USAFA Waiting Thread C/O 2027

Question on the TWE---Are there different variations of the rejection?

In reading DS's it indicates that he wasn't eligible for a prep school spot however in reading the commentary on this thread it seems that some do get prep school options later on.
 
ConflictedMom said:
Question on the TWE---Are there different variations of the rejection?

In reading DS's it indicates that he wasn't eligible for a prep school spot however in reading the commentary on this thread it seems that some do get prep school options later on.
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USAFAPS is for those that are not academically qualified and he definitely does not fall into that category. He could still be eligible for a Falcon Foundation Scholarship.
 
ConflictedMom said:
I'm absolutely stunned. DS isn't aware that he received his rejection letter and I'm working up the courage to tell him.

He received his NJ Senator nom, scored 1460 on the SATs, had multiple leadership roles, an unweighted 3.9 GPA, took 13 AP-level classes including all of the sciences (Physics, Bio, Chem, Physics-C) and Calculus BC. College courses in Calculus 3 and Differential Equations. Did four years of JROTC and is the last stage of his private pilot's license. He passed his DoDMers medical, passed his CFA.

Not sure what we should do next as he had his whole heart set for USAFA. Any advice?
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There are 3 pillars. He has met academics and leadership. What was his athletic profile? Reapplying is an option.
 
DS received the TWE today as well. He is understandably disappointed, but that feeling is somewhat mitigated by the Plan B he has waiting at Virginia Tech (College of Engineering) with AFROTC in the Corps of Cadets. He may decide to reapply for 2028, too early to tell at this point. Best of luck to everyone who has been appointed, those still waiting to hear, as well as the ones moving on to their alternate plans. These are all great kids with bright futures, no matter what career path they take!
 
Osprey123 said:
There are 3 pillars. He has met academics and leadership. What was his athletic profile? Reapplying is an option.
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We knew this and we opted out of a high school sports team because they require training 4 days a week after school with meets/competitions into the evenings and on weekends. He was not doing a team sport, instead he was training at a boxing gym and running 5+ miles six days a week. He was also training twice a week w/a big 10 athletic director at the state school gym.

His trade-off was do one thing--a team sport OR balance the many things (college classes, leadership roles in after school clubs, Patrol Leader for Boy Scouts, teaching ground school for his HS Aviation club, music lessons--he plays 6 instruments, flight lessons for his pilot license, Civil Air Patrol - StellarXplorers and Cyber Patriots)
 
99Gold said:
USAFAPS is for those that are not academically qualified and he definitely does not fall into that category. He could still be eligible for a Falcon Foundation Scholarship.
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Can you expand on this? No one in our family is military and DS would have/could be the first.

What are the alternative paths for a Plan B? I think they are:

1) Prep School
2) AFROTC

What are the others? I've seen folks on this board mention reapplying--how does that work? In the year that you are waiting to reapply and attend another university are those credits accepted by USAFA? Are you beginning as a first year if you gain admittance when you reapply (hence a year delayed)? Is the best plan B to do option #2 and do AFROTC and then pursue commissioning?
 
ConflictedMom said:
Can you expand on this? No one in our family is military and DS would have/could be the first.

What are the alternative paths for a Plan B? I think they are:

1) Prep School
2) AFROTC

What are the others? I've seen folks on this board mention reapplying--how does that work? In the year that you are waiting to reapply and attend another university are those credits accepted by USAFA? Are you beginning as a first year if you gain admittance when you reapply (hence a year delayed)? Is the best plan B to do option #2 and do AFROTC and then pursue commissioning?
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For most people on these boards, plan B is an ROTC program. Applying next year is just like applying this year. There is no difference, you still need nomination, qualifications, etc. Yes, when you enter USAFA after a year or two at another college, you start as a first year student. I'm not sure about the transfer credits. Also there is no one size fits all "best" approach. It all depends on the individual.
 
Pattonsghost said:
For most people on these boards, plan B is an ROTC program. Applying next year is just like applying this year. There is no difference, you still need nomination, qualifications, etc. Yes, when you enter USAFA after a year or two at another college, you start as a first year student. I'm not sure about the transfer credits. Also there is no one size fits all "best" approach. It all depends on the individual.
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Credits will not transfer. A college reapplicant might have the option of validating classes (depends on the department and the class). This can free up a cadet for a double major, minor, or a study abroad program. The biggest thing for a college reapplicant seems to be using the year to improve your application, not just following the same path that got them denied the previous year.

Prep school (specifically USAFAPS) is only offered by admissions and is reserved for candidates that do not meet the academic qualifications but are otherwise an excellent candidate.

A Falcon Foundation Scholarship (FFS) is also offered by admissions but is funded by the Association of Graduates Falcon Foundation. It is a little more flexible than a USAFAPS slot. The FFS scholars study at specified civilian institutions and are virtually guaranteed to be appointed the following year.

There is also the option of a self-prep year. The same prep schools that FFS uses offer prep programs for SA that the student pays for. It seems that these are pretty successful in terms of getting appointments.

I think AFROTC at a civilian university is an excellent path for a reapplicant because they are still working toward the goal of being an officer in the AF whether they reapply and get appointed or not.
 
