Does your location affect your admission chance?

sjbd94

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Jun 6, 2011
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I am from eastern NC and was wondering if people out east have a better chance of going out west for the air force academy. Since I live near the beach and am closer to the naval academy does that make it more competitive? The air force is probably the only service academy I will apply to but I was just wondering if it is less competitive for someone further away to get in. Also is it true that AFA is less competitive to get into compared to navy or army. I know none of theme are easy but I need all the help I can get haha.
 
Not sure about your location, but with regards to AFA it was just as competitive as any other. It might have even been one of the harder ones to get into this year from what I've been told. However, I know there are some less competitive areas, but look at it this way, if even a pool as small as thirty-two applicants apply for a nom it's competitive. That is because two of those kids won't get noms, because there are most likely thirty noms available. Even then some kids might get multiple noms, and only three are guaranteed slots if it's competitive slates. Also you must consider your competition, and most of those kids won't just be applying to one SA like you. So really nothing is a safe bet, and you can't control anything, except you. So do your best regardless of where youre from or where you're planning on going.
 
There is definitely something to be said for where you are from. If most people in your area apply to Navy, then you have a better chance of receiving a nomination to Air Force. But realize, only 1 from each senator, and 1 from your district representative are on average guaranteed the slot. After that, you are now competing with everyone else in the country who didn't get their senator or representative's slot. Basically; where you're from has more to do with getting a nomination.

I live in wyoming. We are the other extreme. We only have 1 representative for the entire state. Plus our 2 senators. On average, we only have about 15-18 individuals applying to the air force academy. That means, unless you're a total screw up, everyone will receive a nomination. but that's only the first half. One from each of those 3 slates on average will receive the MOC guaranteed slot. After that, the other 12-15 individuals with nominations will be competing with the rest of the country, with the other individuals who didn't receive the guaranteed MOC slots. Once in a while you have some who are also competing with presidential and similar slots. So again; your location matters more with the nomination than it does the appointment.
 
You can see where I acquired most of my knowledge above obviously! :shake: ^
 
Usafa falcon when did you start your application process? I am going to write my letter to my congressman sometime next week. Do I have to wait to hear from him to begin the application? Or can I get through most of the application without the nomination. If I finish ny application process over the summer is that early enough?
thanks and sorry if these are stupid questions
 
Also can u start the application and go back and change your sat or act scores after you submit it?
 
1) You can't START your application to the academy until it becomes available. It's online, and isn't available until the end of june, beginning of July.

2) Each senator and representative has their own procedure for how THEY do their nominations. Go to their web site, and there will probably be a section on "Applying to military academies". If not, call their office. You'll talk to their staff. Ask them for the procedures. Best of luck. Mike....
 
Sure, location can have an impact. Can you do anything about it? Not really (most won't move for that reason). So don't worry about the location and do your best applying to where you want to go.
 
I called my congressman earlier today and was told I need to write a letter requesting a nomination packet. What kind of information should I put in this letter. I was told to just write a letter requesting a packet, I wasn't told what I should include or anything like that. But can I also go back and update scores after I submit my application? Are you sure about when it open, is that just the preliminary application on academyadmissions.com right now?
thanks for your time
 
Usafa falcon when did you start your application process? I am going to write my letter to my congressman sometime next week. Do I have to wait to hear from him to begin the application? Or can I get through most of the application without the nomination. If I finish ny application process over the summer is that early enough?
thanks and sorry if these are stupid questions

While not Usafa_Falcon, we had similar timings on our applications if I recall correctly. I finished my application around October (my CFA being the last thing), received my Letter of Assurance in December, and due to a mix-up, received my Nomination and appointment in January.

1.Most members of congress have links on their websites with details on applying for a service academy nomination

2.You can do the parts of your application in any order you choose, but the academy will not look at the application until you have all parts completed (everything except nomination). You may receive a letter of assurance based off of your candidate package (although only 10% do, USAFA is the most stingy about LOA's), but legally, you cannot and will not receive an appointment without a nomination.

3.It's never to early to finish your application, but just remember that for the CFA, don't take it unless you are sure that you will do well, there are no do-overs.
 
For your congressman, just do what they asked. "To the honorable John Smith. etc...". I am interested in applying to the United states Air force Academy. I would greatly appreciate a nomination packet from your office. Bla Bla Bla....

As for the application process to the academy; yes I am sure. If you did the precandidate application and/or was accepted for summer seminar, then the initial process online has been started. Is there a place on the online you speak of to do "essays"? Is there a place to put in your teacher's email addresses? Is there a place to put in your CFA scores? If not; then that isn't the official academy application.
 
