Appointment

[boiler26]

Congrats to all of you! I originally thought with my qualifications I might be able to get an assurance/appointment but haven't heard yet. So what kind of "stats" do you guys have? Test scores, grades, activities, etc.

DS's stats are very similar to all the other hopefuls on this site, some who have received LOA's and some who have not. A few of DS's stats that I think stand out are (in no particular order):

Top 2% of class of 320
Eagle Scout with many palms
National finalists for Samsung scholarship
Competing at a national level in an EC sport (shotgun sports)
NRA Y.E.S.
Founded and runs a student organization which collects donations for wounded veterans


Class demographics for previous years classes are available online. If you haven't already, it may be a good idea to run some searches and get a "feel" for what the Academy is potentially looking for. The numbers from year to year are extremely close to the same!

 

[GoArmy2022]

SAs look for kids with varying class sizes.

I am 100% sure that trying to get kids with varying class sizes is not a metric used by USAFA. Ultimately because of what the Academy is looking for in it's candidates, they get kids from all different class sizes. However, the size of their class is not in any way used as a measure when looking at potential cadets.

Stealth_81

That makes more sense. Sorry about my wording there! I know they do want kids from different backgrounds (such as home school vs public school vs private school and candidates who speak other languages at home) but class size comes in a variety as a consequence of this varying factor.

 

[usn907]

I was officially notified by USAFA this morning that I had earned an offer of appointment. I received an LOA last Wednesday. Last Friday I was nominated by both my JROTC Honor Unit and my Congressman (CO District 06).

My stats are as follows:

Note: I attend a military high school (Army JROTC), so we live a military lifestyle (e.g. ranks, uniforms, honor code, etc.).

Academic:
#1 in my class of 28
3.55 GPA
Academic Letter 3 years
36 English/29 Math

Athletic:
Varsity Soccer/Captain
Varsity Basketball/Captain
Varsity Tennis/Captain
Advanced Military Skills Team
Army JROTC Raider Team

CFA (I was surprised to receive an LOA given my CFA scores):
Basketball Throw: 64 ft
Pull ups: 5
Shuttle Run: 9.0
Push ups: 46
Crunches: 88
Mile Run: 6:35

Extracurricular:
Chess team president
Chapel Choirmaster
Chapel band president
Army JROTC - Cadet Captain - Battalion Staff (S-1)
Member of school cadet honor court
JROTC Academic Bowl Team
National Honor Society
German Honor Society
Various Volunteer Activities

Awards:
American Legion JROTC Cadet award
Blue Beret school award (top GPA in high school)
High School Spelling Bee Champion

Other:
Fluent in German
German/American dual citizen

Is that GPA weighted or unweighted? My stats are almost the same academically. 36 English/29 Math, 3.61 GPA, but chock full of extracurriculars, awards, and athletics, as well as advanced foreign language (German/Russian). Congratulations on your appointment!

 

[Hoodlum15]

I was officially notified by USAFA this morning that I had earned an offer of appointment. I received an LOA last Wednesday. Last Friday I was nominated by both my JROTC Honor Unit and my Congressman (CO District 06).

My stats are as follows:

Note: I attend a military high school (Army JROTC), so we live a military lifestyle (e.g. ranks, uniforms, honor code, etc.).

Academic:
#1 in my class of 28
3.55 GPA
Academic Letter 3 years
36 English/29 Math

Athletic:
Varsity Soccer/Captain
Varsity Basketball/Captain
Varsity Tennis/Captain
Advanced Military Skills Team
Army JROTC Raider Team

CFA (I was surprised to receive an LOA given my CFA scores):
Basketball Throw: 64 ft
Pull ups: 5
Shuttle Run: 9.0
Push ups: 46
Crunches: 88
Mile Run: 6:35

Extracurricular:
Chess team president
Chapel Choirmaster
Chapel band president
Army JROTC - Cadet Captain - Battalion Staff (S-1)
Member of school cadet honor court
JROTC Academic Bowl Team
National Honor Society
German Honor Society
Various Volunteer Activities

Awards:
American Legion JROTC Cadet award
Blue Beret school award (top GPA in high school)
High School Spelling Bee Champion

Other:
Fluent in German
German/American dual citizen

Is that GPA weighted or unweighted? My stats are almost the same academically. 36 English/29 Math, 3.61 GPA, but chock full of extracurriculars, awards, and athletics, as well as advanced foreign language (German/Russian). Congratulations on your appointment!

