What made you choose USAFA over the other SAs? What do you think is the best and worst thing about being a cadet at the Air Force Academy?Currently a 26er (sophomore) here at USAFA, willing to answer any questions you might have about this place (applying, cadet life, etc.)!
Just a quick interjection here, the old "not a good place to be but a good place to be from" is pretty common for every military academy in the world. It's not designed to be a party location like many universities and it can be tough, so while you are there it very rarely seems to be a good place to be. Once you graduate you realize it wasn't that bad and look back at your time with fond memories and strong friendships that were forged in the fire. Both my sons actually love being there and just wish it was more military focused and more disciplined but they were raised by an old operator Truth is, every place you are in life is what you make of it.Are you happy with your decision to go to USAFA? I have heard people say that it's not a good place to be, but a good place to be from.
Was the application process as competitive as you thought it would be? Did you get in on your first application attempt? What are you studying? Do you like it?
I only applied to USAFA and USCGA, and I chose USAFA for several different reasons. First, I felt that USAFA had very unique opportunities that could expose me to aviation and flying -- as someone who has done all three of them (Jump, Soaring, and Powered Flight), these were all amazing and has solidified my interest in flying as one of my careers. Another reason is because this was the only service academy that really had an in-depth academic department and course load for the major I wanted to pursue -- Biology. Along with their wide range of courses and research opportunities, this was the place that I felt would best fit my academic interests. Additionally, I strictly wanted to pursue a career in the Air Force or the Space Force (kind of contradictory as to why I applied to USCGA but that's a different story) and the rest of schools I applied to were AFROTC universities, so this was my first choice no matter what.What made you choose USAFA over the other SAs? What do you think is the best and worst thing about being a cadet at the Air Force Academy?
Academics are definitely the most stressful thing in my opinion. Unlike civilian universities, USAFA has such a large CORE curriculum (equivalent to GE classes at normal universities) that a lot of the classes I have to take are unnecessary for my major. It is astounding that there are more CORE classes that are required to take instead of majors classes.How are you fairing academically? There's a lot of amazing things to do at USAFA, and it would suck if academics takes up all your time.
Are you happy with your decision to go to USAFA? I have heard people say that it's not a good place to be, but a good place to be from.
Was the application process as competitive as you thought it would be? Did you get in on your first application attempt? What are you studying? Do you like it?
Just a quick interjection here, the old "not a good place to be but a good place to be from" is pretty common for every military academy in the world. It's not designed to be a party location like many universities and it can be tough, so while you are there it very rarely seems to be a good place to be. Once you graduate you realize it wasn't that bad and look back at your time with fond memories and strong friendships that were forged in the fire. Both my sons actually love being there and just wish it was more military focused and more disciplined but they were raised by an old operator Truth is, every place you are in life is what you make of it.
Back to you ak29
Summers are broken up into 3 summer periods. Each year there are different opportunities available for what you can do. After 4deg year you do one airmanship program and combat survival training. After 3deg year you do OPS where travel to a base and get to learn about different jobs and see more of the operational Airforce, and you do one cadre program (i.e running a summer program for the underclassmen). After 2deg year you can do 2 cadre programs or apply for other opportunities such as summer research. Each year you are guaranteed one block to take leave if you want it. There are more nuances to it than just this such as giving up leave to do extra programs or summer school, but this is what it is for most people.What do summers look like? I've seen the list of cadet summer programs. Is that something where you apply for the program(s) you want to attend?
You mentioned Summer School…is that always an option?Summers are broken up into 3 summer periods. Each year there are different opportunities available for what you can do. After 4deg year you do one airmanship program and combat survival training. After 3deg year you do OPS where travel to a base and get to learn about different jobs and see more of the operational Airforce, and you do one cadre program (i.e running a summer program for the underclassmen). After 2deg year you can do 2 cadre programs or apply for other opportunities such as summer research. Each year you are guaranteed one block to take leave if you want it. There are more nuances to it than just this such as giving up leave to do extra programs or summer school, but this is what it is for most people.
In terms of getting the program you want it is mostly based on a priority list you send in during the year with higher ranking cadets getting their first choice more often. Some programs however have applications separately such as for summer research or leadership positions within the summer programs.
Is it all worth it? All the stress and work?Currently a 26er (sophomore) here at USAFA, willing to answer any questions you might have about this place (applying, cadet life, etc.)!
I think most would say that's entirely up to you. Do you want to serve your country and be a leader in the US Air and Space Forces and potentially fly some of the most advanced aircraft in the world and lead AF/SF personnel in times of peace and war? If you do and also want a great education as well as the experience that only a SA can give then clearly it's a yes. If you are more of a casual observer and aren't sure if it's right for you then it may not be. Every cadet at every academy has their own reasons, their own "why" that gets them through so if you have that then go for it.Is it all worth it? All the stress and work?
