Do I have at least a decent chance of appointment?

LemmeWonder

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Sep 28, 2015
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The AFA is my top pick for colleges, and my priority for application--directly followed by the Ivy that I can't afford and my home-town back up. I currently (unofficial) have a 3.955 unweighted and 4.105 weighted GPA on a 4-point scale. I'm only two years into high school though. I currently have approximately 350 community service hours over the last two years and have participated in Key Club freshman and sophomore year. I do play an instrument, but my school does not have an ensemble for so I play on the side; I do not play any sports but I am in good physical condition: I expect to be capable of achieving the maximum scores on the CFA by next year. I am also a Girl Scout.

Kind of a tangent...
My friends that know I want to be in the AF--preferably as an officer--are basically either indifferent or parrots of the (ever vulgar) "You're gonna go to Iraq and get shot up." I'm of the belief that despite that being a possibility, I want to serve. My thoughts on "being shot up" are that what will happen will and that's a risk that has to be taken. Most of my friends do not support my belief that as a citizen I should be part of Armed Forces for at least some span of my life--any views on this? I'm kind of shaky on the support, my mom shares the above opinion and Dad is alright with it I think.
 
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I commend your desire to serve. Don't worry about your friends - they'll either "get you" or they won't and when you get to USAFA, you'll find yourself with a lot of young people who believe as you do.

Get into a sport, and make sure you have a summer job in 2016
 
I commend your desire to serve. Don't worry about your friends - they'll either "get you" or they won't and when you get to USAFA, you'll find yourself with a lot of young people who believe as you do.

Get into a sport, and make sure you have a summer job in 2016

I'm kind of dubious on the sports aspect. I haven't found an intramural that I enjoy enough to dedicate hours to and if I want to do sports I need to find an outside group or train on my own and find some way to get to practices--my school doesn't offer sports.
 
Find a sport that's outside of school. Kids from this forum have been involved in (you guessed it) fencing!, martial arts, marathon clubs... or even better, start your own! Don't think that because you think you are in good shape that you will pass the CFA. It can be demanding, and the practice for it can be daunting to a person who is not used to the regimen of sports.
 
I've done martial arts, but out of majority rules at home we dropped it in favor of a gym membership... I know I'm kind of throwing excuses out here, but even the martial arts groups that my parents have let me participate in were not competitive.
 
The competition level is not as important as learning to function as part of a team that is focused on a common goal. If it was just about fitness, then the CFA would be a sufficient means of screening candidates. Drop the excuses!
 
The competition level is not as important as learning to function as part of a team that is focused on a common goal. Drop the excuses!

I'll work on it, but I'm a little confused. Aren't martial arts and fencing solo sports? I can see that teams would be cheer one another on, but from what I did in the past martial arts competitions were on a person-by-person basis.
 
I am not an expert, but participating in sports I believe is about pushing yourself physically, commitment and learning leadership skills. Our DS did not participate in a HS sport, but did earn his Blackbelt (plus dirtbike riding/snowboarding/backpacking/mt. climbing/etc). He also taught younger students (developing leadership skills) at his dojo. The advice experienced posters are giving you is based on the premise that something like 90% of accepted candidates played a varsity sport in HS. So you dramatically increase your chances of acceptance if playing a sport. You still have time if you pick up a spring sport.
 
Find a sport and stick to it. If you can find some cross country team to participate with that would be great. It's about more,eve, that learning to be part of a team. There is learning how to be coached (be a follower), learning discipline and timeliness, and I think most importantly learning how to get back up and press on after you've been knocked down. Here is a recent thread about 'what makes you child special' http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/so-how-where-when-why-did-your-child.44636/

Read through it. You'll see in 99% of the cases it was something they learned while participating in sports.

Regarding an answer to your friends... It's 7 years before I would deploy anywhere. No one knows what the world will look like then. Maybe I'll be deploying to Alaska to fight the Russians for all we know. If that doesn't work ignore them.
 