You will do yourself no good trying to figure out why someone got an early appointment from their stats and whether you should hope/expect one. There are way too many factors beyond that short profile that goes into the Academy's decision. I know two twins who had almost identical credentials, obviously they went to the same school, same nominating source, same family background, and one got an early appointment and the other didn't. Don't fret, just do your best with your own stuff and content yourself with the expectation that you'll be waiting until March or later to hear back. And once you get here, it couldn't matter less who got their appointment when.

 

[Ultimatun]

You will do yourself no good trying to figure out why someone got an early appointment from their stats and whether you should hope/expect one. There are way too many factors beyond that short profile that goes into the Academy's decision. I know two twins who had almost identical credentials, obviously they went to the same school, same nominating source, same family background, and one got an early appointment and the other didn't. Don't fret, just do your best with your own stuff and content yourself with the expectation that you'll be waiting until March or later to hear back. And once you get here, it couldn't matter less who got their appointment when.

As someone who is constantly apprehensive about my file this is very good advice thank you

 

[Dadx4]

Great advice Hoodlum. My DS has not heard from USAFA, USMA, or USNA, but he has received some nice offers. He is thankful for each opportunity. If an appointment is in the cards, he'll be thankful for that too. There is nothing else to control at this point. Apps are in, and he has done everything possible to compete for a spot. He's not a perfect candidate by any means, but we are all proud of him for going the distance!

 

[another13mom]

Also stats vary depending on competitiveness of congressional district. For example, if the current appointee is from Nebraska and only one person from Congressional District applied, and he or she meets the minimum to be deemed competitive, then that is a different picture from someone from a district in NOVA with a full slate of 10 nominees competing for a slot, where all have nearly 4.0's uw, 1400+ SAT scores, etc. So unless you know the stats for all applicants w/ nominations in your district, it's hard to judge where you sit in terms of expecting an appointment.

 

[usn907]

I was officially notified by USAFA this morning that I had earned an offer of appointment. I received an LOA last Wednesday. Last Friday I was nominated by both my JROTC Honor Unit and my Congressman (CO District 06).

My stats are as follows:

Note: I attend a military high school (Army JROTC), so we live a military lifestyle (e.g. ranks, uniforms, honor code, etc.).

Academic:
#1 in my class of 28
3.55 GPA
Academic Letter 3 years
36 English/29 Math

Athletic:
Varsity Soccer/Captain
Varsity Basketball/Captain
Varsity Tennis/Captain
Advanced Military Skills Team
Army JROTC Raider Team

CFA (I was surprised to receive an LOA given my CFA scores):
Basketball Throw: 64 ft
Pull ups: 5
Shuttle Run: 9.0
Push ups: 46
Crunches: 88
Mile Run: 6:35

Extracurricular:
Chess team president
Chapel Choirmaster
Chapel band president
Army JROTC - Cadet Captain - Battalion Staff (S-1)
Member of school cadet honor court
JROTC Academic Bowl Team
National Honor Society
German Honor Society
Various Volunteer Activities

Awards:
American Legion JROTC Cadet award
Blue Beret school award (top GPA in high school)
High School Spelling Bee Champion

Other:
Fluent in German
German/American dual citizen

Is that GPA weighted or unweighted? My stats are almost the same academically. 36 English/29 Math, 3.61 GPA, but chock full of extracurriculars, awards, and athletics, as well as advanced foreign language (German/Russian). Congratulations on your appointment!

You will do yourself no good trying to figure out why someone got an early appointment from their stats and whether you should hope/expect one. There are way too many factors beyond that short profile that goes into the Academy's decision. I know two twins who had almost identical credentials, obviously they went to the same school, same nominating source, same family background, and one got an early appointment and the other didn't. Don't fret, just do your best with your own stuff and content yourself with the expectation that you'll be waiting until March or later to hear back. And once you get here, it couldn't matter less who got their appointment when.

