Just Starting Out Q's

captaintexas

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
12
Hello I am a Junior in High School right now, and have applied to the academy. I didn't get accepted into the Summer Seminar, but I still want to try and apply through to the Academy. I am just a bit confused on the timelines and what I should be doing. I've called my 2 Senators and Representative for nominations but they said applications won't be out for a few more months. I've been running and trying to work on my fitness in the meantime, but I'm starting to become afraid I may be missing an important step. Should I be getting my physical and exam done ASAP? Should I go ahead and call my local liason officer? Or sending in my 3 teacher recommendations and transcripts? Hope someone can help and that I'm not being a bother. I know I'm a noob here.
 
Captain, its good that you have started already. I am a senior this year, and I started my application in August. You are ahead of the game. As far as I know, you have plenty of time before you reach any deadlines. If I were you, I would get in touch with your ALO soon. He will probably come to your house to talk to you. Your ALO is the best person to get you on track and to explain the process to you.
 
Alright thank you I'll give him a call soon. I'm new to all this and its pretty overwhelming right now.
 
Submit the PCQ and than WAIT!

The fact is the AFA must open the portal for you to become an applicant. Great to see your excitement, but right now everyone is busy with 2015.

There are so many steps ahead of you. Right now work out, get your med records together and wait for the end of June. That is when the AFA will inform the ALO's of prospective candidates.

Honestly, enjoy school. Anyone who has lived this ride will tell you even 6 months is stressful, let alone a yr. Don't wish your life away.
 
I believe that your summer seminar application takes the place of the PCQ. Son's ALO has told him the application should open at the end of June.
 
Captain, Read the thread just started by Christcorp about a timeline for juniors. Very informative. You're right that this process can be overwhelming, so right now the best thing to do is just get an idea of what is involved--read forums, talk to your ALO (but don't be depressed if he/she waits a while to meet you--my son's didn't want to talk until after Summer Seminar last year) but know that you are still ahead of the game so don't stress and enjoy the last few months of your junior year. You can't have your physical until you get the info from DoDMERB/AFA so don't worry about that. But as soon as you do get it this summer, jump on it in case there are any issues that have to be resolved with your medical history. It sounds like you are on top of things--you haven't missed anything yet! Good luck during the application process!
 
While you wait

Some things you can work on now, others will have to wait until they are available. Things you can do now:
Have fun during your last two years of high school
Work hard to keep good grades
Get in the best physical shape possible
Practice the events of the CFA, they all have to be done in specific order and time frame
Testing - SAT, ACT if there is room for improvement, do it
Research the process, make a plan
Make plans B through Z for back up

:welcome1:
 
i would talk to the teachers i wanted a recommendation from. they are often really busy in the fall with other senior's letters, so being ahead of the game might help there. Otherwise just fill out that precandidate thing and you should be good for now.
 
Concerning 3 teacher evaluations: They are done as online evaluations, not actual letters. It might be a good idea to talk to the teachers before school is out and get the e-mail address that they want you to submit to the academy when that part of the application is online (probably July, so an e-mail the teachers will check over the summer). And remember, they must be teachers you had as a junior or will have as a senior (which would mean waiting until fall for them to evaluate you).

You will also have the opportunity to submit 3 letters of recommendation, which can come from coaches, counselors, Boy Scout troop leaders, etc. and MUST BE different than the teachers that did online evals. You could conceivably go ahead and get those in the works if you want, but they shouldn't be submitted yet. You said you had applied for Summer Seminar, so that replaces the PreCandidate Questionnaire others will do if they haven't applied to SS. At some point probably in July, the next step of the application process will open up online for you (you'll be notified). That's when things can start being submitted--including transcripts, which have to be complete through junior year so can't be sent now anyway.
 
I can't thank you enough for all the information. It was all very helpful. And it's helped me to calmdown and relax. I can't find any one in my area who has applied, or even knows someone who has applied to one of the Academies and very much appreciate your help.
 
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