Extracurriculars

[K128]

I am an officer in Civil Air Patrol and am on Cadet Advisory Council, I also volunteer at my church, I take full-time PSEO Classes at a college, and I am part of a youth group. What are some other good extracurriculars that I could join?

 

[USAFA_86]

Join Cross Country or Track. Those are amazing activities that will greatly benefit you. They also (at least in my experience) do not cut people from the team so you can join regardless of your skill level. Also, go read the thread at the top of the DoDMERB forum called "Sports, and your academy application." It highlights why sports are important in the application and what you should do if you are lacking in that department. Good luck!

 

[PositiveEnergy]

Join Cross Country or Track. Those are amazing activities that will greatly benefit you. They also (at least in my experience) do not cut people from the team so you can join regardless of your skill level. Also, go read the thread at the top of the DoDMERB forum called "Sports, and your academy application." It highlights why sports are important in the application and what you should do if you are lacking in that department. Good luck!

Track is great to put on the application, same with any sports you might do that aren't school related. Im in Maryland and our school doesnt have a ski team (for obvious reasons) but I still put that I am an experienced skier on my application. Things like a PADI scuba certification are super easy to get over a summer and you can easily include as something extra without needing to do much other than take a class.

(also hoping for some good news from you Monday @USAFA_86)

 

[shiner]

@K128 - what grade are you in? If you are a senior in high school, the options look a little different than if you were a freshman or sophomore. The officer rank in CAP is good, but that is more of a personal achievement. What leadership position do you hold in your CAP Squadron? I am not familiar with the CAC - perhaps you could elaborate a bit on that one to expose the scope and significance. Is that a squadron, group, wing, or national position?

In terms of Extracurriculars - it is very important that you understand this is a game of quality over quantity in terms of ANY COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS. I tend to break levels of involvement into 3 buckets - member, leader, and leader with impact.

Being a member of a club does little to help your overall WCS. Being a leader does help with the scoring, but when it comes to essays and interviews, the level of your involvement will become apparent quite quickly. You could be a "team captain" of a group but all you really do is stand at the front of the line during stretches. When asked what you did in that role, the details will come out. If you have done a lot in the role and truly are a leader with impact, this becomes the biggest softball question you were hoping they would ask you in this important process because you were going to wow them with the scope and scale of what you have accomplished as a leader in an organization. Having sat on a number of MOC and ALO interviews, I can tell you we quickly see and understand your level of involvement in these roles when you begin to talk about it. If details are lacking, I first assume the candidate is humble and is simplifying their involvement (to their detriment) and I tend to ask follow-up questions that will get to the real level of contribution. Often, there are no follow-up details and the candidate checked a box for a leadership title where they ended up doing nothing. Don't be that type of applicant. Be a leader with impact.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Track is great to put on the application, same with any sports you might do that aren't school related. Im in Maryland and our school doesnt have a ski team (for obvious reasons) but I still put that I am an experienced skier on my application. Things like a PADI scuba certification are super easy to get over a summer and you can easily include as something extra without needing to do much other than take a class.

(also hoping for some good news from you Monday @USAFA_86)

You have some interesting ideas here. I'm a congressional interviewer as well as a BGO with almost 30 years doing Service Academy admissions. Remember that what we're really looking for is leadership with performance being secondary in extracurriculars. Non school activities are similar in that leadership and then performance will matter for you. The fact that someone is an experienced skier will net you zero or next to zero on your application while being an intermediate or even beginner who started a club, organized workouts or pre-skiing classes, etc would count far more. Seeing PADI diver listed would count for approx zero as well. You and several other applicants (not interviewers or other experienced folks) recommend joining the track team. Simply joining is not going to get you much, you actually need to put in the effort or it will be very apparent to many of us as whenever I get a Track or Cross Country mention in an interview, especially when it was joined late - like Junior or Senior year, I will ALWAYS ask for their times and I will generally know pretty quickly if it was just a resume booster or someone who put in significant effort.
Pro Tip: People who run Cross Country or Track whose mile run time for the CFA is much over 6:00 (males) will definitely get some scrutiny from me and it generally is not enhancing to the application.

 

[Eagle26]

Seeing PADI diver listed would count for approx zero as well.

I am currently working towards getting my Private Pilots License (I have worked as a lifeguard and saved up for it entirely on my own) and am curious as to if it will be any benefit to my application. I notice on the AF SS application, there is an option to select whether you have/are working towards getting your PPL.

