Recent content by USAFAGradMom

A Year in the Blue follows the Class of 2014 through their first year at the Academy. Obviously, there have been changes since this was filmed but it gives you a good idea of what to expect as a cadet.

Just an FYI... The Groome Shuttle picks up & drops off at the Academy Hotel (outside of the USAFA South Gate). If you're travelling by yourself, you'll need to UBER to/from USAFA to the Academy Hotel.

Any of the hotels on Interquest are only a 10 minute drive to the North Gate of USAFA. There are plenty of restaurants nearby. I second the recommendations for the Drury Hotel.

"I also know that they have only admitted about 8 international students every year in the past couple of years" This is not a factual statement. USFA admits approximately 15 international cadets each year (including the past couple of years).

Yes, you only attend one Appointee Tour

On the evening of our son's graduation from USAFA, we told him we had fallen in love with Colorado Springs during the 4 years we had been visiting him & had decided to move... but we purposefully chose to move here AFTER he graduated! We didn't feel it would be in his best interest to be...

"Box Boy" was in my DS's Class Side note... despite his unpleasant I-Day where he received lots of extra "attention" from cadre, he DID graduate & go on to UPT

Wrong Academy

I'd recommend that you check directly with the Admissions Office to ask if there will be scheduled Appointee Visits being held this year. In previous years (before COVID), they were usually offered in the late March/April timeframe.

Clarification... some upperclass cadets may be issued a saber to use as part of their uniform (depending on their job/position and usually worn only during formations, parades, while doing inspections, etc.) but they are not worn on a daily basis like when attending classes and are turned back...

Cadet sabers are not issued but can be rented (usually for a wedding following graduation) or purchased (usually for display following graduation) https://shop.usafa.org/catalog/category/view/s/saber-rentals/id/298/

Just a couple of corrections to this post... Parents Weekend is in September over Labor Day weekend (not in October) Not all sponsor families provide rides to the airport or host parents during their visits

You must have a nomination to receive a direct appointment to USAFA. No one on this forum can give you the answer as to whether you may receive an appointment to the Prep School or whether you may receive a Falcon Scholarship.

Registered sponsor families must live within 50 miles of USAFA All current C4Cs who requested a sponsor family have now been assigned to a local family (official assignments were completed a few weeks ago)

Encourage your DS to develop a mutual relationship with his sponsor family :) My husband and I have been sponsor parents for the past 10 years. We provide a "home away from home" for cadets to get away from the rigors of the Academy, have some home-cooked meals, & rest/study/watch TV, etc. Just...