Appointed to USNA, but reapplying to USAFA

hmonroe647

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Joined
Jun 8, 2024
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17
This past admission cycle I applied to both USNA and USAFA and received an appointment to USNA but was rejected by USAFA. I used to say that whichever one I was rejected by, I would just go to the other academy. However, once I thought about the difference in service for each school afterwards, I decided to rethink my decision. I have many reasons for why I chose Air Force over Navy which I won't go into detail right now (if you want to know, I can explain). However, I talked to both a USAFA graduate (went to flight school with him) and USNA graduate (family friend) to see their perspectives. I have toured both campuses and when I visited the Naval Academy again, I talked to an admissions officer. All of them told me that both academies are great, but that I had to do what I wanted to do, and if Air Force was what I really wanted then I should work as hard as I can and don't stop until I get it. I have also been in contact with my ALO about my decision. It was a really hard decision and I'm sure some people will say that it may have been a dumb decision to decline a guaranteed appointment to USNA, but I didn't want to risk not going for something that I really wanted. At the end of the day, I know to be at an academy you have to really want to be there, and my heart wasn't in the Navy towards the end. Everything in me was telling me to try at USAFA again. Also, I didn't want to take the spot of someone else who really wanted to be there.

So, to the actual point of this post. I emailed admissions what they thought I should work on, and they said my test scores could be raised, my CFA was acceptable but could've been better, and that I took STEM courses, but they weren't "higher level." I am attending NC State for Aerospace Engineering and joining their AFROTC program. I am scheduled to retake the ACT July 13 and have been doing Prepmedians to prepare for that, as well as signing up for the SAT in August. I will probably keep taking them until I can't anymore or reach as high of a score as possible. Aside from the things that they have suggested that I improve on, does anyone have any suggestions for clubs or anything that I should join in college to continue to improve my application? As of right now I plan to join Arnold Air Society, a Marksmanship club, and the Cru fellowship club at NC State. Also, depending on my schedule maybe a dance club.

A few of the main things on my resume already:
-JROTC Group Commander (led unit to exceed standards in unit evaluation and earned Top Performer)
-Earned private pilot certificate through AFJROTC Flight Academy at Purdue in 2023
-BETA club
-National Honor Society
-Kitty Hawk Honor Society
-JLAB Commander
-Earned local aviation scholarship for ground school and flying hours before flight academy
-Earned scuba scholarship through same local program and earned my open water scuba certification
-4x Varsity Volleyball player (Captain for 3 years) (also played travel volleyball)
-Earned Teamwork Spirit Award (selected by teachers at my high school)
-Junior Marshall
-4.3 GPA with 6 APs
 
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Find ways to be a good mate in your AFROTC program. I would look to lead there, before the numerous other clubs you plan to join (don’t join just to join!). Work to get a good rec from your unit, and their endorsement for applying to USAFA.

Additionally, make sure you are a name and a face to your professors in your classes. Be someone they want to endorse. Someone the can say ‘Jimmy/julie is a good student’ type of thing. It’s easy to sit in the back and be anonymous. Make sure your instructor knows who you are.

And be open to your AFROTC path. You may find it’s a most excellent fit. And it gets you to your end goal a year quicker than reapplying!

Good luck to you! I hope this works out for you!
 
Have you tried the SAT? Some people do better on one versus the other, and you only mentioned the ACT.
 
Along with excelling in college academics in courses similar to first-year USAFA, focus the majority of your effort on establishing yourself as a top-performing new cadet in your AFROTC unit. That will be more impactful than any list of new clubs - you essentially have one semester to change their minds. Be strategic in your choices - quality over quantity. Shine as a cadet in AFROTC, so USAFA can envision you as a cadet.

The comments below are from a post I recently made in response to a parent writing in about their son reapplying to USNA and going to NROTC - exactly what I would say to you. Adjust for AFROTC.

He can earn a ROTC nomination from his NROTC PNS, to go with the usual 4 he is reapplying for (3 MOC, VP), plus any others. He should update his essays for applications all around to demonstrate growth, new personal insights, etc.

He should think strategically about this, commit to giving 100% as a forward-leaning, hit the deck running new midshipman. Always early to scheduled events. Always a hard worker with a positive attitude. Always a strong performer at fitness events. Emerges as both a reliable team member and peer leader. Always well-groomed with a squared-away uniform. Academically, does what he needs to do, with no loitering around the borderline. Volunteers for unit projects or the ones no one wants to spend time on. Be the midshipman known to help others who might be struggling rather than shine a light on himself. Keep his mouth shut about USNA reapplication until he has established himself and built a strong, top-performer reputation in the most junior group at the unit. Do not let the first interaction with the PNS or chain of command be, “Sir or ma’am, I need you to nominate me for USNA.” There may well be others, and the PNS’ endorsement via a nom will be the professional opinion of a senior officer.

