Are your personal views characteristic of most 4* in your "chill" squadron or your class as a whole?
You seem to be most proud of the traveling and friends you have made. You also believe it is ok not to get straight A's (almost nobody does even if they try) and to fail a quiz. Is this what you expected to be proud of and how hard you expected to work academically before you arrived? If your views changed, what do you owe this to?
Given all the "standards in freefall" tread, what is the most stressful thing at the Academy that makes you want to seek release through sports and travel?
What were your strengths that you believe helped you get your appointment? Academics (GPA, SAT), athletics, or military/leadership experience?
Given your social/athletic slant, would you have had more fun going ROTC at Arizona State or CU Boulder?
Views on this place are super squad dependent. That’s why my entire perspective should be taken with a grain of salt. Overall everyone has the same opportunities but a squad can have a large impact on how you feel about things overall.
To be completely honest, I had no expectations coming in. I had no idea what to expect or what it was going to be like. I talked to so many people and got so many different stories I eventually just decided I’d make the decision for myself. Academically I’d say I’m working a bit harder than high school. Again though, this is super dependent on what ones high school workload was like. Some people are working way harder. Some about the same.
In terms of what I’m proud of, I guess I’d just say I’m proud of balancing everything. I think I’ve realized that stressing yourself out over low priority things is not worth it. Having good mental health is far better. It is okay to fail. It’s okay to not get everything right. Too many times I’ve seen others drive themselves into the ground for trying to be too perfect. And by fail I don’t mean to get an F. I mean fail your personal standard. If your personal standard is getting and A or B and you end up getting a C…it’s okay. Just keep doing your best and it will work out.
Most stressful thing…I’m not sure. Maybe the responsibilities. There’s just a lot to keep track of sometimes. Stress starts to creep in when you don’t have a plan for it. But if you have a system to keep track of everything and a plan to tackle it, it’s all good.
Helping me get in…probably just showing that I can work hard and can succeed in multiple different environments. I did well in high school but took two gaps years after that. Showed that I developed as a person and leader and that I gained valuable life skills that can’t really be taught in high school. Scores and numbers get you past the eye test, what you do with your knowledge is what helps separate people. I wouldn’t say my scores and numbers did much more than get me past the eye test.
As much as it might seem like I have a social/athletic slant, I’m not a partier. I wouldn’t like ASU or CU. And USAFA offers unique opportunities no where else can deliver. I decided that this is the only chance I get at doing some of these things. Why not explore it now.
Hopefully I answered that all decently. Let me know if you’ve got other questions. Happy to give my perspective. Wouldn’t necessarily say I have answers to questions like these, more so my perspective and why it may be different from others.