Worried for the future

Hey all,
So I'm a junior in high school, and I was asked yesterday, "Are you excited for your senior year?". I never really thought about it until now, I was so focused on just making it through this year with the chaos and uncertainty. Honestly, I'm scared. I've been working towards USAFA for as long as I can remember, and I'm worried that all the work I've been putting in isn't enough. I see people who seem like perfect candidates, a shoo-in, receive TWEs. It makes me think, "Wow, if they didn't get in, how am I going to?" I know that there are many other factors besides academics, EC's and whatnot, but that thought still lingers in the back of my head.
What am I going to if I'm not accepted, or even what am I going to do if I am? It's this sudden realization that I'm going to be an adult in a little over a year. I'm going to be on my own for the rest of my life, whether or not I attend an SA. I'm now solely responsible for my actions and every decision I make.
I would be ecstatic to receive an appointment to my dream school, as I'm sure many others would be, but this is something I just can't shake off.
I suppose this is just a post to get my thoughts out, or see if anyone else went through the same thought process I did. Thanks everyone.

If you need to vent and get your thoughts out, you are no different than anyone else. Feel free to do as much as you can, I do it as well sometimes.

My suggestion would be that you do your best in all areas and let the chips fall where they may and keep an open mind to other possibilities if for some unknown reason USAFA does not comes thru for you. There are stellar candidates who accepted and there are other stellar candidates who are not. You put your best foot forward.

Think of alternatives for your career path whether being an officer or not. Talk to your sports coach, teacher, preacher or whoever you feel confident speaking with. Run by some alternatives with them and see where you can give your best and perform.

Good luck.

What is your Plan B? What is your Plan C?

Devil Doc said:

What is your Plan B? What is your Plan C?

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Plan B- USNA, Plan C-USMA, Plan D- USCGA, Plan E- Lamont School of Music, Plan F- Cleveland Institute of Music, Plan G- UNLV

Last 3 AFROTC (applying for AFROTC scholarships)

Not sure if that's overboard or not...

I had a period where I thought like that during junior year when I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else other than USAFA. However, I've come to realize USAFA is not the only way to be successful in life. USAFA is merely one path out of many to walk along. If you want to become an officer, there is still ROTC, OTS/OCS. If you want to get a great education, there are many colleges that have excellent programs. There is also prep school and falcon foundation if you don't receive an appointment. Ultimately though, if you're a hard-working person with dedication, you'll be fine no matter where you end up. The academies just ask for you to give it your best in everything you do. As long as you know you're giving it your all, then I wouldn't worry too much. What helps is also looking at your other plans. Hearing nothing from the academies for a long time allowed me to focus on my Plan B, Plan C, etc. I got so comfortable with my backup plans, I had a tough choice when I received my appointment. If you have good backup plans, you will be fine. I would try to be more open and not box yourself into the mentality of "I have to go to an academy in order to be successful".

Here is my prediction: You will be A-OK wherever you land. Take that to the bank.

@usafacellist2026 your thoughts are quite normal because this is something you are serious about and really want, but you understand there is a competitive element and the outcome may not be in your favor. @CB2515 is spot on - there are multiple paths to the same outcome of serving in the Air Force. I always encourage candidates to consider a self prep program like Marion as one of your top options. If in your heart you really want USAFA, be ok with the fact it may take multiple attempts before you succeed. If you solidify the prep school as plan B, it is still very much working towards the eventual arrival at Plan A. As the next 12 months progress, you will complete the application process and then wait. Uncertainty is one of the hardest things to deal with and solidifying the Plan B option will give you a backstop to rely on mentally. "I am waiting on USAFA, but if that doesn't happen this year, I am locked into <SELF PREP SCHOOL> and they have a proven track record of success for people just like me who aspire to attend a Service Academy."

Did you know the current Director of Admissions for Coast Guard was rejected twice before he was accepted to USCGA? How great is that story of resilience?

Plan B is not planning to fail - it is planning to ensure your success in the bigger picture. Having solidified your plan B will give you an element of much needed certainty and future you will appreciate thinking through various scenarios today.

Congrats on getting this far and best of luck in your pursuit!

I feel you on all of what you just said. It's surreal that senior year is coming up and to think that we will be applying to the SAs whether accepted or not. I think that it's just a matter of doing our best and doing whatever we can possible to earn an appointment. In the event that we don't get an appointment, look at your Plan Bs, Cs Ds, etc. But at the end of the day USAFA is just one way to commission as an officer and it is completely fine to not go to a service academy as long as you have that will to serve as an officer. We'll be fine wherever we go, especially that we are in the same position in a way and how life just turns out sometimes.

