2017 Appointee Stats for future applicants

So it has been established that everyone's academic/extra-curricular records range widely and it might not be very relevant to look to an individual's stats for reference. It has also been established that the OP had good intentions.

I agree that people need to have thick skin, especially if they want to go to into the military. This, however, is not an excuse to be rude to people over the internet. I agree that nothing said was outrageously awful but there was still rudeness. HaleyM had a great post. If USAFA thought the OP was good enough then that's all that should matter.

To the OP: CONGRATS on your appointment! It is quite an accomplishment, as I'm sure you are aware. I know that a couple of years ago I found it insightful to hear about the stats of "those who had gone before me," recognizing that not everyone is the same.
 
Folks...for the MOST part this thread has been "beneficial" in several areas. However...there are quite a few "moments" that it appears to be drifting into that prohibited area of "personal attack."

We don't want that here and the MODS won't allow it; we'll shut down a thread immediately if we see it.

So...please keep this on track, try to avoid comments such as "MY XXX or YOUR YYY..." and instead try to help those seeking your advice. THAT is what we're here for.

Otherwise, I will close this thread.

Steve
MOD Hat On
 
When you show up on I-day. The rest of your fellow basics and especially the cadre aren't going to care about your GPA, team captain, principal's student of the month, eagle scout, girl/boy's state or other amazing accomplishments. The other basics on your side are going to be the cream of the crop- where they came from. If you have been used to being the top in your school, it's going to be a different environment. It's really of no use to brag about anything you've accomplished before reporting for inprocessing. If any future applicant can take anything from this discussion, it should be that-you do your best in your academics and sports. Volunteer in community service, be a leader and whether you get an appointment or not-you're a better person for aspiring to become the best person you can be. I have much more respect for successful people who remain humble than those who show off.
 
Last edited:
Well put haleym. Honestly, I think some people underestimate the weight character holds on their application. It really says a lot about a person.

When it comes to pulling a trigger, whether you're controlling a drone from a bunker located in the US, or you're handling an AR on the battlefield in the middle east, your character is what's going to determine the outcome of the battle. Sure, your math skills will help you place that bullet with the drone, or your toughness developed in football will allow you to overpower an enemy on the battlefield, but do you have mental capability to understand the action your taking and the effect it's going to have on someone's life? Are you going to be able to put differences aside when you have to cover the back of some guy, who you disagree with, for the better of our country and its cause?

Are you fighting for freedom or your pride?

Thanks for keeping our heads on straight haleym.
 
In support of my classmates

In support of my classmates I shall also post my stats.

I look forward to meeting them, they seem like good people.

GPA: 3.97
ACT: 29
SAT: 1960, R 700, M 660, W 570
Class Rank: 61/500
-Track + XC: 10 seasons since freshman year
-Marching Band: oboe, percussion
-Took 3 APs + 4 more this year
-NHS JR and SR year.
-CAP C/Captain, Cadet Commander, multiple national-leve activities, etc (feel free to ask me about them, awesome fun)
-Intern at MOC's district office
-Computer repair skills
-various other things that don't come to mind atm (will try and update)
 
Last edited:
Honestly, I actually do think this thread is useful. Yes, the competition is different for everyone, and so stats from a particular region and year may or may not be acceptable the next year. I get it. I think most of the posters here do. But at the same time, seeing actual profiles of people has helped me relax a bit... you don't have to be a varsity athlete AND team captain AND wildly successful at JROTC AND start your own business AND volunteer 20 hours a week AND have a job AND a 36 ACT AND... you get the picture.
Ahem.
Homeschooled.
GPA: 3.96
34 ACT & 800 CR / 730 M / 770 W SAT.
AP English, Calc, Physics (accredited online courses for Eng/Calc & 5s on all three tests (Calc BC)).
Taking Arabic, Russian
Varsity Cross Country, Tennis; Tennis team captain
CAP C/1st Lt. / Cadet Commander / a few awards
Math Team / awards for that
FIRST Robotics / Dean's list nominee & team co-captain

Female - 39-ish BBall throw; 24-sec hang; 10 flat (I think) shuttle; 53 (58?) sit-ups; 48 push-ups; 7:30-something run (a few secs better than average).
Not a very competitive district, so 3 nominations. From what I've heard, it's a ranked slate. I don't think I was the Principal nom.
 
