Air Force Scholarship

peg leg

5-Year Member
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Jan 25, 2011
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So, I am considering an AFROTC scholarship as a junior and want to start working early. I have taken every AP class my school offers, and am active in the student association, volunteer groups, youth ministries, always been class president, 3.83 GPA, 26 ACT (1st time). I want to major in architecture also. First, what are my chances of getting it? Right now, I am at the minimums on the PFA. Also, what would I do in the air force for a job? Do they even have jobs for architects?

Thanks!
 
You seem to have pretty strong credentials. Everything looks good, just keep retaking that ACT and work on that PFA as much as you can.

I checked online and the Air Force does offer technical scholarships for architects, which is good because the majority of scholarships they offer are for technical degrees.

Your major doesn't dictate your job though. Excel in college with a good gpa and fitness scores, impress your commander. You apply for jobs before you commission, and based on your ranking against everyone else you are more or less likely to get the job you want. I am sure they would have jobs for architects also, since they offer scholarships for it! The Air Force has so many jobs you can definitely find something you will like.

Also, apply ASAP for the scholarship! It is a rolling process, so they hand them out as they get the applications. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to get a scholarship, and one of more value.
 
It is unweighted with AP classes. Id love to be an architect for the AF and have even considered enlisting, but have alot to think about.
 
Go for it man. Apply for the scholarship. You can always turn it down, but it is a great opportunity.
 
You have 100% chance of not getting a scholarship if you don't apply.

Your ACT is going to hurt because academics carry the most weight when it comes to the review boards. You really want to be near 30 and better yet @32.

Take the most rigorous course load you can handle. AP in Human Geography is not going to be viewed the same as AP Calc.

Boards not only look at your gpa, but the school profile and course curriculum.

The AF doesn't have architects per se. When they design new buildings that is contracted out. However, they have AF personnel that work side by side with these contractors as the POC in charge of it from the AF side.

Think about it this way, the AF has aerospace engineers, but Lockheed designed the plane, to the specifics that the AF requested. So if designing the building is what you want, it probably won't happen...working on it will happen.

Also work on that PFA. Mins will hurt you, you have months and months of time before the 1st board for 16 will meet, enough to get from the min to the max.

Trust me, there is a poster who had an LOA and a nom for the AFA, and it is put on hold because their CFA (PFA equivalent) was below par. Once submitted, it is up to them to decide whether to allow you to submit a new one. You can't just submit another one later on because you want too.

The AF will also look to see if you have athletics. The key to getting a scholarship is being the best well rounded student...book smart is not going to be enough since that only carries 60% of the Whole Candidate Score. Get 100% on academics, but 10% for the remaining 40% on ECs, PFA, etc, and you will be out of the running because your WCS would be basically 64% out of the total 100%.
 
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It sucks, I go to a private school where there are no sports like football, soccer, baseball, but we have intramurals, and I participate in those regularly. Ive had a job since 14, not interested as much in the AFA, might consider getting a degree in aviation, or possibly aerospace engineering. Who knows.
 
They actually will take your school profile into consideration, so don't worry about that, just do intramural, maybe if you like to swim, get a life guard certification...just something to prove you are well rounded.

For those who are new, the school profile will show the background of the school, everything from grade scale, to clubs to how many go 2 yr, 4yr Private, 4 yr OOS, etc.

They try to balance everything so everyone is on a level playing field. they are not going to punish you because your school doesn't offer 15 APs or they have Beta over NHS against the kid that has every sport, AP and IB programs.

They want to look at how competitive your school and how competitive you are in that school, and than they start again from the national perspective.

For example, if you go to the number 1 school in the nation, and are in the top 30% with that GPA, but at your school the top 50% get into HYSPM, than that percentile will not hurt. However, if you are in the top 30% and the top 25% go to 4 yr ISS, that profile will hurt you when they go back to re-weight your academic review.

People also forget, that if they give a wgpa, to this board, you should also give it on what the scale is. 4.12 sounds great, but is that on a 4.5, 5.0 or 6.0 scale? Big difference, because more than likely the AFROTC board will re-weight you if it is 6.0 and it will drop big time.

The best way to see is if you order your SAT and ACTs to be electronically sent. At the bottom, at least they did it 2 yrs ago, they will show your school gpa, and the re-weight for the colleges you sent them to. If I recall correctly it usually is a 5.0 on a 7 pt scale for how they calculate their gpa.
 
I'm going to work out all this sumer, and apply for a scholarship at University of Tennessee Knoxville for their Architecture Program since it is a technical slot. Also, that was my first ACT score, so there is definitely room to improve. I am in the process of getting my lifeguard certification, as well as Basic Life Support/CPR/FirstAid. I hope to atleast get a Type 7 (I think that is what it is called). How lenient are ROTC detachments on PFT for your first semester as a freshmen?
 
How lenient are ROTC detachments on PFT for your first semester as a freshmen?

You just need to meet the minimums to keep your scholarship.

The MINIMUMS for MALES:

1.5 Mile Run - 13:36
Pushups - 33
Sit ups - 42

Those are what I have. They could have changed. It is very easy to pass.

However, if you want to make sure you get an EA slot and go to field training, work your best to get a perfect. You might not, but remember you want to do the best in everything that you can. You don't want to miss out on something that you could've had with just one more pushup...
 
Those are the minimums, but strive for the max in everything.

MAX Scores:
1.5 Mile Run - 9:12
Pushups - 67
Sit ups - 58

The run is where most of the points come from, but make sure that you excel in all areas. Don't slack off just because you meet the minimums because the PFA scores will come into determining if you get continue in the program after your sophomore year.

Also, the sit ups count as your shoulder blades hit the ground, not as you go up. It's only a slight difference, but takes getting used to.
 
Those are the minimums, but strive for the max in everything.

MAX Scores:
1.5 Mile Run - 9:12
Pushups - 67
Sit ups - 58

The run is where most of the points come from, but make sure that you excel in all areas. Don't slack off just because you meet the minimums because the PFA scores will come into determining if you get continue in the program after your sophomore year.

Also, the sit ups count as your shoulder blades hit the ground, not as you go up. It's only a slight difference, but takes getting used to.

this year, what's a typical score need to be 'pretty much assured' you can continue on and what happens to scholarship kids who don't score highly?
 
If a scholarship cadet can't pass the PFA, I believe the scholarship will be suspended. There is no assurance you can continue with any score. You could max the PFA, but have horrible grades and commanders ratings. But, a good score I would say is a 90+. Of course you want to aim for that 100, though.
 
If a scholarship cadet can't pass the PFA, I believe the scholarship will be suspended. There is no assurance you can continue with any score. You could max the PFA, but have horrible grades and commanders ratings. But, a good score I would say is a 90+. Of course you want to aim for that 100, though.

Can you send a link to the formula to derive the score?
 
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