Applying to Multiple Academies

[H2Opolodude]

Hey everyone.
This will be my second year applying to the Air Force Academy and my ALO last year told me that I have a pretty good chance of getting in this time around (knock on wood).
Would it affect this year's application to the Air Force Academy if I applied to the Naval Academy and West Point also? I was considering applying to all three, since I definitely still want a chance to serve in the military if the Air Force does not work out.
I guess I am just wondering if the Air Force will know whether or not you applied to the other academies and, if so, will they question my "loyalty" to the Air Force or question my reasons for wanting to join the Air Force?

I read a response to a question similar to mine in a previous post that said this>
"However, if USNA (or any other SA) is truly your preference and anything else would be a disappointment, I recommend you put all your eggs in one basket."

Now, this is not the case for me--it would be an honor to receive an appointment to any of these academies--but would "putting all my eggs in one basket" give me a better chance or show that I'm more committed to the Air Force?

 

[burnerafter16]

there are appointees who have been offered to all four SA.
it just raises the ante on the paperwork and nominations you have to procure.
i believe that it would be best to have plan "b" and other contingencies.
i remember being asked during interview if i applied to more than one SA.
senators in my state would only give one nomination to one preferred SA only.
congressman gave me nomination for both annapolis and colorado.
in a nutshell, you can apply to multiple SA if you are that motivated.
good luck!

 

[jackson1989]

I advised my son to apply to each service academy he was interested in attending. He was fairly certain that he wanted to attend USNA, but he also felt USAFA would be a good fit. Needless to say. he did not get into USNA, but he is very happy at USAFA. There are often things behind the scenes that each respective admissions panels looks at that you will not be privy to and these can effect which academy decides you deserve an appointment. Bottom line, apply to any service academy where you would gladly accept an appointment.

Best of luck!

 

[Mikeandcris]

The answer is simple: Only apply to schools you'd attend. Do not apply to school B and C only to impress the folks at school A. In the same breath, do not put all your eggs in one basket. The oft said advice is "have a plan B and C."

 

[MemberLG]

Hey everyone.
This will be my second year applying to the Air Force Academy and my ALO last year told me that I have a pretty good chance of getting in this time around (knock on wood).
Would it affect this year's application to the Air Force Academy if I applied to the Naval Academy and West Point also? I was considering applying to all three, since I definitely still want a chance to serve in the military if the Air Force does not work out.
I guess I am just wondering if the Air Force will know whether or not you applied to the other academies and, if so, will they question my "loyalty" to the Air Force or question my reasons for wanting to join the Air Force?

I read a response to a question similar to mine in a previous post that said this>
"However, if USNA (or any other SA) is truly your preference and anything else would be a disappointment, I recommend you put all your eggs in one basket."

Now, this is not the case for me--it would be an honor to receive an appointment to any of these academies--but would "putting all my eggs in one basket" give me a better chance or show that I'm more committed to the Air Force?

The only thing that might be affected is your nomination as some MOC only give out one nomination and some states MOCs coordinate so you might have to pick only one (i.e. your MOC might not give you a nomination if you already got a nomination from a Senator).

I don't think SAs seek out if you are applying to other SAs or not, but they usually know - during an interview or CFA test score transfer request.

Can't speak for AFA. I as a West Point FFR and a MOC nomination panel never hold it against any candidates for applying to more than one SA.

You are supposed be wanting to serve your country and be in the military, so you can only do that by attending AFA. Usally at a MOC nomination panel interviews, we think less of candidates when they say I am only applying to one SA.

 

[H2Opolodude]

The only thing that might be affected is your nomination as some MOC only give out one nomination and some states MOCs coordinate so you might have to pick only one (i.e. your MOC might not give you a nomination if you already got a nomination from a Senator).

I don't think SAs seek out if you are applying to other SAs or not, but they usually know - during an interview or CFA test score transfer request.

Can't speak for AFA. I as a West Point FFR and a MOC nomination panel never hold it against any candidates for applying to more than one SA.

You are supposed be wanting to serve your country and be in the military, so you can only do that by attending AFA. Usally at a MOC nomination panel interviews, we think less of candidates when they say I am only applying to one SA.

Thank you so much MemberLG, that's really the type of answer I was looking for--whether or not they would "hold it against me." I truly do want to serve my country through the military, so if I can display that by applying to multiple academies rather than just one, I will do so. Like I said earlier, I would gladly accept an appointment to any of those three if I was offered one.

 

[AFAYahoo]

You are supposed be wanting to serve your country and be in the military, so you can only do that by attending AFA. Usally at a MOC nomination panel interviews, we think less of candidates when they say I am only applying to one SA.

Interesting, but this was not my son's experience at all. He only wanted the Air Force, and if it came up at all, he laid out his reasons to the MOC nom committees. If he didn't get in to the AFA, he was prepared to go the AFROTC route to commission (ROTC scholarship, school scholarship). He ended up getting a nom from all possible sources he was eligible for--our MOC and from 1 senator (our senators compare notes and a candidate only gets a nom from 1 or the other, if at all) plus the VP, and was charged to the senator.

I would say if you think you would truly be OK with any branch of service, then go for it, but be prepared to rank them on your nomination applications. And know that candidates don't always get their first choices. If you truly would have an issue with a particular branch of service (I couldn't be on a ship or in a sub for months on end), then don't apply. You'll probably be unhappy at the academy or you'll decline the appointment if you get one.

 

[H2Opolodude]

Interesting, but this was not my son's experience at all. He only wanted the Air Force, and if it came up at all, he laid out his reasons to the MOC nom committees. If he didn't get in to the AFA, he was prepared to go the AFROTC route to commission (ROTC scholarship, school scholarship). He ended up getting a nom from all possible sources he was eligible for--our MOC and from 1 senator (our senators compare notes and a candidate only gets a nom from 1 or the other, if at all) plus the VP, and was charged to the senator.

I would say if you think you would truly be OK with any branch of service, then go for it, but be prepared to rank them on your nomination applications. And know that candidates don't always get their first choices. If you truly would have an issue with a particular branch of service (I couldn't be on a ship or in a sub for months on end), then don't apply. You'll probably be unhappy at the academy or you'll decline the appointment if you get one.

That's interesting...That was actually how I thought it was--if I had specific reasons for wanting to join the Air Force, which I do, it would make me more desirable to nomination committees.
I guess I will just plan to rank the Air Force first, have good reasons to explain why I rank it first, and then also apply to the other two as back ups. I wouldn't have any problem accepting an appointment to either of them.