Summer Seminar Weight

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polevault7

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Mar 8, 2011
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I attended the USAFA Summer Seminar last year and I was wondering if that is considered by the admissions board when they review/ed my application. And if it is, how much of an impact does attending the seminar have on my application.

Thanks
 
Flieger83, I think that Polevault7 was asking about the weight that attending SS holds with respect to his application.....not his own body weight. :)
 
polevault7 said:
I was wondering if that is considered by the admissions board when they review/ed my application.
Click to expand...

Summer seminar attendance does not impact a candidate's WCS. However, the amount of body fat apparently does . . .
 
Summer seminar "Officially" has no direct impact on your application or receiving/no receiving an appointment. It really cant. It's not possible to allow everyone who applies to the summer seminar to receive a spot. The academy tries to spread out the SS slots. It's not simply first come first served. So basically; they can't penalize someone for not going to summer seminar.

Now; I quoted "Officially". Let me explain the "Unofficial" impact it has. I am bringing this up, not so much for those who DID go to summer seminar; but rather for those who applied and were NOT SELECTED; and how they can use it to benefit them. A big part of an application to the air force academy is the ALO's interview and the interview with your MOC. People naturally look favorably on an individual who goes "Above and Beyond". So while Summer seminar may not officially impact your application, it "May/Can/Usually does" impact the impression/opinion your ALO and MOC have towards you when you are interviewed by them. They know you went above and beyond. That you volunteered. That you went out of your way to apply. Now; unfortunately, not everyone can be selected. That's why it's important that those who were not selected make sure that on your applications to your MOC and during all your interviews, that you mention that you DID VOLUNTEER AND SUBMIT for summer seminar. Mention that they only have a limited number that can go, and that your area had too many individuals who applied for it; and that while you weren't selected, you put in for it and really wanted to go.

Of course, I'm not saying to B.S. anyone. If you didn't apply until after the cutoff; or were the last of everyone in your area to apply; then you might want to reword how you present yourself in relationship to summer seminar. so again; while Summer Seminar doesn't officially impact your application at all; it can impress those that interview you. It can show that you are motivated. That you also now know what you're getting into. (Sort of). So make sure you mention this in your MOC application (Whether you were selected or not); and during your MOC/ALO interviews. Mention what you really liked about Summer Seminar. How it made you "Want it that much more". (If that's true). Hope this explains it. Good luck. Mike....
 
Christcorp,

While you're online (not trying to hijack the thread), my son was selected for SS, we've contacted the ALO - he's obviously busy with 2015 so I haven't heard too much from him - Alex was selected for SS without an interview, we've already had him meet our MOC for our district (I work regularly with her outreach people), he's meeting all the gates IRT grades, he's 7 out of 201 in his class, and he's very active in the church , community, and in sports. He was just selected for the DECA ICDC in Orlando after winning 3rd in his state category, he's nominated for the Alabama State Governor's school (75 student will be picked) and has been awarded a summer internship with an educational foundation. We're kind of at a lull right now, we are moving on the pre-app package, but things are very slow IRT the application process -is there anything else He and I should be doing?

Thanks for your great advice on this forum.

With best regards

Jay
 
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Nothing for you to do now but wait. Once he attend summer seminar, his application will already be started. (The pre-candidate was basically done when he applied for summer seminar). Once summer seminar is over, the academy will open up the website to start the actual academy application.

It's good that you've already made some contact with your MOC. Might be easier to get a nomination when the time comes. Make sure you look at your MOC's website(s). they usually have instructions for how to do "THEIR" nomination process. usually, they ask for transcripts and such AFTER Junior Year is done. So chances are, there's nothing for you to do right now. I would have your son get a hold of his teachers. Get their "PERSONAL" email addresses. In the application process, they are going to have to fill out an online recommendation form. Some teachers are difficult to find once summer vacation starts. In the application, it asks for your teacher's email addresses. If you put the school's email address in there, the teacher may never/rarely check that. But if you put in their gmail, hotmail, yahoo, etc... email account, they are more apt to see it and complete it early.

If you prepare properly, you CAN have the entire application process completed by August. That is what I recommend. Especially if the applicant is physically fit and can pass their CFA and their medical review is good. This opens the applicant up to an LOA or similar. This opens up his/her options when applying for other schools. I.e. My son had his academy application 100% complete on July 19th. Including the CFA, DODMRB, Teacher's recommendations, etc... 100% complete. He also had a presidential nomination, so he received an early appointment at the end of october. Even without a nomination early, it opens him up for an LOA. Plus, my son was able to get all his early apps to 5 other universities all completed by September. This freed up his entire senior year in high school to enjoy himself. Concentrate on football. Date. have fun. Not trying to to do academy and university applications. The only thing he did from 1 Aug on, was to continue taking ACT/SAT tests as many times as he could. Other than that; he enjoyed his senior year. I'm not dogging those who wait until December/January to finish their applications. But it's always better to get it done early. Best of luck. mike....
 
Many Thanks Christcorp!

We are already working with his teachers and others to get letters of recommendation underway and he has contacted the ones teaching subjects that will require evaluation letters for. Luckily we are a small town and it's easy to get a hold of people but your suggestion that we get their personal emails is a great one since many will probably be out of pocket at least for a while.

I've been told that we should wait to submit the MOC nom package, I'm going to submit it in May, he's got a 3.97 unweighted GPA and he takes all AP classes but by then we'll have all of his latest test scores and updates on how he did in various opportunities he has upcoming. He's in outstanding shape so I believe he'll pass the physical eval no problem.

I'm trying to get his package complete by the early summer since the Admissions Director told me at Shreveport that due to the rolling admissions early is good! Thanks again for all your great advice, I don't post too often but I read the forum daily and your input is very valuable.

Best Regards!

Jay
 
Depends WHEN you're MOC accepts nomination applications. Our WON'T accept anything prior to the end of the school year (Junior Year). They want to see FINAL JUNIOR YEAR TRANSCRIPTS. If they receive it early, they WILL throw it in the garbage and email you to start all over. That's just our. Also; you can't do anything with the academy until the session opens up. Usually late june or early july. It's good to get things lined up; just don't push too hard. These teachers, moc's, administrators, etc... have lives too remember. They don't want to be badgered with an academy application. REMEMBER: Other soon to be seniors who are motivated, are going to be asking these people similar requests for their Boston College; Stanford; Georgetown; etc... applications. Best of luck to you.
 
When I was at the Academy SS last year, my cadet said it technically doesn't count for anything, in that, that is what they use as a cover. He said really, is does benefit you because the people that decide the actual admission to the academy are the same for the SS. He said that by getting/applying to the SS, you get your name in front of the panel, and he also said that if they saw stuff they liked in you from that, then they will probably really like your full application later when you apply for the real deal.

Again, this is what the cadet told me, and for the most part this seems logical.
 
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