High School Junior

A299

A299

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Joined
Sep 13, 2015
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Hello all! I am a high school junior applying to the Air Force Academy for the class of 2021. I am currently listed as potentially competitive and I have received a letter from the academy admissions informing me that I will receive further direction on July 1st. I was just curious as to what else I can do? Should I go ahead and get my official transcript and send it to the academy along with my senior schedule? Or just wait until July 1st for my official instructions? Thanks all.
 
I would advise waiting, I am in the same process as you (except I am applying to USNA, USMA, and USAFA) and the best way to go about things is listen to their instructions. While it is handy to have all of that information ready to send out right when they give you the go-ahead, you should just wait for further instruction. They might not be ready to process information for applicants of 2021 and so you sending your materials might bother their current endevour and reflect negatively.
 
tommyboy44 said:
I would advise waiting, I am in the same process as you (except I am applying to USNA, USMA, and USAFA) and the best way to go about things is listen to their instructions. While it is handy to have all of that information ready to send out right when they give you the go-ahead, you should just wait for further instruction. They might not be ready to process information for applicants of 2021 and so you sending your materials might bother their current endevour and reflect negatively.
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TB44 is showing wisdom beyond his years. If USAFA said wait until July 1 for additional instructions - wait on those additional instructions.

In the meantime, collecting useful information in advance, letting your Math and English instructor that USAFA will require a letter of recommendation (USAFA will have them fill out some information on-line), understand (and train) for the CFA, identify your nomination sources, you could even start reaching out to your USAFA Liaison Officer, prep for the ACT/SAT, learn what matters to both the SA and the MOCs, and develop a plan to improve your overall package, and enjoy your summer.

The SA admissions/appointment process is long and combine that with the nomination process which can and often is different for every nominating source - you (and everyone else applying) are in for an extended journey complete with periods of complete inactivity and feedback.
 
A299 said:
Hello all! I am a high school junior applying to the Air Force Academy for the class of 2021. I am currently listed as potentially competitive and I have received a letter from the academy admissions informing me that I will receive further direction on July 1st. I was just curious as to what else I can do? Should I go ahead and get my official transcript and send it to the academy along with my senior schedule? Or just wait until July 1st for my official instructions? Thanks all.
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A299, I commend your get up and go attitude. That will do you well in the months to come. Around July 1st, your portal will give you directions and a check off list of things that must be completed by certain dates. As far as USAFA, right now there is no more to do until July. What you can do, however, is go to your MOC websites and find out their instructions for nomination applications. Start a work out routine. Google USAFA CFA and practice the test in its entirety so you will be ready in the Fall to take your test. No need to send transcripts just yet, as they will request them later.
 
Cerberi said:
letter of recommendation (USAFA will have them fill out some information on-line
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will USNA and USMA require teachers' rec letters to be done online as well ? Thanks in advance.
 
USNA for sure - not 100% sure about USMA (haven't worked through their process but I have for USAFA and USNA) - but I think it is also true for USMA
 
What if my English teacher is having a baby and gone for the rest of the year and isn't coming back next year
 
sm3316 said:
What if my English teacher is having a baby and gone for the rest of the year and isn't coming back next year
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You can see if your English teacher will provide you her home address so you can contact her later in the summer. Approach her now for a recommendation and I would expect she would be honored to write one.

My DD's high school math teacher left for a position at a community college. But, she was still able to stay in contact with him so he could write her recommendation for the "required math" one.
 
USMA did require recommendations from Math, English, and added PE later in the process. If I remember correctly, my DD had to get their email address and contact info to enter in her portal page which sent an email to the teachers for specific question or a form to complete. She also had to get letters for the nominations. Each academy and nomination board have their own process. You could start looking at the nomination sights to see what they required for this year to get an idea of what all you will need? CFA prep is important, fail one part, fail all. Biggest suggestion would be to do your research and be sure this is what you want. Once you know, give it your all.
 
FalconsRock said:
A299, I commend your get up and go attitude. That will do you well in the months to come. Around July 1st, your portal will give you directions and a check off list of things that must be completed by certain dates. As far as USAFA, right now there is no more to do until July. What you can do, however, is go to your MOC websites and find out their instructions for nomination applications. Start a work out routine. Google USAFA CFA and practice the test in its entirety so you will be ready in the Fall to take your test. No need to send transcripts just yet, as they will request them later.
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Hello,

I'm an ALO for USAFA and I couldn't agree more with FalconsRock's advice. Work out, work out, work out...and run! Every year there are several of my candidates that fail or barely pass their CFA! Some of them have admitted that they shot for the middle road instead of maxing the CFA, don't be that guy/girl! Stew Smith (former Navy Seal and military fitness coach) says it best that your goal should be the max score in each event, not the middle. Aiming for that goal will ensure you pass every time.

Again, FalconsRock is correct on the check off list. Wait until it's time. USAFA will only ask for those items again, later...so will I. It bodes well for you to wait, accomplish items when directed, act promptly, and show your ability to accomplish a "suspense" list. You are not graded on these activities, but your ability to follow directions and get things done on time, in time, is always in the back of our minds when we finally do contact/interview you. Personally, I never get annoyed by "over-achievers" or "eager" candidates. But, your documents that you sent to me via my e-mail address that is posted on the AFA website will only sit there unopened until it's time for them.

Right now, I (we, USAFA ALOs) are accomplishing appointment presentations and Summer Seminar applications. Honestly, you aren't even on our radar yet, hence the July 1st date. I'm not being rude or brushing you off, I'm explaining that the ALO WEB system doesn't release your data to us until well after that date, so we do not see you and will not contact you until the "system" releases info to us.

That being said, you can always contact your ALO by going onto the AFA website and searching for us. Again, some ALOs are being swamped right now with presentations (we have regular AF or civilian jobs, too) while others, like myself, are all finished for the academic year. I have been fielding e-mails from prospective candidates and have been responding to their inquiries, only. I have NOT opened or saved their attached documents. I'm done with presentations and sitting as Watch Commander of my SOC (ie, I have the time). Give your ALO some leeway if he doesn't get back to you right away.

"Pappy", Lt Col, USAF
USAFA ALO
 
Absolutely start working on or at least find all the info you can on your nominations.
 
There are a lot of things you can work on until admissions is open for next year. My DS worked for several years building his admission resume. You have already received a lot of good advice on this thread. To summarize some things to do this right now: 1) get your official transcript and teacher recommendations in order so over the summer you can reach out and get the admissions process started early; 2) start communications with your ALO and build that relationship: 3) reach out and find out who in your MOCs' office handles SA nominations and build that relationship and know exactly what is needed for their application process; 4) read and understand the USAFA application process so you know what to expect; 5) train for the fitness test (there are training guides online) so that you can max the test: 6) get involved in your community and lead some activities; make sure you are working to be above the median in GPA and/or test scores, and 7) go to SS or Boys or Girls State and otherwise work on building the leadership the SAs look for in their candidates.

The key is to find things to set you apart. There is no guarantee, but the above list seems to be consistent work done by those admitted. Good luck and remember to have fun.
 
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