ACT/SAT and AFROTC SFT

Do the SFT boards look at your ACT or SAT score as a factor for SFT? If so, how much of a factor is it in the decision? and What are the average scores for AFROTC cadets being picked up for SFT? Thank you for your time.

You are now getting into the gray areas.

You will need to take the AFOQT (it is akin to the ACT) for SFT. They will work their magic and whichever is higher according to their algorithm will be the test they will use for the board, but in the end for your AFROTC career, sooner or later it will the AFOQT score.
~ It is not best sitting for AFOQT, nor superscore, but last sitting that will matter.
~~ I would not freak out on this if you scored best sitting above 30-31 on the ACT. My DS has a 33 or 34 and scored composite in the 90s for his AFOQT. He took it as a freshmen, no studying, just took it.

I know you are trying to figure out which path to go USAFA or AFROTC, and doing a thorough investigation, especially from a cost aspect.

However, the biggest chunk that is not under your control will be the CoCs ranking.
~ I have seen selection rates from 55 to 93%. The thing they always had in common was simple...tech major do not drop below 3.0, 3.1 is better. Non-tech 3.3 on a good day, typically 3.4 is where you feel safe. 96+ PFA is a match, but you would be a fool not to work out and go higher since it is part of the score.

I truly think this is tied to which commissioning source, My question to you is are you going rate or non-rated. Class of 2020 on a good day will not walk until 2031 as a pilot. Your undergrad will not matter Non-rated and you can walk by 2025, but it will matter where you obtained your undergrad degree.
~ Think for a minute, and absorb those years...it is going to be at least a decade from now before you can leave either way when it comes down to it.

Pima, thank you for your response. I am going for a non-rated position, Cyber Security Officer. My major will be Computer Engineering. As for my ACT score, it only sits at a 26 composite, I know its low, but my resume makes up for it immensely. My AFROTC PT Score was an 88.0.

I think the only thing that is really holding, me up is the fact that I can see myself succeeding, going through AFROTC at the University of South Florida, I have been accepted to their ROTC LLC so I would be living with other ROTC students as well, and I have done AFJROTC the past 4 years of my high school career, and excelled. Versus USAFA, I see as a gamble, and not 100% sure that I could get through it, now I'm not just saying this because of jitters, I am actually questioning my abilities, academically and physically.

I just don't know to the extent of the "harshness" of the academy, academically and physically. The military lifestyle and structure I love, however there are some aspects of academics that I struggle with, and while I read the amazing success stories, I can't help but think, 'how much time is allocated for studying, and actual academic time versus the other various activities, don't get me wrong I am strong academically, but I just find myself needing more time than others on various topics. All in all what 'tutoring options' are available to struggling students at AFA? Because I don't want to fight through it all, only to end up making a low grade on a physics test, and be on academic probation.

SAT-E is 25% of this years score to get into SFT. For comparisons sake, I had a 24 ACT, but was able to get 90s on the AFOQT. Im a mech engineering major and only took like 2 practice tests just to get a vibe.

As for PT, I failed my first two PT tests in AFROTC, and now I average low/mid 90s, so you can always improve.

I cannot speak for AFA, personally.

I am not going to lie to you. 4 yr. type 2 with a 26 best sitting is insanely low. The avg score for a type 7 is over 29 and close to a 30. I have in all my years here never heard of an AFROTC type 2 with a 26. Not saying you are lieing, just saying you should be thrilled you got it with a 26. Same with direct appointment to USAFA since both of them publcly state to be deemed competitive you need a min 24 E. With a 26 composite you are just barely getting over that hurdle.
Not only that, but your PFA is low too. You need it to be closer to a 96 for SFT.
~ Understand you cannot contract until pass the PFA, and that means all parts of it. Many scholarship recipients bust their PFA on the 1st shot, or at least see their scores drop drastically because when they did it in HS the administer was not as hard on their form as they are in ROTC. They see their sit up and push ups drop.

