USAFA Summer Seminar Application Benefits

I know this is difficult to take in, but don't worry about how it looks to the admissions board. Just go to SS for the right reasons. Apply to USAFA for the right reasons. You are considered for EVERYTHING you are. Don't underestimate the relationship with your ALO; make sure (s)he knows who you are and why you've made the choices you have.
Looking back, DS was probably a "non-traditional" candidate. DS was rejected from WestPoint's summer seminar, got into USNA's. Yet, he was appointed to both USNA and USAFA (now class of 2018 USAFA). He also attended Boys' State that summer and rolled his summer experiences into one of his essays.
 
MichUSNA2021hopefulparent said:
My DS just got accepted to USAFA SS but is unable to go due to scheduling conflicts. The dates for the first session he is already going to USNA SS and the second session conflicts with Boys State. I have read that it's more important to attend Boys State for leadership points. Is this true?
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Yes. Boys State is not something he should turn down. Summer seminars give a great glimpse of the inside of the academies, but it will not enhance their application. Boys State could and it's a wonderful experience for a young man. My son was completely uninterested in attending, but he went anyways. When I saw him a week later, he said that it had been the best week of his life up to that point. He later attended a SA summer seminar and had a great time, but didn't say things about it that made as much of an impact.
 
Boymom73 said:
Yes. Boys State is not something he should turn down. Summer seminars give a great glimpse of the inside of the academies, but it will not enhance their application. Boys State could and it's a wonderful experience for a young man. My son was completely uninterested in attending, but he went anyways. When I saw him a week later, he said that it had been the best week of his life up to that point. He later attended a SA summer seminar and had a great time, but didn't say things about it that made as much of an impact.
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My son just got selected for Boys State. Son is also unsure of what it's all about but going anyway. I'm glad to read your son had a good experience. Son is also doing USAFA Summer Seminar the week after Boys State.
 
From an ALO...

Attending SS has no, zero, nothing, nada impact on an application to USAFA. Several years ago; okay more than that, USAFA changed the focus of SS...and they removed it's "value" from the application process. That allowed a much better look at potential candidates from all over the nation; not just a few really high-scoring areas.

If you are selected and it conflicts with Boys State or Girls State...my "ALO advice" is to go to Boys/Girls State and be involved there! MANY more possible "bullet statements" for the application!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
kgg200 said:
I heard somewhere that "Summer Seminar attendees are viewed favorably", and I am going this June. What does the Air Force have to say about applicants that have visited? How much does it help?
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Don't know if true, but heard SA SS first admits qualified kids from less represented districts? That's why you hear stories of kids who got rejected to SS but appointment later or other way around. Also approx 50% of SS attendees are admitted to SA. So going to SS is a good thing:)
 
Congrats! I'm going to the USAFA SS this summer too.
From what I've heard talking to people and researching, if you do not go to SS that does not mean you won't get in. However if you got in, it means that the admissions board likes what they see so far, so keep it up. It does not mean you are guaranteed to get in by any means, but it's a great experience that I think would help with possibly getting a nomination since they know the board at the academy already likes what they saw of you and you have been, so you know the academy is the right fit for you. But you should still continue to keep working hard.
Good Luck!
 
50% of SS attendees are admitted?

I'd love to know where that number comes from because I really doubt it. I would have found that to be perhaps accurate 15-20 years ago but not now.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
kgg200 said:
I heard somewhere that "Summer Seminar attendees are viewed favorably", and I am going this June. What does the Air Force have to say about applicants that have visited? How much does it help?
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I would recommend going to girls state if you can! Contact your local legion, I'm a candidate for both USMA and USAFA class of 2020 and both my ALO and Counselor have told me that the Academies LOVE boys/girls state attendees. Not saying that it'll guarantee you acceptance of you go or that you won't get accepted if you don't attend but I would recommend
 
My two cents....and that may be all it's worth .....Go to Boys or Girls State if you have the opportunity. DS 1 and DS2 both went because it was a"good" resume builder but both enjoyed the experience. Ds1 is at USAFA and DS2 is weighing 2 appointments and received 2 ROTC scholarships. Obviously there are no sure things but you will gain a lot by attending the American Legion program even if you don't receive an SA appt.
 
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