You mentioned Summer School…is that always an option?
How many classes can be taken, how many weeks are the classes, are you still able to take part in the Summer Programs?
Is Summer School designed to shore up weaker courses or to “work ahead” (reducing class load/opening up schedule for other opportunities)?
I truly appreciate all of you who offer your experience to assist those coming behind!
Nobody excels in life without stress and work. Since stress and work are constant, the real question is, do you really want to get an education at a military academy, and serve in the Air Force or Space Force? The more you want these things, the more the stress and work will be worth it.Is it all worth it? All the stress and work?
Thank you for this detailed reply!!Before I answer, I need to provide a little background on the USAFA core curriculum. First, the core is very large, and most cadets take almost all core courses their first year, a majority of core courses during their second year (the year most declare a major), and their remaining core courses during their final two years...sprinkled throughout their majors courses and electives. Second, if a cadet is in academic trouble when they arrive at USAFA (low GPA and/or multiple D or F grades), it is likely due to a core course...either it is not a course that is in their wheelhouse (e.g., a tech courses for a non-tech cadet, or a non-tech course for a tech cadet) of they are having trouble adjusting to academic life with all the mandatory military and athletic demands added on.
In such cases, cadets may for forced or offered Summer Academics to either take another shot at a course they failed (because you cannot fail a core course...you must re-take it) or try to improve a low grade (because you cannot allow your cumulative GPA to drop below 2.00). Since cadet summers generally consist of 3 three-week long periods, you take a single course in three weeks rather than over a full academic semester. It is very fast and hard--long classes and homework every day--but in most cases you are seeing the material for the second time. So, you see that taking a summer course means giving up a summer period of training. Summer trainining requirements are forgiving enough that they can be shifted to future summer periods, future summers, or even shifted to the academic year (if offered year round). But, you will have fewer summer training opportunities if you take summer academics.
If you are NOT in academic trouble, you CAN request summer academics to "get ahead". For example, if you changed majors from Electrical Engineering to History at the start of your Junior Year, some of the EE courses MIGHT satisfy your History majors course requirements (but not many!), so you will have to take extra classes until graduation. This burden can be lessoned by taking a remaining core class during summer. If you are a double major (e.g., Political Science and Philosophy) then you will be taking extra classes until graduation, and summer academics can help reduce the burden.
Finally, some cadets (either in academic trouble or to get ahead) can request TWO summer academic courses, but they typically have to give up their summer leave period. Recall that each summer consists of 3 periods...one is typically summer leave and cadets look forward to this all year long. If you give that up, then you can replace your leave with a second summer academics course.
From the perspective of the Dean and her faculty: faculty like to have a summer break for time off with family and family vacations too. So, there are only so many courses and faculty assigned to teach them during the summer. For this reason, USAFA tends to prioritize cadets in academic trouble--those actually in danger of being kicked out due to poor academic performance--over those who simply want to get ahead. Those who are double majors or recent majors changes and are "overloaded" get the remaining slots and can be prioritized based on how overloaded they might be during their remaining academic semesters.
How often do you get to visit your family/friends out of stare? Also, is USAFA completely miserable freshman year? (before recognition)Currently a 26er (sophomore) here at USAFA, willing to answer any questions you might have about this place (applying, cadet life, etc.)!
Your first year, you can have family and friends visit for Parents Weekend in Oct, and can go home for Christmas and New Years after Fall semester final exams before returning very early in Jan for the Spring semester. Some years the academic and military training schedule are worked to allow a long weekend (maybe 5 days) over Thanksgiving for those who think its worth the expense. Other times you get like 4 days including travel so why bother. Next time you can go home is Spring Break. After that, you have to wait for your assigned 3-week summer leave period. Note that some cadets have extracurricular activities (athletics, competitive clubs) that might take up part of the Winter or Spring Break. If your parents and friends are free, they can come to YOU at USAFA, but you might not have very much time to see them--a few hours in the evening if you give up academic call to quarters (study time) or after training ends (if any) on a Saturday. Sundays are typically free until academic call to quarters that night. Finally, you can request a sponsor in the local area--typically a friend of USAFA who is willing to host a cadet in their house so they can get away from USAFA from time to time. If you really mesh well, then you will likely be invited to lots of family events and they will provide better support to you...like rides to the airport and hosting your parents during Parents Weekend visits. Upperclassmen get all of the above plus more "passes" to leave USAFA during the semester. A junior will be allowed to have a car, which opens up way more opportunities.How often do you get to visit your family/friends out of stare? Also, is USAFA completely miserable freshman year? (before recognition)