I see what you’re saying, but I wasn’t trying to figure out why he got an appointment, or decide whether that will affect me getting one. I was just curious whether his GPA was weighted or unweighted, because the typical GPA seems to be higher than that.

 

[tx2022]

Another13mom is correct. It all depends on the competitiveness of the district. In my district, considered highly competitive . I was told by my MOC staffer that academies rarely gives an LOA in my district. They don't have to due to the amount of highly qualified candidates. The neighboring district will get LOA's for less qualified candidates do to the amount of applicants in that district. They sometimes don't feel out the slate of 10.

 

[usn907]

Also stats vary depending on competitiveness of congressional district. For example, if the current appointee is from Nebraska and only one person from Congressional District applied, and he or she meets the minimum to be deemed competitive, then that is a different picture from someone from a district in NOVA with a full slate of 10 nominees competing for a slot, where all have nearly 4.0's uw, 1400+ SAT scores, etc. So unless you know the stats for all applicants w/ nominations in your district, it's hard to judge where you sit in terms of expecting an appointment.

I hadn’t considered that, but it makes sense. I guess I just figured all the stats would be the same across the board!

 

[Oscar Whiskey]

For those who have already recieved appointments or LOAs for USAFA Class of 2022 -- was the first notification through snail mail only or did you geet a phone call or an email?

 

[FMHS-79]

My DS received a phone call from our MOC regarding his appointment last year. His status changed in the application portal about a week later.

 

[boiler26]

DS received an email notifying him that he had a new message from USAFA Admissions in his portal.

 

[Hoodlum15]

For those who have already recieved appointments or LOAs for USAFA Class of 2022 -- was the first notification through snail mail only or did you geet a phone call or an email?

None of USAFA admissions is done through snail mail.

 

[18spiegc]

I recently received a nomination from my Senator in Wisconsin; however, I am concerned that I am not fully qualified to receive a direct USAFA nomination. My goal is to serve my nation as an officer in the Air Force for at least 20 years. At the Academy, I plan on an Operations Research major and entering the AF through the intelligence field. My dream career is to, eventually, work for the CIA. Although there are several ways to enter the Air Force and even become an officer, I value the AFA core values. I understand and respect the character improvement they offer and the discipline techniques presented.

The Academy contains several determined leaders with integrity each year; my first stepping stone to becoming an officer in the AF is attending USAFA. As a summer seminar attendee, I respect the exposure candidates received throughout the week. Although many are not excited about the level of discipline they provide, I am. No one enjoys getting yelled at, doing 100s of pushups, or feeling like they want to give up. However, when I was at the seminar, I thought about the benefits after all the yelling, pushups, and tedious requirements. I cannot directly say that I enjoyed doing 100s of pushups, but I enjoyed feeling and knowing that this was the definitely the right place to improve my desire to serve my country as the ultimate leader I can be. I WANT my character to improve and I truly believe USAFA is the best place to fulfill this goal. No civilian college will give me an experience like USAFA. Yes, they share similar challenges, but USAFA offers greater challenges. I view this as a huge benefit to all cadets (future and current). I could continue about my passion to serve my country and WHY I want to serve my country for paragraphs. There are many common characteristics candidates present to the Academy: intelligence, drive, athleticism, great test-takers, etc. However, although I may not be the best academically or physically, I demonstrate grit every day. My passion and drive to persevere towards goals, I hope, will prove of greater importance than a test score. Yes, I realize these are benchmarks and are definitely important, I believe I have met the minimums for most.


Here is some of my information:

ACT: English (29) Math (27) Science (28) Reading (25)

GPA: 3.99 out of a 4.0 scale. My school does not offer anything above a 4.0

CFA: Did 1 pull-up, ran a horrible 9-minute mile because I puked, I maxed for 50 pushups, 46' for basketball throw, 9.1 for shuttle, and 87 situps

My course load this year includes: AP Calculus, AP English, AP Psych, Physics, Digital Electronics, Independent Spanish V, and independent personal finance

Extracurriculars: National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council (2-year executive board; VP and Secretary), Key club, book club, math club, student class VP

Sports: 4-year letter winner in cheerleading for three separate seasons (fall sideline, winter sideline, and winter competition). I am also a 2 year track letter winner and played soccer.

Community service: My total hours thus far are around 150. I will be a gallon grad and have served in a variety of community service activities.