Just saying, that whatever path you take spend these next months working out everyday. Run in the rain, run in the heat, run at 6:00 a.m. when you only went to bed at 1:00. Do the entire PFA with the time limits and than when you are done do 100 butterfly kicks. You do not want to get there and be that person where they are yelling your name constantly because you are the last one crossing the finish line for the run, or your form is wrong.

Now as far as SFT selection, your ACT is going to be on the low end. However, as I said before they will take whichever is higher, AFOQT and SAT. The AFOQT is typically given in the fall of your sophomore year. That is the good news for you because it means you can purchase the AFOQT test materials now and start studying so that you will belt those scores out of the ball park.

Finally, my suggestion is to investigate both the AFA curriculum and USF that will be mandatory for whatever major you intend. Hint... they don't call USAFA the Little Engineering School in the Rockies for no reason.
~ There are many cadets at USAFA that use tutors so don't let that create questions in your mind.

If you are asking my opinion which path you should take knowing everything that I do know now, I would say go USAFA for multiple reasons.
1. That ACT is killing you, so you are going to want to do great on the AFOQT. The AFOQT is 4 sections and 2 of them are Pilot and Nav.
2. You can say you want to do 20 years, but life tends to get in the way. You can't predict 2 years from now, let alone 9 years (4 -college, 5 ADAF). That USAFA diploma is going to count....see above on what they call USAFA. I don't think USF is on the same academic level as USAFA.
3. USAFA grads statistically have a higher % go ED than AFROTC. A career field like the one you desire will only be enhanced with a Master degree, not only in the AF, but also for wherever you go afterwards.
4. Your PFA is low, but it is something you can conquer now with practice.
5. Same with your ACT. I am not someone that bites off on the I am a poor test taker when they have a high cgpa. Be truthful to yourself, you have been taking tests in every subject and pulling great grades, so it never makes sense when someone says I am not a good test taker. Add in the fact of the No Child Left Behind Act, you have been probably taking standardized tests since you were in 3rd grade. (In NC it is called the End Of Grade, VA is the SOL). All of that combined and the fact college profs are not like HS teachers, they have a syllabus and the class will move forward with you or without you. They are not going to slow down the class for anyone, anyone that is having trouble is expected to use office hours to get up to speed.
~ Plus the thing about the ACT or SAT is it is testing your academic foundation from a national aspect, not just you in your HS.
~ Use this time to study whatever subject was your weakest. Keep taking the ACT and SAT prep tests for no other reason to build that foundation academically. IOWS get off facebook, get off forums like this, play xbox only 30 mins a day instead of an hour. Go to Barnes and Noble, www.Chegg.com or a local used book store and buy the books for the classes that either USAFA or USF will require next fall. I.E. college level Physics. Used books are the best because someone has highlighted the text before you. Even if you only take away 10% from self-teaching than it is still more that you accomplished than if you didn't do it.

Honestly, if you said to me I had a 31 best sitting ACT, 92 PFA, and would be attending TAMU, I probably would have leaned AFROTC, but that is not the case. In your case that SFT selection is going to be a biggie, and depending on how HQ AFROTC see your major at USF, you can be either a non-tech or a tech major. Some computer majors are non-tech. For AFROTC the highest selection rate is tech/rated, followed closely by tech/non-rated and non-tech/rated. Non-tech/non-rated is the bottom. Thus, if they see your computer degree as non-tech, you will be the one that has the lowest selection rate.

Sorry for the novella, but I hope it helps.

AF4Life said:

I have done AFJROTC the past 4 years of my high school career, and excelled.

Click to expand...

One piece of advice...most cadets in either path will say leave that part behind you. Don't be that "guy/gal" and talk about your JROTC experience as a bragging aspect. I.E. : Well in JROTC they taught us this is how or what or why.... the AF does it. It can feel like bravado.
~ It might be what they taught you in JROTC, but you are no longer in JROTC, and you are that smallest fish in a bigger pond, thus, listen and learn. Nobody cares anymore if you were or were not in JROTC, nor what position you had in JROTC. The slate is wiped clean the minute you step foot on campus/academy grounds.
~~ Shut up and color is a better route than trying to impress anyone because you have AFJROTC experience.

Thank you very much Pima for the advice and opinion I appreciate it.