Class of 2015 LOA's Received

DrSeuss27 said:
What is the typical resume of a candidate who receives an LOA?
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Great question. I have no idea. I thought they would be recruited athletes or perfect SATs and grades but the kid I currently
know is neither. parents aren't military either. clueless myself.
 
I received an LOA, and I am far from perfect. My focus when trying to look attractive to the Academy was being well-rounded. In the last couple of years I've figured out what I'm good at, then practiced as much as I could at it. My grades are about average with the current freshman class, as well as my ACT. I did take the highest math and science, I kept in good contact with my Admissions officer, visited the Academy as much as I could, (I live in CO) and just stayed positive. Like it's been said, it's not something you can expect or predict, it just comes. Just be the best you, you can be. That's what I thought they were looking for in me.

Best of Luck.

P.S.

I'm almost positive it's also contingent on how quickly your application is complete. (CFA, DODMERB, Transcripts)



If you'd like anymore info just let me know.
 
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i think wellrounded is true but also, consistent activities, and leadership is part of it. son has an loa and he has average to above average stat's in comparison to what the usafa publishes with regard to grades, rank, SAT's. average cfa too! but he picked a a few activities he really liked and excelled in them over a long period of time. showed consistent and persistent interest. He also has alot of leadership in those activities. several things are outside of school - school leadership like class president tends to be more popularity driven. no one but the admissions folks really know but my advice would be to follow your passions and interests for an extended period of time instead doing an activity for 1 year and than switching to something else. Be an interesting person who excels!
 
How early you finish your application plays a big role for getting accepted into any college or university--that being said don't rush it since you can technically only submit it once.

I agree with USAFA Falcon 15 again in the matter of being well-rounded. Being a varsity athlete in a few sports while keeping your GPA as close to 4.0 as you can helps a lot since that unspoken time management factor correlates directly to what level the AFA thinks you will be able to perform at when/if you become a cadet. I say multi-sport varsity athlete but those are just words--you can be involved in other extra curricular activities as long as they show a sense of commitment since after all YOU will be the one committing to the Academy/Air Force.

Another plan of attack is to keep a recognized presence at the Academy. I kept up really good relations with my regional counselor. Now, I didn't go off bombarding him with emails or voicemail--just kept updating him with achievements during the fall etc. making sure my presence as a human being was recognized. It is very easy for these boards to meet and make the decision to pass on your application when they don't have any sense of who you are, but if they know you/have met you it is that much harder to make the decision.

For my liaison officer, well I treat him like a peer. Kept contacting him regularly and showing him how committed I am for the Academy--believe me he is probably sick of me by now. I am pretty sure that his report on our "official interview" helped to reinforce the words on my recommendations.

I mean I can't tell you what it is that makes a person receive an LOA, but what I can tell you is that if a board member reads your application and says "wow, this kid really wants it (and he can handle it)" then i'm pretty sure you will have no trouble getting in with or without an LOA. It might seem like they make it pretty hard to get in to the AFA but the truth is getting in is the easy part--staying is what makes it a true test.
 
Hey i'm trying to get an appointment into the Academy. can i get you guys' feedback please?

about a 3.7 weighted gpa (school is very competitive)
Varsity Water polo

SAT Reading 680
Math 800
Writing 670

ACT Comp: 32
Math 35
Reading 26
Science 36

Two Jobs at an insurance company and a local restaurant

Officer for a small charity club on campus
MUN delegate

...somewhat mediocre CFA scores
throw 50
pullups 14
shuttle 10 seconds
situps 75
pushups 70
miles 8 minutes (plan on drastically improving this soon)
 
Uh, I used to do Kendo (martial arts) and swimming, as well as ice hockey

I had to quit all of those later though, because my dad got laid off and we couldn't afford to pay for all of it
 
cryosk8trboi said:
Hey i'm trying to get an appointment into the Academy. can i get you guys' feedback please?

about a 3.7 weighted gpa (school is very competitive)
Varsity Water polo

SAT Reading 680
Math 800
Writing 670

ACT Comp: 32
Math 35
Reading 26
Science 36

Two Jobs at an insurance company and a local restaurant

Officer for a small charity club on campus
MUN delegate

...somewhat mediocre CFA scores
throw 50
pullups 14
shuttle 10 seconds
situps 75
pushups 70
miles 8 minutes (plan on drastically improving this soon)
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To me those are pretty good stats, Your GPA is pretty good depending if you took advanced classes or not. Your reading on your ACT is a little low but your composite is great! (Mine was only a 30). Do you play any other sports? Also I would try to get your shuttle up and throw up a little bit on your CFA and you said you are working on your mile so that is great. Other parts of your CFA are above average. Other then that, best of luck to you.
 
Thanks Drew, I appreciate.

If i get in, i'll be sure to come find you there :p hahaha

Um, i used to do Kendo (martial arts), swimming, and ice hockey
but i had to quit all of those when my dad got laid off, and that was about 4 years ago. Plus, i've been working ever since so i havent really got time for any other extracurriculars.
 
supergirl said:
i think wellrounded is true but also, consistent activities, and leadership is part of it. son has an loa and he has average to above average stat's in comparison to what the usafa publishes with regard to grades, rank, SAT's. average cfa too! but he picked a a few activities he really liked and excelled in them over a long period of time. showed consistent and persistent interest. He also has alot of leadership in those activities. several things are outside of school - school leadership like class president tends to be more popularity driven. no one but the admissions folks really know but my advice would be to follow your passions and interests for an extended period of time instead doing an activity for 1 year and than switching to something else. Be an interesting person who excels!
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Leadership is huge! I know that helped me A LOT!
 
Black Ops is right you have to keep in contact with everyone, seeing as those are the people who represent you! That's what helped me a lot in hind sight. As well as staying active, and kind of taking a stand as a leader you could say... You want the academy to see that they are going to make use of you after they put all of that effort into you! Make them proud whether it's before, during, or after. As far as stats... Make yourself a person, rather than a statistic, everyone applying that has made it this far has good stats, now what more do you bring to the table? That's what I said to myself at least!

Best of Luck,

Falcon
 
What would happen if a candidate who has a LOA didn't receive a nomination? Does USAFA have special nominations for them?
 
HufftonA said:
What would happen if a candidate who has a LOA didn't receive a nomination? Does USAFA have special nominations for them?
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Well I would think that they are VERY well qualified if they got an LOA, but good question.
 
I'll have to agree with blackops

my ALO told me himself. If the academy wants you in, they'll get you in. hands down. so i'm not sure if they actually find you a nomination but if circumstances are ideal they might just bypass it, but i'm not sure about that.


But in any case, if you have an LOA, theres no doubt that you'll get a nom
 
Like buffalo said in another thread, "there are no guarantees in this business." Getting an LOA guarantees that you are "virtually assured of an appointment" (if I remember my LOA from two years ago correctly). It does not say you are guaranteed, without the doubt, a nomination.
 
Well...the odds are infinitesimal though. If someone gets an LOA, chances are they'll get at least some kind of nomination
 
cryosk8trboi said:
...i'm not sure if they actually find you a nomination but if circumstances are ideal they might just bypass it...
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I don't think that SAs can legally bypass the need for a nomination. However the SAs do have some discretionary Noms that they can use for candidates that they really want...and they usually really want candidates that they have given LOAs.
 
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