These numbers mean more to me than individual stats.:thumb:

appointees / graduates

Class of 2013- 1376 /1023

Class of 2012- 1373 /1074

Class of 2011- 1304 /1021

Class of 2010- 1334 /1001
 
A few years back before FB, a number of appointees posted on Myspace that they were better than their upperclassmen. It didn't take much for the cadre to find out who they were. Made a tough Beast even tougher:eek:
 
It is indeed helpful to know that you don't have to walk on water in order to receive an appointment.

Also realize that there's quite a few posters who have been here for many new batches of applicants, and there is a lot of stress, disappointment, and even anger by applicants. There are going to be people looking at some of the resumes posted of those who received an appointment, and they will be upset because their scores were higher, yet they didn't receive an appointment. There will be some that get quiet because their score are going to be lower than those individuals discussed, and they DID receive an appointment.

And EVERY YEAR, the topic of how the academy hands out appointments comes up and becomes heated. The subject of recruited athletes comes up. The subject of minorities comes up. The subject of "How Fair" the actual appointment process is, will be discussed. It can get heated at times.

It was mentioned by a couple of people that whether your stats were higher or not, the academy saw what they saw in the individuals they gave appointments to, and to disagree is to insult the academy. Well; the truth is; the academy doesn't get to choose ALL of the appointees. It's not like they are taking, in their opinion, the BEST 1100 applicants and giving them appointments. The truth is; they get a list of 10 from a MOC, and they MUST take one of those 10. "We'll assume all 10 meet the minimum requirements". And if the MOC happen to name a PRINCIPAL NOMINEE, then the academy has NO CHOICE WHATSOEVER. If that individual meets the minimum standards, they MUST be given an appointment. So no, it isn't always the academy's choice.

The point is, there is a lot of frustration this time of year. It's nice to see people posting that they received an appointment. No matter how that appointment came about, we all know that a lot of hard work on behalf of the appointee went into it. But there is going to be a lot of disagreement on the value of individual's stats. The more that's posted, the more you'll realize they mean absolutely nothing. And when the dust settles, the next group of applicants will go through this same exact discussion again next year. Main reason is because most posters don't ever search the forums, therefor, this thread will pretty much disappear by the time the next group of applicants start seriously applying. There is just SO MUCH to the appointment process and your GPA/ACT/SAT is just one piece of it.

On a separate note: "I ask this all the time, and it's rhetorical because no one can answer it"; but what the hell has happened to our education system. How can so many people post such good GPA's, like 3.94, 3.96, 3.97, etc... and YET, not even be in the TOP-10% of their class? In other words, How can the TOP 10% of the class, be in the TOP <1% of possible GPA?
 
Christcorp said:
On a separate note: "I ask this all the time, and it's rhetorical because no one can answer it"; but what the hell has happened to our education system. How can so many people post such good GPA's, like 3.94, 3.96, 3.97, etc... and YET, not even be in the TOP-10% of their class? In other words, How can the TOP 10% of the class, be in the TOP <1% of possible GPA?
Click to expand...
That is a fantastic question and I often wonder the same thing.
 
Yup...I recall those earlier posts from years back re: similar topics. My DS and I read every statistical post prior to I-day (2010). He was rather intimidated at the time. Me too. Who are those kids and where did they come from??! yowza.

His I-day class entered with 1293 peeps, 1258 after BCT.
With 14 (Zeamer!) months until graduation, they are 'down' by about another 250. Those are the stats I find interesting.

I'll be the first to admit, DS was not the smartest, the most statistically superior, the most awesome cadet applicant known. He knew this going in. However, he is still there. He has personally observed a few of the best-brightest in his squad(s) be dis- enrolled...many for honor hits, some for academics, some by choice etc. "Getting-in" in just the first hurdle.

