Should I start my Application?

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USNFilms

5-Year Member
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Jan 26, 2010
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I applied to USAFA summer seminar in January and a few days later I got an email saying that I was accepted.

I sent in all of my paperwork/registration$/etc. for summer seminar a few weeks ago and haven't heard anything since. I went back to the USAFA admissions website and found that the online application for USAFA is now open and I decided to start it.

I've gotten through some of it and now I'm at the part where it asks for test scores, rank, gpa, etc. I was wondering if I should just save and quit here and fill it in later when I get some more information?

Right now my SAT scores are 760math and 660CR, but I just took the SAT's March 10 and I'm taking the ACTs in April. Should I just continue the application with these scores? or should I wait until March 29 when I will get my SAT scores back or late May when I'll have my ACT scores? People say it is good to apply as early as possible, but I'm not sure If I should apply early if I'm pending receiving test scores. Any advice??
 
USNFilms said:
People say it is good to apply as early as possible, but I'm not sure If I should apply early if I'm pending receiving test scores. Any advice??
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Don't wait on ACT/SAT exam scores. Admissions will use your highest scores from either the ACT or SAT so take both of them and take them as many times as you can. You can take them your Senior until the application deadline. Admissions will continue to update you app with any higher scores. . .
 
USNFilms said:
I applied to USAFA summer seminar in January and a few days later I got an email saying that I was accepted.

I sent in all of my paperwork/registration$/etc. for summer seminar a few weeks ago and haven't heard anything since. I went back to the USAFA admissions website and found that the online application for USAFA is now open and I decided to start it.

I've gotten through some of it and now I'm at the part where it asks for test scores, rank, gpa, etc. I was wondering if I should just save and quit here and fill it in later when I get some more information?

Right now my SAT scores are 760math and 660CR, but I just took the SAT's March 10 and I'm taking the ACTs in April. Should I just continue the application with these scores? or should I wait until March 29 when I will get my SAT scores back or late May when I'll have my ACT scores? People say it is good to apply as early as possible, but I'm not sure If I should apply early if I'm pending receiving test scores. Any advice??
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I would fill out as much as possible as soon as you can. USAFA will only use the official reported scores that come from ACT or SAT directly. Don't start sweating the small stuff now, you have an awful long journey ahead of you. As you have read on this forum, this is certainly not a short journey. There are many bumps and curves along the way. Good luck to you and Congrats on the sumer seminar acceptance. My DS absolutely loved it last year!!!
 
Go ahead and fill out the application now if you want, but realize that many things will have to be updated--ACT/SAT scores since you're still taking those (directly from the college boards), your final GPA, class rank etc after you graduate (official transcripts will be required), so don't stress if you don't get it done today, this week, even this month. Its just that the sooner these initial steps get finished, the sooner you can move on to the next steps. When my son was applying 2 years ago, his goal was to get his entire application (CFA, ALO interview, letters of recommendation, etc) done before summer was over because he knew once school started in the fall of his senior year, it would be harder to get things done. He could then just focus on MOC interviews and updating his status with any new activities, awards, letters in his fall sport, etc. The AFA continues to take updates like that until the end of Jan. I believe (or at least they did when he was applying).
 
Congrats on the Summer Seminar acceptance!

Moving on to your question:
As blackbird pointed out, don't wait on ACT/SAT scores because those can constantly be updated up until they close out your application in February of next year. In fact, everything in the "Academic Performance" section of your application gets updated as long as you keep sending in transcripts, test scores etc.

Also remember that they superscore test scores. Meaning if you scored poorly in math but high in english on one test, took the test again and scored high in math but low in english, they will combine the high english score and the high math score as if they were taken on the same test. Long story short... take those tests as often as possible :biggrin:

One more thing, this year the majority of the candidates have not yet recieved an Appointment notification because of a policy change. Unless you were a recruited athelete, it really made no difference how early you turned in your application because virtually noone recieved an early appointment offer. Don't put off your application, but there is no rush. Take your time and make sure everything is right :thumb:
 
I'm now slightly confused, this application that I'm completing right now seems very similar to the one I completed for USAFA SS. Should I even complete this application? Or should I wait for further instruction from the USAFA? Some have told me that I need to wait until I receive my candidate number from USAFA..
 
USNFilms said:
I'm now slightly confused, this application that I'm completing right now seems very similar to the one I completed for USAFA SS. Should I even complete this application? Or should I wait for further instruction from the USAFA? Some have told me that I need to wait until I receive my candidate number from USAFA..
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The applications are very similar. I've never heard of a candidate number. :confused:
 
You are probably filling out the pre-application. The actual application for candidates has opened around June in the past.
 
Packer said:
You are probably filling out the pre-application. The actual application for candidates has opened around June in the past.
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Ok so i should stop (even though I didn't really start) filling it out? I feel as if I should just wait to hear from the academy for further instruction.
 
It's a good idea to give them a heads up at this point. They are there to guide you through any questions you have and and its good to let them get to know you because eventually they do an evaluation as part of your application (but that is wayy down the road). Your school counselor should be able to tell you who yours is.

Then the other advice I would give you is to contact your senatorial, and congressional offices and see if they have their nomination applications ready. Those packets are generally due soon after school starts next year. (mine were all due between September 30 and October 7) so the sooner you start those the better.

Start working out for your CFA and get that done either during summer break or as soon as school starts. I made the mistake of waiting 'till October in COlorado for that and I had to run the mile in the snow haha.

If you have any more questions, I'd be glad to help, just shoot me a message.

Good Luck!
 
USNFilms, contact your ALO if you want, but don't be disappointed if he/she doesn't meet with you quite yet. They are still busy with Class of 2016 stuff, plus many are volunteers, retired AF, with other jobs, etc. so that keeps them busy too. Once summer rolls around, chances for a meeting will probably increase. Each of them has a different level of involvement also, my son's ALO emailed him before my son went to summer seminar, but then didn't respond again until August when he wanted to set up the official interview. It worked out for my son, he didn't require a lot of handholding to get his application etc finished, and now he's at the Academy.

Many MOC's will have their nomination applications online, so that would be the first place I would go to check out their process. Again, some might not open up the process until May or so.

Like eaglewings said, definitely start working on your CFA so you can max as many parts of it as possible. The basketball throw especially takes some work on technique so make that something you check into.

good luck!
 
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