Advice for take 2

[tall_man22]

Hello all, it's been a hot minute since I posted here back in high school after I got turned down. I can only speculate why but at the end of the day it's no one's fault but my own.

I went to BMT almost a year ago now and while picking up a couple awards have kept myself (negative) paperwork free (which I was surprised to see they hand out like candy).

My tech school was 6.5 months so I am just now finishing up my CDC's and plan to begin taking classes again next month.

Despite the low chance of these new transcripts going on my application this cycle I plan on applying for 2028 primarily to see where I stand now. I say that since the summer before basic I took a six week calculus course (stupid on my part to think I could do that) and got the only C I ever received academically which is FAR from pretty. So this winter and spring are meant to ease myself back into math, science, and English classes since I have been out of traditional school for a year.

If any prior-enlisted cadets from the academy have any advice I would GREATLY appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[justdoit19]

Keep in mind, you could be a candidate for a prep spot!! Good for you for working towards you goals!

 

[flieger83]

Hello all, it's been a hot minute since I posted here back in high school after I got turned down. I can only speculate why but at the end of the day it's no one's fault but my own.

I went to BMT almost a year ago now and while picking up a couple awards have kept myself (negative) paperwork free (which I was surprised to see they hand out like candy).

My tech school was 6.5 months so I am just now finishing up my CDC's and plan to begin taking classes again next month.

Despite the low chance of these new transcripts going on my application this cycle I plan on applying for 2028 primarily to see where I stand now. I say that since the summer before basic I took a six week calculus course (stupid on my part to think I could do that) and got the only C I ever received academically which is FAR from pretty. So this winter and spring are meant to ease myself back into math, science, and English classes since I have been out of traditional school for a year.

If any prior-enlisted cadets from the academy have any advice I would GREATLY appreciate it.

Thanks!

You need to take several steps ASAP if you're serious about this cycle.

1. Your leadership needs to know that this is your goal
2. Your leadership needs to get on board with you and get you into the LEAD program (go to your education office, they'll explain, or your 1st Sgt)
3. CRUSH everything you are doing! Be "that airman" that is there, doing it all, doing it well, showing desire, ability...

Start with those.

Steve
USAFA ALO

 

[tall_man22]

You need to take several steps ASAP if you're serious about this cycle.

1. Your leadership needs to know that this is your goal
2. Your leadership needs to get on board with you and get you into the LEAD program (go to your education office, they'll explain, or your 1st Sgt)
3. CRUSH everything you are doing! Be "that airman" that is there, doing it all, doing it well, showing desire, ability...

Start with those.

Steve
USAFA ALO

My supervisor and flight leadership know. New commander and 3 first shirts in the past 4 months. We're getting there though after my flight chief told me to slow down with the extra duties so that's a plus I suppose.

 

[trailrunner612]

Not a prior-E cadet, but most of my friends are. Getting into USAFA while being a prior is difficult. I echo those above me, your leadership HAS to know your intentions to come here. Expect to have to go to the prep school first, then going to USAFA. Sounds tedious, but a lot of my prior E friends said that it was worth it. I only know one or two priors that went directly into USAFA, not really sure how that happened to be honest. Be prepared to have to humble yourself when you get here. You have much more experience than most cadets around you, and some don't take super well to that. Give them advice but not unsolicited. I was cadre for basic training and loved hearing the advice and feedback from my prior enlisted basics. But not everyone feels the same. Just be mentally prepared for that aspect. Freshman year is not what you might expect, depending on who is around you in your squadron, you might be treated as less than, but I think that has changed over the years. It gets better after that year. Hope it works out for you.

 

[tall_man22]

Not a prior-E cadet, but most of my friends are. Getting into USAFA while being a prior is difficult. I echo those above me, your leadership HAS to know your intentions to come here. Expect to have to go to the prep school first, then going to USAFA. Sounds tedious, but a lot of my prior E friends said that it was worth it. I only know one or two priors that went directly into USAFA, not really sure how that happened to be honest. Be prepared to have to humble yourself when you get here. You have much more experience than most cadets around you, and some don't take super well to that. Give them advice but not unsolicited. I was cadre for basic training and loved hearing the advice and feedback from my prior enlisted basics. But not everyone feels the same. Just be mentally prepared for that aspect. Freshman year is not what you might expect, depending on who is around you in your squadron, you might be treated as less than, but I think that has changed over the years. It gets better after that year. Hope it works out for you.

I know that you said you were not a prior but what did you mean by difficult?

Leadership endorsements?

Academics?

Thanks.

 

[trailrunner612]

I know that you said you were not a prior but what did you mean by difficult?

Leadership endorsements?

Academics?

Thanks.

Both. There are limited slots specifically for enlisted, and just from what I've heard from friends, it is harder to get into USAFA while already serving than it is if you were straight from high school. It's not impossible at all and I don't want to discourage you, but it does SEEM to be more competitive for priors, but that's just the sense I got from my friends.

 

[wizkidlol]

Both. There are limited slots specifically for enlisted, and just from what I've heard from friends, it is harder to get into USAFA while already serving than it is if you were straight from high school. It's not impossible at all and I don't want to discourage you, but it does SEEM to be more competitive for priors, but that's just the sense I got from my friends.

the slots are legit never filled. If you meet all requirements AND your leadership supports you, you should make it to atleast prep.

 

[tall_man22]

the slots are legit never filled. If you meet all requirements AND your leadership supports you, you should make it to atleast prep.

Thanks for the reply. Just been really nervous about a C in a math class I got in college. Considering how important math is.