Deadlines for USAFA Class of 27

HakuValek · Oct 28, 2022

Hey everyone,

I'm currently a bit late within the application and possibly the nomination process for a few main reasons, and do not believe this year for completing my application is likely at all, I'll lay out my unique situation so, please bare with me. I'm a newly-set 20 year-old college freshmen (took a year-off after high-school to work and build up my resume) and I was in the process of enlisting 8-months ago, took my ASVAB and was medically qualified and all set, but decided it would only prolong my dream of becoming an officer, flying and ultimately attending AFROTC / AFA. I'm currently doing AFROTC, and from my perspective, from my peers and leaders, I'm excelling quite well and am top of my Detachment all across the board. I've been set to attend USAFA for over 3 years, but never thought I would be one of those amazingly capable and admirable people who attend, but as I matured, I find who I want to become and has been a fueling passion for me to attend, I've never been more certain of something, honestly. Addition to my unique situation, and being enrolled in "virtual high-school" for all my years, I never took my ACT/SAT, and I know how detrimental it is in the candidate selection phase, I know this hurts my heavily and that I have to not only take it, but score well, I'm very familiar with the content but, I don't think my deadlines are realistic for this year. I'd be a AS200 next year, and don't mind being an older cadet if I was even offered an LOA. What are your thoughts on this? Any advice, feedback or questions? I know this has been a-lot, so thank you for reading it out.

Peter2025 · Oct 30, 2022

HakuValek said:
Hey everyone,

I'm currently a bit late within the application and possibly the nomination process for a few main reasons, and do not believe this year for completing my application is likely at all, I'll lay out my unique situation so, please bare with me. I'm a newly-set 20 year-old college freshmen (took a year-off after high-school to work and build up my resume) and I was in the process of enlisting 8-months ago, took my ASVAB and was medically qualified and all set, but decided it would only prolong my dream of becoming an officer, flying and ultimately attending AFROTC / AFA. I'm currently doing AFROTC, and from my perspective, from my peers and leaders, I'm excelling quite well and am top of my Detachment all across the board. I've been set to attend USAFA for over 3 years, but never thought I would be one of those amazingly capable and admirable people who attend, but as I matured, I find who I want to become and has been a fueling passion for me to attend, I've never been more certain of something, honestly. Addition to my unique situation, and being enrolled in "virtual high-school" for all my years, I never took my ACT/SAT, and I know how detrimental it is in the candidate selection phase, I know this hurts my heavily and that I have to not only take it, but score well, I'm very familiar with the content but, I don't think my deadlines are realistic for this year. I'd be a AS200 next year, and don't mind being an older cadet if I was even offered an LOA. What are your thoughts on this? Any advice, feedback or questions? I know this has been a-lot, so thank you for reading it out.

The only deadline you may have missed is for nominations from your MOC. That being said, check your nomination sources for their specific deadlines. I'm not super knowledgeable about AFROTC, but I believe there are nominations that are available there.

"Members of college and high school honor Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC and AFJROTC) units may also apply in this category. Five students from each detachment may be nominated to compete for the authorized vacancies. Students should request a nomination from their professor of aerospace studies or their aerospace science instructor who will then recommend nominees to the head of the institution."

As for the USAFA application itself, the "deadline to submit a PCQ is December 31 of the student’s senior year." After you submit your PCQ, you'll receive a deadline on/before January 31.

If you are passionate and certain that you want to attend, you'll have to apply eventually. The worst that could happen if you apply this year is you get told no and apply next year anyways. My two cents - apply. Will it be a grind to get it all done? Yes. Can you get in if you don't apply? No.
Here's my source for all the dates and info: https://www.academyadmissions.com/apply/cycle

Trainee · Nov 4, 2022

I would think long and hard about it. YOU may not mind being an older cadet with college under your belt but remember that you are going to have people in charge of you that are younger than you, no life experience and feel threatened by that. Ask a prior or a cadet that came in older like you. It's definitely a different experience than someone coming in right from high school. Good luck with your journey.

Peter2025 · Nov 4, 2022

Trainee said:
I would think long and hard about it. YOU may not mind being an older cadet with college under your belt but remember that you are going to have people in charge of you that are younger than you, no life experience and feel threatened by that. Ask a prior or a cadet that came in older like you. It's definitely a different experience than someone coming in right from high school. Good luck with your journey.

While I'm not old for a cadet by any means, my roommate last year was 24 shortly after I-day. Although he was surely frustrated some days by what you mentioned, he was also looked up to among the doolies because he was older and had more life experience (especially because he was a prior). Just the other side of the coin.

HakuValek · Nov 8, 2022

Peter2025 said:
While I'm not old for a cadet by any means, my roommate last year was 24 shortly after I-day. Although he was surely frustrated some days by what you mentioned, he was also looked up to among the doolies because he was older and had more life experience (especially because he was a prior). Just the other side of the coin.

That's right and fair. I feel like after the initial phases at USAFA, age doesn't really matter. I think it is something I could get over, I'm an older freshmen here in AFROTC any-how, so same concept with the younger cadets in-control. All respect for authority of course. You only live once!