Boys State versus a week training as CAP AF UPT?

pv123

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Asking for my now Candidate '28 son: He has two programs overlapping by one day this summer. If he has to choose, which one is more valuable for USAFA app? Boys State or Civil Air Patrol AF SUPT-FAM Course - Laughlin AFB ( UPT familiarization course with back seat in T6) ?
 
Boys State would be more valuable as far as the USAFA application itself.
 
Boys State is asked about specifily on the application. However, that sounds like an awesome course. Any chance he might be able to attend a neighboring states Boys State? Assuming it’s being held a different week.
 
My opinion only:
Boys State is a known boost to the WCS. The AF SUPT-FAM Course is not. However, when your son is 40 years old, will he be telling his 10-year-old son a story about the time he went to Boys State or the first time he got a ride in the back seat of an Air Force plane? Life is the experiences that we make. The AF SUPT-FAM Course can be used as a big talking point in his application and interviews. Enthusiasm will be a quality of its own in his interviews.

Stealth_81
 
I agree with Stealth_81. Neither is a bad choice, but if he desires to fly, then the latter can be used in his interviews and essays as "talking points." I tell my students that the summer is an ideal time to build and expand your résumé so it sounds like your son is off to a good start. He should look at the balance of the summer for other opportunities, especially leadership and engagement, such as staff work at CAP encampment or similar. Best of luck to your son on his application!
 
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I say CAP. That's the kind of opportunity I wouldn't turn down for what might be a few more application points. The experience and perspective from a program like that will be valuable essay or interview topics. Being able to articulate why USAFA is a good fit is important. Obviously do both if you can swing it (I did something that - showing up 2 days late to a 3 week college STEM class to go to USAFA SS one summer), but I'd choose based on the desired experience, not the box it checks on the applicaiton.

How competitive was it to get selected for that chance? That could also be a selling point
 
I did Boys State many, many, many moons ago. It is still a highlight and was an encouragement for my boys to attend If you choose to go to CAP at Laughlin instead, make sure you include in your essay how you were SELECTED from your peers to attend Boys State but chose to pursue your passion. The WCS score is important, but so is the CFA, interviews, academics, etc. If you're a strong candidate, CAP versus Boys State won't matter.

As a plug for Boys State, first, it's one of the last places in the world where you will just be around other boys, a truly unique experience. Secondly, there isn't a better course in civics out there. What you learn there will serve you for a lifetime.
 
Secondly, there isn't a better course in civics out there. What you learn there will serve you for a lifetime.
My DS did Boy’s State and it has been the best experience of his life. After fours years of NJROTC he burned out on the military and is at state university and not doing ROTC. He may or may not choose to serve in the military one day. But Boy’s State will always stay with him. Maybe one day he will serve in government. I hope so.
 
Asking for my now Candidate '28 son: He has two programs overlapping by one day this summer. If he has to choose, which one is more valuable for USAFA app? Boys State or Civil Air Patrol AF SUPT-FAM Course - Laughlin AFB ( UPT familiarization course with back seat in T6) ?
I am not familiar Boys State but I will say the the SUPT-FAM Course (I went to Columbus, MS, 2021) give me a perspective of what I was getting into. I got the opportunity to talk to a variety of people who did AFROTC and USAFA and it is a lot of studying so it also taught me time management/work ethic.

If your son has done a lot with CAP, such as staff positions/encampment/NCSAs, I would say it will be a booster. I didn't have sports on my application but my academics and service in CAP (plus over 1500 hours of volunteer) definitely helped me earn a Falcon Scholarship.
 
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