Chances of Getting in to USAFA

[Starbuffalo1974]

Hey everyone this is my first post. I was wonder how competitive I am in getting in to the academy. So here is my resume. I’ll start with the academics. To be honest this is the one spot I am weakest in.

I currently have a 3.9 GPA. Ive taken every honors class my school offers. I go to a super small school so they don’t always Offer advanced class. I will say the standard class are weighted at an honors level and the honors class are weaighted at an AP level. I am top of my class. There are 12 of us and we are all very competitive. I have not taken the SAT yet (I take it next month), but I have taken the ACT. I didn’t get the best score I got a 24, but I’ve been studying to take it Again.

Next is athletics. This is another hard part For me. In 9th grade I played varsity basktetball at my school and in 10th grade I was varsity captain and received a letter. These last two years have sucked because our school hasn’t been able to offer sports. I have started a run club at my school So I am still able to stay in shape. After school the club goes on a run and does exercise and stuff. It’s not much but I think its fun.

Lastly is leadership/extracurricular. This is where I feel the strongest in. Currently I am the student body president. In 10th grade I was an FCA huddle leader. I am also a national honors society member and a member of the local corvette club. Yes I know high school student in a corvette club kind of ironic. I am also very active in my church. I help plan and attend youth events. For community service I’m a volunteer firefighter And over the summer of obtained my EMT cert. I‘ve done several community service projects to include SPCA projects and local Activities. for work experience I work at the local racetrack (10 hours a week) and am a janitor at a local lawyers office (5 hours a week). I also paint and work on peoples cars in my “free time” (3 hours a week). Ive also done little things here and there like soup kitchen volunteer hours and assisting local politicians with campaigns. I know this seems like a lot but I really love helping people.

Another thing I will say is my dad is a retired Marine and my uncle is a Lieutenant colonel in the Marines, and all my grandparents have served some time in the Military. I really appreciate your opinions and thoughts about this.

 

[HCopter]

Bump this one up! I think people missed this thread.

What grade are you?
Agree your ACT is too low and you need to bring that up tout suite!

Leadership within activities. You've got some, maybe as much as your school can offer, but seek and articulate what you have done in the community, leadership-wise.

You seem like a very interesting person. I like that you show, not tell, your interests - for example, the corvette club and also showing you spend time to tinker and fix cars.

Work your essays - it is not the fact that you have a family history of service members, but what was your ah-ha moment, or how did immersion in a military family shape you?

Just my opinion, and others can chime in here: you are in a big fish in a very, very small pond. Does this person have the capacity to thrive in the Wing, with 100x the number of You's in your class vs. what you are used to?

 

[shiner]

Academics - 3.9 on a 5 scale or 4? Regardless, your standardized test scores will likely provide the Admissions Board with enough info. The school "profile" should reflect that you are taking the most rigorous courses offered by your school and that is really all they could expect of you.

Athletics - if organized sports are OUT, then focus on the CFT. Sounds like time that we previously dedicated to that activity could be repurposed into CFT prep.

Extracurricular - this is your area of strength. I would find a way to play up VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER and EMT - those would standout and are rare for your age.

 

[Starbuffalo1974]

Bump this one up! I think people missed this thread.

What grade are you?
Agree your ACT is too low and you need to bring that up tout suite!

Leadership within activities. You've got some, maybe as much as your school can offer, but seek and articulate what you have done in the community, leadership-wise.

You seem like a very interesting person. I like that you show, not tell, your interests - for example, the corvette club and also showing you spend time to tinker and fix cars.

Work your essays - it is not the fact that you have a family history of service members, but what was your ah-ha moment, or how did immersion in a military family shape you?

Just my opinion, and others can chime in here: you are in a big fish in a very, very small pond. Does this person have the capacity to thrive in the Wing, with 100x the number of You's in your class vs. what you are used to?

Thanks for responding, I’m 16 and currently a senior In high school. I’m taking a few duel enrollment class at a local community college. My ACT score is kind of disappointing but its nothing that can‘t be fixed with some studying. Right now I’m working on my essays. I’ve gotten my friend who is at USAFA now to edit them as well as my English teacher.

 

[TheRightStuff]

I’m taking a few duel enrollment class at a local community college.

Pro tip: do not refer to those classes in essays, correspondence etc. as "duel" enrollment classes. They are "dual" enrollment classes and how you describe them will matter to those reviewing your apps, ALOs, etc.

My ACT score is kind of disappointing but its nothing that can‘t be fixed with some studying.

2nd pro tip: Do not underestimate what it will take to "fix" a lower than desired ACT score.

 

[Capt MJ]

I rather liked the mental picture of enrolling in duels. It’s one of those serendipitous errors not caught by spell check which can be funny in context. Not, of course, what you want in a document seen by someone who matters to the process.

 

[usafcellist2026]

2nd pro tip: Do not underestimate what it will take to "fix" a lower than desired ACT score.

This... I thought I studied my rear end off and took as many practice tests that I can however my ACT score stayed the same. Maybe try taking the SAT, there is a possibility you can score higher on that compared to the ACT. It's all about your preferences.

 

[Devil Doc]

@Starbuffalo1974 this is the place for awesome advice. No doubt.

Did you ask your uncle the Marine officer to chance you? Just curious.