DS applying for 2029 class

[patercadet2029]

I was taken by surprise when my DS told me of his dream to fly fighter jets last year. I initially kept it to myself that I wasn't thrilled about the idea, but I was quickly won over as he told me about what and whys of USAFA. It has since then, instinctually felt to be a good fit and excellent life course for him to follow. I am 1,000% behind him to help him get accepted into USAFA and help him achieve his dream. He has back up education plans if that doesn't work out, his second choice being full ride scholarship for a BS as professional pilot. We were thrilled when he scored 32 on ACT last month, and his cumulative GPA is above 3.9 to date. He has a varsity letter in one sport, and he has started his pre-candidate phase. He will serve in a student body roll his senior year. It seems like the next hurdles are passing his CFA and letter of recommendation from his congressman.
I'm not sure what else I can do for him at this point, as he has taken all the initiative, and I just let him know that I'm behind him all the way and let me know if and what there is anything I can do for him.
He wants to be in fencing at USAFA, continue on the swim team, and do the Soar glider program.
A year ago I was concerned that he was going to shoot much lower than his potential, and I can't say enough how dang proud I am of him.
He just got accepted to be a lifeguard for the summer for his first job.
My highest anxiety is that if things go as planned, in 14 months, I will hardly see my boy again. I've learned, at least a little, how demanding USAFA, UTP, and his career will be if he is fortunate enough to become a pilot. Seems like as a pilot he wont have much of family life for several years, at least until he gets to his squad. He doesn't seem to mind about no love life. I encouraged him to go out and date this year, but he hasn't really made much effort there. So I let it alone. I just want him to be happy and successful in all parts of his life.
I wouldn't describe us a military family. I had a grandfather in WWII, an uncle in Vietnam, and a brother drop out of the Army. That's about it.
I'm open to any suggestions I can do to support or guide him. Thanks for reading.

 

[ALK100]

Hi- just wanted to throw out there community service/volunteering are huge to USAFA. I’m told that, and as you know, the whole/well rounded student is what they are looking for. They like to see things the applicants are doing to help others. Volunteering looks good, and even better as an idea, start an altruistic club and be a leader of that club.

 

[Nytoga330]

I was taken by surprise when my DS told me of his dream to fly fighter jets last year. I initially kept it to myself that I wasn't thrilled about the idea, but I was quickly won over as he told me about what and whys of USAFA. It has since then, instinctually felt to be a good fit and excellent life course for him to follow. I am 1,000% behind him to help him get accepted into USAFA and help him achieve his dream. He has back up education plans if that doesn't work out, his second choice being full ride scholarship for a BS as professional pilot. We were thrilled when he scored 32 on ACT last month, and his cumulative GPA is above 3.9 to date. He has a varsity letter in one sport, and he has started his pre-candidate phase. He will serve in a student body roll his senior year. It seems like the next hurdles are passing his CFA and letter of recommendation from his congressman.
I'm not sure what else I can do for him at this point, as he has taken all the initiative, and I just let him know that I'm behind him all the way and let me know if and what there is anything I can do for him.
He wants to be in fencing at USAFA, continue on the swim team, and do the Soar glider program.
A year ago I was concerned that he was going to shoot much lower than his potential, and I can't say enough how dang proud I am of him.
He just got accepted to be a lifeguard for the summer for his first job.
My highest anxiety is that if things go as planned, in 14 months, I will hardly see my boy again. I've learned, at least a little, how demanding USAFA, UTP, and his career will be if he is fortunate enough to become a pilot. Seems like as a pilot he wont have much of family life for several years, at least until he gets to his squad. He doesn't seem to mind about no love life. I encouraged him to go out and date this year, but he hasn't really made much effort there. So I let it alone. I just want him to be happy and successful in all parts of his life.
I wouldn't describe us a military family. I had a grandfather in WWII, an uncle in Vietnam, and a brother drop out of the Army. That's about it.
I'm open to any suggestions I can do to support or guide him. Thanks for reading.

