Path to the Academy

[Zachieepoo]

Good Afternoon ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to start out with information about me to help the fellow forum members post their best answer.

I am attending Auburn University and currently very active in AFROTC in Det. 005. The out-of-state tuition cost for Auburn is really hurting my family (who are having challenges right now) and I am looking for a new path, to be a cadet for the Academy. I have applied to my Congressmen and Representative and I am awaiting their answer. I am also doing everything I can to get a high GPA in college this year and I am in Arnold Air Society (I have a leadership position) to help me become a better cadet in my Det.
I was denied the High School Scholarship last year, which was disappointing, but I am not letting it crush my dreams. (2nd lieutenant and heavy pilot)


I am trying my best to get the in-college scholarship, but I am here today asking for a backup plan if I do not.

I have heard I could join ANG and transfer through it to attend the academy, but I don't know the details on it. Is this a possible route?

Should I take another $20,000 to $30,000 loan next year, and try for the in-college scholarship again and apply again to the USAFA?

I was denied the High School Scholarship last year, which was disappointing, but I am not letting this crush my dreams.

I am really loving AFROTC, why I would love to graduate from the Academy where it is AFROTC all day, so don't worry on me flaking out haha.

What are your thoughts? Any other backup plans?

Sorry if there is bad grammer or spelling I did this rushing to AFROTC LLAB.

Thank you so much!

Zachieepoo

 

[raimius]

USAFA isn't normally a back-up, but from a financial point, I can see where you are coming from.

Have you talked with your Det commander? They could probably help out quite a bit.

ANG would be a possible way to get to USAFA, but it is rather complex, in that you would need to enlist, go through training, get support from your commander to apply through the LEAD program, then get appointed that way, if I understand correctly. If that is accurate, you would be running up against the age limits for USAFA in a hurry, even if everything went to plan. I wouldn't call that a strong back-up, as a lot of cards would have to fall into place on a tight schedule.

 

[Zachieepoo]

Alright thank you, I have talked to my Det. Commander and he told me to apply and figure it out from there, but I would just like to get many people's point of view to see the best option. I just turned 19 so I am starting to get closer to these age limits but I think I have some time, but I rather get it figured out now than later haha.

Thanks!

 

[socaldaddy]

another possible option

Another possible option is to attend one of the preparatory schools. My 2nd son, who did not make it on his first try, attended North Western Preparatory (NWP) located in San Bernardino, California. My son attended NWP as a free agent meaning that he did not get a scholarship to attend NWP. Thus, i had to pay for his tuition which was about $8,000 plus for the whole program (much less than the $20,000 - $30,000 school loan you mentioned). According to my son, a majority of Falcon Scholars attend NWP. So it was an obvious choice for us. Of course, nothing is guaranteed. You will still need to compete with everyone else for an appointment. However, because my son was very determined to get into USAFA (just like you!!), and because he knew that i was paying for his tuition, he did his best and excelled at NWP as well as on his ACT scores. Long story short, he is now a 3rd class cadet at the academy. My suggestion is for you to google NWP (read about their program) and at least do an interview with Mrs. Durbeck over the phone to make sure you qualify. Nothing to lose.

 

[tug_boat]

NWP

Northwestern Prep is an excellent option. The program is like no other. They have less then 100 students attend the three months and the second semester you attend a local JC or four year school of your choice. I would dare say 98 percent of their students either receive an appointment to a SA, ROTC or attend a four year school. They work on time management, spelling, grammar, math and chem. They do PT everyday and take the CFA several times. The school also takes the SAT and ACT test several times. If you don't improve then you're just sleeping, but then they have a strict game plan everyday. I too encourage you to research NWP.

NWP has a great track record.

 

[USAFA10s]

I second the Prep School option. I had several friends who were self proclaimed slackers in high school but turned it around their senior year, went to a prep school (NMMI for most of them) and then were at USAFA a year later with a whole lot of experience, ready to do awesome.

-2012 grad

 

[Pima]

Just my 0.019755 cents, but Auburn is not typically seen as a safety college academically for an avg applicant.

The prep world exists to give a cadet a better academic foundation, so I doubt he will be offered a prep slot since he is already at what they may deem equivalent academically regarding Auburn.

I agree with Raimius, the ANG might not be the best path.

The IS should be giving out their results in late Dec. or so, at least they did last yr and the yr before that.

It appears you are OOS, have you thought of transferring to a college IS? I only ask because if you are willing to leave for the AFA or ANG, why not transfer to an IS? Your costs would go down greatly. I am sure you still have time to apply to colleges in your home state, because traditionally they don't accept transfers until after 1st semester grades are posted.

If that is the case, you would now have 3 options.
1. AFA
2. ISS at Auburn
3. IS tuition no scholarship

You might also want to look into SMCs. For example, TAMU charges IS tuition to any ROTC cadet. It is an SMC so you get more of that academy life that you are looking to achieve.

Finally, your Det CoC said apply, did you ask him where he stood regarding your rec.? As an AFROTC cadet you will get a nom, but like an AFA candidate, they will be your ALO rec. equivalent. Their rec will be part of the WCS. Are you the only cadet applying, or are there 2 or 3 cadets? Is your home state considered competitive for noms?

At our DS's det., the cadet was OOS, his cong. gave him a principal because he was in AFROTC. So, look into your MOC's regarding noms.

 

[Zachieepoo]

Just my 0.019755 cents, but Auburn is not typically seen as a safety college academically for an avg applicant.

The prep world exists to give a cadet a better academic foundation, so I doubt he will be offered a prep slot since he is already at what they may deem equivalent academically regarding Auburn.

I agree with Raimius, the ANG might not be the best path.

The IS should be giving out their results in late Dec. or so, at least they did last yr and the yr before that.

It appears you are OOS, have you thought of transferring to a college IS? I only ask because if you are willing to leave for the AFA or ANG, why not transfer to an IS? Your costs would go down greatly. I am sure you still have time to apply to colleges in your home state, because traditionally they don't accept transfers until after 1st semester grades are posted.

If that is the case, you would now have 3 options.
1. AFA
2. ISS at Auburn
3. IS tuition no scholarship

You might also want to look into SMCs. For example, TAMU charges IS tuition to any ROTC cadet. It is an SMC so you get more of that academy life that you are looking to achieve.

Finally, your Det CoC said apply, did you ask him where he stood regarding your rec.? As an AFROTC cadet you will get a nom, but like an AFA candidate, they will be your ALO rec. equivalent. Their rec will be part of the WCS. Are you the only cadet applying, or are there 2 or 3 cadets? Is your home state considered competitive for noms?

At our DS's det., the cadet was OOS, his cong. gave him a principal because he was in AFROTC. So, look into your MOC's regarding noms.

Thanks Pima! I always can count on you for great information. I am the only cadet applying in my Det. Most people do not leave my Det. because its a great program. My home state is Georgia (Probably the most competitive part, North Atlanta) and I applied to get a nomination, I was given an interview, but was told a few days ago I was not nominated. I set up an appointment with CoC to meet with him to go over this and my Forum 48. I would love to go IS but my state doesnt have a great engineering school with a AFROTC program, except Georgia Tech, which I was not accepted to. I am looking into TAMU now, thank you!