Reapplying to the Class of 2015

So my TWE finally arrived in the mail this afternoon. I guess I do feel a bit hindered, but with all honesty, these feelings are completely reciprocated to the amount of motivation I have gained to move on and get into the Class of 2015. I would like to thank everybody on this forum for being so helpful and supportive. It's encouraging to know that the career I dream of pursuing is filled with individuals similar to those on this website.

One question though: Would it be a better idea to attend a local community college or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on a Type II AFROTC scholarship? I am leaning towards Embry-Riddle, but I'm sure there are also proponents to attending a community college (as Embry-Riddle is approx. $60,000/year). The local CC also has an honors program that I am looking to get into. How would admissions view this scenario if I chose the local CC over Embry-Riddle?

Ben; sorry to hear about your TWE, but I'm very impressed with your positive attitude. Keep it up and hang in there.

As for your question. I guess the first question is to determine how much of that $60,000 you would have to pay for, and how much would be covered by the scholarship.

Next, I would contact your ALO if you both have a good rapport. They can review your application with you and let you know how you measured up with their past applicants. In other words, try and get a feeling for how close you were to getting an appointment. You might already know the answer. It could have been something as simple as your nominator had some really excellent nominees and just couldn't get you all in, and the academy was in the same boat.

Guess what I'm saying is: If you and your ALO feel that you barely missed an appointment this year, I might be leaning toward the community college and having your application for 2015 completed by the end of July, (Now that you know the process, it should be very easy). This way you save some money. However, if you feel that you were more on the line of the average applicant, you might take the scholarship to Embry Riddle.

The other side of the coin says to take the Embry Riddle scholarship. This way if you get an appointment next year; fantastic. If not, you're already where you wanted to be. Most people after 2 years in college tend not to reapply being they've already got half of their college education completed. They then look at OTS or ROTS as their route to the air force.

Sorry if I didn't directly answer your question, but that's not my style. You have to answer this question for yourself. All I can do is add a perspective. Best of luck to you Ben. Later..... Mike.....

I have the same news as well. So would we still use our high school teacher's letter's of recommendations? When woulsd the application open up for 2015? Thanks

The application process opens around the end of June. If you line up your teachers ahead of time, prior to graduation, and get their civilian email address that they'll be checking during the summer, you can use them. Theoretically, you can have your ENTIRE application completed before college classes even start. Therefor, everything will be the same as last year. If you haven't received an LOA/Appointment early; e.g. October/November; then you'll probably be sending your 1st semester college grades to them after semester. Also, you will need to send the academy your projected class schedule as soon as you have it from the college you are planning on attending in the fall. But if you can get your application done by July, you can use the high school teachers. mike....

Hey guys...got my TWE yesterday as well. A little disappointed, but excited to be part of USMA class of 2014. Good luck to you as you re-apply!

SamAca10 said:

I have the same news as well. So would we still use our high school teacher's letter's of recommendations?

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First off, make sure you contact your admissions officer right away. Tell them that you are reapplying so that they will save your application from this past year. You won't be able to use the same teacher evaluations that you used last time. Also, you will be allowed to submit 3 more letters of recommendation (which means you will have a total of 6 teacher evaluations and 6 letters of recommendation on file).

Back to the OP, I recommend going the ROTC route unless you are going to have to fork out $60,000. I got the TWE last year, so I've been in the same boat as you guys. I did a year of ROTC, reapplied, and got accepted this year. Let me know if you have any questions at all about reapplying, ROTC, civilian college, etc.

Thank you all for the useful advice. Christcorp, I recently talked with my parents about going the Embry-Riddle route; I do have a sufficient amount of money in scholarships and tuition should not be a problem. Now, neglecting financial issues, Embry-Riddle seems like the right way to go to best improve my chances of getting into the Academy next year. Do you think I'd be alright in assuming this?

I also have a notion that the real benefit to attending Embry-Riddle and doing ROTC there would be the possibility of an AFROTC nomination. Soccerdude407, did you apply for and receive one of these this year? If so, how difficult are these to obtain? Thanks again!

bendaddy said:

Thank you all for the useful advice. Christcorp, I recently talked with my parents about going the Embry-Riddle route; I do have a sufficient amount of money in scholarships and tuition should not be a problem. Now, neglecting financial issues, Embry-Riddle seems like the right way to go to best improve my chances of getting into the Academy next year. Do you think I'd be alright in assuming this?

I also have a notion that the real benefit to attending Embry-Riddle and doing ROTC there would be the possibility of an AFROTC nomination. Soccerdude407, did you apply for and receive one of these this year? If so, how difficult are these to obtain? Thanks again!

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Hey!

Another reason for ERAU, IF you can afford it...

By taking the AFROTC scholarship and entering AFROTC, you have shown the AF that SERVING as an AF officer really REALLY is your goal!

And once in the unit...BUST YOUR BUTT...learn about any/all honors you can strive for, be the fitness exemplar, the go-to guy...set the world on fire!

And then speak with the PAS and say "I'd still like to shoot for the academy and if that happens, great but if not, I'm going to be the cadet commander as a senior!" And then back it up!

You'll be amazed how much they'll help you! Because like the ALO's and everyone else out here...the PAS (ROTC Boss) and their staff have a single goal: to give the USAF (Read USA) the FINEST AF officers they can find and train!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Steve. VERY WELL PUT!!!!!
mike

Flieger83 is spot on. That is exactly what I did this past year and everything has turned out great. I let my PAS know at the beginning of the year that my goal was to attend USAFA. However, I made it clear that as long as I was in his detachment, ROTC would be my priority. Then I worked my butt off which has proved beneficial in a number of ways. 1) It helped improve my application big time. 2) I set myself up to graduate ROTC ranked at the top of my detachment (assuming that I continue to work my butt off). That way, if the Academy dream were to fall through, I would still have a great shot at getting a pilot slot.

When you apply a second time, you are able to add up to 100 points to your composite application score. My admissions officer told me that if I did ROTC and took challenging classes (calc, chemistry, physics, etc) I would get a boatload of points added to my application. Bottom line: if you do ROTC and apply yourself, you will greatly improve you're chances of getting an appointment.

As for the ROTC nominations, I think there are only around 20 of those given out each year (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). I got a principle nom from my congressman and received my appointment in December. The ROTC noms weren't given out until a few months later, so I didn't get one of those.

Hey whats up Bendaddy, sorry to hear about the news. Anyways I believe that you should take the university course. Well that is if money is not an issue. The reason I say this is because, just in case you are not appointed into the class of 2015, you'll still have 1 yr of ROTC under your belt. Another is that it's a college experience, you may think that you want to do Academy but, then after a year change your mind because of how well you're off at a regular college. Well thats just what I think.... In the end it's all up to you. Good luck on whatever route you choose.

I find myself a hundred times more confident than I was last night about choosing Embry-Riddle over my local community college. Flieger83, I will definitely heed your advice about sticking out at the ERAU AFROTC detachment. Like you said, serving as an Air Force officer is my one and only goal, and that is a statement I intend to back up wherever I go. Whether I receive an appointment next year or not, I am honored to have been given the opportunity to commission into the Air Force through an equivalently worthy route.

BTW magtalas192, congratulations and good luck at Prep School! I'm sure you'll do great out there, and hopefully I'll be ready to join you next year!