Do I have a chance of admission to the USAFA?

NJ13

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Dec 8, 2008
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3
Hello Everyone.
I'm a Junior at a High School in Northwestern Wisconsin. I'm very interested in the USAFA and have already filled out the candidate questionnaire.
Academics-
GPA 3.7
Clubs-
National Honor Society
Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout)
All-School Play (Actor and Head of Set Crew)
Chapter President of FBLA
Athletics-
Varsity Letter in Cross Country, Tennis
I also play basketball- JV

I take my ACT in February.

Could anyone give me advice on the next course of action I should take in my pursuit of admission to the academy?

Thank you to all for the help. It is greatly appreciated.
 
You look like you're in great shape so far! The next step is to contact your Admission Liason Officer (ALO) and introduce yourself. Also think about whether or not you want to apply for summer seminar.

Good Luck:thumb:
 
Absolutely! You're getting a good jump on things. Research the process. This is a great place to do that. This is an arduous process to navigate through. People here will help you. I wish my son found this site early in the application process.

You might want to consider applying for ALL of the academies, unless you are intent on Air Force. All service academies provide outstanding educational opps, and military leadership training for their future officers. You can pay back your time in ANY branch you choose. I tell you this because securing an appointment is so competitive. If your goal is to become a pilot, Navy also has abundant pilot opportunities, as do the other academies. Just a thought.

It might improve your chances to what we have dubbed, "Cast a wide net, and see what your come up with." It has paid off so far. My son received nominations to all four service academies. Completing all of those apps is a bit of a pain for him. But, he'll probably get at least one appointment for those efforts.

Good luck.
 
Absolutely! You're getting a good jump on things. Research the process. This is a great place to do that. This is an arduous process to navigate through. People here will help you. I wish my son found this site early in the application process.

You might want to consider applying for ALL of the academies, unless you are intent on Air Force. All service academies provide outstanding educational opps, and military leadership training for their future officers. You can pay back your time in ANY branch you choose. I tell you this because securing an appointment is so competitive. If your goal is to become a pilot, Navy also has abundant pilot opportunities, as do the other academies. Just a thought.

It might improve your chances to what we have dubbed, "Cast a wide net, and see what your come up with." It has paid off so far. My son received nominations to all four service academies. Completing all of those apps is a bit of a pain for him. But, he'll probably get at least one appointment for those efforts.

Good luck.

This Liaison from West Point called me yesterday asking me what happened with my application because it seemed to them like I had just abandoned it all of a sudden (which I did when I settled on AF), and he said to me "If you're looking into flying we have helicopters and plenty of fixed-wings." (I love when the army keeps trying to convince you to go their way). And the truth is they do, but I just said, "I'm looking into fighter planes", and he said "fair enough" and said goodbye.

So I agree with USNA, you should look at all your options before you settle on one. Get as much information as you can from civilian and SAs as you can and desire. DON'T WAIT TILL YOUR SENIOR YEAR FOR GOD'S SAKE. Trust me! You don't want that kind of pressure.

You look like a prospective candidate. Good job, keep your academics, community service, and athletics up. Never give up. Don't get discouraged.
 
Remeber though, there are limited spots on fighters. You might get stuck with a heavy, if you dont want to fly them. If you do then nice :D
 
NJ13,
Looks good so far. In addition, get in contact with your congresspeople asap. Just get your name out there and be proactive; they really like to see that in a candidate. Also, get signed up for the SAT's as well. I did really well on those, and they really liked that. but you've got time to take them again if you don't like your score. To most, your GPA is pretty solid, but I had a 3.84 on the AFA scale, and my admissions counselor said that was "ok..." So really focus on that, but all the EC's you have on there look really good.

Best of luck,
Geoff
 
i was told that the selection gradually become more competitive the longer you wait to complete your file.
 
Statistically that would make sense. As they hand out LOA's, spots started getting reserved, and when nominations start going out, those spots starting getting officially filled.
 
I don't think I saw it suggested; but it's not too late to apply for summer seminar. Think the closeout is the second week of March. So get that in. Also; talk with your guidance counselors and such and see about getting nominated to attend boy's state this summer. Also; you mentioned your GPA, but you didn't say (Unless I missed it) if you are taking any advanced classes; e.g. AP or IB. If you haven't, you want to. A 3.7 is good, but a 3.7 with AP/IB classes trumps a 3.7 general classes every day of the week.

As far as the earlier applications being less competitive; because there are less applications to compete with; that's not really a yes or no thing. 1) Yes, there are less applications, but LOA's are given out based on past experience. In other words, the academy knows the average scores for EVERY CATEGORY the candidates go through. They have data for decades. Chances are; if you received an LOA in the fall, (and eventually an appointment), then you would have probably received an appointment if they never had the LOA program. LOA recipients are definitely not "Average" scores. (Scores mean everything; not just gpa, sat/act, etc...) Those who get early appointments usually have presidential or similar non-moc nominations. Obviously considering most MOCs don't even start interviewing until November. So, LOA's are what early applications are going after. If you can have your ENTIRE application completed by 1 September (Minus a nomination and medical); and you are HIGHLY competitive in your scores, then you have a chance at an LOA. best of luck. mike...
 