Thanks everyone for all your advice, I really appreciate it. There's not a lot of people who could offer the same insight as you guys.
My grandpa graduated from USAFA c/o 76', so one of my top reasons to attend USAFA over other ways of commissioning is all of the amazing experiences he's told me about, and he's the one who inspired me to consider serving.
I'll definitely focus on my other plans, there are a few other conservatories I'm considering. It's nice to have my music as solid backups, and my private teacher tells me that everything happens for a reason. Music is one of my biggest passions and what makes me happy, so I wouldn't be disappointed if I got to pursue that in my future.
Again, thanks to everyone.

usafacellist2026 said:

my private teacher tells me that everything happens for a reason

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I believe that as well. I've told my son's story here several times and won't do it again now but we've told him that numerous times since he graduated high school. He didn't get into USNA and didn't really have a plan B so he wandered in the wilderness and attended five colleges before graduating. Every time it seems he doesn't get what he wants something better comes along. My daughter was in a similar situation although not concerning a military academy. She now lives in a country club community.

Ninety-three percent (I just did the math) of my 11th and 12th grade students are non-white. Most are either recent immigrants or first generation in the US. Many are ESOL and/or SPED. They have the same worries as you and then some. I told the story a few days ago about the girl who wants to get a job but is not a legal resident. She is in the classroom with me now. Two years ago a student had to move in with relatives in a different county because her dad had been deported. You wrote about the chaos and uncertainty. My students and many others are worried as well but their challenge is much greater. I've read your posts for the past two months. You are well above average intelligence and probably a great deal above. You write like you have at least two years of college behind you. Some college grads wish they wrote as well.

Why did I write that? Not to say, "Hey, suck it up. Lots of people have it much worse." No, my message is you are better equipped than most to accept the challenges of a chaotic world and embrace the hard work which will be required, no matter what you do in life. The grass is not always greener on the other side but it surely is greener where you water it.

Also know that what you are feeling is normal at this stage of your life. For the last 17-ish years, your path has been pretty laid out for you. And you have pretty much been following the adults in your life guidance.

You are about to graduate from that, into young adulthood. Make your own decisions and choices. It’s exciting!! But also new and unchartered. And scary. “Am I good enough?” is a normal pondering...no matter where you are headed.

Dont worry. You will grow so much your senior year, naturally. With added insight simply from the responsibilities that come with being a senior. You have time to work through this, and you will have more clarity a year from now.

I often say that I believe people that visit these forums and see the stellar resumes, could question if they have what it takes. DONT be swayed. The SA’s are not all made up of Scholars. There are lots of ‘middle of the road’ appointees. And the bottom of the class as well. Not everyone is top 10pct. And as you know, being a leader and somone a SA can see as an Officer is more than your resume. Heck, you already have @Devil Doc’ stamp of approval!

Self doubt is normal. Practicing ways to manage that (good ideas already posted) helps. You got this!

justdoit19 said:

Dont worry. You will grow so much your senior year, naturally. With added insight simply from the responsibilities that come with being a senior. You have time to work through this, and you will have more clarity a year from now.

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I can attest to this, even though I'm a senior now. I look back on who I was a year ago with a slight amount of embarrassment because I have matured greatly since then. Focus on the things you can control and check tasks off your list one at a time. Best of luck!

Such worries are normal. Make sure you have some alternative options. Keep your options open by performing well and applying (aka do the work!).

Yes, as you reach adulthood, your actions have consequences, but that doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Keep up with your family, friends, and mentors.

Realize as well that things don't always go as you first planned them. THIS IS OK. When I was in high school, I never imagined I would be flying around in a 50+ year old helicopter and guarding nukes...but you know what? It's pretty fun!

It’s okay to have these thoughts. A few suggestions… remember to enjoy the ride. Senior year is chaotic. You only get one. Enjoy the growth, applying for college and the journey. Yeap, making decisions, big decisions can be overwhelming. You are accountable for them, but you don’t have to make those decisions in a vacuum. Know the difference between emotions and facts. Consider them both. Consult those you trust. Learn to laugh at yourself. It will help in stressful times. At the end of the day, there will be times you have to look in the mirror and know you did everything possible to achieve X and sometimes you will not. Life throws you curve balls, you learn how to adjust to them. Most the time the outcome we get versus what we expect ends up being what we needed, we just didn’t know it at the time. Every kid who applies and finishes the SA app process is a driven high achiever. Not everyone gets in. Once you commission and compete for roles and schools you won’t get them all. You learn to live with these monumental decisions because you did everything you could within your control. At the end of the day, we are all just trying to get through life the best we can. Enjoy the journey, sweat only what you can control, laugh at yourself and support those you love. OBTW, even at this point in my life I still feel like I am a pretend adult and a real adult will come along some day. We are all pretending to an extent.

