Summer Seminar Acceptance!!

Well, be prepared to wait a lot when you finally get here as a cadet...there will always be many things that you really want in the seemingly distant future.
 
PDub said:
Well, be prepared to wait a lot when you finally get here as a cadet...there will always be many things that you really want in the seemingly distant future.
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...like waiting for recognition. Man, its been a very long 7.5 months.

Haha, if the Summer Seminar wait is hard. Just wait (haha, get it?) until you get here as a 4*.
 
Request from an ALO

Hi!

I have a request for ALL summer seminar appointee's that ALSO attend another academy's summer seminar.

Would you be willing to write me a small "this is what I liked and what I did not like" paper? Nothing huge, but something substantive?

Why?

Last year one of my candidates went to both USAFA and USMA summer seminars. She was 100% USAFA when she went to both...she came back 100% USMA! Why?

She said because of her experiences at both summer seminars. And that upset me. Not that I lost her to USMA; far from it, I'm a "wierd" ALO...she's an amazing young lady and the USA will be WELL served with her as an army officer! Yes, I'd like to have had her in USAF blue but you know what...it's about the US of A and WE ALL WIN with her in uniform! So I have no complaints.

BUT...we did a poor job FOR HER at USAFA and that upset me.

So...if any of you that are attending two or more summer seminars would be willing to do this for me, I'd greatly appreciate it!

I'll sign this "formally" so you know I'm not just that ALO guy.

Again, my thanks!

Steve

Stephen E. Wood, Lt Col, USAFR
Deputy Liaison Officer Director for Arizona

and

USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Steve - I can give you my son's perspective from last summer and I find it very interesting that it conflicted sharply with your candidate's! My son went to Navy, WP and AF in that order, and honestly, I think a lot of it came down to the individual squad (element) leader making a huge difference. He LOVED NASS and came really, really close to choosing that appointment over AF (even though he's wanted and been working for AF since he was about 8) primarily based on that experience. Overall they did a lot of the same things at all 3 seminars - briefings, classes, hands on experiences, PT, seeing the dorms/dining halls, talking to cadets. However, his brief summaries were:

NASS - just an incredible experience. They gave them "rates" up front to memorize, which also I think gave them a sense of history of the academy. Just had a practice plebe evening, but it was enough to give them some insight into being a plebe. Squad time always seemed to be something fun, initiated by the squad leader (even just chatting about the academy) and they spent an evening in DC, which of course not every academy can offer. Sea Trials was his highlight of his life so far - nothing the other academies offered came close to this day/bonding experience. He still keeps in touch nearly daily with two squadmates from SS and emails his SL regularly. Just worked out to be a great group. One interesting point was that his SL was a new 3rd class - just out of plebe year himself, and with a great deal of enthusiasm. Sent the parents a bunch of pics of their kids so I at least have some from that SS, since evidently my son wasn't bright enough to grasp that he had to use a flash indoors! :rolleyes:

WP - he was totally turned off by WP as a whole, much to dad and my dismay as grads. He felt everything was low key and boring after his week at Navy. His SL was entering 2nd class year, and was NOT thrilled to be there. Constantly commented to the squad that WP sucked and couldn't believe she'd come back. Any free time (of which they seemed to have a LOT) she just sent them to their rooms to amuse themselves. Add in bad weather on the day they were supposed to go to Buckner for all their field training, and there was very little of note that he enjoyed. Thought it was too many days of classes (this SS was two days longer than AF's) and primarily just sitting and listening, not "doing". That's why I was so interested to hear your candidate liked it so much more!

AF - he felt was just more middle of the line all the way through. Seemed much shorter than all the other seminars - basically the first day was travel, and the last day they could leave as early as 4am to catch 6am flights, so it was only 3 days of doing things. His SL was going to be a firstie and seemed professional but a bit distant to the kids. Straightforward, answered questions, but not the "I'm so excited about the opportunities here" that he saw at Navy. By this point he was tired of hearing the same things over and over again (how to apply for a nom) so I think was a bit jaded. He thought the "Doolie for a Day" was an awesome experience and the best part of the seminar, but it was really only a few hours, not the whole day he'd been expecting. But evening just seemed to be pretty down times - more briefings or things like that rather than the major planned activities they had at Navy. Overall, I'd say this seminar was exactly what he was expecting while Navy was so much more and WP was so much less.

Hope this helps some and you don't mind me throwing in stuff from last summer! Feel free to PM if you'd like to contact him directly or ask him any questions and I can give you his email!
 
my brother and I are twins and we both got accepted at the same time
obviously we both chose the same session I was wondering if it was possible that we are going to be put in the same baracks/squads and what not? cause we've spent 17 years together and we would like to enjoy our experiences separately and not known as thoses twins
 
Steve,
I know you're probably more interested in the candidate's perspective and not the parent's perspective but I thought I'd throw in my secondhand, $0.02 worth. :smile:

I agree with Marciemi that a lot of it probably depends on the cadets/midshipmen that the candidates spend time with.

My son only went to USMA SLS (which he didn't particularly care for). He did however, attend CVW at USNA and a overnight visit at USAFA. He really enjoyed the "more relaxed" attitude and demeanor of the USAFA cadets. But commented to me that the USAFA cadets, that he stayed with, said to him "don't go to an SA , but if you decide to go to one, pick USAFA". Whereas the mishipmen that he stayed with were very proud to be at USNA and were strongly encouraging him to choose the NA. (As I said above, I realize that a lot of this is dependent upon which cadet/midshipmen you are assigned to.)