I called my congressman earlier today and was told I need to write a letter requesting a nomination packet. What kind of information should I put in this letter. I was told to just write a letter requesting a packet, I wasn't told what I should include or anything like that. But can I also go back and update scores after I submit my application? Are you sure about when it open, is that just the preliminary application on academyadmissions.com right now?
thanks for your time

With my congressman, I just wrote a letter stating that I would like to apply for a nomination, a packet was then sent to me in the mail. In the packet is where I put all of my academics, ec's and whatnot.

You can update anything in your application such as extra curriculars, awards, SAT/ACT scores, I believe you just contact the academy and let them know.

Right now, I believe only the PCQ is open, the main application will open later in the summer.
 
This is probably a stupid question for you guys, but what is the CFA test/exam that you are talking about?
 
This is probably a stupid question for you guys, but what is the CFA test/exam that you are talking about?

A way for the service academies to gauge athletic fitness. It is comprised of 6 events:

Basketball throw, pushups, situps, pullups, shuttle run, and a 1 mile run.


Much of what you are asking can be answered here

(credit goes to christcorp for this)
 
What are good times/ scores for that or is that on the link. I know I can go around 13 pullups and close to 5 flat mile.( im varsity track and xc) thanks again for all the info guys. I really appreciate it.
 
As most people will tell you, "good scores" would be maxing the event.

I'm going to assume you're a boy,
13 pullups is better than average, but still not max
a 5:00 mile is better than max

the scores are all in the book, strive for max. It's a test of endurance
 
At the bottom of my post is a signature block. It contains a link to the air force academy brochure. It has a section on all the stats you're looking for. GPA, Tests, CFA, etc... And many other things. Click on it and save the PDF.

P.S. NEVER strive for what is considered an average or good score on ANYTHING IN LIFE!!! It doesn't matter what Fred, Mary, John, Susie, etc... got on their tests. Strive for you to get the BEST SCORES THAN YOU CAN ACHIEVE!!! Compete against your self to be the best. Don't worry about others.
 
Definitely strive for the best scores you can get! But after you max the score for that event, don't go further during the test!!!!! This will only waste your energy for the next event, and does not get you any extra points.
But that is ONLY for the actual test, not for practice, because every time you go over the max during practice, you have a better chance of getting the best score you can on the test. Good luck!
 
The person testing you on the CFA, is "SUPPOSE" to know the CFA. There are only a couple things you can max on. E.g. Pullups/situps/pushups. The person testing you will tell you if you maxed those 3 tests. You can't go over. "Unless your tester doesn't know what they're doing, and aren't familiar with the CFA". In which case, you shouldn't have them testing you until the understand the test. As for the other tests, unless you've got a clock built into your brain, or a tape measure built into your eyes, there's no way to STOP at the max.

Definitely make sure that your tester is familiar with the test. I HAVE SEEN an applicant have their CFA scores questioned, because it's obvious that the tester didn't understand the test. On individual had a shuttle run in the 4 second area. Obviously, the tester didn't realize that it was "2 Laps". There's also been some testers who didn't perform the test in the right order, with the right rest period. I.e. Did the mile run first, which made it more difficult for the candidate to then do some of the other tests. Or having them do all tests immediately back to back without a test, and thus also impairing the candidate's true capability. Anyway; if the tester understands the rules, there's no way to go beyond the max in the 3 areas.
 
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The person testing you on the CFA, is "SUPPOSE" to know the CFA. There are only a couple things you can max on. E.g. Pullups/situps/pushups. The person testing you will tell you if you maxed those 3 tests. You can't go over. "Unless your tester doesn't know what they're doing, and aren't familiar with the CFA". In which case, you shouldn't have them testing you until the understand the test. As for the other tests, unless you've got a clock built into your brain, or a tape measure built into your eyes, there's no way to STOP at the max.

Definitely make sure that your tester is familiar with the test. I HAVE SEEN an applicant have their CFA scores questioned, because it's obvious that the tester didn't understand the test. On individual had a shuttle run in the 4 second area. Obviously, the tester didn't realize that it was "2 Laps". There's also been some testers who didn't perform the test in the right order, with the right rest period. I.e. Did the mile run first, which made it more difficult for the candidate to then do some of the other tests. Or having them do all tests immediately back to back without a test, and thus also impairing the candidate's true capability. Anyway; if the tester understands the rules, there's no way to go beyond the max in the 3 areas.

So the tester is supposed to tell you to stop when you have maxed the score? Thanks for the information, I'm gathering any I can.
 
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