Ask a Doolie!

P

Pretzel01

USAFA c/o '25
Joined
Nov 12, 2019
Messages
48
Hey everyone!

Wow, it's been a long time since I've visited the SA forums! As the title implies, I'm currently a part of the c/o 2025 (Psycho) here at USAFA and willing to answer some questions prospective '26ers or future cadets might have! [The only condition is no "what are my chances" questions - asking that is really not helping anyone, the standards are out there, just work hard!!]

A little background on me: I actually applied to the academy twice, got rejected twice, and accepted once (I'll let you do the math on that). I spent a year (two semesters) in AFROTC before coming to the Academy and I have a pretty decent perspective on both commissioning sources now (as much as a two-time freshman can have).

Overall, congratulations to everyone who already has an appointment, and if you don't yet, focus on what you can control!

Ask away!

(P.S. Our schedules here are pretty busy, so I will try my best to answer questions quick, but thanks in advance for the patience if it takes a hot second!)
 
Hi! Thank you so much for making this thread! I have a lot of questions, some of them are totally random.
How bad is basic? I’m not the most physically fit so I am quite concerned about it
Are you allowed to use your phone to watch TV shows or YouTube videos in your free time (if you have any) as a pre-recognition doolie?
How much (if any) free time do you have?
Are Doolies allowed to leave the base on Sundays without a pass? I heard Sundays are off, I’m just wondering how much freedom you actually have
How difficult are the academics? Do most cadets struggle in all of their classes or are there a few classes that are very difficult and others that are very easy?
How much sleep would you say the average cadet gets?
Do you get to choose which language you study or does the Air Force choose that for you? And does past language experience influence that decision at all? (I have four years of Spanish experience but I am really hoping to learn Russian)
And lastly, is there anything about Basic Training or the Academy that you wish you knew before attending?
Sorry I have so many questions, no worries if you don’t have time to answer them all or don’t know the answers. Thank you so much!
 
(raising my hand) -- Firstly -- thank you for offering to answer questions given your not-very-common perspective. If you did AFROTC for a year prior to acceptance to USAFA, what are you when you arrive at USAFA for I-day? A 4th class cadet, or some other Nth-class hybrid ? Did your college course work transfer in ? How did that all work out for you? Thanks !
 
I would love to hear details about academics as well. I know it will be challenging and there is extra instruction available, but is it overwhelming? Is grading focused on test scores only or is there homework/class work that also counts for most classes? Do the classes move at a fast pace compared to high school AP courses? If you took AP, do you feel you were decently prepared? For reference, my son has scored 3s and 4s on AP tests so far and unable to validate.

Do you start foreign language as a doolie? Does the foreign language begin assuming you have 0 experience with the language? Spanish was the only option at our high school, but I doubt he will take Spanish at USAFA.
 
Binary said:
(raising my hand) -- Firstly -- thank you for offering to answer questions given your not-very-common perspective. If you did AFROTC for a year prior to acceptance to USAFA, what are you when you arrive at USAFA for I-day? A 4th class cadet, or some other Nth-class hybrid ? Did your college course work transfer in ? How did that all work out for you? Thanks !
Click to expand...
I am not the original poster but know the answer to this one. Regardless of whether you are an 18-year old direct or a 22 year old prior enlisted you start as a 4th class cadet.
 
Did you find yourself to be physically prepared after AFROTC? I'm an AFROTC cadet that will be in the c/o 2026 and worry that any PT we do is not enough. Did any of your math college courses transfer? I know there are church services on base, but are Doolies allowed to leave on Sundays for off base churches? I don't know if you can leave base at all prior to recognition, but are you allowed to (or even leave more often) if a sponsor family wishes to take you off base? Do you know anyone that made any of the D1 sports teams without being recruited?
 
How do you like your professors and how are your classes like in terms of difficulty, faculty-student ratio, work-load, etc. Lastly, do you get a lot of hands-on experience in your STEM classes?
 
Maliwon said:
I am not the original poster but know the answer to this one. Regardless of whether you are an 18-year old direct or a 22 year old prior enlisted you start as a 4th class cadet.
Click to expand...
That's what I guessed, as in "everyone follows the same recipe" type of thing. Are your college courses then just considered good experience, and you press on from there and re-take classes at USAFA, or can you challenge/test-out on some undergrad coursework, or ? Does that free you up for other electives @ USAFA perhaps ? I'm imagining this situation like transferring from one college to another, and the two do not have articulation of classes (they don't recognize each others coursework).
 