CC is so on. Once you are accepted, it is up to you to do-your-best with your class, focus on the endgame, and integrate the character required of an officer. His is a well rounded class. Some are scary smart, some are average Joes with subtle leadership and strong integrity, some are aggressive warriors. They all have inherent skills necessary for an officer..not all of that is reflected in GPA's and stats at the time of application.
 
I'm one of those who I think are at the bottom strata of appointees stat-wise, and it's for this reason that I am just grateful that USAFA found something in me that was worth appointing (and also why I'm incredibly- and probably irrationally- nervous that somehow they might change their mind).

GPA- 3.42
SAT - 750CR / 690M / 670W
ACT - 32 <35R-29M-32Sci-34w>
Rank- 51/550 (this changes nearly weekly, but generally hovers around these numbers)
-Took 7 APs by end of Junior year (got a 4 or more on all but one), took 5 this year along with 4 dual enrollment classes
-5 years of Spanish
-JV XC for 3 years (didn't make varsity-- I was the classic 'Most Improved' kid, starting as a really overweight dude-- it's possible to turn your life around in just 2-3 years!!)
-President of the Medical club for 2 years

CFA wise:
Basketball - 72
Pull Ups - 7 ( :frown: )
Push Ups - 69
Sit Ups - 90
Shuttle - 10.23
Mile - 7:37 i think :/

So you can tell I have a LOT to improve and work on in the weeks coming up. But at least I have a goal!

But the real value of these kinds of posts is to provide something to mentally chew on-- no matter if it's the stats themselves are really irrelevant-- for the future applicants. I know at least for me that half the worrying in my head was throwing these stats around, and if it gives someone hope and makes their day a bit brighter, so be it. That's just my take on it.

To me the appointment is a clean slate, a chance to redeem/remake myself in the image of excellence. I kinda bumped around through high school not knowing what to do with myself. Thank God I made a few good choices like taking APs and doing XC. But now, with a focus and a mission, I can hopefully become Officer-worthy, and contribute to the Air Force.

About the GPA and top 10%, they use a weighted system at my school where the more rigorous honors and AP classes receive more GPA points than other classes, and that's how they rank the students. Its kinda funny, some of my friends are in the top 10 rank, and they know inside out how the entire grading thing works.

I'm glad I'm going to get to know people like HaleyM and others like her in the c/o2017. To walk among such giants (academic, physical, and character wise) is probably the coolest thing about an SA.
 
okay trying to get back to the original point of this thread:

To any future applicants are reading this and wondering about their resume/grades/stats:

As some people have already pointed out, comparing yourself to the stats of others probably won't be all that helpful in the long run, HOWEVER, it might be interesting to hear about the different types of applicants who got the BFE.

For example, my high school GPA was not nearly as high as some of the other people you might hear about! What really helped me out (I'm assuming) was my extracurricular record and the leadership I held in these extracurricular activities. Moral of the story: if you don't have a 4.0 and a 36 on the ACT, don't lose hope! With my GPA I could have easily given up on possibly getting an appointment, but I just worked that much harder to make myself as well-rounded as possible. Who knows, maybe you'll get that BFE!
 
24601 said:
These numbers mean more to me than individual stats.:thumb:

appointees / graduates

Class of 2013- 1376 /1023

Class of 2012- 1373 /1074

Class of 2011- 1304 /1021

Class of 2010- 1334 /1001
Click to expand...

Congratulations to the class of 2013:thumb:

For the incoming class of 2017..."may the odds be ever in your favor":rockon:
 
Maybe some good can come from posting stats. It shows how difficult it really is to compare apples to fuel injectors and somehow come up with a casserole. It shows how hard it is for the academy to actually compare 2 different applicants with different backgrounds and come up with an EQUAL MEASUREMENT.

For instance: Tito has a 3.42 gpa, is in the same size class as Haley and hewantsthebfe; yet he has a higher class rank than either of those 2, who have gpa's that are 3.94 and 3.97 respectively.

Yet, you can tell that Tito MORE than made up for a gpa by kicking butt in the ACT/SAT category. And like I said, his class rank is higher, even though his gpa is much lower. It also looks like tito took a lot more AP classes.

