Usafa same

I've read a post from Vista (I think) about a program called USAFA S.A.M.E. I've read about it on their website and looked into the program but I'm just not sure how useful it is.

I mean, it's great to go to USAFA and spend a week on engineering, but does it hold weight in the apps? I don't have much time the coming summer and if it'll help, I doing it.

So any tips, any advice, or experience from attendees or mentors there? It'll be much appreciated .

dlee,

The question I have is your tag line is USMAwannabee and if USMA offers it too, and you have a tight summer schedule why would you go to the AFA's and not USMA's?

Additionally if Vista's post is correct, your stats are a player in the equation. Are you at their level? 3.5 on a 4.0, thus it is not weighted.

That being said, if you are at that level, are you applying for SLS? SLS would also occur during your rising sr summer.

Hi Dlee,

My son originally learned of the S.A.M.E. programs through this forum on the USAFA threads.

I cant really tell you how valuable any one part of a resume is specifically. My son had positive feedback regarding his S.A.M.E. scholarship by his field admissions officer.

It is very competitive. The stats I posted were the minimums. There is only one award per S.A.M.E. post. Some states have only one S.A.M.E. post. All of the applicants who win the scholarship from each post then go into a national pool and get further weeded down.

It is my understanding that it is approximately 80 spots for each of the four camps. FAR less that the amount who get into the summer leadership programs. Not the ~1,200 for NASS for example. This was far more rigorous of an application process than applying to any of the summer leadership programs. It is far less expensive too- which may be a factor.

Regarding which one to apply for, my son applied to the USAFA S.A.M.E. camp because it was in FERL Labs and then a day at NORAD both of which he was interested in. He also did not get accepted to USAFA SS so it was a way for him to see USAFA as he was interested in applying there. Interestingly enough-though he got the scholarship, the USAFA S.A.M.E. camp ended up being shut for 2012 down because the Forest Fire was at USAFA that week. I heard great reports about the Navy Camp from a poster whose son went.

My son was told that the fact that he got the scholarship to the S.A.M.E. camp through the competitive process was in itself the good part. He was also told that there was no benefit to his application for the Service Academy's summer leadership programs. I cant say this is true for a fact or not though. I just dont know.

I would say, however, that going to too many summer programs is definitely counter productive. Since this one was cancelled at the last minute my son ended up only doing three (NASS, SLS, Boys State) that really was plenty. Four weeks of these activities would have left him less time to spend on the actual applications. (Just one lay persons opinion)

My DS went to SAME camp in 2011. He had a great experience. He chose the USAFA camp because it was the only one on the SAs campus. We were told by admissions officer that the SLS carried no weight on the application and he didn't apply. I'm not sure if the SAME camp helped his application or not. Speaking as a parent, I think the most valuable part was spending a week with cadets who were able to give him significant insight into life as a cadet. Success at the SAs requires many factors but it is vitally important that they know fully what they are in for. My DS also went to USAFA for a visiting day after he was accepted. Again, trying to get as much insight as possible. The cadet he shadowed is still a friend and pinned on his shoulder boards. Getting in is only the first step, you need to set yourself up to succeed once you're there.
I guess this is a long-winded way of saying, don't just go to camps to pad your resume, do it because you want to.

Pima said:

dlee,

The question I have is your tag line is USMAwannabee and if USMA offers it too, and you have a tight summer schedule why would you go to the AFA's and not USMA's?

Additionally if Vista's post is correct, your stats are a player in the equation. Are you at their level? 3.5 on a 4.0, thus it is not weighted.

That being said, if you are at that level, are you applying for SLS? SLS would also occur during your rising sr summer.

Click to expand...

My stats are competitive IMPO, 3.852 UW GPA w/85% honors/AP classes. Model UN Co-president, Science Olympiad Logistics President, IMPACT Club PR Officer (club dedicated to making a difference in the school/community), and will-be ACT Tutor Director (will start up in November, cleared w/ school principal)

USMA doesn't offer SAME, but the US Army does.

USAFA SAME is for SA applicants, or so I read. I emailed the USAFA SAME director and it's from June 27-July 3 so I plan on attending SLS or NASS (depends on if I get accepted), Boys State (predetermined), and SAME.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vista123-
Yeah, I suppose too much of something isn't a good thing, I'll probably end up going to only two of the three mentioned.

Usafamom2016- thanks for the advice regarding padding

dlee96 said:

I've read a post from Vista (I think) about a program called USAFA S.A.M.E. I've read about it on their website and looked into the program but I'm just not sure how useful it is.

I mean, it's great to go to USAFA and spend a week on engineering, but does it hold weight in the apps? I don't have much time the coming summer and if it'll help, I doing it.

So any tips, any advice, or experience from attendees or mentors there? It'll be much appreciated .

Click to expand...

Hey dlee. My son went through the S.A.M.E. camp at USAFA in 2010 and enjoyed it. Apply for it if you have an intrest in engineering. Do NOT do it just to check a box on your application. Also, the Army also has a S.A.M.E. camp in Vicksburg, MS. It may be of more interest to you as a USMA applicant.

I don't know this for a fact, but I believe his interest and attendance at the S.A.M.E. camp made the difference in his receiving an appointment. Best wishes to you.

I did the USAFA SAME camp in 2009, before my senior year of high school, in addition to summer seminar. SAME was an amazing program and I highly recommend it. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!