Graduate school program

hi I’m interested in going to graduate school after the academy and coming back to teach. Is that determined by the highest gpa or opa?

It's determined by a lot of things, depending on how you go about it. The most common way is probably the Advanced Academic Degree (AAD) program. It is not a USAFA specific program but rather an Air Force wide program. Some USAFA cadets are selected, some ROTC cadets are selected, and some AD officers are selected. At USAFA, it will come down to your position amongst the others in your major and how many slots are available that year. I suspect it is primarily OPA, but your majors GPA will probably also play a factor, especially in harder majors like physics and astro/aero where that is a much truer indicator of how successful you might be in grad school.

It is also possible to get a degree some other way (there are a number of other competitive programs to go to AFIT or other graduate schools) and then make it known that you are interested in teaching at USAFA. I have been asked several times if I am interested in teaching even though I am not in a program where that is a requirement. I plan on saying yes but after my next assignment. I need some time away from academia in the real AF first.

Hello, I got a GSP slot from the Academy to do exactly what you're talking about. It is not solely based on GPA or OPA, though those do play a part. Ultimately, the selection process is up to the academic department that you are interested in. You do not necessarily need to get your degree in the same department. For example, I know someone who majored in Math, but ended up getting a Computer Science GSP slot.

Friends of mine in the English department wrote an essay for their application. Others participated in a teacher's assistantship of sorts and even had the opportunity to teach lessons under the supervision of a faculty member. Each department does their own thing. You should discuss your interest in returning with your advisor.

I have a son getting his PhD online. Since he's got two kids now, baby & toddler, and since he is ADAF, he completes most of his coursework online, while deployed. It's working for him. Since it is not an AF program, and he's doing it on his own for his own edification, he got a scholarship through this major university, and it still costs him nothing! It is tough though, going after that post-grad education with a wife, two kids, car, house, and a full time job as pilot, who is away from home more than he is at home.