Rising Senior Summer

Hello! I know I've posted a few topics in the past day, so thank you for bearing with me. It's becoming very real that I'm finally coming up on my first few steps to apply to USAFA, and it's a very exciting realization!

This summer, I have the opportunity to attend CO Girl's State, CAP Encampment, or the AFA SS (if I get in, which I'm not expecting). Summer Seminar is going to be my first priority, but assuming I don't get in, or it doesn't conflict with anything, I'll need to decide between Girl's State and Encampment, which fall on the same week.

This will be my third Colorado Encampment, and my fifth over all). I will be in a Command Staff position, so I'll definitely be getting something out of it.

Would it be better to go to Encampment and have the 3 years of experience there, or attend Girl's State (in your opinion)?

If I get into SS, it may fall on the same week as the other two as well. How would you rate the importance of all three?

Thank you!


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Runner2020 said:

Hello! I know I've posted a few topics in the past day, so thank you for bearing with me. It's becoming very real that I'm finally coming up on my first few steps to apply to USAFA, and it's a very exciting realization!

This summer, I have the opportunity to attend CO Girl's State, CAP Encampment, or the AFA SS (if I get in, which I'm not expecting). Summer Seminar is going to be my first priority, but assuming I don't get in, or it doesn't conflict with anything, I'll need to decide between Girl's State and Encampment, which fall on the same week.

This will be my third Colorado Encampment, and my fifth over all). I will be in a Command Staff position, so I'll definitely be getting something out of it.

Would it be better to go to Encampment and have the 3 years of experience there, or attend Girl's State (in your opinion)?

If I get into SS, it may fall on the same week as the other two as well. How would you rate the importance of all three?

Thank you!


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Click to expand...

Not sure I can really rate the importance of these three options but I can share a similar situation that my DD faced last summer. She applied for and was accepted to USAFA and USNA Summer Seminars, had a summer Cheer Camp to attend (she is the Captain of the Varsity Cheer and Competition Cheer Team) and applied to Girls State. She told the Girls State selection panel of the scheduling conflicts that could arise during the summer and she ended up as an "Alternate" for Girls State. She completed both academy summer seminars and cheer camp and was not called up for Girl's State. Long story short, she ended up with an appointment to the USAFA...still waiting to hear from USNA. Not sure if this helps or not but it perhaps provides a bit of insight. My opinion only...do what you can to go Summer Seminar, it may have a direct influence on your desire to attend a service academy. Good luck to you.

It really depends on you and what you want out of your summer and what your overall application looks like. Keep in mind this is just my personal opinion which means jack You have to look at you application and see where you need the most focus and keeping in mind which you'll love the most.

If you're trying to decided between two different SA then I would go to SS. Also I see you're in our great state of Colorado. If you want to know what life is like I think you can follow around a C4C for a day. Granted not a full week like SS but it'll give you a feel of the place if that's what you need.

If a lot of your leadership comes from CAP then I would go to Girl's State. I say this because it would round out your application with other than CAP leadership.

My DS went to Boy's State here in Co. and he had a great time made some friends he still keeps in contact with and there are a few at the Prep School with him. He also earned a position in state government which added to his overall application.

Runner,

Here are a couple of thoughts for your consideration. By now the schedule for all three events you are interested in should be out including SS so you can definitely know if there are conflicts. That may or may not help. SS participation does not help your application and is not that representative of daily life at USAFA. DS went and had fun but he was also able to attend Boys State which does strengthen your application. There used to be 3 sessions of SS. I believe there are only 2 sessions now and you are in CO which is a very competitive state for USAFA. So don't assume you will be accepted. Boys/Girls State is viewed by USAFA very positively and attendance is one of the stats quoted for each incoming class. Since you have been to the CAP camp multiple times, Girls State maybe more helpful for you app.

+1. Totally in agreement with Blackbird.

I agree with the others, especially regarding opting to go to Girls State over CAP. Attending GS is another feather in your cap!

CO is competitive, and even though CAP is great, you are also showing them another side by attending GS.
~ Many applicants are not in CAP, thus by attending GS over CAP you are showing another side as a competitive applicant, assumption it has a larger applicant pool.

My only guidance would be before you do all of these thinsg , if scheduling permits, get your ducks in a row for both USAFA and AFROTC
~ Emails for teachers
~ Contacting your ALO
~ Contacting the colleges that are your top choices and the detachments.

Many USAFA candidates will b spending their summer writing/editing their essays for USAFA and their MOCs. AFROTC candidates will start and finish their application over the summer. They will also be starting their college apps., including the essays that schools require. Plus, studying for the SAT/ACT
~ remember 60% of the score is PAR(Prior Academic Record). USAFA super scores, AFROTC is best sitting.

You can have all of these summer options, but in the end of the day without knowing what your SAT/ACT scores are it can also hurt if you go to both. You will have to come back and hit the ground running, juggling writing multiple essays for every option, studying for SAT, doctor appointments for DoDMERB, meeting with ALO and if you do a fall sport...training.

I am not saying don't do it. I am saying be proactive and get as much done as possible before you leave so upon your return you won't feel stressed.
~ Some MOCs will close out by 9/15. If you come back Aug 1st, and school starts up 3 weeks later, that is a lot to get done if you procrastinate. More so if you do fall sports, such as xcountry or cheer leading where you are at school training from the 1st.

JMPO and with 1.98 you can get a small coffee at Starbucks!

Pima said:

~ Some MOCs will close out by 9/15.

Click to expand...

Pima is 100% correct on this, for example Congressman Lamborn closed his 9/12 this year and my DS had his interview 10/18. I think Senator Udall closed his on 9/26 and my DS has his interview this coming weekend.

Thanks for all of the fantastic advice! The dates are out for everything except GS, but it's generally the same time every year. They're all in the same, 2 week period. I'll definitely prioritize GS now. I'm not expecting to get into AFA SS, especially because of my location. I may apply for the Navy and WP, however.

I've been in contact with my ALO since Sophomore year, and have discussed ways to make my application more competitive. As of right now, I have a solid mixture of leadership and sports, and am now focusing on my grades. Being in the IB program, it's been a difficult adjustment, but I'm pulling through. I may be taking some summer courses at a local college as well, to get a computer science and calculus course out of the way. I am taking ACT in Dec, SAT/ACT in Jan, and took PSAT and PLAN this past year.

I'm hoping to get everything done early on in the summer so I can apply for early action, or at least have a completed application when they start offering presidential nomination appointments (which seems to be going on now from what I've seen here!).

Thank you again for the insight! It's great hearing what worked out for other candidates.




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