So I guess all these stats do help. When the next 243,453 posts come in, which they WILL, that asks: "How do I look?" or "What are my chances". We'll have more solid data to answer: "The hell if I know". In the immortal words of "STYX". "Welcome to the Grand illusion".

Anyway; congrats to everyone who has received an appointment.
 
Christcorp said:
Maybe some good can come from posting stats. It shows how difficult it really is to compare apples to fuel injectors and somehow come up with a casserole. It shows how hard it is for the academy to actually compare 2 different applicants with different backgrounds and come up with an EQUAL MEASUREMENT.
Click to expand...

+1
Christcorp said:
For instance: Tito has a 3.42 gpa, is in the same size class as Haley and hewantsthebfe; yet he has a higher class rank than either of those 2, who have gpa's that are 3.94 and 3.97 respectively.

Yet, you can tell that Tito MORE than made up for a gpa by kicking butt in the ACT/SAT category. And like I said, his class rank is higher, even though his gpa is much lower. It also looks like tito took a lot more AP classes.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good school. +1 for making an excellent point.

Christcorp said:
So I guess all these stats do help. When the next 243,453 posts come in, which they WILL, that asks: "How do I look?" or "What are my chances". We'll have more solid data to answer: "The hell if I know".
Click to expand...

Yet another +1

Christcorp said:
In the immortal words of "STYX". "Welcome to the Grand illusion".
Click to expand...

Styx alone is worth, yet another, +1.
Christcorp said:
Anyway; congrats to everyone who has received an appointment.
Click to expand...

Thank you!

CC = Truth. This guy is awesome :D
 
The question of GPA...
At my school, GPA is weighted on a 5.0 scale for AP classes- so there are kids out there who started taking APs in say, sophomore year, and that's almost ALL they took. It isn't uncommon that the valedictorian at my high school has a 4.2 or even a 4.3 GPA! To be honest, I had to work a bit harder at academics than a lot of my peers; and I had more on my plate than just school. This is why the academy looks at the whole person, I believe.

As far as the ACT goes... Math always kicked my butt! (as it did in school as well) I took it a good five times, and couldn't score higher than a 26. Every other section I did just fine on. I know upfront that it is one of my struggles and hope that I am magically roomed with/by a calculus genius. (Loved AP Statistics, though. If any future candidates are out there and in the same boat as me, I recommend that class all the way!!)
Basically, find what you're good at, excel. Find what you're NOT so good at, and work at it.
 
that's the point. And there are some schools that DON'T weight classes or class rank. The 3.9 gpa in the IB program with all advanced classes; or the 3.9 gpa who took half AP classes; are competing with the 3.9 gpa who took the state's minimum required classes. All 3 are competing for the same "Class Rank".

The scoring process by the academy is very difficult. That's why the class profile is required by the academy. This is also why the ACT/SAT scores are so important. Academically, the ACT/SAT is the great equalizer. So again; not sure how beneficial one appointees stats are for another person to use for comparison.

The ONLY TRUTHS:
1. You have a 100% chance of NOT receiving an appointment if you DON'T apply.
2. You have a 100% chance of RECEIVING an appointment if you meet the minimum standards and your MOC nominates you as their PRINCIPAL Nominee. The academy has NO SAY SO in this.
3. Other than #1 and #2 above, there is no magic formula that will or won't get you an appointment. 3.4 gpa students MIGHT RECEIVE an appointment; and 4.0 gpa students might NOT RECEIVE an appointment.
 
For what it is worth, an amazing GPA, astronomical test scores, and a million extra curriculars mean zip once you are appointed. What is truly important is your work ethic. As an ALO, I have seen some of my "superstars" struggle because they are unprepared to be "okay" with being mediocre in some areas. I have also seen many of my "weaker on paper" kids thrive because they are able to work circles around those stunned superstars - they are used to being scrappers.
Don't spend time and energy comparing yourself to anybody else either now or at the USAFA. Every cadet there brings a different strength to the mix. There is truly no way to compare your candidate package to another's because, as has been said, it is not an apple to apple "thing". Ultimately, What do you call the number one grad in the class? (Second Lt.). What do you call the very LAST grad in the class? (Second Lt.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top