Essays for USAFA APP

[usafah]

Hi All!
I am writing my essays for USAFA and I would like to know what you all think about the topics that I have chosen to write about. Do they satisfy the prompts?
1. Describe a setback or ethical dilemma that you have faced. How did you resolve it? How did the outcome affect you? Most importantly, what did you learn about yourself and how would you handle a similar situation in the future?
- For this one I wrote about how I learned to face failure (to look past the actual failure and pay attention to what the failure tells me about what I need to improve/ change). So my mindset of being afraid of failure and being unable to see past failure was my setback. I also wrote about how through that experience I learned that I am a person who is able to critically think my way through challenging situations and I have the ability to adapt accordingly.

2. What attributes, life experiences, unique perspectives, and/or special talents do you possess that would contribute to the classroom, student body, and/or Air Force Academy? (400 to 500 words, 3000 characters max)
- For this one, I wrote about the quality of resourcefulness. I wrote about experiences in my youth where I used what I could find around me and make what I wanted (ie. I wanted a fancy notebook so I learned how to make hardcover books from scratch). I also wrote about my experiences with playing violin and how I am in the 2nd highest orchestra at my school and participated in an orchestral tour to China all on my own merit. I have never had private lessons. Rather, I learned what I could off of youtube, my friends, and my orchestra director at school.

Please let me know if you think the topics are too generic, cliche, or if anything needs to be adjusted.

Thank you!

 

[Hoodlum15]

I mean, the overviews look fine, but that doesn't really tell us much.

1. Only you can say whether your topics are good. Would a story about you overcoming homelessness be better? Probably. But if you weren't homeless then so what? If you chose the topics that you think showcased you the best then that's all you can do.

2. Get anyone and everyone to proofread your essays. Your English teacher, your mom, your high school counselor, your next door neighbor, your older brother, etc. Take all the feedback they give you and use the stuff you like and discard the rest. If you get consistent feedback that it seems generic or artificial then maybe consider some adjustment. Look for people who are going to be brutally honest.

3. Trust yourself. You know you best. Get an appointment by showcasing you, not by trying to show the board someone you're not.

 

[America Works]

Hi All!
I am writing my essays for USAFA and I would like to know what you all think about the topics that I have chosen to write about. Do they satisfy the prompts?
1. Describe a setback or ethical dilemma that you have faced. How did you resolve it? How did the outcome affect you? Most importantly, what did you learn about yourself and how would you handle a similar situation in the future?
- For this one I wrote about how I learned to face failure (to look past the actual failure and pay attention to what the failure tells me about what I need to improve/ change). So my mindset of being afraid of failure and being unable to see past failure was my setback. I also wrote about how through that experience I learned that I am a person who is able to critically think my way through challenging situations and I have the ability to adapt accordingly.

2. What attributes, life experiences, unique perspectives, and/or special talents do you possess that would contribute to the classroom, student body, and/or Air Force Academy? (400 to 500 words, 3000 characters max)
- For this one, I wrote about the quality of resourcefulness. I wrote about experiences in my youth where I used what I could find around me and make what I wanted (ie. I wanted a fancy notebook so I learned how to make hardcover books from scratch). I also wrote about my experiences with playing violin and how I am in the 2nd highest orchestra at my school and participated in an orchestral tour to China all on my own merit. I have never had private lessons. Rather, I learned what I could off of youtube, my friends, and my orchestra director at school.

Please let me know if you think the topics are too generic, cliche, or if anything needs to be adjusted.

Thank you!

There's a thread called writing samples. It has a lot of good info if you want to take a look.

 

[Wishful]

You can also reach out to your Admissions Counselor or Advisor for your region for help.