USAFA Summer Seminar Application Benefits

kgg200

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I heard somewhere that "Summer Seminar attendees are viewed favorably", and I am going this June. What does the Air Force have to say about applicants that have visited? How much does it help?
 
None. Do a search and you will see many previous topics on this. Many people who get appointments did not go to SS. And others like my DS went to SS and did not get an appointment the first time around.
 
None. Do a search and you will see many previous topics on this. Many people who get appointments did not go to SS. And others like my DS went to SS and did not get an appointment the first time around.
But is there anything that the Air Force says about it?
 
But is there anything that the Air Force says about it?
Per USAFA website: "Please keep in mind that selection to attend Summer Seminar is NOT in any way a prerequisite for admission to the Academy. If you are not selected for Summer Seminar, it should not be interpreted as a reflection on your qualifications or ability to successfully pursue an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy."

Lots of things prevent candidates from doing AFASS - cost, scheduling conflicts, etc. Based on what has been said by forum members, AFASS is worth less than something like Boys/Girls State. That's up for debate of course. Basically, don't rely on AFASS to get you in, you will need other leadership opportunities that you have taken advantage of.
 
Well, it's an awesome experience for touring the academy, but it won't get you in if you attend or keep you from receiving an appointment if you don't. My son applied last year and was rejected. He was crushed. However, he received an LOA and then an appointment by December. He also applied to the USNA summer seminar, was selected, attended and has yet to hear from them yet. Funny how that worked out.
 
Well, it's an awesome experience for touring the academy, but it won't get you in if you attend or keep you from receiving an appointment if you don't. My son applied last year and was rejected. He was crushed. However, he received an LOA and then an appointment by December. He also applied to the USNA summer seminar, was selected, attended and has yet to hear from them yet. Funny how that worked out.
Last year I applied to Navy STEM and did not get in. I have a lot of leadership positions and okay-grades. I live in Northern Virginia which is the most competitive for USNA admissions and is very close to the Academy. I did get into this year's Air Force Summer Seminar.

Does your son live close to the USAFA? That may have affected the Summer Seminar application.
 
Does anyone know how many people get accepted into the AFA Summer Seminar total? So far I have been accepted into the AFA Summer Seminar session B, and I was just curious.
 
Does anyone know how many people get accepted into the AFA Summer Seminar total? So far I have been accepted into the AFA Summer Seminar session B, and I was just curious.
I think the number is somewhere around 500.
 
I heard somewhere that "Summer Seminar attendees are viewed favorably", and I am going this June. What does the Air Force have to say about applicants that have visited? How much does it help?

Congrats, I got in too (Session A)! Which session are you going for Air Force?
 
I can only give you my DS's experience. He applied and got into both the USNA and USAFA summer seminars. He had only talked about attending the USAFA so we thought he should attend both so he could compare the two and have a couple week's experience of what life may be like at a SA. He loved both of them and came back still with USAFA #1 but satisfied that if he only got into the USNA he would be happy. It solidified for us that his decision to pursue a SA was the right one.

The SA's do take notes on attendees that go into the applicant's file, but I have no idea if it has any weight on the admission decision. Our DS decided to attend the two SS's instead of going to Boy's State which conflicted on dates. He was a solid student with high test scores, CAP and high school tennis. He received his appointment in January so to us the SS was a good choice.
 
My DS just got accepted to USAFA SS but is unable to go due to scheduling conflicts. The dates for the first session he is already going to USNA SS and the second session conflicts with Boys State. I have read that it's more important to attend Boys State for leadership points. Is this true?
 
My DS just got accepted to USAFA SS but is unable to go due to scheduling conflicts. The dates for the first session he is already going to USNA SS and the second session conflicts with Boys State. I have read that it's more important to attend Boys State for leadership points. Is this true?
For USMA, this is true. For USAFA, my ALO said it is good to go to SS, but ultimately Boys State or another leadership opportunity will be worth more. For instance, I held a high-level leadership position at a CAP Encampment.
 
Also he declined the USAFA SS on the portal but there is no where to list your reasons for declination. Will this reflect poorly upon his USAFA application?
 
Also he declined the USAFA SS on the portal but there is no where to list your reasons for declination. Will this reflect poorly upon his USAFA application?
Personally, I doubt it. They understand schedule/cost conflicts. If you want, next year as a candidate, just let your ALO or Admissions Counselor know why you didn't go to AFASS.
 
In my ol' grandma's lingo: it won't make no never mind, Mich.

If your child wants to go and can do so, great! An enjoyable time, with a little stress built in, lovely time of year at the Front Range.

If your child is unable to attend, or never applied even, great! Have fun and work hard at whatever is on his/her plate.

Relax.
 
What I got from the whole ordeal:

You applied and got it? Great, you probably have something that makes you competitive in your application.
You applied and didn't get it? There are so many factors that go into AFASS that don't translate into the real application, don't freak out.
You applied, got it, and didn't go? It won't effect your application.
You didn't apply? Besides being a good look at the Academy (albeit through rose colored lenses) it doesn't really matter with regards to getting an appointment

Basically, if you got in it CAN (ie not necessarily) indicate that there is something competitive about you. If you didn't get it, it doesn't necessarily mean that your application is uncompetitive.
 
Last year I applied to Navy STEM and did not get in. I have a lot of leadership positions and okay-grades. I live in Northern Virginia which is the most competitive for USNA admissions and is very close to the Academy. I did get into this year's Air Force Summer Seminar.

Does your son live close to the USAFA? That may have affected the Summer Seminar application.
We live in southern Oklahoma, so I don't think we're close enough to make a difference. But USNA takes a heck of a lot more students than USAFA for summer programs, so I'm guessing he just had more of a chance of getting accepted there. Congrats to you! Enjoy the summer seminar! My son is a USAFA appointee now and that's the academy that he's seen the least of!
 
I heard somewhere that "Summer Seminar attendees are viewed favorably", and I am going this June. What does the Air Force have to say about applicants that have visited? How much does it help?

Hi Kgg - direct answer to your question -- it really won't help your application. Your application is not complete, and USAFA does not have your test scores and several other parts of application. If you do go though, have fun, but take it seriously. If you make a name for yourself (in a bad way) in SS, it might come back to haunt you in BCT.

Also, I would take your actual picture down for privacy reasons. There are many people, including USAFA staff, Cadets and future Cadre on the forum and you may not want any notable quotes during 1st Beast.
 
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