When should I start contact with my ALO?

parkm2071

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Dec 9, 2014
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I am a freshman and I want to start preparing early, but not TOO early to go into the USAFA and I would I like to know when I should start talking to my Admissions Liaison Officer. Thanks
 
Only one mother's advice, but I would wait until at the earliest, beginning of Junior Year. Your goals and your record will be somewhat clearer by then, and you will have something to show him/her.

Here are my scores
My GPA
My sports accomplishments
My volunteer positions

etc.

If you have a JROTC program in your school or maybe a CAP nearby, please do join up now for those activities.
 
early interest

It has been a couple of years, but I recall there being something on the Air Force Admissions page where you can fill out a letter of interest. I think it was for students in 6th - 10th grade. My DS got something every year because of that interest. One year it was a calendar another year a small USAFA pennant. He got a letter of summer camps available and towards the end of his sophomore year he got a letter reminding him of the application process. He is not a recruited athlete and is now a C4C at USAFA.

My other son filled out a similar form for the Naval Academy and our congressman sent him a note requesting info for his nomination application during his Junior year in high school. He had changed his mind about the academy at that point, and actually got a TWE from the Naval Academy even though he never went thru the whole application process - only the initial interest form.

Good luck to you!
 
+1 fencer.

ALOs are volunteer positions. They have a job and a family and many can have 15-20 candidates every year.
~ Some ALOs are also active duty. They maybe PCSd in a year or two and the replacement might review candidates differently.

The best advice they are going to give you is take the most rigorous course curriculum you can, be active in sports, work to leadership positions, and study for your SAT/ACT. And to apply your junior year for the summer program they offer to rising seniors.

They don't know what your competition will be in 3 years, thus, the best they can say is basically what you will derive from this forum.

OBTW, if you have any medical issues, such as allergies, asthma, vision, long term prescriptions, after the age of 13, you should spend time researching DoDMERB threads.
 
Hi!

There is a program called the "Future Falcons" which was once called the "Pre Junior Database." You can signup there now! That will put you in the system and they will begin to "know" you.

http://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/outreach-programs/are-you-ready-for-the-academy/

The academy admissions website is filled with excellent information; I'd advise you to go through all of it. And then if you have any ALO questions, and want to contact one you can come to me initially (right now the ALO in your area is busy with candidates) and I'll be happy to answer any question you have.

It's a large challenge you face if this is what you truly want but it's well worth it!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Does being registered as a Future Falcon in the 8th Grade give one an edge in the Summer Seminar selection process? Showing interest at an early age......


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Does being registered as a Future Falcon in the 8th Grade give one an edge in the Summer Seminar selection process? Showing interest at an early age......


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Hi!

Nope. The Summer Seminar is not based upon a criteria of when anyone shows interest; it's selection criteria is the "whole person concept" which means they are looking at everything you show them.

And realize also...the vast majority of cadets at USAFA didn't attend summer seminar. It's a super tight selection process!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Hi!

Nope. The Summer Seminar is not based upon a criteria of when anyone shows interest; it's selection criteria is the "whole person concept" which means they are looking at everything you show them.

And realize also...the vast majority of cadets at USAFA didn't attend summer seminar. It's a super tight selection process!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

So I have asked before if attending SS gives you an edge in the admissions process, and the answer I always get is "no". So I should clarify this time- if you got accepted to SS, does that mean you are more likely to get an appointment because you were "good enough" to get into SS so you are probably "good enough" to get appointed? How does competitiveness to get into SS compare with competitiveness to get into USAFA?
 
No, it doesn't; you've been told correctly.

The "numbers" for selection to summer seminar versus to USAFA are different, hence the "lower chances" for selection. Aside from that, the process/criteria, etc., are different in that USAFA uses summer seminar as a recruitment tool as well as a great learning opportunity for potential candidates.

So they might bring in some students who aren't the "stellar" ones but show such great potential (maybe just need a push to get SAT/ACT scores higher or something similar) and USAFA thinks SS might be that push.

This is my "opinion" as only the USAFA/RRS folks can absolutely tell you what they are looking at/for and I don't think they're going to come online to do that. But from what I've seen over the years...I think I'm pretty close to the mark.

If you apply and are accepted; that's GREAT but don't think it gives you any advantage because it doesn't. If you apply and are NOT accepted; oh well, it has no bearing on your obtaining an appointment so press ahead!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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