I'll do an easy one. Since you've now gone through recognition and had a bit more freedom, what has been your favorite part? Any people you admire as leaders ( nicknames or just their personalities). Lastly favourite thing to do at USAFA?
 
spacegirl26 said:
How bad is basic? I’m not the most physically fit so I am quite concerned about it
Click to expand...
I felt the same way coming in, trust me! The 26er's basic will be a bit different than my class' from what I've heard, but overall, if you passed the PFA you are fine. (I would definitely recommend coming a day or two early just to get used to the altitude...oh and DRINK WATER).

spacegirl26 said:
Are you allowed to use your phone to watch TV shows or YouTube videos in your free time (if you have any) as a pre-recognition doolie?
How much (if any) free time do you have?
Click to expand...
These two I'll answer together - yes you can go down as many YouTube rabbit holes as you wish & binge all the TV shows you want...it just depends on your free time. I would say that I have enough free time. Coming from a "normal" college I obviously have less, but that doesn't stop me from watching the entire Mandalorian series in 3 days (highly recommend!). Overall, I'd say it comes down to how much you're willing to do the things you need to do so that you can make time to have fun.

spacegirl26 said:
Are Doolies allowed to leave the base on Sundays without a pass? I heard Sundays are off, I’m just wondering how much freedom you actually have
Click to expand...
Sundays we are allowed to sign out during the "Sunday sign-out period". Some people choose to go to church, but other people I know go and get food, go shopping, or just chill off-base! (Non-training weekends here are great)

spacegirl26 said:
How difficult are the academics? Do most cadets struggle in all of their classes or are there a few classes that are very difficult and others that are very easy?
Click to expand...
Ah yes, academics.... For the most part I would say that cadets I know struggle in the classes they don't take the time to understand. Everybody is very different and will find certain classes really easy and others super tough. All this to say (the worst answer ever, I know) it depends.

I will say that compared to "normal" college the class sizes here are way, way smaller (like 15-30 vs. 100-300 people) so that means the teachers all pretty much know you by name and are super willing to help you! You just have to ask for help.

spacegirl26 said:
How much sleep would you say the average cadet gets?
Click to expand...
Haha - what's that? Jk, but on average I would say that I get anywhere between 6-8 hours every night, but like with most things here, your mileage may vary and I know cadets who consistently get waaaay less than 6 and those who get closer to 10 (imagine...). It all depends on your major, what homework you have, what you're involved in, and (most importantly) how you choose to manage your time.

spacegirl26 said:
Do you get to choose which language you study or does the Air Force choose that for you? And does past language experience influence that decision at all? (I have four years of Spanish experience but I am really hoping to learn Russian)
Click to expand...
Hoping to learn Russian? USAFA will definitely help you with that goal. You might already know, but there are certain languages that the DoD deems as "strategic" (Russian, Chinese, & Arabic to name a few). If you express interest in one of those they are likely to put you in one. If you have 4 years of high school Spanish you'll (probably) do good on the placement test taken during basic and might get to validate a course or two. That being said, everybody and their neighbor has taken Spanish in high school (not to discredit your Spanish ability) and USAFA knows that, so the placement test and the Spanish 110 course here are designed assuming that you have a few years under your belt already.

spacegirl26 said:
And lastly, is there anything about Basic Training or the Academy that you wish you knew before attending?
Click to expand...
The people here are amazing! You've probably heard it already from others, but the people you meet here will really be your friends for a long time - you can just tell. I would also say to not freak out (easier said than done, right?). Just understand that all of the upperclassmen and everyone who is training you Doolie year is doing it because they really care about you (otherwise they wouldn't be there).

spacegirl26 said:
Sorry I have so many questions, no worries if you don’t have time to answer them all or don’t know the answers. Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
No problem - questions are good! Good luck!
 
Pretzel01 said:
I felt the same way coming in, trust me! The 26er's basic will be a bit different than my class' from what I've heard, but overall, if you passed the PFA you are fine. (I would definitely recommend coming a day or two early just to get used to the altitude...oh and DRINK WATER).


These two I'll answer together - yes you can go down as many YouTube rabbit holes as you wish & binge all the TV shows you want...it just depends on your free time. I would say that I have enough free time. Coming from a "normal" college I obviously have less, but that doesn't stop me from watching the entire Mandalorian series in 3 days (highly recommend!). Overall, I'd say it comes down to how much you're willing to do the things you need to do so that you can make time to have fun.


Sundays we are allowed to sign out during the "Sunday sign-out period". Some people choose to go to church, but other people I know go and get food, go shopping, or just chill off-base! (Non-training weekends here are great)


Ah yes, academics.... For the most part I would say that cadets I know struggle in the classes they don't take the time to understand. Everybody is very different and will find certain classes really easy and others super tough. All this to say (the worst answer ever, I know) it depends.

I will say that compared to "normal" college the class sizes here are way, way smaller (like 15-30 vs. 100-300 people) so that means the teachers all pretty much know you by name and are super willing to help you! You just have to ask for help.


Haha - what's that? Jk, but on average I would say that I get anywhere between 6-8 hours every night, but like with most things here, your mileage may vary and I know cadets who consistently get waaaay less than 6 and those who get closer to 10 (imagine...). It all depends on your major, what homework you have, what you're involved in, and (most importantly) how you choose to manage your time.


