Summer seminar virtual session

A

Armymom93

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Jan 6, 2023
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Hello
My son got a letter this morning saying he was accepted for the virtual program. Can anyone provide insights as to what the virtual program entails? He would rather go in person if possible but he did check interest in the virtual program too so....
 
Hello! I was part of virtual summer seminar last year (2022) I was in your son's same boat. I didn't want to really do it because I wanted the in person one, but I still did it. I have no regrets to it at all. All of the cadets I met were extremely helpful and answered all of my question. I know it may seem counterintuitive, but I felt like they were more engaging because we were "face to face" more often. I did an in person seminar for Navy and Air Force was more engaging with questions. They didn't have to worry about getting us to places or keeping us under control.

Just some things that I realized about it:
- You get the same information and insight into life at the academy (I had a friend who went in person and we compared)
- You get the swag for still doing virtual
- It is a great thing to put on congressional applications (they don't seem to care what version you did)
- You don't have to pay for a flight or anything to get to USAFA
- I finished the virtual having all of my questions answered and more eager than ever to start my Candidate Kit

When I was doing my MOC interviews, I met a lot of other people who were accepted into virtual summer seminar and thought they "were too good for it." And as a result I think they missed out on an amazing opportunity. It also gives plenty of advice on how to do your application and how to prepare for the kid to open. I honestly wouldn't have done the extra essay if they hadn't said they "STRONGLY recommend it."

I'm also still in contact with a lot of people from SS and it was great to have such support during the long process.

I hope this was helpful! And congrats on your son getting into SS.
 
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this thoughtful and very helpful response! I will show this to my son tonight. I think he would prefer to go in person but you really make a great case for the virtual option.
Thanks again!
 
small_fry_can_fly said:
Hello! I was part of virtual summer seminar last year (2022) I was in your son's same boat. I didn't want to really do it because I wanted the in person one, but I still did it. I have no regrets to it at all. All of the cadets I met were extremely helpful and answered all of my question. I know it may seem counterintuitive, but I felt like they were more engaging because we were "face to face" more often. I did an in person seminar for Navy and Air Force was more engaging with questions. They didn't have to worry about getting us to places or keeping us under control.

Just some things that I realized about it:
- You get the same information and insight into life at the academy (I had a friend who went in person and we compared)
- You get the swag for still doing virtual
- It is a great thing to put on congressional applications (they don't seem to care what version you did)
- You don't have to pay for a flight or anything to get to USAFA
- I finished the virtual having all of my questions answered and more eager than ever to start my Candidate Kit

When I was doing my MOC interviews, I met a lot of other people who were accepted into virtual summer seminar and thought they "were too good for it." And as a result I think they missed out on an amazing opportunity. It also gives plenty of advice on how to do your application and how to prepare for the kid to open. I honestly wouldn't have done the extra essay if they hadn't said they "STRONGLY recommend it."

I'm also still in contact with a lot of people from SS and it was great to have such support during the long process.

I hope this was helpful! And congrats on your son getting into SS.
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Thank you for writing all of this! My ds is excited to do the virtual program and isn't available for the in-person weeks but your account really helps to know that he isn't missing anything.
 
@small_fry_can_fly Thank you so much for your helpful description of the virtual SS session. DS has accepted his offer and is thrilled by the opportunity.

What does the daily schedule look like for the virtual session? Morning and afternoon? Morning through evening?

Just trying to get some idea of each day's time commitment -- Our CAP Wing's Summer Encampment overlaps with the virtual summer seminar by two days. He'll turn down the staff position if he needs to, but he's hoping there's a way to make it work!
 
I'm glad y'all found my word salad helpful!

So this is the schedule they gave us about a week prior to the Session. During this whole week I was also leading our church's VBS in the evenings so it worked out perfectly for me. There is a bit of waiting around time during the first day and some technical issues that come up, but once you're settled in, it is really fun.

The schedule below is in Mountain Standard Time, so you may have to convert it to your timezone.

I don't know if they'll do the same schedule but it's the gist of it.

Also, y'all found out about Summer Seminar acceptances a lot earlier than we did. I had to hurry up and wait till around April. But it was all worth it in the end.
 

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small_fry_can_fly said:
I'm glad y'all found my word salad helpful!

So this is the schedule they gave us about a week prior to the Session. During this whole week I was also leading our church's VBS in the evenings so it worked out perfectly for me. There is a bit of waiting around time during the first day and some technical issues that come up, but once you're settled in, it is really fun.

The schedule below is in Mountain Standard Time, so you may have to convert it to your timezone.

I don't know if they'll do the same schedule but it's the gist of it.