I also hold a part-time job.

I was selected for Badger Girls.

I attended the USAFA Summer Seminar.

I am the first person in my family to attend college.


As an educated person in this field, what are some thoughts on possible acceptance based on this resume (although it looks like many other's) and the fact that I received a nomination?

 

[Steelers#6]

My DD received her LOA for USAFA this morning. MOC nominations for one of our Senators were mailed 12/1 -can't wait to get the mail today or Monday! She is still requested remedial for DodMerb but they have all they need just waiting for portal to update. The waiting is hardest part! This is such a long and stressful process!

 

[Patriot4Life]

18spiegc.

I really like your profound passion and desire to becoming an Air Force Officer through USAFA. It is good that you got your nomination and it's quite possible you can even get your appointment. I do sincerely hope you will get an Appointment. Person like your passion deserves an Appointment.

But I am bit concerned with your low ACT Score which shows that you are struggling with reading and English. And your STEM is also quite low despite you are taking AP CAL. You will be taking many hard core STEM classes throughout the academy. I am worried your STEM is not ready for the level expected at USAFA. Also your writing can improve. Even though most of us don't put much attention to how we write on the thread your writing is bit off. Sounds bit awkward. And don't sound native. You should work on your grammar. I see that your reading and English are also on the low side. You will be writing a lot throughout your Officer time. Writing and presentation skills will be absolutely critical especially in the intelligence career. So start working on good grammar and good writing style. Read books especially mystery novels and biographies of model leaders. You can improve your writing quite significantly.

Ideally SAs want all sections on your ACT to be 30 or better. Ideally your English should be 32 and Math 32. And writing should be at least 8. I know Air Force doesn't require it but they do encourage you to do the writing test on ACT.

I would like to encourage you to also work on your math. Algebra is very important. Especially if you major in OR you have to be Algebra strong. You will do a lot of Linear Programming and Decision Modeling and Stats. That requires strong Algebra foundation.

I was at USAFA this summer as well. Nice to meet a fellow candidate. Compared to West Point I also noticed that Air Force culture was bit too free style for me as well. I liked the harder tradition and bonding at West Point better at the SLE. I see that you are a female candidate. Work on your running time. You should run at least 8:30. Over 9 minutes in run time I am afraid can give you fail on CFA. They made me do my CFA over again even though I ran 7:03. I passed the CFA first time but they asked me to do it again so I did. I ended up doing near max on all Male events except the basketball throw and the run which was at average.

I got admitted to the USNA in Sep and USCGA in Nov and now waiting for USMA and USAFA. I am also branching into Intelligence and Cyber Ops. But if I come to USAFA then I will also consider the Pilot Slot at graduation. Most who seek Pilot can be commissioned to Aviation.

Good luck Candidate and I love your passion. Sounds very much like mine and the way I feel about the Service!

 

[another13mom]

^^^ Her STEM scores are fine. She went to Summer Seminar and knows what to expect. Admission will depend on who else is applying and where stats place her among state and then among those w/ noms who are in the remaining pool for national waiting list. Don't stress; if it's meant to be, it will happen. Enjoy senior year and apply to some good backup schools you'd be happy to attend.

 

[Patriot4Life]

18spiegc. If you come from URM and non competitive district ACT 27 maybe just a borderline to get you in. But once you're in you have to perform like everybody. And STEM at Air Force is no joke. I would really prep for those STEM. You are taking Physics so late in Senior year which makes me believe you are not enrolled in rigorous program. Ideally you want to have AP Physics C with AP Cal BC AP CHEN before enrolling. College Chem Physics and Calculus is what drop lot of Cadets out of school. When I was at USAFA this summer the Cadet giving a tour did Prep school because she was weak in STEM. She had just graduated and said that she barely passed through STEM. You don't want to barely pass in classes. You want to get solid B's and A's in all classes. In Military you have to do Masters if you want to make O-4 or higher.

I'm saying all this because I want you to succeed. Many flunk out due to STEM. As many as 250 every year.

 

[kitkatz30]

I've seen a few LOAs here and there, but is there anyone here that has received an appointment or is aware of someone that has?

Yes. I am so grateful to share that my son received an appointment on 12/2.