Help me ease my mind

What are your thoughts?

  • Better chances

    Votes: 2 66.7%
  • Poorer chances

    Votes: 1 33.3%

  • Total voters
    3

HopefulKiddo

Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
21
Ok hello I’m completely new to this and I’ve probably read just about every post on here that relates to this. I know the only thing I can do to find out is apply, but if you could entertain me for a minute I’d just like some of your opinions on my chances.

• GPA- 3.04/3.64 Almost entirely Hon/AP/Dual Enrollment and my gpa should be going up to about a 3.7/3.8 after the fall.
• SAT/ACT- Still in progress but 1140 and waiting on better scores to come in within the next few weeks.

• AFJROTC- Vice Wing Commander (#2), ROA and AFA awards
• Police Explorers- Post President multiple awards
• Kitty Hawk Air Society
• Boy Scouts- Patrol Leader and Tenderfoot
• SAC- Vice Chairman and District Representative
• Marksmanship Team- Varsity/Captain
• Young Life
• Lifeguard ~19 hr/week
• Football/Weightlifting
• Freshman Mentor
• Political Organization- Board member
• 300+ Community Service Hours
• National Awards
• Stellar Explorers- Competition Team

I think my extracurriculars are good. I have about 3 pages of community service, extracurriculars, and athletics.

It’s my academics that seem to be weighing me down. I gave some insight into my situation that had caused my gpa to be lower within my personal statement. I am taking the tests as much as I can to improve and right now it’s just kind of a waiting game until my scores are released.
 
The average successful USAFA candidate (one who receives an Offer of Appointment) scores around 1,300 on the SAT and 30 on the ACT. They also have an average High School GPA greater than 3.80. The data I link is to the class that just commissioned in 2019, so they started in 2015. I didn't see stats for the present (newest) class of 2023.

As far as your particular chances, no one here can tell you, with any degree of certainty that isn't a pure guess. Every year, candidates receive offers with worse stats than yours and better stats than yours. It is a marathon. When your application is fully complete, you have successfully completed the DoDMERB process, and you have a nomination, your chances increase. Until then, it's anyone's guess.
 
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In terms of academics, SAs are less interested in GPA, and more interested that you took the hardest classes your school has to offer and excelled at them. In terms of SAT, this you can still perhaps affect by taking it once more.

As for ECs, it matters not how long the list is. It does matter what kind of “leadership impact” you made in these roles. In other words, how did you leave these organizations in better shape than when you showed up? Real results, driven by you, is what SAs want. So be sure you communicate that clearly throughout the application process.
 
I believe it also had to with your location. Are you in a competitive district? State? Who are you up against? All you can do is put up your best application.
 
For USAFA, which states are competitive states? Which ones are for USMA?
 
For USAFA, which states are competitive states? Which ones are for USMA?

Well, there are areas that are highly competitive. Northern VA, California, Texas more populated states where the senators can only choose a few applicants out of the entire group seeking a nomination.

In our state, there are 2 senators and only 1 congressperson. They all interview the same applicants. A small pool of applicants for all of them, I am going to say less than 40 total applicants for service academies. My DS is only 1 of 2 cadets as a doolie this year from our state, so maybe out of 4,000 cadets at USAFA there would be only about 8.
 
In terms of academics, SAs are less interested in GPA, and more interested that you took the hardest classes your school has to offer and excelled at them. In terms of SAT, this you can still perhaps affect by taking it once more.

As for ECs, it matters not how long the list is. It does matter what kind of “leadership impact” you made in these roles. In other words, how did you leave these organizations in better shape than when you showed up? Real results, driven by you, is what SAs want. So be sure you communicate that clearly throughout the application process.
Yes so with my law enforcement explorer group I had it so from ~8 members, no uniforms, no funds, and on the verge of being shut down to 25+ members, everyone’s uniformed with new equipment, tons of money in the account because of fundraisers I initiated, new events, better classes, and more overall involvement.
With my JROTc unit we expanded from a Group to a Wing thus creating more opportunities for cadets to grow in leadership roles.
 
I believe it also had to with your location. Are you in a competitive district? State? Who are you up against? All you can do is put up your best application.
I’m in Florida in a pretty large district. I do think I’ll be able to secure a nomination though (fingers crossed)
 
First on your list is to improve that SAT. Take a class. You are looking for a 1400 or better with 700 or better math.
 