My son also received phone calls from two of the "deans" at USNA and a couple of midshipmen to see if he had any questions about the academy. Those phone calls weren't the final deciding factor for him choosing USNA, but it was nice for him to have had that contact with people from USNA.

Again this is just my $0.02 worth!
 
Does being accepted to the Air Forced Academy Summer Seminar make you a candidate like it does for USMA and USNA?
 
checked earlier...site was updating...usually does not mean anything...checked later, my high schooler got in! current slots ts63 show
241 session a, 243 session b, 182 session c
 
how many per session are they taking? My high schooler is still waiting to hear. But since the application window is still open I would figure they can't fill up yet.
 
Got in today at 10:10 am! I was getting nervous that I would not be able to attend a summer seminar of sorts since I was not accepted at USMA SS, and navy is supposed to be very competitive this year.

For those interested I will post the numbers that are most current...

Session A: 237
Session B: 243
Session C: 177


Good luck to all those still waiting! And congrats to all those accepted!

Looking forward to seeing you guys there!
 
Steve,

I know you are asking about the SS itself. However, from the start I have noticed a huge difference in the application process itself for the different SS. USAFA asked for a resume and it's hard to know what needs to be put in the resume. I have a feeling my son left out a few key points but not sure, I think he forgot to include what AP classes he took and is taking now.
Many of the other applications included more extensive indepth questions. He has tried to email the ALO for our area with no responce back and the link to the email address on the status page gives him an error message that it is either a none working email, has been changed or deleted.

He is keeping his fingers crosses and I know he is anxious to here about an acceptance to one of the sessions.
 
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I am sure this has been discussed before and I am looking for this information, but will ask again. I see some candidates were fortunate enough to be selected and attend a seminar for AFA, USNA, USMA. I can understand this will help them decide somewhat, if they are fortunate enough to receive an appt to more than one. I also understand some of it depends on your particular leader for the week, a good one can leave one with a better feeling when you are there. What are the other advantages to doing more than one? Does it help in the application process? I know many now at one of the SA's did not attend any summer session, but if you do, can it possibly give one any type of boost, besides passing CFA? I ask as I know some are from states that have other programs for Seniors to be such as Boys State and several week long programs at Colleges which are great to attend. Trying to weight the pros and cons in choosing, if so lucky to have decisions to make. Many of the state programs can result in scholarships which obviously are very important if a Plan A (SA) or Plan B (ROTC) fall through and you are at Plan C ("regular" college) Thanks in advance.
 
tedsnyder63 said:
I am sure this has been discussed before and I am looking for this information, but will ask again. I see some candidates were fortunate enough to be selected and attend a seminar for AFA, USNA, USMA. I can understand this will help them decide somewhat, if they are fortunate enough to receive an appt to more than one. I also understand some of it depends on your particular leader for the week, a good one can leave one with a better feeling when you are there. What are the other advantages to doing more than one? Does it help in the application process? I know many now at one of the SA's did not attend any summer session, but if you do, can it possibly give one any type of boost, besides passing CFA? I ask as I know some are from states that have other programs for Seniors to be such as Boys State and several week long programs at Colleges which are great to attend. Trying to weight the pros and cons in choosing, if so lucky to have decisions to make. Many of the state programs can result in scholarships which obviously are very important if a Plan A (SA) or Plan B (ROTC) fall through and you are at Plan C ("regular" college) Thanks in advance.
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Use the summer seminars more as a tool to decide between the academies rather than a standard application necessity. For example if you are torn between USNA and USMA, go to both. If you are set on USAFA attend the summer seminar, and then go to boys state, X college program, etc.

There is a bit of debate over how much the summer seminar weighs in on admissions, and the general consensus is not much. Its more of a tool for an applicant rather than admissions. Some people who attend summer seminars will get rejected, while people who never even applied for a summer seminar will get accepted.

What I would recommend though, is to get to atleast one of the summer seminars just to get a general idea, even if that means you won't be able to attend X college program.

I personally don't see a pro in attending two+ other than to decide between the academies. Just my .02
 
pilotmom15 said:
Steve,

I know you are asking about the SS itself. However, from the start I have noticed a huge difference in the application process itself for the different SS. USAFA asked for a resume and it's hard to know what needs to be put in the resume. I have a feeling my son left out a few key points but not sure, I think he forgot to include what AP classes he took and is taking now.
Many of the other applications included more extensive indepth questions. He has tried to email the ALO for our area with no responce back and the link to the email address on the status page gives him an error message that it is either a none working email, has been changed or deleted.

He is keeping his fingers crosses and I know he is anxious to here about an acceptance to one of the sessions.
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It's funny because we felt the opposite about those. We thought that with the resume it gave him the chance to put everything in that he wanted, and emphasize the more important things (or at least describe some that AF might not be familiar with). Felt like on Navy's it was all check yes/no - for example community service, it seems like someone who volunteered after school cleaning up one afternoon got the same credit as someone with several hundred hours of commitment to various projects. He tried to put what he could in the small text boxes afterwards, but I'm not sure if those are even read or if they expect extra info there or if they just somehow "tabulate" points based on what you check yes and no!
 
Got my acceptance today as well but I'm afraid I may have to decline. I've sent in my money for USMA SLS and have to save up for the $350 plane ticket. I don't know if I am going to be able to afford the cost of AFA SS and the plane ticket. I'm going on a service trip to Peru this year and need all avaiable cash for that.
 
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