Following The Path

F

Fighter Father

New Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
5
Like many others My DS received his TWE on 04/15. He carried this burden alone, but his Mother and I suspected the news by his attitude and appearance. He received 2 nominations from his home state of NC and attends a highly ranked all-male private school in TN. He has a 4.03 GPA and has not had a B since his sophomore year. He is currently taking AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Economics and AP Chinese IV. He is first seat violinist in honors orchestra and captain of the crew team. He also has his private pilot’s license and scored 98% on his IFR ground exam. He has over 200 hours in a high-performance aircraft and is in his final preparation for his IFR check-out ride. This past weekend, he disclosed the TWE arrival. His spirits are high, and he is confident that appointments are not based entirely on merit, physical fitness, or leadership, from his knowledge of a fellow student from his school who received an appointment. Fortunately, he received an AFROTC Type 7 scholarship and will be attending either Purdue, UVA or Va. Tech to study aeronautical engineering and international business with a focus in Chinese. We have visited all three programs and only have a few days left to decide. Good luck to all those cadets, you will see my DS again!
 
Good to see your son showing resilience in the face of adverse news, with an excellent array of alternate choices. The Air Force will gain a promising new JO in a few years, no matter the path.

The other student who received an offer of appointment may be charged to another type of nom, may have had several noms, and had a combination of other qualities, traits and achievements that fit USAFA’s class-building efforts. Your son is wise to recognize that. It is truly not useful to look left or right at other applicants, because how Admissions assesses the entire candidate is unknown.

May I respectfully recommend you delete photos of your son, assuming that is the capable young man in the photos? This is an anonymous internet chat forum where true names and identifying photos are not the norm, to protect privacy, unlike personal social media. I think you are still in the Editing window.
 
He's not alone in being a highly-qualified candidate who received TWE his first time applying, he will have a great opportunity at any of those schools, and will also be able to re-apply next year. The selection team at USAFA looks at candidates from so many different angles, it's difficult to know exactly why a TWE for him. If USAFA is his goal, this isn't the end. Based on his academic performance in high school, no doubt he'll be posting solid grades in college, he'll have leadership opportunities in AFROTC, and if he re-applies, that in itself demonstrates the desire to attend USAFA. Regardless, he sounds like an incredible young man with a solid aviation background. He'll be able to achieve whatever goal he sets for himself.
 
Capt MJ said:
May I respectfully recommend you delete photos of your son, assuming that is the capable young man in the photos? This is an anonymous internet chat forum where true names and identifying photos are not the norm, to protect privacy, unlike personal social media. I think you are still in the Editing window.
Click to expand...
I believe you have 60 minutes to edit a post.
 
You are very lucky to have a son like him, and he is lucky as well to have a proud father like you. I have no doubt he will be successful in his future, and wherever he decides to attend will be lucky to have him.

I'm sure if my father was on the forums, he'd post pictures of me (that's the proud dad he is) ;)

Best of luck (wow, I used that word a lot in this post) to your son!
 
Capt MJ said:
After that, special request to a Super Mod, I think. I think the OP has stepped out.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the helpful encouragement. I am comfortable that he is clear minded and not looking left, right or backwards. The distinct separation with himself and his classmate confirmed that he shall eagerly follow the path that is being laid out. He will do very well wherever he lands! Now, he's looking for hanger space at his choices! Could you offer advice for the process of removing photo's? TY
 
Fighter Father said:
Thank you for the helpful encouragement. I am comfortable that he is clear minded and not looking left, right or backwards. The distinct separation with himself and his classmate confirmed that he shall eagerly follow the path that is being laid out. He will do very well wherever he lands! Now, he's looking for hanger space at his choices! Could you offer advice for the process of removing photo's? TY
Click to expand...
Let me tag @Stealth_81 or @flieger83 who are Super Mods.
Welcome to the community here.
 
I had to apply three times before I got my acceptance. I'm a double engineering major at UC Berkeley and they still rejected me a second time (got accepted this year). I was very physically and academically qualified- I'm not sure why it took three times. Tell your DS to keep applying if it is what he really wants to do. He will be forever grateful for the year(s) he gets to experience in a regular college.
 
Glad to hear your son is taking this news with a positive light. My daughter 2019 story was very similar. She had a Type 7 Navy ROTC and Type 2 Air Force ROTC with several nomination. She was very lucky to also have received a Falcon Foundation Scholarship which she did choose. She is finishing up her first year now at the USAFA and I would estimate that at least 25% of her class are not directly out of high school. See how this years goes for home and he will decide if he wants to reapply or stay in the ROTC program. It will do well either way he decides.
 
anlee said:
I had to apply three times before I got my acceptance. I'm a double engineering major at UC Berkeley and they still rejected me a second time (got accepted this year). I was very physically and academically qualified- I'm not sure why it took three times. Tell your DS to keep applying if it is what he really wants to do. He will be forever grateful for the year(s) he gets to experience in a regular college.
Click to expand...
Anlee, Thank you for the feedback! Berkeley, Wow!!!! That was probably hard to leave??? My DS will do well wherever he lands, as long as he can be around aviation. He has accepted an upper level Chinese program this summer at Middlebury College and is struggling on his decision Purdue or UVA. Of course, Purdue has a well known Aeronautical Engineering Program, but UVA could incorporate a business program where he could expand his Chinese language. UVA is recruiting him for their crew team as well, which is exciting to him. He is excited about AFROTC with either choice. One advantage for him is that he can take his plane to regular college. He will know quickly if wants to pursue his dream and re-apply, but he is also fascinated with private opportunities in aviation and space programs. Good Luck to you and thank you for the encouragement!!!
 
Firstgo said:
Glad to hear your son is taking this news with a positive light. My daughter 2019 story was very similar. She had a Type 7 Navy ROTC and Type 2 Air Force ROTC with several nomination. She was very lucky to also have received a Falcon Foundation Scholarship which she did choose. She is finishing up her first year now at the USAFA and I would estimate that at least 25% of her class are not directly out of high school. See how this years goes for home and he will decide if he wants to reapply or stay in the ROTC program. It will do well either way he decides.
Click to expand...
Thank you! He's very structured and happy to have a known path now. He's enjoying the final weeks of his senior year. Though it hasn't been much of a senior slump with 4 AP classes and numerous crew races, but he is making an effort to meet people that he didn't know well. Good Luck to your DS!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top