Im
An active duty USAF Colonel and my son just got his TWE. 2 nominations from congressmen in two states, a senator, and presidential nomination (4 total) Every interview he got lead to a nomination. Straight As since kindergarten, top 2% of his class and varsity baseball and wind ensemble (was in Macys parade in 2020). Being a fighter pilot was his dream. He was denied any ROTC scholarship and now no Academy.
I plan to put in my retirement paperwork tomorrow. I didn’t go to the academy and have probably had 20 of those folks working for me… you gotta know somebody just like most thing in life I guess. The USA is forgiving student loans for kids who drop out of school, yet kids who dream to serve their country are denied scholarships. I’ve enjoyed flying F16s T-38s and traveling across the world, I appreciated the ROTC and medical school scholarship and being a pilot physician but so wish they had given my son the same chance. I’ve never seen a kid so crushed and never hurt so bad myself….
 
edavenport72 said:
Im
An active duty USAF Colonel and my son just got his TWE. 2 nominations from congressmen in two states, a senator, and presidential nomination (4 total) Every interview he got lead to a nomination. Straight As since kindergarten, top 2% of his class and varsity baseball and wind ensemble (was in Macys parade in 2020). Being a fighter pilot was his dream. He was denied any ROTC scholarship and now no Academy.
I plan to put in my retirement paperwork tomorrow. I didn’t go to the academy and have probably had 20 of those folks working for me… you gotta know somebody just like most thing in life I guess. The USA is forgiving student loans for kids who drop out of school, yet kids who dream to serve their country are denied scholarships. I’ve enjoyed flying F16s T-38s and traveling across the world, I appreciated the ROTC and medical school scholarship and being a pilot physician but so wish they had given my son the same chance. I’ve never seen a kid so crushed and never hurt so bad myself….
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Tough news all around. So many strong applicants with noms, yet not enough seats in the class for them all, and the national competition for AFROTC scholarships is another challenging pool.

Is he going to continue to fight for his long-term goal of an AF commission by joining an AFROTC unit and becoming a college programmer? Re-apply for USAFA? Perhaps even consider checking out the salty side and applying for USNA?
When he’s healed up a bit, I encourage him to contact Admissions and ask for some coaching on how he could strengthen his USAFA application.

I appreciate your long years of service. The DD-214 comes to us all. Best wishes for a smooth transition. Highly recommend American Corporate Partners as a mentoring resource, as well as applying for unlisted LinkedIn Group Eagles Executive Transition Assistance Network.
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May I also respectfully recommend, if applicable, changing your screen name to something anonymous? Letting us know you are an AD AF colonel with aviation physician pilot background may lay a path to your identity. Unlike personal social media, there are no protections here on an anonymous public forum.
 
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Nothing to hide my friend. I am on the global and happy to hear from others in the same shoes. Best of luck to all, my son believes those that got in are just better and I will not deter him (no matter what Dad really thinks). Im very bitter but it helps nothing to be angry and he has been accepted to another really great school in a great location and I really look forward to spending the entire summer together, lots of flying and traveling!
 
TWE here also, dissappointed--yes. However, DS has several great options ahead of him, now the decision--accept USMA appointment? Attend 1st or 2nd choice university with either his AROTC or AFROTC scholarship (then reapply to USAFA for C/O 28)? Prior to last year he was West Point all the way, however then he attended the in-person SS at USAFA--it left a great impression on him, and he knew at that point that was what he wanted. He will excel in whichever path he chooses, now just need to sit down and discuss which path to go for. Definitely big decisions to think through.

Good luck to others that are still waiting for their "golden envelope" to show in their portal.
 
Reflection..... News wasn't what DS hoped for—Plan B in place and moving forward with ROTC. As a parent, I can only say wow! What a process to watch him go through to even get through the application, interviews, etc... This forum has been so helpful as a parent to share and read others' successes and "plan B's". There are a lot of great future leaders out there and this forum serves as a window to some of those young men and women. The one thing that he continues to learn is that in life you will have successes but you will face rejection (and not just once). His reaction and how he handles the rejection is a testimonial to his intestinal fortitude and what he does with rejection will ultimately determine his success. I'm glad he's optimistic and keeping his chin up.. the sting will pass, the summer will end and college will start. Life continues and his military goals are still solidly in place. He may reapply, or he may not. His choice. Whatever he does we only care that he is happy, healthy, and following his passion in life which today means a goal of being a pilot and military officer. Thank you for this great forum! Good luck to all in your future endeavors. You are awesome!!!
 
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Oh crap. I heard this could be an appointment or a rejection. Does anyone know if they are still sending out appointments? All I’ve seen is twe’s so this is freaking me out.
 
luqui03 said:
TWE can change to a Prep offer or to a Falcon Foundation offer in a few days/weeks. Do not lose hope. And keep plan B going. My son received a TWE on April 21st and a month later a Prep offer. Good luck to all
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How did you know the prep offer came thru?? Do you have to keep checking the portal?? My DS TWE indicated both were declined. Good luck to everyone on plan B
 
ConflictedMom said:
Can you expand on this? No one in our family is military and DS would have/could be the first.

What are the alternative paths for a Plan B? I think they are:

1) Prep School
2) AFROTC

What are the others? I've seen folks on this board mention reapplying--how does that work? In the year that you are waiting to reapply and attend another university are those credits accepted by USAFA? Are you beginning as a first year if you gain admittance when you reapply (hence a year delayed)? Is the best plan B to do option #2 and do AFROTC and then pursue commissioning?
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As I understand a graduate from the USAFA and a graduate of the AFROTC program are on par with each other when it comes to serving in the AF. It really lends towards the experience you want over the 4 years
 
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