The best way to ease your mind (as that is the title of this thread) would be to direct your angst toward:
  • Preparing for and retaking the SAT/ACT
  • Preparing for both the CFA and other fitness tests.
  • developing a realistic and viable Plan B (and maybe C and D) for commissioning.
 
In terms of academics, SAs are less interested in GPA, and more interested that you took the hardest classes your school has to offer and excelled at them. In terms of SAT, this you can still perhaps affect by taking it once more.

I think I know what you mean, but just to clarify. I think the academies care very much about your GPA. They don't care about weighted GPA. Weighted GPA can be anything depending on what the formula is that your school uses so its a bogus metric. (and yes even unweighted GPA comparisons between different schools is bogus to a degree, but weighting makes it even worse). Thats why class rank can be useful. Given your school and your situation how did you do compared to your peers. I believe they will look at GPA, class rank, and the classes you took and look fondly at AP/Honors etc and less so if you took an easier load.

Keep in mind, I am no expert...
 
USAFA says they recalculate GPA, which may or may not be the same as on your transcript. Agree even UW is bogus - not the same classes/rigor, and DD's school district UW is a formula: Numeric/25; mathematically you must have a perfect 100 to be a 4.0 UW, everyone else is 3.xx or less!
 
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Ok hello I’m completely new to this and I’ve probably read just about every post on here that relates to this. I know the only thing I can do to find out is apply, but if you could entertain me for a minute I’d just like some of your opinions on my chances.

• GPA- 3.04/3.64 Almost entirely Hon/AP/Dual Enrollment and my gpa should be going up to about a 3.7/3.8 after the fall.
• SAT/ACT- Still in progress but 1140 and waiting on better scores to come in within the next few weeks.

• AFJROTC- Vice Wing Commander (#2), ROA and AFA awards
• Police Explorers- Post President multiple awards
• Kitty Hawk Air Society
• Boy Scouts- Patrol Leader and Tenderfoot
• SAC- Vice Chairman and District Representative
• Marksmanship Team- Varsity/Captain
• Young Life
• Lifeguard ~19 hr/week
• Football/Weightlifting
• Freshman Mentor
• Political Organization- Board member
• 300+ Community Service Hours
• National Awards
• Stellar Explorers- Competition Team

I think my extracurriculars are good. I have about 3 pages of community service, extracurriculars, and athletics.

It’s my academics that seem to be weighing me down. I gave some insight into my situation that had caused my gpa to be lower within my personal statement. I am taking the tests as much as I can to improve and right now it’s just kind of a waiting game until my scores are released.
This will ease your mind: We are all applicants. They’re really are no “averages.” We apply and may the best most deserving applicant be appointed.
 
Just focus on putting together the best application you can. It’s all a competition and your primary competitors are the other candidates in your district.

I have seen applicants on this board with 1500 SAT’s and loads of EC get TWE’s. I have seen others with lesser “stats” get LOA’s. You can only control what you can control. Do your best, ace the CFA, study and improve your SAT as much as possible and follow your passion and use it to create leadership opportunities.

If this is what you want, go for it and put forward the best package you can. Leave nothing on the table and let that drive show through in all you do.

Good Luck.
 
Anyone know the typical candidate pool for New Jersey? For USAFA or USNA?
Depends on the specific congressional district. For the Senators, they typically interview several hundred. . . I think on the order of 300 and from
what I've seen over about a ten year span, its an approx breakdown of 50%/30%/15%/55 USNA/USMA/USAFA/USMMA within that statewide applicant pool.
 
Anyone know the typical candidate pool for New Jersey? For USAFA or USNA?
No, but if you move across to Delaware, the pool is smaller. :)
I wish! LOL

Depends on the specific congressional district. For the Senators, they typically interview several hundred. . . I think on the order of 300 and from
what I've seen over about a ten year span, its an approx breakdown of 50%/30%/15%/55 USNA/USMA/USAFA/USMMA within that statewide applicant pool.
Wow that's a lot! Thanks for the info.
 
In my opinion the single most important thing you can do is take the ACT/SAT over and over and over..... You get the picture. And when your not taking them, you should be taking a prep course.

Hard to make a measurable dent in class rank at this point. ECs - everyone has them. CFA - has a smaller WCS impact.

I think it was Stephen Covey who said to only worry about things in your circle of influence. The biggest thing you can do right now to influence your WCS is to improve your test scores. A lot of the other stuff people worry about is outside their circle of influence.
 
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