Can I get into the USAFA?

[mark.dejarnett]

I am a high school junior with a 3.65-3.7 GPA. I work at HEB(a grocery store), am currently involved in my church, I train physically at a program called CATZ, I am in Spanish Club, and Mu Alpha Theta, and I participate in volunteer work every weekend by walking dogs for the local dog shelter.I have an 1800-1900 on the SAT and have not taken the ACT yet. Can I get into the USAFA?

 

[SamAca10]

This question has been posted a million times by different people( I should know, I posted it myself). The answer? Apply and find out! Challenge yourself by taking the hardest classes that your school has to offer, be involved in sports and physical activity, take leadership positions in activities. Remember that the USAFA takes cadets from all over the country, but also remember that you're competing against the people in your state/congressional district for nominations. Call up your senators and congressman's offices. Ask them how many people apply for a nomination. Then, you can figure out your competition.

YOU have to ask yourself that question. CAN you get into USAFA? Are you willing to work hard during your high school career to gain that opportunity? Are YOU willing to give up 4 years of freedom (a regular college) to pursue a potential career in the Air Force as an officer?

SamAca10....out....

 

[fencersmother]

Can you retake the SAT or at least practice for the ACT? It seems somewhat low to me. Can you explain the CATZ program? Also, do you have any leadership experience you can show on paper?

In the end, Sam is right. Work your hardest, then work BEYOND what you thought you could do. Apply, write letters... see what happens.

Good luck!

 

[mark.dejarnett]

Catz

catz is a physical program that trains you in all sorts of ways and keeps you in very good shape?

 

[Bullet]

Mark,

Let me provide some of my thoughts on where I think your perspective needs to be. First things first. What you need to be saying right off the top is: "I want to be an officer in the United States Air Force". Perhaps that IS your first priority, and you just thought anyone here asking how to get into the academy just naturally desires to be an AF officer.

But it needs to be said. Why? Because one of your next steps (if not your first official step) will be to contact your local Academy Liaison Officer (ALO), who will guide you through the process and who works to get the Academy the best potential candidates to fill the ranks in Colorado. THEY will definitely want to be sure that your first goal is to serve as an AF officer! Not saying so up front to them sets off a LOT of warning bells in their minds!

But I'm sure you're in the category of "Ultimate goal (officer) first".

Now, do you have a chance of getting to that goal via the AF academy? This has been asked and answered before with: who knows? The admissions board is the final authority, and none of us here are on it, or know their inner most thoughts on every candidate. What we can RIGHTFULLY tell you is: challenge yourself NOW, work your butt off, NEVER settle for ANY score on ANYTHING as there is ALWAYS room for improvement. And finally: your chance of getting in is ZERO if you don't apply.

Making yourself the strongest candidate you can be in all areas (academic, ECs, physical preparation / sports participation, and leadership responsibilities) is the best way to improve your chances.

And on a final note (and not to be discouraging, but to make sure you are aware that there are ALWAYS other options if you don't get your first dream): if your ultimate goal is AF officer, there are other routes besides the Academy. Make sure you look into them as well (can't hurt to have back-ups to your dreams!).

Bullet