I’ve never heard of a full ride scholarship for pro pilot. I know there’s full tuition, but not including flight fees. Can you share what program?

 

[smokey%]

You can also fly fighters if you go to the better service academy (USNA)!!!

But seriously I think your son is in a great spot right now. Sounds like he is doing all the right things to strengthen his application. It will be tough being away from family and loved ones, but that’s the price our service members pay to keep us safe.

 

[Stealth_81]

Hi- just wanted to throw out there community service/volunteering are huge to USAFA. I’m told that, and as you know, the whole/well rounded student is what they are looking for. They like to see things the applicants are doing to help others. Volunteering looks good, and even better as an idea, start an altruistic club and be a leader of that club.

Volunteer hours themselves add zero points to a candidate’s WCS. Leadership positions in those activities add to the leadership portion, however.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Volunteer hours themselves add zero points to a candidate’s WCS. Leadership positions in those activities add to the leadership portion, however.

Beat me to it. This rumor persists here and it seems to come mostly from applicants/parents of applicants who themselves have done a lot of community service. USNA also does not give WPM points for community service itself although leadership in a service activity is still a leadership plus in terms of points. I do recognize that many high schools and particular states do require X hours of community service and am not suggesting to not do that. Also, some MOCs do consider this in their nomination interviews but what I've seen is more at the level that the high schools require in the first place.

 

[T-37IP]

The real value of the volunteer hours is in the nomination interviews showing leadership on the local community but not all volunteer hours are the same. For example, my son's were both volunteer fireman and volunteer boy scout lifeguard/instructors versus picking up trash alongside the road.

Athletics. Academics. Leadership. Those are the triad of the appointment.

 

[patercadet2029]

I’ve never heard of a full ride scholarship for pro pilot. I know there’s full tuition, but not including flight fees. Can you share what program?

Professional Pilot, B.S. | Professional Pilot, B.S. | UVU

Professional Pilot, B.S., Details Page. Includes Requirements, Graduation Plan, and Career information.

www.uvu.edu

With sufficient academic and other HS achievements, an in state HS grad awarded with the state's presidential scholarship gives the HS grad a 4 year full scholarship to any public university in the state including the above-referenced program.

Yes, flight fees are additional, not covered by the scholarship.

 

[Nytoga330]

Professional Pilot, B.S. | Professional Pilot, B.S. | UVU

Professional Pilot, B.S., Details Page. Includes Requirements, Graduation Plan, and Career information.

www.uvu.edu

With sufficient academic and other HS achievements, an in state HS grad awarded with the state's presidential scholarship gives the HS grad a 4 year full scholarship to any public university in the state including the above-referenced program.

Ok, that’s amazing. That’s worth over 100k. I’m going to advise this….make the pro pilot his plan A. If he truly wants to serve, he can join Air National Guard afterwards and pick the plane he wants to fly. There’s no guarantee of a pilot slot, or what type of plane he will fly at Usafa.

 

[ALK100]

Volunteer hours themselves add zero points to a candidate’s WCS. Leadership positions in those activities add to the leadership portion, however.

Okay- y'all know way more than me!! I was just trying to relay what a brigadier general told me but I probably don’t explain all that well. And, yes ds was founder and president of the volunteer tutor club. So please note that it is not just the volunteer service but also the leadership- I hope that is more clear now from my post!! thank you!!

 

[Wooda]

Ok, that’s amazing. That’s worth over 100k. I’m going to advise this….make the pro pilot his plan A. If he truly wants to serve, he can join Air National Guard afterwards and pick the plane he wants to fly. There’s no guarantee of a pilot slot, or what type of plane he will fly at Usafa.

Tread lightly, there are pros and cons to both paths. Depending on what their individual goals are, whether that be JUST pilot or also wanting to get a world class education, the route they pick should be chosen carefully. OP, I advise you to do research on all available opportunities, but this is good information as well. You should still apply to USAFA. You can always reject the appointment if you receive it but you don’t want to close that door of opportunity before you even get there.