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    USAFA SS essay advice

    You have the kernels of a great essay, narrative, and story that can make your actual application "3-D". 1. I highly, highly, and one more highly suggest you work with your English teacher - the one who's going to be writing recommendations for 5 SA applications, 3 or more nominations, this...
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    Finding Support at USAFA

    My DD does not have many close friends, but has a really, really close one. They are now engaged! DD says it is hard to have friendships at USAFA outside of your activities, because you have so little time. And many friendships fizzle after the Academy. She also made really good friends with...
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    Am I competitive?

    I think it's USAFA that asks for this, but good to do this with your "master" resume (of everything possible, from which you pull and customized all other resumes and honors/leadership/achievement lists): assign the amount of time and dates for all activities. Anyone reading your resume could...
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    Chances/how competitive?

    Your competitiveness is now out of your control. She's put in the work and everything that goes in the application; all you can do is wait. It will depend on THIS cycle's... 1. Other people on her slate; 2. How badly USAFA wants her/where she is on the NWL/if she is a puzzle piece that USAFA...
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    Am I competitive?

    Excellent advice from all! Work backwards. Rising senior summer you want to clear your plate and reserve for SLE, NASS, USAFA SS, Boy's State and AIM. That summer you'll do final prep for the CFA and take it the earliest window, then transfer it to the other SAs. 4/6 measures are more just pure...
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    Funded Visit to USMMA?

    My DD was invited to go for a swim recruiting trip. We paid out of pocket, and she was the only athlete that did not have a parent also attend. Wish I knew that parents were welcome too! It was completely worth it, wonderful gem of a school and mission! For any program, make the time to go...
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    Help me understand, please (first time SA Mom)

    This. It makes them good officers because they know how to assemble their team, leveraging each team member's skills. Only you can tell if you are enabling vs helping your DD/DS learn how to optimize situations and leverage her team. If your skill as a parent is organization why would your...
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    Summer Seminars - Did you teen do more than one?

    Apply to ALL because you don't know which he will be accepted. My DD was accepted to all, and chose USMA SLE and Girls State over USNA NASS and USAFA SS (conflicting June dates) because she could do the CFA at SLE and then used it all 4 SAs, Girls State for the application value, and because...
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    529 funds

    I want to pay .09% less for the same investment, for starters. Vanguard 529 Total stock market index portfolio charges .12% vs .03% for VTI. And I see no reason to pick a target date fund and pay .14% when I can DIY and pick a 3 or 4 fund portfolio and rebalance on my own terms vs. a set glide...
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    529 funds

    Excellent topic! We are awaiting the full interpretation of "open for at least 15 years", as we opened DD's 529 over 15 years ago, but transferred to a different plan midway. Hopefully as long as one can prove the initial opening date over 15 years ago with a qualified transfer of account to a...
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    AP test and the USAFA

    Another vote in favor of taking the AP exam - with the caveat that you do WELL on said exams. Make a study of which AP exams validate at SAs and at your civilian colleges - keep in mind SAs might require a 5, or if not validate, they will place you in a higher level class (ie, bypassing the...
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    2024 Job Drops?

    My DD found out her job/base in June/August, but it really doesn't feel any more certain since she is also applying to graduate programs, so we will be waiting for final decisions even past normal job drop. But she's very happy for the position (3 Cadets this year) and extremely happy with the...
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    USAA Career Starter Loan Questions

    Get that promissory note secured against some collateral, properly perfected, and then release it when you are married.
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    How likely will son get kicked out for conduct/aptitude issues?

    Does your DS really want to be there, or is this a cry for help to get out? It seems self-sabatoging in just about every measure. Agree with all posts above. Is a meeting with the Comm in this situation more of a formality, or an actual second look? Mom to mom: I think you can be most...
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    CFA - West Point vs. USAFA

    My advice: Move to Plan B. Life is full of more Plan Bs than Plan As. Plan A is you, conditions, and everything else is ideal. Plan B is everthing else. If you are a leader, have mental and physical toughness to be chosen for an SA, you will thrive in any Plan B, C, or D. Gut it out and not...
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    USAFA CFA Maxing Events

    Agree with all posters here, great advice and perspective. Regarding the maxing issue: my DD (cycle for USAFA Class of 2024), one could gain bonus points for USMA - her USMA score was 626. However, it is unknown how the other CFA-requiring-SAs, including USAFA, recorded her score other than a...
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    Nursing from USAFA

    @Capt MJ EXCELLENT link above! It really says it all! Some finer points: You have to get permission and released by USAFA Supe; You have to get accepted into the military health career field. It was a lot of work all C2C year. DD shadowed at the 10th medical group, got a grant and went to a...
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    Backup plan - Community College vs ?

    So right @A1Janitor in itself that's nothing special - but what you do with it that counts! My mind was racing with the interesting things that a student with this opportunity could do, and I failed to put that as the big caveat! My older DD is a Fulbrighter in Finland, and has taken advantage...
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    Backup plan - Community College vs ?

    Oozing parent opinion here! This! There is no reason for CC as the backup. Go to a 4 year college. DS should be scouring AFROTC programs as a column with civilian college choices. Pay attention to which have AFTROTC on campus and cross campus. You as parent must consider afforability/fit...
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    Early Decision versus USNA

    Early Action - yes, absolutely! I highly encourage this! You're DD/DS is already on a roll with the nominiating source applications, so keep the pedal to the metal and hit send on the common apps too! Pull off the band aid early Fall semester! Early Decision - absolutely not, if SA is your first...
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