National Youth Leadership Forums on National Security.

It's expensive, but if you have the money, I've known some people who have gone and recommend it.
 
CC, you always know what to say. brilliant.

but just a thing about summer seminar. If you don't get in, don't give up. I got rejected from AF, Navy, and West Point summer seminar, and I now sit with appointments to all 3. :biggrin: If you do get rejected (which I don't think you will) just use it as an incentive to push a little harder, and make them notice you at the end of the semester.

This semester can be huge for you. It is probably the most important semester of your high school career. If you get a 4.0 (at least better than the 3.7) this semester, stick with all the stuff you listed in your original post, and maybe get a captain spot on one of those teams, I honestly cannot imagine you not getting an appointment.
 
Thanks everyone for all the input. I just received packets from both the AF and USMA a couple days ago. :) I have also contacted my congressman and senators.

On another note.. do you have to take your medical and CFA prior to turning in your application?

What makes an candidate applicable for the Summer Seminar and what does the summer seminar entail?
 
Your medical and CFA are part of your application. Your application ISN'T COMPLETE until all that is done. Including the medical and CFA. For what it's worth, this is the order in which my son did his application. He started it the Middle of June immediately after returning from Summer Seminar when the online applications became available.

1) 1st day - Filled out all BIO questions online; provided info of teacher's email, etc...
2) 2nd-3rd day - Did his writing assignments on paper to get them the way he wanted.
3) 4th day - Submitted the writing assignments.
4) Sometime at the end of the 1st week - Contacted the ALO; set up a meeting/interview/CFA; she also does interview for ROTC; etc....
5) Into the 2nd week - Contacted DODMRB and scheduled a medical appointment.
6) During 2nd week finished ALL application sections that could be done by candidate and didn't require waiting on anyone else. Also applied for Presidential Nomination through the academy as well as the VP
7) 3rd week - Son getting ready to leave for football camp so he took the CFA. Immediately after running the CFA, met with ALO (She did the CFA); They met in her office with him still sweaty. Go figure. That evening, we submitted the CFA results online.
8) 4th week - ALO finished submitting her interview. Results from Presidential came back; maybe into the 5th week. Nomination received: Presidential
9) 4th week - Medical appointment. Did his physical. No problems with physical or eyes. Clinic sent the completed forms to DODMRB.
10) 5th week - Verified that all teachers had filled out their letters of recommendations on line.
11) Somewhere in the 5th-6th week (It was under 45 days); Academy verifies everything is done. Online status now shows APPLICATION COMPLETE. As of July 19th 2007 everything is complete. Now it's the waiting game.
12) End of July - Contacted MOC's; filled out their forms for nominations (They only give 100 presidentials, so son didn't want to take a chance in case they gave it to someone else).
13) Sat Around and waited for 3 months. School started. Applied to 5 other colleges and Universities in the beginning of August. In October; received acceptance to 2 of the 5 other colleges. End of October; received acceptance to the other 3.
14) 1st week of November - Online status changed to "APPOINTMENT OFFERED". A day or 2 later; received the appointment package. Son signed and accepted it immediately and returned it. A week or shortly after; online changed to "Appointment Accepted".

Hope this explains most of the process. Obviously, this is of use to you and others applying for 2014 and beyond. Not much help for those getting in the 2013 crowd. best of luck... Mike.....
 
do you have to take your medical and CFA prior to turning in your application?
Nope. Your application is not complete without the CFA. Since you are starting early, it's a good idea to take the CFA in the summer if possible. This avoids having to take in during your sport season and weather situations.

For your medical physical you need to wait until admissions sends your name to DoDMERB. Once they do that you will be notified by Concorde to call and schedule your physical at a facility near you. It is not scheduled through DoDMERB.

Remember the academies are looking for the student/leader/athlete model. You appear to fit that but what is your high school class schedule like?
Honors and/or AP courses? Are you taking math and science at a high level? Will you be able to schedule calculus your senior year.
your 3.7 gpa doesn't tell all.

It's too early to apply for your nominations. I recommend that kids see their teachers for recommendations before school gets out in the spring. Do the applications over the summer and submit them in the fall. Lots changes in a kid's resume over the summer and fall of senior year. You want an up to date package for the review committee in the fall.

Take your SAT/ACT (both preferably!) this spring. See how you do then you will have time to take them again. and again (if needed).

Good Luck!
 
