Can People List their qualifications that got them into the Acadamey?

Also 10% of cadets at the Academy got accepted because of cap
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I'm sure this is what you really meant; but let me qualify. There's a big difference between 10% of the cadets WERE IN CAP and 10% of the cadets got accepted BECAUSE OF CAP. I doubt very much that CAP got anyone into the academy. Same with scouts or any particular activity.

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with being involved with CAP. But there are literally dozens of extra curricular activities that a high school student can be involved in. The academy knows that you can't possibly be involved in all activities. CAP is no more important on your application than Scouts, band, debate, class secretary, etc... The academy wants a well rounded individual. If you are interested in CAP; then fantastic. You should definitely be involved with it. But don't get involved with CAP or ANY activity because you think it's a way to fill in a square or that it's going to give you an edge. As you realized; the overwhelming majority of cadets at the academy was never involved with CAP. Nor were they involved with JrROTC, Scouting, and a number of other activities. But they were involved in other activities.

And that's what's important. A well rounded individual who is involved in more than just their academics. Someone involved in athletics, volunteering, leadership, and the list goes on. Just as baseball isn't MORE important or going to give you an edge at getting an appointment compared to say swimming or track; neither will CAP give you an edge over the boy scout, JrROTC, Meals On Wheels volunteer, and many other activities. I know plenty of current cadets who never spent one minute as a scout, CAP, JrROTC, etc... and yet they received appointments and/or LOA early (As in October/November). So again; do CAP or whatever you want because you WANT TO. Not because you're filling in squares. And for what it's worth; as someone who was involved in scouting, JrROTC, and a little bit with CAP; there was very little that those things prepared me for with the "Real Military". Actually; I would say that Marching Band and sports were the 2 greatest things that prepared me for military life. Sports; because of the discipline, teamwork, being a follower, working up to leader, and having someone scream and yell at you. Marching band taught me how to march; conform to a large group of people (flight, squadron, group, etc...); Stand at attention for very long periods of time. Also discipline like athletics. And so on. Best of luck to you. Mike......
 
matthew123 said:
Yay I am so happy, I just joined CAP. This makes me pretty happy to get an early experience of how the military and the air force is, I am ready to have fun but at the same time be committed to what I do:D. Also 10% of cadets at the Academy got accepted because of cap and being fully qualified of course. But I am taking the first step.
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Good on ya. Just realize that if you come here, don't go let everyone know you were in CAP. JROTC and CAP have a bad stigma here, though many did them.
 
Thanks for what you have told me, C.A.P. is something that I want to do, I wanted to do the Young Marines but I want to be in the Air Force so my school told me about cap, also sorry if I am coming over to you guys as cocky, I am just really excited and I hope the best works out for me and everyone else. Once again USAFA is and has been my dream and goal for many years.
 
you're not coming across as cocky. You're enthusiastic and excited. That's fantastic. That's the type of person we want applying to and attending the academy and becoming an air force officer. There's a lot of motives for applying to the academy. Excitement and enthusiasm isn't always something an applicant has. So good for you. Don't lose that excitement.

But CadCandMateus and Hornet bring up some very valuable suggestions. Everyone likes to believe that they are special and have achieved a lot of exceptional things. And you have!!! Here's the deal. At a traditional university, you most likely would be a standout. Your gpa, athletics, and activities is above and beyond the normal college student. You would have been in the top 10%. Now; go to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Georgetown, etc... and your GPA and activities become the NORM. Instead of being in the top 10%, you find that 90% of the students did the same thing as you. Remember; the average GPA of entering C4C freshmen was 3.85. 95% were varsity letter athletes. EC and activities is common among every single applicant. You're no longer the Big Fish in a small pond. You're now just BAIT in the ocean.

Pretty much, you don't want to be "THAT GUY" who brags about what they did in High School. EVERYONE did SOMETHING great in high school. And CAP, Scouting, and JrROTC happen to be 3 activities that many see as people who are "Gung-Ho"; "Ate Up"; etc... You don't want to come across at BCT as the person who "THINKS" they have an edge, are better, know more, etc... than the other cadets because you did JrROTC, Scouts, CAP, etc... It will make your life with other cadets much better. best of luck.... mike....
 
I will surely brag about my accomplishments! haha psych!.. I learned well enough through this site to be "invisible"... like a ninja.:cool: lol

Actually I never did CAP or JROTC. I'm an outcast.
 
After 4 dig year, being good vs invisible makes like here and LATER much better. Be visible in good ways after 4 dig year.
 
So true hornet. Obviously, the first thing that will get you noticed in a good way is your grades. You get graded academically (Dean's List); military studies/bearing (Commandant's List); and physically (Athletic Director's List); and if you get on all three, you will be on the (Superintendent's List). That will definitely get you noticed in a positive way.

The best thing to realize is that the military; even at the academy; is about team work. So don't become a loner who is only out to make themselves look good. There's ways to be a 4.0 gpa student and make it on all 4 lists, and still be there helping your team. Be there to help academically in areas that you excel in. At the same time, realize that you aren't perfect, and seek help from others in areas that they excel in. It helps the team concept and it plays on other people's confidence and ego. (Everybody likes to feel important and needed). Realize that as a TEAM, everyone IS important. And that everyone can feel the satisfaction of being part of the team. Remember, it's not just you being part of the team, but it's allowing/ensuring that the others feel part of the team. Good luck. Mike.....
 