Read through it. You'll see in 99% of the cases it was something they learned while participating in sports.

I see... I guess it's time for another "Hey, parents..." dinner. I truly believe that everything I've ever seen listed in a teamwork forum I've learned from playing in band--even though I can't anymore--but I suppose unless you do it then it's harder to see than when one participates in sports.
 
Everyone else has covered the main questions at hand. Just wanted to say I like the part or your post highlighted below. Heinlein approves also.

my belief that as a citizen I should be part of Armed Forces for at least some span of my life--any views on this? I'm kind of shaky on the support, my mom shares the above opinion and Dad is alright with it I think.
 
Thank you. I feel like an awkward duck... I don't know if not replying would come off as rude.(..)
 
The vibe of this thread seems odd. The poster may be genuine, but the questions seem contrived and perhaps not by someone two months into their sophomore year of high school. If I'm wrong I apologise, but for some reason it just doesn't feel right.

If it is legit, I'd quit defending the reasons you don't participate in a team sport and make it happen. Lots of time left for you in HS to show academies you can function and even thrive in a team setting.
 
The poster may be genuine, but the questions seem contrived and perhaps not by someone two months into their sophomore year of high school. If I'm wrong I apologise, but for some reason it just doesn't feel right.

You would be correct. I've started preparing and gathering information on all the colleges I plan on applying for... I do attend a college prep school with a high focus on post-high school life. My counselors are already talking about the directions we want to take and many of my classmates and I have started AP classes. I had questions on things I need to improve on that I couldn't find straight answers to. Apologies if my post was confusing or misleading in any way.
 
Ok I’m probably the most active poster here when it comes to answering the no sports question. Just to give you perspective before I start I’m a parent and my DS (short for dear son) is currently at the AFA as a C4C.

The very short answer is try to find a sport that you can do and have fun doing it. If you do it to fill the slot you’ll be miserable, you’re in high school remember to have fun.

It’s a long road with and only a few people travel it. Most people give advice and/or focus on how a lack of sports affect their AFA application. What some people forget, or don’t mention, is that it will also affect your MoC Nomination application as well. You cannot get in without some form of nomination. On this forum the general advice is get as many nominations as you can, this will give the AFA options on getting you that acceptance letter.

Now if you want the really long answer and my personal experience/history of what my son went through do a couple of searches on my previous post or once you have enough post PM me.
 
To be deemed a competitive candidate in most colleges, you need to be active in something: drama club, band, soccer, chess club, cross country, volunteer club, a job, etc. etc. etc. It isn't just about sports, but about demonstrating the ability to do well academically and participate in other activities. It is about time management, dedication, personal development, etc. etc. etc..

From your post, it appears you are only involved in your academic classes. If that is the case, you definitely need to augment your college application resume for any competitive college.

Also, you noted the inability to participate in outside activities. I know I was limited in HS due to financial and transportation issues. If this is a financial/budgetary issue, then perhaps join a volunteer organization like habitat for humanity etc.. If this is transportation, see if there is someone to car pool with or perhaps explain to your parents the importance of participation for your college future so they will transport you.

Also, you could look into starting your own small business. I cleaned houses in high school, and one of my sons does handy-man/yard work. There is quite a bit to learn in terms of marketing, scheduling the work, estimating the time and cost etc. etc. etc..

Identify and focus on what you can do as opposed to what you can't. Sometimes you have to think outside the box as opposed to trying to find a way to do the same thing in the same way that the "average applicant" does.
 
From your post, it appears you are only involved in your academic classes. If that is the case, you definitely need to augment your college application resume for any competitive college.

I have my academics as well as Key Club, Girl Scouts, summer internship (I'm not old enough for employment yet), some babysitting--I "started" a business with cards and a few excel sheets plus CPR certification but won't expand until the summer, and also play an instrument. My school music program is limited but hopefully I'll be able to schedule an audition with the orchestra teacher for next year. I plan on working at the same summer camp I interned at this summer.
 
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