Sophomore Year.....What to do???

airchick7

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2011
Messages
3
I'm a high school sophomore planning on going to the Air Force Academy. Everyone tells me I shouldn't be worrying about it yet, but I was just wondering, are there any tasks I need to fulfill this year before I start getting ready for the application process? (As far as classes, extracurriculars, etc.) Thanks! :tomcat:
 
I noticed you have the doctor's symbol thing for your avatar... do you want to go to USAFA to become an officer or to become a doctor? (not that you can't do both)
 
(Some) Things to do as a soph...

Hi Airchick7, you've probably already been to the USAFA admissions website and saw the information and timelines listed there. As I recall, aside from submitting a pre application questionaire sometime in the next several months, you'll probably be interested in applying for summer seminar around Christmas of your junior year.
Until then, get the best grades that you can. Start thinking about taking the SAT and ACT beginning in or around Oct. of your junior year. (And because the SA's take your highest scores, many people take the SAT and ACT two or more times.) Take a SAT prep course over the late summer. (Don't be dissuaded by prices, you can probably get a deal if you ask.)
The types of extra curricular activities aren't as important as striving for leadership roles. Be the club president, team captain, of one or two clubs instead of being merely a member of a dozen clubs.
If you already play a sport, look into being an official as well (i.e. be a soccer referee for youth league, umpire softball games, etc....that shows poise and leadership.)
Finally, keep your basket open. In addition to a service academy, keep an eye on ROTC and other options. Always have a plan B and C. However, as a sophomore, you can make your application very desirable if you put in the effort now. Good luck.
 
Hey, I'm a sophomore too! I'll just let you know my plan for this year, but nothing really starts to happen until Dec. of your Junior year when you sign up for the SS

Sports:
I've been doing varsity swimming for two years
I'm planning on starting varsity lacrosse this spring
I also participate in karate outside of school and I'm on a club swim team

Academics:
My overall GPA was 97.7 last year, I'm unsure of my class rank
I'm taking UHS French IV, Jr. year Chem, Jr. year Algebra 2/Trig, and Science Research (I opted out of taking AP Euro)

Clubs:
I ran for class treasurer but, I didn't get it. Next year I plan on actually campaigning for class President.
I'm going to be with the school newspaper (hopefully) as an editor, peer leadership, peer mediation, French club, and then snow club (just for fun!)
I also am hoping to organize a club for volunteering in the community, a group of students that can get together and work soup kitchens, animal shelters, clean ups, organize food/coat/blood drives ect.

I hope this has helped, even a bit! I hope I can juggle all of this :redface:
 
Hey, I'm a sophomore too! I'll just let you know my plan for this year, but nothing really starts to happen until Dec. of your Junior year when you sign up for the SS

Sports:
I've been doing varsity swimming for two years
I'm planning on starting varsity lacrosse this spring
I also participate in karate outside of school and I'm on a club swim team

Academics:
My overall GPA was 97.7 last year, I'm unsure of my class rank
I'm taking UHS French IV, Jr. year Chem, Jr. year Algebra 2/Trig, and Science Research (I opted out of taking AP Euro)

Clubs:
I ran for class treasurer but, I didn't get it. Next year I plan on actually campaigning for class President.
I'm going to be with the school newspaper (hopefully) as an editor, peer leadership, peer mediation, French club, and then snow club (just for fun!)
I also am hoping to organize a club for volunteering in the community, a group of students that can get together and work soup kitchens, animal shelters, clean ups, organize food/coat/blood drives ect.

I hope this has helped, even a bit! I hope I can juggle all of this :redface:

Organizing for a community service club is a great idea. I was never among the most popular students; all my school elections were failures for me. However, within my scouting community, I have served in all 3 of the top senior positions. In AF JROTC I have been promoted to CADRE.
There are plenty of chances for candidates to show leadership without having to run in popularity contests. Not saying all school club officers get it out of popularity, but a lot of them certainly do. It is good be be popular, but i prefer to keep myself out of HS social drama.
 
Organizing for a community service club is a great idea. I was never among the most popular students; all my school elections were failures for me. However, within my scouting community, I have served in all 3 of the top senior positions. In AF JROTC I have been promoted to CADRE.
There are plenty of chances for candidates to show leadership without having to run in popularity contests. Not saying all school club officers get it out of popularity, but a lot of them certainly do. It is good be be popular, but i prefer to keep myself out of HS social drama.
You make a very good point about it being like a popularity contest. I go to a school with about 200 kids in my grade, and I would say that 2/4 got their position by default because no one else ran for their position. One was a good canidate, and the girl who won against me got it through popularity or due to the fact that the ballot got messed up and she ran the year before, and they just gave it to her because they didn't feel like doing a re-vote.
That being said, my school doesn't have JROTC...
I'm going to try my hardest to obtain a leadership position by next year though.
 
Thank you guys for all the suggestions :smile: This should really help me out the next few years now that I know exactly what to shoot for.... oh and
USMA2016: I would eventually like to be a surgeon, but I'm only fifteen so my plans could change between now and college, being an Air Force officer wouldn't be so bad either :wiggle: I guess time will tell......
keg: I love your avatar picture! :thumb: but anyways, wow! You sound like you have a-lot going for you! It's gonna be hard competing against all that for a spot at the academy! lol, I wish you luck! (Not that you'll need it)
Thanks again everyone!
 
Concentrate on getting into the Summer Seminar at the Academy during your rising senior summer. It's a headstart into the application process for the selectees and a great way to see if the institution is right for you and vice versa. It solidified my son's decision to apply for 2016.

Best
 
Concentrate on getting into the Summer Seminar at the Academy during your rising senior summer. It's a headstart into the application process for the selectees and a great way to see if the institution is right for you and vice versa. It solidified my son's decision to apply for 2016.

Best
Thanks! I'll look into it :smile:
 
Back
Top