And, your son should allow himself the mental room to fall in love with his unit, the school and realize he has found his tribe, and not worry one bit if he decides to let USNA go. That is perfectly fine. NROTC, just like USNA and OCS, produces outstanding, good, mediocre and poor officers. His goal should be the first, on the path that suits him best.


It is perfectly fine to choose one SA over the other, as your knowledge increased and your feelings of “rightness” gelled. You made a big decision which was yours to make. The SAs want you to choose the best fit for you.

And put in the time, effort and sweat now over the summer to be physically ready to excel on AFROTC fitness tests from the moment you start the program. You were told your CFA could have been better. Remove all doubt by delivering top scores in evaluated fitness testing.

Finally, keep a strong eye on yourself in a college environment. No bonehead decisions leading to conduct issues. No drinking underage. If you want USAFA or to become an officer via AFROTC, evaluate every choice you make with that in mind.
 
I would have went to USNA and cross commissioned at graduation.
 
This past admission cycle I applied to both USNA and USAFA and received an appointment to USNA but was rejected by USAFA. I used to say that whichever one I was rejected by, I would just go to the other academy. However, once I thought about the difference in service for each school afterwards, I decided to rethink my decision. I have many reasons for why I chose Air Force over Navy which I won't go into detail right now (if you want to know, I can explain). However, I talked to both a USAFA graduate (went to flight school with him) and USNA graduate (family friend) to see their perspectives. I have toured both campuses and when I visited the Naval Academy again, I talked to an admissions officer. All of them told me that both academies are great, but that I had to do what I wanted to do, and if Air Force was what I really wanted then I should work as hard as I can and don't stop until I get it. I have also been in contact with my ALO about my decision. It was a really hard decision and I'm sure some people will say that it may have been a dumb decision to decline a guaranteed appointment to USNA, but I didn't want to risk not going for something that I really wanted. At the end of the day, I know to be at an academy you have to really want to be there, and my heart wasn't in the Navy towards the end. Everything in me was telling me to try at USAFA again. Also, I didn't want to take the spot of someone else who really wanted to be there.

So, to the actual point of this post. I emailed admissions what they thought I should work on, and they said my test scores could be raised, my CFA was acceptable but could've been better, and that I took STEM courses, but they weren't "higher level." I am attending NC State for Aerospace Engineering and joining their AFROTC program. I am scheduled to retake the ACT July 13 and have been doing Prepmedians to prepare for that, as well as signing up for the SAT in August. I will probably keep taking them until I can't anymore or reach as high of a score as possible. Aside from the things that they have suggested that I improve on, does anyone have any suggestions for clubs or anything that I should join in college to continue to improve my application? As of right now I plan to join Arnold Air Society, a Marksmanship club, and the Cru fellowship club at NC State. Also, depending on my schedule maybe a dance club.

A few of the main things on my resume already:
-JROTC Group Commander (led unit to exceed standards in unit evaluation and earned Top Performer)
-Earned private pilot certificate through AFJROTC Flight Academy at Purdue in 2023
-BETA club
-National Honor Society
-Kitty Hawk Honor Society
-JLAB Commander
-Earned local aviation scholarship for ground school and flying hours before flight academy
-Earned scuba scholarship through same local program and earned my open water scuba certification
-4x Varsity Volleyball player (Captain for 3 years) (also played travel volleyball)
-Earned Teamwork Spirit Award (selected by teachers at my high school)
-Junior Marshall
-4.3 GPA with 6 APs
What was your ACT score? Seems like it was good enough to get you in USNA, so I’d assume>30? If not, that’s the big focus. Otherwise just being a reapplicant will give you lots of points with them. So don’t stress, just keep doing well in college classes.
 
What was your ACT score? Seems like it was good enough to get you in USNA, so I’d assume>30? If not, that’s the big focus. Otherwise just being a reapplicant will give you lots of points with them. So don’t stress, just keep doing well in college classes.
I got a 28 composite. English 30, Reading 32, Math 25, Science 23. Definitely not the greatest stem scores. I’ll say I’m not sure there was a lot of people applying to USNA in my district though.
 
I would have went to USNA and cross commissioned at graduation.
I understand that was an option, but I also want to attend USAFA more than USNA. There’s quite a few reasons why I liked USAFA as a school more than USNA, but I do understand your opinion for sure.
 
