Prior Service LEAD Chances

c_estlavie

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Mar 3, 2016
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I am planning on applying for the class of 2021. I am an active duty Airman, and I was wondering if I could get some help gauging my chances of acceptance. I am 21 years old, and en E-4 with 3.5 years TIS. Because of my age, I will only be able to apply for direct admission. My biggest concern in the admissions process is how they will look at my high school GPA. In high school I had a 3.0 gpa, which from what I can tell is considered very weak in the Academy admissions circles. Since graduating I have earned 83 semester hour credits with a 3.87 gpa. I was wondering if this would make up for the lower gpa.

I still need to take the SAT which I will likely take in the late spring, so I cannot give that number yet. In addition to my numbers, I have won Airman of the Year at the squadron level, and one Airman of the Quarter at the group and another at only the squadron level. While deployed I was awarded an Air Force Achievement Medal. Additionally, I am working towards my PPL and hope to have it before the admissions cycle closes. I talked to my flight chief and he said that I have his support so when needed I can come to him and he will solicit for the necessary letters of recommendation. My instructor pilot is an active duty major and I may also try to get a letter of recommendation from him.

Given this information, could you possibly give me an indication of where I may stand? It is difficult because I have heard both that the LEAD program is very competitive and also that they do not receive enough applications without a way to confirm either statement. Is there anywhere you can see that needs improvement. I think it goes without saying that I need to knock the SAT out of the park but I was wondering what other advice I may be able to get.

Thank You.
 
Hello. I applied through the LEAD program 4 years ago and was accepted into the Prep School. Here's a quick rundown of things I think made me competitive

- 3.79 high school GPA
- 25 credit hrs of college 3.89 GPA
- 1880 SAT score
- Five varsity letters from high school
- Many many hours of community service through the AF
- Distinguished graduate and red rope from tech school (I applied very early so didn't have much else.)

Comparing stats I would say you have a very good chance (even with the 3.0 high school GPA) of direct entry. I was told I was competitive for a direct entry but for the class of 2017 they were only offering prep slots.

With that many college credits have you considered any different avenues for a commission? You are required to be a full time student at the Academy for all four years. At best it the credits would allow you to double major or take 3-4 semesters of 5 classes instead of the standard 6-7.

PM me if you have any other specific questions
 
Hello. I applied through the LEAD program 4 years ago and was accepted into the Prep School. Here's a quick rundown of things I think made me competitive

- 3.79 high school GPA
- 25 credit hrs of college 3.89 GPA
- 1880 SAT score
- Five varsity letters from high school
- Many many hours of community service through the AF
- Distinguished graduate and red rope from tech school (I applied very early so didn't have much else.)

Comparing stats I would say you have a very good chance (even with the 3.0 high school GPA) of direct entry. I was told I was competitive for a direct entry but for the class of 2017 they were only offering prep slots.

With that many college credits have you considered any different avenues for a commission? You are required to be a full time student at the Academy for all four years. At best it the credits would allow you to double major or take 3-4 semesters of 5 classes instead of the standard 6-7.

PM me if you have any other specific questions
Thanks for the help, I am considering applying to OTS but will have about a year until I am eligible (within one year of degree completion). In the mean time, the Academy is something I've wanted since I was a kid so it has that romantic appeal to me. In addition, I am more pursuing the best education I can receive instead of the fastest way to commission. I understand that the Academy will be filled with plenty of suck, and I'll be yelled at by someone a couple years younger than me but that doesn't bother me. The ROTC programs don't really interest me too much so I'm not considering applying to them, and while the school I am going to has a physical campus, it is primarily online so I would have to transfer to do that which would make everything a pain.
 
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