Well I'am also a sophmore. I also play football. My GPA is a 3.92 unweighted. ( Didn't take AP or Honors.) 4.0 my sophmore year. (My school does not weigh classes) For my Junior Year I'am taking all AP and honors. For math I'am taking PreCalc, Science I'am taking Chemistry H, AP Biology, and AP Physics( Yes all of the 3) AP Englsih, Spanish III, Powerlifting (Football class) and AP Computer Science. Along with many other classes. I'am on National Honor Society and am joining the Peer Leadership Team. I'am also joining the CAP. I am looking forward to it. My dad is retired Military (28 Years) and he was a LTC. I hope to see you Mathew123 at the Academy (If all goes well)
 
Yeah I totally feel under qualified as well, and although I am not planning to join the academy, I will be virtually competing with USAFA applicants over scholarships for afrotc. gpa is 3.6 cumulative unweighted, and top 10% of class (ranked 76 out of 766, Freshman year screwed up my gpa, i did really bad), I take ap and honors classes throughout my high school career (except freshman year, only honors), as well as college courses at the local community college. I am involved in absolutely no clubs at my school. The problem is that my school doesn't offer clubs im interested in and its much too late for me to start one now (im a junior). Robotics was shutdown my freshman year. Anyways I have approximately 500 hrs of community service at my church and independently exercise (dictates my life and habits. Dieting and etc. I spend almost 3-4 hrs at the gym everyday). Hopefully the board weighs heavily on my independent motives. Also I have very minimal leadership experience and position (I was once a group leader for an engineering college course, thats about it.)
 
Making plans? To meet at the Academy? Sign me up!
No, but really. It would be great to have read all about someone on this forum and then actually meet them there.
 
matthew123 said:
Yay I am so happy, I just joined CAP. This makes me pretty happy to get an early experience of how the military and the air force is, I am ready to have fun but at the same time be committed to what I do:D. Also 10% of cadets at the Academy got accepted because of cap and being fully qualified of course. But I am taking the first step.
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remember, CAP carries the same weight as any other activity like JROTC, debate, scouting, etc. it's one of those organizations that "you get out of it what you put into it." the academy isn't going to be shocked into awe by your C/AB or C/Amn grade. just joining doesn't guarantee squat. you have a few years left before you apply for the academy. take up leadership positions like element leader, flight sergeant, or even flight commander. go for that mitchell award (C/2d Lt) and go beyond. the academy will look at that with much greater respect than if you simply joined. good luck in whatever you do! :thumb:
 
I'm sure that it's been clarified that 10% of the cadets DID NOT get accepted because they had CAP. 10% of the cadets may have been involved in CAP; but that's completely different than saying CAP got the individual accepted to the academy. But Bigcox; you do bring up something very important that those considering the academies should understand. That's passion. Obviously, to get the Mitchell in CAP or Eagle Scout in Boy scouts, etc... it requires passion. You obviously must truly be into such activities. I.e. You can't just join the boy scouts for your junior/senior year in high school and be able to make it to eagle scout. It takes years. You're obviously committed to it if you're going to be involved for that many years.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: The fact that you WERE a scout and made eagle scout; means absolutely NOTHING to the academy. The fact that you were in CAP and received the Mitchell for CAP; means absolutely NOTHING to the academy. The fact that you were in the marching band and made Drum Major in the Marching Band; means absolutely NOTHING to the academy. HOWEVER: The fact that you were passionate about scouting and was involved for such a long period of time and was able to achieve such a level in the activity; DOES MEAN SOMETHING to the academy. The fact that you have been involved with CAP for such a long period of time and was passionate about it; and worked your way up to receiving the Mitchell; DOES MEAN SOMETHING to the academy. The fact that you've been involved for such a long time with the marching band, are passionate about it, and worked your way up to Drum major DOES MEAN SOMETHING to the academy.

In other words; your COMMITMENT, PASSION, DEDICATION, TEAMWORK, LONGEVITY, etc... is what MEANS SOMETHING to the academy. Not the actual activity. The academy isn't looking for someone that does activities TRYING TO FILL A SQUARE. They're looking for applicants who like being part of a TEAM. Who is passionate about what they do and WON'T QUIT. Who cares more about the TEAM and the MISSION than about themselves. I think you get the message.

I bring this up for 2 reasons: 1) Obviously, it takes a lot of commitment, passion, giving of self, etc... to make it to Eagle Scout or receiving the Mitchell in CAP. So while the actual activity doesn't mean much, the fact that you made it to eagle and Mitchell shows your passion. In other words, there's no way you could have reached that level if you weren't passionate about it. ALSO 2) Just because you don't make the mitchell or make it to Eagle scout, doesn't mean you somehow have LESS POINTS than the other person. I.e. If you finished scouting as a "Life Scout" and not an "Eagle Scout", that doesn't mean the Eagle scout has a better chance. The academy will see your 6+ years of involvement. They'll see the passion. However; if they see 1-2 years of CAP or Scouting, that will mean less than the person who's been involved for a lot longer. Obviously, there are some things that don't have duration; but some things do.
 
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