Applying to USAFA from an international school

[MaximusGreff]

Hello all,

I'm currently applying to USAFA's class of 2028. I have attended a private school which is not apart of the American school system, and does not provide some of the "amenities" a US school would give (Varsity Sports letters, JROTC programs, AP classes, etc.). I have attended many programs to try to counteract these elements (Civil Air Patrol, American Legion Boys State, maxing out my volunteer hours...). Is there anything else I should do to better my chances/improve my overall extracurriculars? Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

 

[FalconMom12]

Hello all,

I'm currently applying to USAFA's class of 2028. I have attended a private school which is not apart of the American school system, and does not provide some of the "amenities" a US school would give (Varsity Sports letters, JROTC programs, AP classes, etc.). I have attended many programs to try to counteract these elements (Civil Air Patrol, American Legion Boys State, maxing out my volunteer hours...). Is there anything else I should do to better my chances/improve my overall extracurriculars? Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

Hello all,

I'm currently applying to USAFA's class of 2028. I have attended a private school which is not apart of the American school system, and does not provide some of the "amenities" a US school would give (Varsity Sports letters, JROTC programs, AP classes, etc.). I have attended many programs to try to counteract these elements (Civil Air Patrol, American Legion Boys State, maxing out my volunteer hours...). Is there anything else I should do to better my chances/improve my overall extracurriculars? Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

Please see if you can private message me. We are American expats, our son attended local European schools and he received an appointment to USAFA. I would be happy to give you advice.

 

[Capt MJ]

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[Small Team Bacsi]

I don’t see anything having to do with sports. Even without a varsity team to play on sports should be something all applying have to point to.

club sports, individual sports like karate or running or etc etc etc.

Not having any sports would put you at a disadvantage.

 

[FalconMom12]

You need to look at the requirements for USAFA and then show how you are prepared in these same areas. For example, there are not Varsity sports in Europe, but if you are on a club team, then you can share your experience, statistics, awards, medals, ranking in Europe, etc. You will not have JROTC, but maybe you have some NATO camps or in Europe high schoolers can take Cyber Defense Classes, etc. You could put the equivalent of Boy Scouts that you participated in your country. You will not have AP classes, however in Europe, high schools have various levels. And you can share information about your high school. For example, our son went to a competitive STEM school that he had to apply/interview to get accepted. Instead of National Honor's Society, you can share the equivalent - maybe that is Honor Roll or all As/5s. Volunteer Hours you can still do.

All of these above items will need to be documented and translated into English. For example, my son won an award at a NATO camp for highest score on the NATO physical test. So we have this documentation. My son asked the Director of this camp to write a letter documenting this award/score and also to share the material/subjects that were studied during this camp.

Another item to mention is your languages. Growing up in Europe, our son was fluent in 3 languages, plus English. In Europe, you take various exams to prove your level.

Were you involved in your school or class leadership? Basically you need to study what the Academy looks for in their cadets and then you need to document your experience and how you meet these requirements. You also need translation into English. My son had his school principal write a letter with information on the education system and the academic level of the high school. We also read online at USAFA what they required for education/classes. So for example, in Europe, Mathematics is called Math 1, Math 2, Math 3, Math 4. So this does not show USAFA what level of math you have studied. So my son contacted the government educational office, got the Math detailed syllabus of each subject of math that they study. Translated into English. And submitted a ream of paperwork to show what he studied. We also had the Math Teacher write in her letter of recommendation, the math subjects that our son had completed. (Algebra, Pre-Cal, Calculus, etc). Also read at USAFA admissions about homeschool requirements. We looked at this information and made sure that we submitted a syllabus for each class that our son took, so that the admissions would know exactly what level our son had completed. Again, some of this information could be extra and not necessary, but our son's thinking was to provide more than asked and to make sure he proved that he had studied each subject.

The SAT/ACT will be very important. You will need an excellent score to again prove that your non-American education is on the level that is required by USAFA.

You will need to give extra time to all of your teachers/coaches who write recommendation letters. You will need to walk them through the process, perhaps providing drafts. And then you will need to have each letter translated.

The bottom line is that it is absolutely possible to attend a non-American school and receive an appointment. It probably requires a lot more work because you need to document and translate each item. Read online what is required for American homeschool kids to show to the academy to prove their educational level.

Best of Luck!

 

[Stealth_81]

You’ve got some good replies already, but I will give a little information about when you say “maxing out my volunteer hours”.

USAFA doesn’t ask for number of volunteer hours, so I don’t know how you can “max” them when they aren’t measured. The numbers themselves add nothing to your WCS. What adds points is the leadership positions that you held during those volunteer opportunities, and what you accomplished as the leader. These should be listed in your leadership summary.

As the others have said, find your own ways to demonstrate the qualities that USAFA is looking for in academics, leadership, and athletics.

Stealth_81

 

[CrewDad]

@MaximusGreff. Your biggest challenge is getting Nomination. And of course you must be a US Citizen before reporting to the Academy. Be sure to apply to all Nom sources. Don’t bet on VP Nom. Almost to impossible. I only know one of my mentee who received one. And it was because he was very lucky despite having top SAT, top GPA, top athletics, top leadership, he almost didn’t make it. He received his VP Nom 1 week before reporting to West Point.

For you, I will take everyone’s advice here. Because they are all relevant. Academically your SAT/ACT is the most important. I hope you have a good score because you will need it at the top like 33-36 ACT or 1500-1600 SAT. APs are nice to have if you have these core classes like Calculus, Physics, Chem, English, History. You don’t have to have taken AP tests but if you scored 4-5 then send them in. GPA, obviously you will want the best you can do but you will want to have an above average GPA of USAFA average class GPA. If you don’t have it don’t stress over it because it’s too late to change it now. Just don’t get any Cs in your Senior Year.

You do want to demonstrate athletic ability. If not in Varsity Sports at school then in accredited Club Sports in Martial Arts at the highest levels with Black Belt like in Tae KWON Do, Karate, Judo, Juijitsu, Boxing, Rowing (state/regional/national levels). These sports qualify as Varsity equivalent if not more. But if you don’t have this already then it’s too late to start now.

Eagle Scout as a Lone Scout or from a Troop is very highly regarded. You’ll get 100% on leaderships points for having this Merit. If not Eagle then you must have done Boys State/Girl State. You’ll also get 100% in leadership points. For most Boys State is a short cut to getting leadership points. Also Venture Crew Summit.

I’m afraid these will be your minimum applying from an international school. It is more challenging applying from an international school. I moved my son in his Senior Year after attending a non DOD American International School for over a decade due to Nomination. However, he did have everything and more I listed on this post to get into all the Academies and get ROTC Scholarships from the Navy, Air Force, Army. You have to demonstrate over time that you are well prepared. Cannot do it in your Junior/Senior years. Son commissioned in Naval Aviation from the Naval Academy.

I suggest to other parents and candidates to start prepping in their child’s 7th grade. My son started prepping in 7th grade my daughter in 10th grade. But daughter was in Scouting and School and Club sports since 6th grade. Also attended Naval Academy and Air Force Academy during her Sophomore and Junior year summer seminar and summer programs. She decided to attend UCLA after finishing her Junior year in high school. She’s now 2/C at UCLA NROTC.

If you dont get in next year then reapply while you’re in an ROTC Program in the US. You can get ROTC Nom to reapply to the Academy of your choice. For some this is a better pathway to USAFA. Good luck!