Currently Enlisted...need opinions on stats

Hello,

I am currently enlisted (hit my one year mark this past October) and have taken a keen interest in applying to the Academy. I heard about the LEAD program from a friend and felt inclined to apply; with this being a service academy, I know the competition will be fierce, so I am much more motivated to embark upon this challenge. In order for me to obtain a gauge of where I stand, I was hoping to gain some insight from prior-e cadets/current enlisted applicants (or anyone familiar with the LEAD program for that matter) on my current achievements. Thank you!

What I have so far:
-Tech School DG (99% Avg)
-Yellow Rope
-Honor Guardsman/Qtr Award
-Recognized for 100% PT score (8:35 1.5mi run)
-x2 Achievement Medals (1 from short-tour PSC and 1 from Honor Guard)
-3.4 HS GPA
-1040 SAT score (pretty low, but studying for retake now)
-Active Community volunteer:
Led base-wide ruck march for 22 Kill (Veteran suicide prevention organization)
Adopted two highways and led clean-up teams
-Aced 3 classes (ENGL 101, College Algebra, and U.S. History) with A's. I am signing up for more this week. I have not gone up for BTZ yet, but I am going to push myself even further than I ever have to ensure I have that accomplishment on my package.
I still don't believe I have enough to be a competitive LEAD applicant, but I am still going to try. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward to any response(s) pertaining to what I have accomplished so far. Thank you.


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Seems pretty strong to me. Obviously you need to boost that SAT score, but you've already identified that.

AFrpaso said:

Seems pretty strong to me. Obviously you need to boost that SAT score, but you've already identified that.

Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm probably going to take both exams and see which one feels best...I heard rumors that the ACT is easier, although it most likely varies.

If you search the AF portal for "LEAD Program" the first result should contain a PDF of the "LEAD Handbook" In there you can find tons of information about the program, but most importantly a look at the airmen profile for the class of 2020. See below for their stats:

Applicants: 526
Candidates: 351
Direct Entry Airmen: 19
Prep School Airmen: 57

Avg. Direct Entry Profile vs. Avg Prep School Profile
HS GPA: 3.90 -- 3.47
SAT Verbal/ Critical Reading: 616 -- 555
SAT Math: 641 --553
ACT English: 28 -- 25
ACT Math: 27 -- 25
ACT Reading: 29 -- 26
ACT Science Reasoning: 29 -- 26

In my opinion (as an airman selected for direct entry this year) the Air Force MOSTLY cares about your grades and test scores. Being a Prior means you've almost certainly gotten the Whole Person Concept down, and your commander's nomination and your required evaluations are there to verify this.

Doing well in your college courses and having test scores comparable to those above would give you a very good chance, as the rest of your package is probably superior to what I had (at least comparable) Certainly don't stop leading things and being a model airman, as this will help you whether you attend the academy or not, but if attending USAFA is your primary goal, focus on your grades and STUDY for those tests. Remember also that you can take both tests as many times as you want and that USAFA looks only at your best attempt at each section.

Here is my advice--and I know you are busy serving our Nation (thanks for that!)...please spend time taking test prep before the SATs.
There is free online material available now through the CollegeBoard via Khan Academy. If you have more control over your schedule and learn better in person, you might try to take an SAT Prep class in your area.
Good luck to you!

Mustangman9395 said:

If you search the AF portal for "LEAD Program" the first result should contain a PDF of the "LEAD Handbook" In there you can find tons of information about the program, but most importantly a look at the airmen profile for the class of 2020. See below for their stats:

Applicants: 526
Candidates: 351
Direct Entry Airmen: 19
Prep School Airmen: 57

Avg. Direct Entry Profile vs. Avg Prep School Profile
HS GPA: 3.90 -- 3.47
SAT Verbal/ Critical Reading: 616 -- 555
SAT Math: 641 --553
ACT English: 28 -- 25
ACT Math: 27 -- 25
ACT Reading: 29 -- 26
ACT Science Reasoning: 29 -- 26

In my opinion (as an airman selected for direct entry this year) the Air Force MOSTLY cares about your grades and test scores. Being a Prior means you've almost certainly gotten the Whole Person Concept down, and your commander's nomination and your required evaluations are there to verify this.

Doing well in your college courses and having test scores comparable to those above would give you a very good chance, as the rest of your package is probably superior to what I had (at least comparable) Certainly don't stop leading things and being a model airman, as this will help you whether you attend the academy or not, but if attending USAFA is your primary goal, focus on your grades and STUDY for those tests. Remember also that you can take both tests as many times as you want and that USAFA looks only at your best attempt at each section.

Click to expand...

Congrats on your direct-entry appointment! Thank you for the advice as well. Good luck this summer, I'm sure you'll do well!