 

[BuckeyeDad20]

My DS had his PPL and I believe it helped him get an appointment, (he was denied SS btw), but can't say with certainty. I think it had less to do with being a pilot, and more to do with pursuing a goal over a few years and sticking to it. He too worked to pay for it himself. He had to sacrifice social events to prep and/or study for a flight lesson. Sacrificed hours of his time driving to the airport and wait on weather. It demonstrated a commitment, a drive and an intense interest in aviation. I believe it was these factors that mattered as opposed to knowing how to fly a plane. It makes for some great narratives in interviews and lessons as well as you can talk about the stress and struggles of pursuing it.

I think you can get similar benefit from other activities too so it doesn't have to be PPL, but I think PPL might hold a special place in extracurriculars given the mission of the USAF and the fact that they specifically ask about it on the application.

 

[shiner]

I am currently working towards getting my Private Pilots License (I have worked as a lifeguard and saved up for it entirely on my own) and am curious as to if it will be any benefit to my application. I notice on the AF SS application, there is an option to select whether you have/are working towards getting your PPL.

Yes. Few things in your High School resume can speak towards motivation to a particular branch of service or career aspirations like PPL for USAFA. Some applicants have JROTC or CAP - and those are great, but they are not required. PPL is not required. However, it conveys an understanding about your interests and career aspirations. Few High School students have clarity on their goals past college. SA applicants tend to fare better in this area than most, but working towards (or completing) your PPL does send a strong message to evaluation boards that your actions align with your words and aspirations. You have a clear goal and are checking off the boxes along the journey.

There are a number of reasons why someone interested in becoming a pilot may not start or complete their PPL while in High School, but for those who do, it will benefit the application because it is congruent with the goal of attending USAFA in a way that is hard to achieve through other extracurricular activities and hobbies.

 

[UnitedStatesAircraft5]

Track is great to put on the application, same with any sports you might do that aren't school related. Im in Maryland and our school doesnt have a ski team (for obvious reasons) but I still put that I am an experienced skier on my application. Things like a PADI scuba certification are super easy to get over a summer and you can easily include as something extra without needing to do much other than take a class.

(also hoping for some good news from you Monday @USAFA_86)

Hey go figure I’m in MD too!

 

[Wannabe Military Pilot]

My DS had his PPL and I believe it helped him get an appointment, (he was denied SS btw), but can't say with certainty. I think it had less to do with being a pilot, and more to do with pursuing a goal over a few years and sticking to it. He too worked to pay for it himself. He had to sacrifice social events to prep and/or study for a flight lesson. Sacrificed hours of his time driving to the airport and wait on weather. It demonstrated a commitment, a drive and an intense interest in aviation. I believe it was these factors that mattered as opposed to knowing how to fly a plane. It makes for some great narratives in interviews and lessons as well as you can talk about the stress and struggles of pursuing it.

I couldn't have said this any better myself. I was asked about my PPL in almost all my interviews (BGO, ALO, nomination). They all looked very impressed and made sure to take note when I mentioned the commitment it took to get my PPL (see @BuckeyeDad20 post). However, I advise anyone to not pursue getting your PPL just to "boost" your application. If your heart isn't in it, you'll most likely give up and waste your money. Getting your PPL is a grind but it's one of the most rewarding moments ever when you pass your check ride.

 

[OldRetSWO]

I am currently working towards getting my Private Pilots License (I have worked as a lifeguard and saved up for it entirely on my own) and am curious as to if it will be any benefit to my application. I notice on the AF SS application, there is an option to select whether you have/are working towards getting your PPL.

Yes, the PPL would be noticed and would help the application for an otherwise qualified applicant. The time is significantly more than the PADI and it does have specific application to a career as a Military Officer

 

[K128]

@K128 - what grade are you in? If you are a senior in high school, the options look a little different than if you were a freshman or sophomore. The officer rank in CAP is good, but that is more of a personal achievement. What leadership position do you hold in your CAP Squadron? I am not familiar with the CAC - perhaps you could elaborate a bit on that one to expose the scope and significance. Is that a squadron, group, wing, or national position?

In terms of Extracurriculars - it is very important that you understand this is a game of quality over quantity in terms of ANY COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS. I tend to break levels of involvement into 3 buckets - member, leader, and leader with impact.