Also, y'all found out about Summer Seminar acceptances a lot earlier than we did. I had to hurry up and wait till around April. But it was all worth it in the end.
Click to expand...
Thanks. My DS will be leading a group in the evening for VBS the week of his virtual session as well so it's great that worked out for you. I hope the schedule is similar.
 
Tell you son to 'lean into the experience.' One of my students participated in the virtual program and said that her entire group was very quiet and did not actively participate. By nature, this young lady is quite engaging so she was selected to be the 'top participant' in her element. She is also an AFA cadet today. Congratulations on your son's selection!
 
AcadAdmCoach said:
Tell you son to 'lean into the experience.' One of my students participated in the virtual program and said that her entire group was very quiet and did not actively participate. By nature, this young lady is quite engaging so she was selected to be the 'top participant' in her element. She is also an AFA cadet today. Congratulations on your son's selection!
Click to expand...
If the cadre are able to identify a top participant, and write an evaluation of the attendees, is that not helpful for our applications? I thought admissions always says that the summer seminars have no effect on admission?
 
I 'tell' my students that the summer seminar is a bit like running in the 'inside lane' of an oval track (without a staggered start :)). My belief is that a student's attendance with a positive encounter followed by a strong application gives you some advantage. Many say the opposite, plus it is a fact that the vast majority of cadets and midshipmen do not attend summer seminar. The key 'parts' are the SA application and nomination application.
 
small_fry_can_fly said:
I'm glad y'all found my word salad helpful!

So this is the schedule they gave us about a week prior to the Session. During this whole week I was also leading our church's VBS in the evenings so it worked out perfectly for me. There is a bit of waiting around time during the first day and some technical issues that come up, but once you're settled in, it is really fun.

The schedule below is in Mountain Standard Time, so you may have to convert it to your timezone.

I don't know if they'll do the same schedule but it's the gist of it.

Also, y'all found out about Summer Seminar acceptances a lot earlier than we did. I had to hurry up and wait till around April. But it was all worth it in the end.
Click to expand...
Do they still pay the same fee for the virtual seminar ?
 
small_fry_can_fly said:
Hello! I was part of virtual summer seminar last year (2022) I was in your son's same boat. I didn't want to really do it because I wanted the in person one, but I still did it. I have no regrets to it at all. All of the cadets I met were extremely helpful and answered all of my question. I know it may seem counterintuitive, but I felt like they were more engaging because we were "face to face" more often. I did an in person seminar for Navy and Air Force was more engaging with questions. They didn't have to worry about getting us to places or keeping us under control.

Just some things that I realized about it:
- You get the same information and insight into life at the academy (I had a friend who went in person and we compared)
- You get the swag for still doing virtual
- It is a great thing to put on congressional applications (they don't seem to care what version you did)
- You don't have to pay for a flight or anything to get to USAFA
- I finished the virtual having all of my questions answered and more eager than ever to start my Candidate Kit

When I was doing my MOC interviews, I met a lot of other people who were accepted into virtual summer seminar and thought they "were too good for it." And as a result I think they missed out on an amazing opportunity. It also gives plenty of advice on how to do your application and how to prepare for the kid to open. I honestly wouldn't have done the extra essay if they hadn't said they "STRONGLY recommend it."

I'm also still in contact with a lot of people from SS and it was great to have such support during the long process.

I hope this was helpful! And congrats on your son getting into SS.
Click to expand...
Do you still pay for the virtuall? Does it include any of the stuff you’d get in person ? I’m really bummed for my DD and hope she can get switched to in person.
 
It can be disappointing to miss the in-person seminar, but I encourage your daughter to 'lean into' the virtual sessions. Many make the mistake of being absent in person or in 'mind.' I have three students selected for the virtual session this year. Your daughter can request a change, but that can be quite difficult. But it doesn't hurt to ask.

As I recall (so check with AF), I don't believe there are any fees (or they are vastly reduced). My students in the past have received a AFASS t-shirt mailed to them, too. The big prize is that USAFA Admissions 'sees' her and expects your daughter to be a good, competitive candidate for an appointment. Best of luck!
 
Thank you for all the information! I was selected for the virtual session as well. You've all been a great help. Looking forward to getting started!
 
Jbalyeat said:
Do you still pay for the virtuall? Does it include any of the stuff you’d get in person ? I’m really bummed for my DD and hope she can get switched to in person.
Click to expand...
So sorry for not seeing this. We were on break and living the post-Rec high haha.
I didn’t pay a cent when I did this two years ago and then about 2 months later I got a package in the mail with all the same goodies the in-person people got.
I was in your DD same boat about wishing for in person. I will say though that because it’s more chill and the cadets don’t have to get you places, you have more time to ask specific question application process and really anything. Some of the best advice I got was from SS. Hope this helps and best of luck to your DD!!
 
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