Chances of AirForce Academy Admission

jordan5551 said:
I forgot to mention in the original post that I most definitely will be applying for summer seminar. Not that it necessarily matters but I will be majoring in chemistry my ultimate goal is to go through the academy and then get the HPSP scholarship. Yes I understand this is incredibly hard to do but being a doctor in the United State Military has been a dream of mine for years. Yes I know there are easier ways to accomplish this but I want the challenge.
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My DS is pursuing the med school path at USAFA. You should know they will not allow anymore than 2% of the class body to go off to med school.

There is no grade inflation at USAFA. The average GPA is 2.7. One reason for the lower GPA is because SA students need to manage their military and physical requirements along with academics. The workload is intense. Putting it another way, you will need to be a fantastic multitasker (a pro at time management) and absorb the material much faster than your talented peers. That's because an average USAFA GPA of 2.7 is a major flag for med school. If you don't get a high GPA especially in the sciences because of the the academy demands, you are setting yourself up for failure on your MCAT. That's because a lower than stellar GPA means you didn't learn the material well enough and probably won't get a high enough MCAT.

I mention this because about right now, you are trying to make time to raise your ACT score with your busy schedule. Imagine how busy life will be when you have to figure out a way to shadow doctors, volunteer, study for the MCAT while executing the intense academy demands.

Remember, you still need to get into a med school for the HPSP scholarship with all of the demands of nailing the MCAT, applying for schools with the lengthy attached essays, flying out for interviews while maintaining your GPA etc. It's simply much harder for USAFA students to pull off getting into med school.

I mention all of this because I see a flag with your ACT score. If you poll the USAFA students that went to med school, they generally were students who got an ACT score of 32+. That's not necessarily the case with a traditional university. My daughter got a 26 on her ACT and got in equally challenging path of dental school. But she could focus on one and only one thing: school. She didn't work. She put all her efforts into gettng A's. With nearly all A's and studying intensely, she got an average DAT score and got into an average dental college. She also got a HPSP scholarship. The great news for med school and dental school students who want to practice military medicine is 98% of your competition doesn't want to practice in the military. So getting a HPSP scholarship is easier (but not easy). Army HPSP stats are easier than the Air Force. I diverge.

If you were my son or daughter, I'd be warning you that falling short of your complete dreams means that you better love to fly or also dream of becoming a diplomat (as an example). If becoming a doctor trumps being at a SA, then take the safer way and work exclusively on your studies via a traditional university. Now if you practice your ACT and get a 31, I say go for the whole enchilada! But if you study your butt off on the ACT and get a 28, I'd be worried for your med school dreams could fall short via a SA path.

My free advice is know your limitations. But you don't know what they are yet. :) We all have more talent than we ever realize. Do everything in your power to get that ACT score up a lot and then you will have a better idea what your real odds are. Thank you for wanting to serve as a military doctor.:thumb: That's an admirable dream. But be smart about learning all of the paths to accomplish your goals. Also, see studentdoctor.net forums. The folks in the military section would be a great wealth of information. Good luck. I'm rooting for you!
 
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MN-Dad presents a lot of good points and excellent advice. I would like to mention however that while the academy GPA average is indeed around a 2.7; there are quite a few who have been able to manage their time, military duties, as well as their academics and have graduated with 3.9+ gpa's from the academy. Some of these were even athletes. And many of these individuals have gone on to Graduate school; including medical school.

Mn-Dad's advice to know your limitations is right on the mark. Only you can know how you might fair at the academy. I've seen many who walk into the academy with the average 3.86 gpa and 30+ ACT in high school, and they have a difficult time with the academy's academics. On top of the military side of their time that they have to manage. I've also seen some who came in with the same GPA/ACT and were capable of managing their school work, sports, clubs, ec's, etc.... When they got to the academy, they had no problem maintaining their GPA as well as their military studies.

This is where you have to look inside yourself and see what your capabilities are. If you can go through high school in the top-10 of your class; (Top-10, not top 10%); and you can get 30+ ACT's; and you can play 2-3 varsity sports per year; and you can be involved in 2-3 clubs/EC's; and you can have leadership positions; and you can volunteer hundreds of hours per year; and when this all done, you still have time to spend with your family, friends, and a social life; then there's a good chance that you'll probably do well at the academy where you can put off a 3.9+ gpa and apply for medical school or some other grad school. But only you know what the answer to this is.

If the academy is your dream, then that is what you should be working on. Work on getting into the academy, getting a great education, and serving your country. If your motivation is based solely on being a pilot, going to grad/medical school after, or a number of other motives; then I'd say you are being premature. Most academy cadets change their priorities, minds, goals, etc... at least 1,325 times while at the academy. Half of those who come in wanting to fly change their mind. A number of things can change what you want 4 years from now. Best of luck. Mike....
 
I appreciate the advice specifically on the med school side of it. And I will do everything in my power to get a 30+ ACT or High SAT. I truly believe that medicine is my calling I've spent hundreds of hours in hospitals and it all greatly intrigues me. I may change my mind during my time at an SA but hopefully not. I definitely won't be changing to flying my eye sight is nowhere near pilot material. I am within limits for the academy though I've already checked. Thanks for the med school insight!

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You might not want pilot. That's cool. But for those reading this who may want it and think they can't because of eye sight, that is usually no longer as much of an issue. If you otherwise qualify for pilot training, the Air Force will perform and pay for PRK or Lasik surgery. If that's not enough, you can possibly get a waiver to wear contacts. 2 things however. 1) nothing is guaranteed. You still may not be pilot qualified. But eye sight isn't as big of an issue as it use to be. 2) do NOT get lasik surgery on your own prior to getting into the academy. It could be an automatic medical disqualifier for getting an appointment. If your need it, the Air Force will approve it mad pay for it.

P.S. You don't have to be wanting to be a pilot to get LASIK or PRK surgery. Once you start your 3rd year at the academy. You can ask for it. Even if you don't want to be a pilot.
 
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