Being a member of a club does little to help your overall WCS. Being a leader does help with the scoring, but when it comes to essays and interviews, the level of your involvement will become apparent quite quickly. You could be a "team captain" of a group but all you really do is stand at the front of the line during stretches. When asked what you did in that role, the details will come out. If you have done a lot in the role and truly are a leader with impact, this becomes the biggest softball question you were hoping they would ask you in this important process because you were going to wow them with the scope and scale of what you have accomplished as a leader in an organization. Having sat on a number of MOC and ALO interviews, I can tell you we quickly see and understand your level of involvement in these roles when you begin to talk about it. If details are lacking, I first assume the candidate is humble and is simplifying their involvement (to their detriment) and I tend to ask follow-up questions that will get to the real level of contribution. Often, there are no follow-up details and the candidate checked a box for a leadership title where they ended up doing nothing. Don't be that type of applicant. Be a leader with impact.

I am a junior in Highschool. In CAP, I am currently a Flight Commander and will be going for an executive position in the near future. For CAC, I am a Primary Representative for my Wing. I will also be going for staff at the summer encampment this coming year. For Civil Air Patrol, I have the ability to get my PPL cheap as well and I was thinking about doing that this summer -especially because I want to be an F-22 Pilot. I am very active in CAP and I am planning on getting my Spaatz.

 

[shiner]

Awesome - CAP is the official youth program of the US Air Force. Everything you do there is understood and well received by the admissions panel.

 

[Eagle26]

My DS had his PPL and I believe it helped him get an appointment, (he was denied SS btw), but can't say with certainty. I think it had less to do with being a pilot, and more to do with pursuing a goal over a few years and sticking to it. He too worked to pay for it himself. He had to sacrifice social events to prep and/or study for a flight lesson. Sacrificed hours of his time driving to the airport and wait on weather. It demonstrated a commitment, a drive and an intense interest in aviation. I believe it was these factors that mattered as opposed to knowing how to fly a plane. It makes for some great narratives in interviews and lessons as well as you can talk about the stress and struggles of pursuing it.

I think you can get similar benefit from other activities too so it doesn't have to be PPL, but I think PPL might hold a special place in extracurriculars given the mission of the USAF and the fact that they specifically ask about it on the application.

Yes, the PPL would be noticed and would help the application for an otherwise qualified applicant. The time is significantly more than the PADI and it does have specific application to a career as a Military Officer

I couldn't have said this any better myself. I was asked about my PPL in almost all my interviews (BGO, ALO, nomination). They all looked very impressed and made sure to take note when I mentioned the commitment it took to get my PPL (see @BuckeyeDad20 post). However, I advise anyone to not pursue getting your PPL just to "boost" your application. If your heart isn't in it, you'll most likely give up and waste your money. Getting your PPL is a grind but it's one of the most rewarding moments ever when you pass your check ride.

Yes. Few things in your High School resume can speak towards motivation to a particular branch of service or career aspirations like PPL for USAFA. Some applicants have JROTC or CAP - and those are great, but they are not required. PPL is not required. However, it conveys an understanding about your interests and career aspirations. Few High School students have clarity on their goals past college. SA applicants tend to fare better in this area than most, but working towards (or completing) your PPL does send a strong message to evaluation boards that your actions align with your words and aspirations. You have a clear goal and are checking off the boxes along the journey.

There are a number of reasons why someone interested in becoming a pilot may not start or complete their PPL while in High School, but for those who do, it will benefit the application because it is congruent with the goal of attending USAFA in a way that is hard to achieve through other extracurricular activities and hobbies.

Thank you for the responses, I am looking forward to continuing to work towards my PPL (a goal of mine since a young age) as well as the benefits that it will provide for my application.

 

[K128]

Thank you for the responses, I am looking forward to continuing to work towards my PPL (a goal of mine since a young age) as well as the benefits that it will provide for my application.

If you are not a part of the Civil Air Patrol, I highly recommend joining. You can get your PPL MUCH CHEAPER and have personal instructors. I know someone who is working on getting their PPL and just joined CAP a few months ago - they just flew solo a few weeks ago.

 

[Eagle26]

If you are not a part of the Civil Air Patrol, I highly recommend joining. You can get your PPL MUCH CHEAPER and have personal instructors. I know someone who is working on getting their PPL and just joined CAP a few months ago - they just flew solo a few weeks ago.

Good to know. I am currently a Boy Scout and there's been a couple of events that we have done where we've interacted with CAP members. It is definitely something I am interested in but by the time I had heard about it, I figured it was too late to join. I will definitely do some more research because in my current situation, the final cost for my PPL will be far from cheap.