What do you think-- on the second time?

kirbinator

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Dec 25, 2008
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Hello all,

I am a freshman in college and love looking at this forum for advice-- have been for a year. You guys are great! I had another cliche 'what are my chances' question. I read a post from one of the experienced posters (I think ChristCorp) which gave encouragement for those who received the thin white envelope and sure enough, I am more motivated than ever to get an appointment! So, thanks for the encouragement

I am reapplying to the AFA and am wondering if I am on the right track.

HS:

SAT= 680 Math, 680 Verbal, 600 Writing
GPA= 3.90 uw, 4.07 w (academy puts at 3.9)
E.C.= Team Capt Golf Team 2 yrs., Leader of on-campus Bible Study 2 yrs, Main Citywide Youth Group Speaker 2 yrs., Monthly School Outreach organizer 2 yrs, Cross Country Team 2yrs (no Varsity letter),
Awards= Two nominations for SA's (one I was #2 on the list), Male Athlete of the month, Honors Diploma, Academic Excellence Award, AP Scholar Award, Elected Team Capt (both yrs) by teammmates, Most Oustanding JV Golfer Award
CFA= BB Throw: 76ft, Pullups: 18, Shuttle Run: 8.5, Situps: 95, Pushups: 75, Mile run: 7:10.
Volunteer: Numerous city outreaches through youth group/church, hospice kids camp, numerous findraisers and events helping boy scouts.

College:
Major: Mechanical Engineering (think I can pull-off a 4.0 this semester:shake:)
AFROTC: not many available leadership opportunities but think I might get job as CAP flight commander!
CAP: Planning to take ground school and get some flying time!
SAT: should I retake it-- If I did worse, could it hurt me?
AFOQT: Have to take in a month--should I report the results?

Anyway, a lot to read:biggrin: I also ended up having the awesome opportunity to talk with the dean of the selections committee about why I didn't get in and he said that a big part was that I wasn't potentially pilot-qualified because of one near point of convergence test-- max distance is 100mm and I got 116mm (never heard that from good-ole DODMERB). Long story short, I ended up getting retested and I was not 116mm but between 0-5mm (100+mm off-- no big deal:rolleyes:). I called up DODMERB and I am now PPQ'd.

I now that was a lot but is there anything else that I can do? I have been so blessed to listen from you experienced guys, thanks for all the wisdom!
 
Hi!

I'm a "second timer" as well...so I know what that's like.

First: SAT's. Yours are very good but you can NEVER hurt yourself by taking them again as the academy will always take the best score in each test and keep that one for you. "Super scoring" so to speak. So it's always to your benefit to go for it.

Fitness levels...look decent!! Faster mile would be "nice" but all in all, not bad. You'll have to retake it anyway so why not just work to better all that you can!

The rest of the package...again, not bad at all. Mech E...I'm one of those...great area of study and if you're pulling over a 3.0 in college, that's a BIGGIE!! It shows you can perform college level academics and that's what the SA's are trying to determine with SAT's, transcripts, etc., so you have an advantage there.

All in all I'd say you should be competitive! I would try to improve ANYWHERE that you can simply to do it. Also...key was your contact with DODMERB. If you have ANY doubts whatsoever, contact Mr. Larry Mullen. His info is on a sticky in the DODMERB section. You can relay all the information from last year and he'll go over it, explain anything, and tell you what's what. Sounds like you've got that in hand as well but...

So...I'd say: GO FOR IT! :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Fitness levels...look decent!! Faster mile would be "nice" but all in all, not bad. You'll have to retake it anyway so why not just work to better all that you can!


Thanks Steve! I forgot to mention my CFA results for my second application:
BB Throw:71
Pullups:16
Shuttle Run: 8.3
Situps: 95
Pushups: 75
Mile run: 6:07

I thought that a faster mile would be nice too:biggrin:!
 
I say go for it!! If that is really what you want to do then you should apply till you can't anymore.
 
Kirbinator,
GO FOR IT! The ALO who spoke at our Congressman's Service Academy Day said that he made it on his third try and said it was the best thing he ever did. We are all rooting for you!
 
Kirbinator,
GO FOR IT! The ALO who spoke at our Congressman's Service Academy Day said that he made it on his third try and said it was the best thing he ever did. We are all rooting for you!

I made it on my second try...and it was definitely the best!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
a big part was that I wasn't potentially pilot-qualified

Even with those awesome stats you were rejected because of not being PPQ'd?

Pilots make up a small portion of the AF, but I've heard of a lot of people that are rejected based on not being PPQ'd due to things like eyesight.

Isn't that kind of...for lack of a better word...discriminatory? One can be an outstanding officer without being a pilot.
 
This is my second time applying to the AFA. I recently received my AFOQT results, and I did very well. Should I report those results to the AFA?
 
Hey! I also applied a second time and am now a member of the class of 2013 so don't give up. As for the AFOQT, they wouldn't look at my results last year so that probably hasn't changed. You'll take it again here anyway.
 
Try taking the ACT... I found it to be much easier personally.
 
I actually had to take the ACT during my Junior year and I didn't do so hot.

I can't figure out what happens to my score on the SAT math portion though; I finish each math section with full confidence that I aced it (I even have a lot of time to go back and check my answers) and I end up with a 680-- twice.
 
wait they can choose to not accept you cause you're not pilot qualified? I mean my medical status just says qualified, and i know im not pilot qualified. Is this going to be a problem?
 
How do you know you're not Pilot Qualified? The reason I ask, is because they don't check you for that during the initial medical examination any longer. (I am pretty sure). It's simply medically qualified for the military. Later on; during your time at the academy; they will determine if you are or aren't Pilot Qualified. But for acceptance into the academy, as long as you are medically qualified for military service, you're fine.

As for PQ (Pilot Qualified), sometimes you "think" you aren't qualified, but it could be correctable. Such as eyesight. Obviously, if you are 6' 11"; that might make you disqualified, and there's NO CORRECTING that. good luck. mike....
 
my s was sent a remedial last year after being initially qualified by DODMERB. Turned out he needed to retake the depth perception test to be "PPQ" (per Mr. Mullen) Once he passed it he received an LOA. I am not sure it would ever disqualify a candidate, but we were told they like to see a certain portion of the class initially potentially pilot qualified. It absolutely does not mean they will end up flying......
 
wait they can choose to not accept you cause you're not pilot qualified? I mean my medical status just says qualified, and i know im not pilot qualified. Is this going to be a problem?

Sorry to cause confusion; Dr. Prosseda said that I was only a good candidate because I wasn't Potentially-Pilot Qualified (not even potentially) but if I was, then I would have been an excellent candidate.

I wasn't disqualified-- just not as good.
 
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