I got a 28 composite. English 30, Reading 32, Math 25, Science 23. Definitely not the greatest stem scores. I’ll say I’m not sure there was a lot of people applying to USNA in my district though.
You are really close! Just get that math/sci score up. How many times did you attempt the ACT? True, you never know…maybe there was stiff competition from your district for Usafa. But surprised no prep school appointment. Best of luck! You sound like an amazing young person!
 
You are really close! Just get that math/sci score up. How many times did you attempt the ACT? True, you never know…maybe there was stiff competition from your district for Usafa. But surprised no prep school appointment. Best of luck! You sound like an amazing young person!
That was on my second attempt. I was signed up to retake it past December, but had some family stuff pop up. And yes, I had a Duke student in my district as competition lol kinda hard to beat😂 And thank you so much, that means a lot!
 
I understand that was an option, but I also want to attend USAFA more than USNA. There’s quite a few reasons why I liked USAFA as a school more than USNA, but I do understand your opinion for sure.
Try the SAT. The SAT does not have a science section. For the Math section, make sure you are comfortable and knowledgeable with Desmos.
 
Along with excelling in college academics in courses similar to first-year USAFA, focus the majority of your effort on establishing yourself as a top-performing new cadet in your AFROTC unit. That will be more impactful than any list of new clubs - you essentially have one semester to change their minds. Be strategic in your choices - quality over quantity. Shine as a cadet in AFROTC, so USAFA can envision you as a cadet.

The comments below are from a post I recently made in response to a parent writing in about their son reapplying to USNA and going to NROTC - exactly what I would say to you. Adjust for AFROTC.

He can earn a ROTC nomination from his NROTC PNS, to go with the usual 4 he is reapplying for (3 MOC, VP), plus any others. He should update his essays for applications all around to demonstrate growth, new personal insights, etc.

He should think strategically about this, commit to giving 100% as a forward-leaning, hit the deck running new midshipman. Always early to scheduled events. Always a hard worker with a positive attitude. Always a strong performer at fitness events. Emerges as both a reliable team member and peer leader. Always well-groomed with a squared-away uniform. Academically, does what he needs to do, with no loitering around the borderline. Volunteers for unit projects or the ones no one wants to spend time on. Be the midshipman known to help others who might be struggling rather than shine a light on himself. Keep his mouth shut about USNA reapplication until he has established himself and built a strong, top-performer reputation in the most junior group at the unit. Do not let the first interaction with the PNS or chain of command be, “Sir or ma’am, I need you to nominate me for USNA.” There may well be others, and the PNS’ endorsement via a nom will be the professional opinion of a senior officer.

And, your son should allow himself the mental room to fall in love with his unit, the school and realize he has found his tribe, and not worry one bit if he decides to let USNA go. That is perfectly fine. NROTC, just like USNA and OCS, produces outstanding, good, mediocre and poor officers. His goal should be the first, on the path that suits him best.


It is perfectly fine to choose one SA over the other, as your knowledge increased and your feelings of “rightness” gelled. You made a big decision which was yours to make. The SAs want you to choose the best fit for you.

And put in the time, effort and sweat now over the summer to be physically ready to excel on AFROTC fitness tests from the moment you start the program. You were told your CFA could have been better. Remove all doubt by delivering top scores in evaluated fitness testing.

Finally, keep a strong eye on yourself in a college environment. No bonehead decisions leading to conduct issues. No drinking underage. If you want USAFA or to become an officer via AFROTC, evaluate every choice you make with that in mind.
Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it a lot. I plan to dedicate a lot of my time with ROTC and of course with my academics. I’ve talked for a while with the recruiter there and set up a pretty good connection so I’m definitely excited for the semester. For that last part, I’m definitely not a big party person so I’m not too worried about that lol. Thank you again!
 
Find ways to be a good mate in your AFROTC program. I would look to lead there, before the numerous other clubs you plan to join (don’t join just to join!). Work to get a good rec from your unit, and their endorsement for applying to USAFA.

Additionally, make sure you are a name and a face to your professors in your classes. Be someone they want to endorse. Someone the can say ‘Jimmy/julie is a good student’ type of thing. It’s easy to sit in the back and be anonymous. Make sure your instructor knows who you are.

And be open to your AFROTC path. You may find it’s a most excellent fit. And it gets you to your end goal a year quicker than reapplying!

Good luck to you! I hope this works out for you!
I am definitely looking forward to developing my leadership skills and the opportunities to meet new people through ROTC. Thank you for the advice!
 
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