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Your medical and CFA are part of your application. Your application ISN'T COMPLETE until all that is done. Including the medical and CFA. For what it's worth, this is the order in which my son did his application. He started it the Middle of June immediately after returning from Summer Seminar when the online applications became available.

1) 1st day - Filled out all BIO questions online; provided info of teacher's email, etc...
2) 2nd-3rd day - Did his writing assignments on paper to get them the way he wanted.
3) 4th day - Submitted the writing assignments.
4) Sometime at the end of the 1st week - Contacted the ALO; set up a meeting/interview/CFA; she also does interview for ROTC; etc....
5) Into the 2nd week - Contacted DODMRB and scheduled a medical appointment.
6) During 2nd week finished ALL application sections that could be done by candidate and didn't require waiting on anyone else. Also applied for Presidential Nomination through the academy as well as the VP
7) 3rd week - Son getting ready to leave for football camp so he took the CFA. Immediately after running the CFA, met with ALO (She did the CFA); They met in her office with him still sweaty. Go figure. That evening, we submitted the CFA results online.
8) 4th week - ALO finished submitting her interview. Results from Presidential came back; maybe into the 5th week. Nomination received: Presidential
9) 4th week - Medical appointment. Did his physical. No problems with physical or eyes. Clinic sent the completed forms to DODMRB.
10) 5th week - Verified that all teachers had filled out their letters of recommendations on line.
11) Somewhere in the 5th-6th week (It was under 45 days); Academy verifies everything is done. Online status now shows APPLICATION COMPLETE. As of July 19th 2007 everything is complete. Now it's the waiting game.
12) End of July - Contacted MOC's; filled out their forms for nominations (They only give 100 presidentials, so son didn't want to take a chance in case they gave it to someone else).
13) Sat Around and waited for 3 months. School started. Applied to 5 other colleges and Universities in the beginning of August. In October; received acceptance to 2 of the 5 other colleges. End of October; received acceptance to the other 3.
14) 1st week of November - Online status changed to "APPOINTMENT OFFERED". A day or 2 later; received the appointment package. Son signed and accepted it immediately and returned it. A week or shortly after; online changed to "Appointment Accepted".

Hope this explains most of the process. Obviously, this is of use to you and others applying for 2014 and beyond. Not much help for those getting in the 2013 crowd. best of luck... Mike.....

holy crap. so in your son's case, the application process was very speedy. i think i tried to begin my app in the summer, but not much got done:shake:
 
My GPA is 3.7 as noted.

Courses taken include:

Drama
Pre-Calculus
Chemistry
AP European History
Probability and Statistics
Business
Spanish I, II, III
Geometry
Algebra II
World History
American History
Shop I,II
Business Applications
Speech
Physical Science
Biology

Next year I will be taking almost all the AP courses my school offers:
AP English, AP American History, AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Human Anatomy, AP Calculus
and Drafting

Does this help? and Does senior year matter that much?
 
NJ13 said:
and Does senior year matter that much?

YES!! I'm sure there are some on this forum that will tell you about times when someone who had a great chance at an appointment (or maybe even an LOA) slacked their senior year and USAFA became distant. So YES.

I do think that Junior year is one of the most important years in the application process because it is pretty much the last chance to get pump up your GPA and when extra-curricular become vital. So basically, pursue that excellence until graduation :thumb: but have fun doing it!
 
You are so right semper. There are definitely those out there that think that if they've got their appointment that they can slack the rest of the year. And there are some ALO's on this forum that will tell you of appointees who lost their appointment. Everything from grades to getting into trouble. And academies aren't the only place. The most disheartening that I know of was a student who graduated this past year from high school. He was never really an "A" student, but he kept his grades in the "C's". But because he was a great athlete and was recruited to a number of schools, he let his ego get in the way. Long story short; he slacked most of his senior year. Last 5 weeks of school he had to bust his butt begging teachers to let him make up work. All just to pass and graduate. Unfortunately; his final gpa went below a 2.0. The college he had decided on; PULLED his scholarship. The other schools also said sorry. Go to a community college and pick up your grades and get back with us. He's now working, not in school, and not doing anything that he had high dreams of. My only advice is; you've busted your butt for all these years to have a chance at the academy and Ivy league types of schools. What's 1 or 2 more semesters? Finish what you started.

As for the application process being fast. It can be. But only if you prepare. If you've applied to the summer seminar; whether you get accepted to that or not; chances are you've contacted your ALO by then. They can tell you everything that will be required of you even before it is online and available. Talk to your teachers that you'll need recommendations from. Do that BEFORE school gets out. Get their email address. Find out with the school the process of sending transcripts. Find out when in the summer the school will be open to do this for you. Work on your righting skills. etc... Basically; if you prepare for the application, and have all the right people lined up, you can do it in a short time. Even the letter they send mentioning the online application recommends doing it in 45 days or less. They must believe it's possible. Best of luck to all of you. later.... mike.....
 
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