Chance Me - USAFA 2023

Gliderguy101

Gliderguy101

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Messages
21
Hello, I am currently a Junior (future class of 2o23) looking for some incite with my stats and chances of getting into USAFA. I live in MD.

GPA:
- 4.0 (unweighted)
- 4.67 (weighted)

SAT:
- 1340: 620 cr, 720 math
- I've taken the SAT only once, but I plan on taking more.

Rank:
- 16/407
~ Top 4%

Classes:
- Sophmore: AP World (5), AP Env (4)
- Junior: IB HL Math, IB HL Chem, IB HL English, IB HL History of Americas, IB SL Physics, AP Physics 1+2. Then TOK and IB SL French.
- I plan on either taking AP physics C or IB SL Computer Science my senior year.
** IB HL classes are two years long. SL are one year long.

Sports:
- JV soccer (9,10)
- JV Lacrosse (9,10)
- Varsity Lacrosse (11)
- Hopeful captain for Varsity Lacrosse senior year (probably not happening as a junior).

- Soaring/gliding: I am currently a solo student, but I've got my written scheduled in March. I've participated in the US Juniors soaring competition last summer in Elmira, NY (I flew with experienced XC mentors, wasn't competing on my own).
** Do not know if this is considered a club sport or rather hobby. I hold the SSA A and B badge as a solo student.

Extracurricular:
- Civil Air Patrol: C/Capt, Billy Mitchell Award + Earhart. Current Aerospace Officer + Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) representative for my squadron.
- I had to turn down applying for Cadet Commander recently because our meetings conflict with lacrosse games this spring. But I'm applying in August for the position.

- Boy Scouts: Life Scout. Current Assistant Patrol Leader (ASPL). Again, hopeful SPL in the next coming months when we have elections.
- I am almost an Eagle Scout, I have my project scheduled for early March as well.

- FBLA: My team is attending states in the next couple months, hopeful for nationals.
- NHS
- Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society)
- SNHS (Science National Honor Society)
** I do not hold any current leadership positions for these clubs, only seniors hold them. Elections however come at the end of the school year for the next class.
- I'm planning on going for positions in NHS and FBLA.

CFA:
- I have not completed a practice yet, so I do not know the scores. However, I cannot reach the pull up or push up goal, so that is definitely something that I will be working towards.

Work Experience:
- I've worked as a life guard the past two summers (20 hrs/week).
- I take out the local park trash every Wednesday night (move the garbage bins).
- This one is very small and I get payed every month (don't know if this counts).

Summer Plans:
- I've applied for MD Boys State, I'm in the process of securing a sponsorship from my local post.
- I've applied for both NASS and AFASS.
- I've applied for the Fort Detrick, MD Werner H, Kirsten Internship Program (counts as work experience because it spans throughout the summer and the entire senior year).
- Every summer I volunteer as a team leader at a local 4-H camp.
 
The reason you haven't received any replies, is for 2 reasons.
1. There are approximately 2,435 other threads with the exact same question. And they all have the same answer. If you check them out, you'll see the answer.
2. In those other threads, you'll realize that you are "COMPETING" against others. This isn't a traditional school where if you score "X" ACT/SAT, have a certain GPA, etc. and can afford the tuition; that you're basically in if there's room. You're competing against others with just as good of resumes as yours. So,,,,, unless you can tell us the same information you provided about yourself; for the other 12,000+ applicants; there's no way to "CHANCE YOU". I know you don't like that answer, but that's the truth.

The best we can do, if you care, is provide you with a link to the class profile of of current cadets. In other words, what the AVERAGE person getting an appointment had for a resume. Here you go. Click on the link below.

Mike

http://www.neoafapa.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/2020_-_Demographic_Profiles.28172549.pdf
 
Christcorp said:
The reason you haven't received any replies, is for 2 reasons.
1. There are approximately 2,435 other threads with the exact same question. And they all have the same answer. If you check them out, you'll see the answer.
2. In those other threads, you'll realize that you are "COMPETING" against others. This isn't a traditional school where if you score "X" ACT/SAT, have a certain GPA, etc. and can afford the tuition; that you're basically in if there's room. You're competing against others with just as good of resumes as yours. So,,,,, unless you can tell us the same information you provided about yourself; for the other 12,000+ applicants; there's no way to "CHANCE YOU". I know you don't like that answer, but that's the truth.

The best we can do, if you care, is provide you with a link to the class profile of of current cadets. In other words, what the AVERAGE person getting an appointment had for a resume. Here you go. Click on the link below.