usafacellist2026 said:

Thanks everyone for all your advice, I really appreciate it. There's not a lot of people who could offer the same insight as you guys.
My grandpa graduated from USAFA c/o 76', so one of my top reasons to attend USAFA over other ways of commissioning is all of the amazing experiences he's told me about, and he's the one who inspired me to consider serving.
I'll definitely focus on my other plans, there are a few other conservatories I'm considering. It's nice to have my music as solid backups, and my private teacher tells me that everything happens for a reason. Music is one of my biggest passions and what makes me happy, so I wouldn't be disappointed if I got to pursue that in my future.
Again, thanks to everyone.

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I was in a similar boat back in the day. I had my heart set on USAFA. In 2015 I got the TWE. Reapplied while doing AFROTC in 2016. Again, got the TWE. Guess what? I still commissioned, went to UPT, had my choice of any airframe I wanted, and have been flying the Viper around the world for the past 4 years.

Looking back, the TWEx2 was the best thing that ever happened to me. I just didn't know it at the time. It is ok to have short term goals, but you have to keep it in perspective. The goal is the commission and the career, not the school. By keeping it in perspective, it allows you to roll with the punches and keep pressing forward.

It’s great to set lofty goals and have high expectations. That’s what achievers and leaders do. Leo Burnett, one of the pioneers of modern advertising, said “When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get one. But you won't come up with a handful of mud either.”

Which brings up a vital lesson of adulting: Not everyone gets a trophy anymore. We may try our damndest and still fall short. There are others who are more talented, more gifted, more driven. And you’d be surprised who those people are. Beware underestimating others. None of this is to say you can’t achieve your goals and meet your expectations. But it does mean when you do, be grateful and proud and humble.

OK, stepping off soapbox now. Carry on.

Some thoughts from a graduating senior:

I received a TWE from USNA this time around. Like all SA applicants, I went through the same rollercoaster of emotions you described above. The possibility of being rejected loomed over me throughout the process - the same way it does for every candidate. You are not alone in your worries; as you said, there is no straight shot to an appointment. Some stellar applicants get in. Some less stellar applicants (or those we perceive to be less stellar) get in. There's no one way about it.

That being said, these concerns are natural and it's important to recognize that regardless of the outcome - appointment or no - if you have a solid plan B and C, you will be just fine. I put the hours and effort into my USNA application, but I also put together a plan B I would be happy with. And guess what? That plan B is now my plan A (at least for the coming year).

Senior year is its own rollercoaster without the added demands of an SA application. Make the most of it, spend time with your friends when you can, and try not to let yourself become overwhelmed with the stats, the anecdotes, the pressure of trying to snag an appointment. As @NavyHoops so sagely pointed out, you only get one senior year, and no matter what happens with USAFA, where you end up is where you should be.

Best of luck for your senior year and beyond (wherever it may lead)!

@usafacellist2026 , I think you will do great no matter what path you take!

Optimize what you can and what is in your control, the rest you can only satisfy, like making sure to apply to all nomination sources but have no control over who else is competing on your slates.

I hope the biggest first world problem in your future is: How to get my cello to USAFA after BCT?

Don't worry about the adulting thing. While you are technically no longer a dependent (at SAs), you will still rely on mentors, faculty, upperclass, and parents to help you to full adulthood. Bill Preston (aka Webguy) in the C2025 appointee video (now on the USAFA website) said it wonderfully - directed at parents, but he says make sure what we (parents) do is empowering, not enabling. It's ok - and a sign of maturity - to reach out when necessary.

Follow your love of music. If you don't, you will wake up some day (with achy, middle-aged bones) and wish you had.

usafacellist2026 said:

Plan B- USNA, Plan C-USMA, Plan D- USCGA, Plan E- Lamont School of Music, Plan F- Cleveland Institute of Music, Plan G- UNLV

Last 3 AFROTC (applying for AFROTC scholarships)

Not sure if that's overboard or not...

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This is a sincere question, and your chance to educate me further on ROTC! How would a music major combine with AFROTC? I'm pretty sure Plan F does not have ROTC, right? And congrats on getting into the Lamont summer program!