Hoping to learn Russian? USAFA will definitely help you with that goal. You might already know, but there are certain languages that the DoD deems as "strategic" (Russian, Chinese, & Arabic to name a few). If you express interest in one of those they are likely to put you in one. If you have 4 years of high school Spanish you'll (probably) do good on the placement test taken during basic and might get to validate a course or two. That being said, everybody and their neighbor has taken Spanish in high school (not to discredit your Spanish ability) and USAFA knows that, so the placement test and the Spanish 110 course here are designed assuming that you have a few years under your belt already.


The people here are amazing! You've probably heard it already from others, but the people you meet here will really be your friends for a long time - you can just tell. I would also say to not freak out (easier said than done, right?). Just understand that all of the upperclassmen and everyone who is training you Doolie year is doing it because they really care about you (otherwise they wouldn't be there).


No problem - questions are good! Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thank you SO much for this post. My DS is coming to USAFA in just a few short weeks and really found comfort in your above info.
You seem to be doing well...and we commend you for your perseverance in getting accepted :) good on you!!
 
Momto5 said:
I would love to hear details about academics as well. I know it will be challenging and there is extra instruction available, but is it overwhelming? Is grading focused on test scores only or is there homework/class work that also counts for most classes?
Click to expand...
College is always a bit overwhelming for any student - SA or otherwise. At an SA you have the added pressure of the military environment and the non-tangibles that are always present. But at the same time, as you've said, there's EI (extra instruction...or office hours as they call it in "normal" school).

Momto5 said:
Do the classes move at a fast pace compared to high school AP courses? If you took AP, do you feel you were decently prepared? For reference, my son has scored 3s and 4s on AP tests so far and unable to validate.
Click to expand...
To preface, I was actually homeschooled and was taking college classes at a college since Junior year of HS. That being said, I've spoken to plenty of people who've gone to a public/private HS and their overall impression is that the courses here move quicker than HS. But even at a "normal" college, classes move faster than HS (it is college after all!). For perspective, a college (to include USAFA) has a semester to cover what an AP class had an entire school year to cover (in terms of general course material). Additionally, I think that the AP test scoring method isn't always indicative of success or failure of a particular student - I have friends who've scored 4's and 5's in certain classes and they have no idea what I'm talking about when I mention a concept they've already covered. Conversely, I have friends who didn't validate a class and it's the easiest thing in the world for them here (it really just depends on the learner).

Momto5 said:
Do you start foreign language as a doolie? Does the foreign language begin assuming you have 0 experience with the language? Spanish was the only option at our high school, but I doubt he will take Spanish at USAFA.
Click to expand...
Yes! Foreign language starts fall semester of doolie year and goes until (at least) spring semester. Most languages assume that you have a fundamental understanding of some language (typically Spanish), but you're correct in assuming that he might not take Spanish here - since that's the most common language for people to have experience in. However, whatever language he gets assigned he will have the opportunity to really enjoy (I never took French a day in my life before here and now I'm planning on minoring in it!)
 
Binary said:
That's what I guessed, as in "everyone follows the same recipe" type of thing. Are your college courses then just considered good experience, and you press on from there and re-take classes at USAFA, or can you challenge/test-out on some undergrad coursework, or ? Does that free you up for other electives @ USAFA perhaps ? I'm imagining this situation like transferring from one college to another, and the two do not have articulation of classes (they don't recognize each others coursework).
Click to expand...
Transferring classes here is very touch-and-go. Sometimes certain courses will transfer no problem, but other times you'll have taken something that you (or a site like transferology) thinks should be transferrable and it's not. I would say from my experience if it transfers it does, and if it doesn't it doesn't. If there's something that is pertinent to your major that you really think you should be able to transfer/test out of, then that's a question each department and the academic registrar will handle individually.
 
flygirl2025 said:
Did you find yourself to be physically prepared after AFROTC? I'm an AFROTC cadet that will be in the c/o 2026 and worry that any PT we do is not enough.
Click to expand...
Another person coming from the dark side :) !! I would say that after my 100 year in AFROTC I was pretty decently prepared physically (I think I got a 98 on both of my PT tests as a 100).

flygirl2025 said:
Did any of your math college courses transfer?
Click to expand...
My Calc 1 course did, and I am in the process of transferring my Discrete Math course (not important unless you happen to be an accelerated CompSci major in college rn).

flygirl2025 said:
I know there are church services on base, but are Doolies allowed to leave on Sundays for off base churches? I don't know if you can leave base at all prior to recognition, but are you allowed to (or even leave more often) if a sponsor family wishes to take you off base?
Click to expand...
Yes, doolies are allowed off-base for church! Regardless of recognition status doolies can leave on weekends for religious services. Your sponsor family can take you off base whenever you are allowed off base (which will be less as an unrecognized cadet for sure, but definitely Sundays).

flygirl2025 said:
Do you know anyone that made any of the D1 sports teams without being recruited?
Click to expand...
I know a couple of walk-on athletes for Boxing specifically. I personally tried for a sport, but due to Title IX rules, they didn't have enough spots for men this year.
 
random question but what AFROTC det are you from? I'm det 610 right now and there was a guy last year that got into USAFA class of 25
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top