Mike

http://www.neoafapa.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/2020_-_Demographic_Profiles.28172549.pdf
Click to expand...

Good Answer to that question.

If you want the updated for 2021.

http://www.neoafapa.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/2021_-_Demographic_Profiles.224160126.pdf
 
Thanks all,

I don't really know what I was looking for in the responses, maybe just some advice to be honest. But regardless, thanks for pointing me in the right direction, it is greatly appreciated.
 
What I like about the class profiles (They are about the same each year), is that if you COMBINE a lot of the information; you'll find it to be VERY INTERESTING. And definitely goes against many people's thoughts or understanding.

1. Not counting prep school, turnbacks, etc. the incoming class had a 3.85 average GPA. And we know most of those classes are AP/IB/Honors/etc.
2. ACT mean average OVER a score of 30 - SAT mean average OVER 660
(Now it gets interesting)

3. 65% in National Honor Society
4. 83% Lettered in Athletics (95% participated in Varsity level sports. That number doesn't show there, but I know it).
5. 25% of the class (1/4th of the academy) are recruited athletes.
6. 96% of cadets were in the top 50% of their class. 54% were IN THE TOP 10% of their class.
7. 12% were either the #1 or #2 student in their ENTIRE CLASS. NOT PERCENTAGE; Valedictorian and Salutatorian
(COMBINE #3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 - So much for the DUMB JOCK attitude and dumbing down appointments for recruited athletes

8. They don't show ALL the categories, but enough to realize that "Diversity" IS NOT JUST RACE/MINORITIES. Diversity is very broad.
9. 85%+ have direct Leadership experience. Class officers, Boy/Girl State, Scouts, JrROTC, CAP, Newspaper Editor, etc.

I could go on. So, WHAT IS MY POINT!!!

Besides those I listed above; about the stereotypes, go out and find OTHER UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES, other than military, where they have the same level of academic stats for incoming freshmen...... BUT ALSO has that many of those with those academics who are also heavily involved with Athletics and leadership. You can find schools that have a higher GPA/SAT/ACT stat than the academies. But how many of those students have ALL THE OTHER ATTRIBUTES that an academy appointee has. Especially Athletics (Team Work, Team Building, Diversity, Common Goals, etc.) and Leadership. (Maturity, Empathy, goals, etc). They simply don't exist. Not at the level of the academies.

We should all be very proud and IMPRESSED with those that make it to the academies. They are the WHOLE PERSON. Not just a bunch of dumb jocks or a bunch of math geeks and nerds. The academies get the BEST CANDIDATES. The ones that will succeed in the military AND in life, because they've ALREADY SUCCEEDED thus far in their lives. Not that traditional university students don't succeed. Just that an academy cadet has matured more prior to getting to the academy; and will definitely mature and grow more in their first year at the academy; than a traditional university student will mature and grow in 4,5, or 6 years (Which is how long many will stay at their school)
 
Gliderguy101 said:
Thanks all,

I don't really know what I was looking for in the responses, maybe just some advice to be honest. But regardless, thanks for pointing me in the right direction, it is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

You were looking for the exact same thing as everyone else who asks that question. Reassurance that you have an excellent resume. Confirmation that you are a standout student. You wanted a bump in your ego. That's cool. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Here's the problem.

As impressive as your resume above is....... IF you were to get an appointment, you would find that almost the ENTIRE CLASS of cadets would have a resume that is almost IDENTICAL. Here is the truth.

FACTS:
1. Almost ALL of the cadets at the academy are Over Achievers and Type A personalities. They are use to being at the very top of their class.
2. In High School, almost ALL of the cadets, YOURSELF INCLUDED, are/were a Big Fish in your high school. There are Jocks; there are Brainiacs. Very few ARE BOTH. MOST academy cadets ARE BOTH. As such, you are/were a BIG FISH in a LITTLE POND.
3. At the academy; you ALL ARE ; SMALL FISH in a BIG POND. There won't be anything really special or standing out about you compared to everyone else there.

That's actually not a big deal, because one of the main objectives at the academy is to break down individuality and teach you to be part of a team. Part of something BIGGER than YOURSELF. Remember; the MAIN PURPOSE of the academies is NOT TO GIVE YOU A COLLEGE EDUCATION. We can do that with online universities. It's MAIN PURPOSE is to develop you into being MILITARY LEADERS!!!

Best of Luck
 
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