?

Well, 17 lives, how can we tell you? In some places, less than 800 on the math portion of the SAT is "not good." In some places, a "gentlemen's C" will take you to graduate school.

No.

17,
1. You have 0% chance IF you don'r apply.
2. Do you know what USAFA is typically called in the ADAF?
~ The Little Engineering School in th Rockies
3. Have you looked a the mandated curriculum for EVERY cadet at USAFA, regardless of their major?

SEE above,

I am not saying don't apply, but I am saying if you boil it down to the nitty gritty, USAFA is a STEM college with additional pressure.
~ You may believe getting in is hard, but the fact and reality is USAFA does not commission 100% 4 yrs later every cadet that entered I Day. Getting appointed is 1 thing...commissioning is another.

If anyone on an anonymous forum like this could convince you not to apply, that I would strongly suggest you do some soul searching on how bad you want to attend.

Sorry.

17Lives said:

Im not good at math so should I apply to USAFA?

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I have been reading advice on this site for years and only recently signed in for an opinion on a question. I really never felt my 2 cents was worth weighing in on anything until I saw your post. For what it’s worth “here is my 2 cents” I am retired, but I can tell you the Academy has an SAT requirement of verbal-580 and math-560. Do not let that answer of 800 on your SAT score scare you. I know someone who got in with a 560 math SAT and she studied hard after being appointed and even paid for a tutor to help her with calculus. She did very well. They will look at the whole package. I guess the question is how bad do you want it? Never give up on your dreams! The future is yours.

You're not good in math because you don't try hard or you're just bad in math period (i.e. left side of your brain is weak)? Unlike a typical university everyone at the academy, regardless of their major, have to take the same math and science classes, which is equivalent to upper division college math and science. For example, if you were a History major at a university, you will not be required to take Calculus 1-4 (1-6 if you're on a quarter system). Can you say differential equation? I personally think that USAFA's curriculum is overkill since most will not end up with an engineering degree. More importantly, very few, I mean, very few engineers in the Air Force do any sort of actual engineering work. You will, however, become masters of engineering briefings and inventing techniques sleeping with your eyes open during those endless briefings. I digress. Remember, the Air Force expects everyone to become a general.
To answer your question, I would not go to the academy unless you can greatly enhance your interest in mathematics and become comfortable in calculus by the time you set your foot in the zoo. Keep your focus on the end goal and not the school/institution.

You asked the same question before in a previous thread. I said I thought you should definitely apply. I still think you should, if you really do want it.

My son is 'not good' at math. Once he figured out how to work with the instructors, he is pulling C's in calculus. If you really desire to go there, apply. Just be prepared to work more than most others and you will most likely be on ac-pro for most of the semester.

6KDogwhistle said:

You're not good in math because you don't try hard or you're just bad in math period (i.e. left side of your brain is weak)? Unlike a typical university everyone at the academy, regardless of their major, have to take the same math and science classes, which is equivalent to upper division college math and science. For example, if you were a History major at a university, you will not be required to take Calculus 1-4 (1-6 if you're on a quarter system). Can you say differential equation? I personally think that USAFA's curriculum is overkill since most will not end up with an engineering degree. More importantly, very few, I mean, very few engineers in the Air Force do any sort of actual engineering work. You will, however, become masters of engineering briefings and inventing techniques sleeping with your eyes open during those endless briefings. I digress. Remember, the Air Force expects everyone to become a general.
To answer your question, I would not go to the academy unless you can greatly enhance your interest in mathematics and become comfortable in calculus by the time you set your foot in the zoo. Keep your focus on the end goal and not the school/institution.

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Correct me if I'm wrong (As I often am) but I thought everyone at the Academy was required to take up to Calc 2 but no further. Are you certain that even fuzzy majors take Calc 3 and/or Diff EQ? I'm fairly sure my DS recently said that some cadets he knew dropped Calc 3 and changed their majors from Engineering to a non-Tech major because the math was too difficult.

Rocko said:

Correct me if I'm wrong (As I often am) but I thought everyone at the Academy was required to take up to Calc 2 but no further. Are you certain that even fuzzy majors take Calc 3 and/or Diff EQ? I'm fairly sure my DS recently said that some cadets he knew dropped Calc 3 and changed their majors from Engineering to a non-Tech major because the math was too difficult.

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You are correct. Fuzzy majors will only be required to take Calc 1, Calc 2, and Stats. The engineering freaks take those in addition to Calc 3, Diff EQ, and Engr Math

My son is "not good at math". In fact, his original SAT scores were "not competitive". He went after it hard because he really wanted it. After numerous coaching sessions and retakes, he got his scores up, but they were still nothing to write home about. However, USAFA looks at the whole package. He got his appointment and is about to graduate and receive his commission this spring.

Ill pitch in. Some people may disagree.

I've been lurking for awhile now. Some people, and certain people are harsh. So don't let it get to you if people say 'no'

I sucked at math in HS. Because I didn't focus. I firmly believe person A is just as smart as person B it just depends on how you apply yourself. If you focus enough and apply yourself enough you can be whoever you want to be.

My advice if you are concerned with your math skills is take some college prep courses. See how you do when you really concentrate. Really give it all you got because you're only cheating yourself if you do any less. Im sure you could do just fine so don't let people tell you not to bother. Believe in yourself

How bad do you want it?
If someone told you, to your face, that you probably wouldn't make it, would you try anyway?

Here's a bit of news: the majority who start an application will not be accepted. Knowing NOTHING of you or your stats, except that you are interested...I'd give you an approximate 17% chance of acceptance. Eighty-three percent will not be accepted. That's poor odds.

As for me? I went for it, along with about 1350 others on I-day. About a thousand of us marched onto the field on Graduation day.

So, what are you going to do about it?

Apply! I'm probably the worst person at math in the world, and I managed to get through the required math classes here (2018er).