Graduate study again

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lga

5-Year Member
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Oct 20, 2009
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I know there were threads on this topic. Just a few supplemental questions.

For cadets that want to go to graduate school, apart from the af internal
Programs like afit, can cadets apply any outside scholarships and
Go to any civilian colleges?

If not, can someone post the full list of schools/scholarships that cadets are allowed to apply?

Tx in advance.
 
lga said:
I know there were threads on this topic. Just a few supplemental questions.

For cadets that want to go to graduate school, apart from the af internal
Programs like afit, can cadets apply any outside scholarships and
Go to any civilian colleges?

If not, can someone post the full list of schools/scholarships that cadets are allowed to apply?

Tx in advance.
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I'll let people like Hornet give more exact details, but I'll give you a low level basic understanding. The first part of the equation is: "Will the Air Force ALLOW you to go straight to grad school after graduating the academy"? That is the #1 issue.

You have to realize that it's not a matter of you being allowed to apply to grad school. Anyone is allowed to pursue their masters/PhD if they want to. What's in question is whether the Air Force will allow you to do this directly out of the academy, AND FULL TIME with the Air Force paying you with grad school being your current job, or if you'll have to do it during night classes, distance learning, online, etc... around doing your Air Force job.

So, depending on your grades at the academy, recommendation of your department, etc... the academy will decide if it is in the Air force's best interest to apply to grad school and the associated scholarships.

If selected to apply, the academy will assist you will all the various grad school scholarships and opportunities available to your major. They'll assign you a mentor to help you with the application process. It is my understanding that you must receive a scholarship in order to attend grad school as a full time out of the academy assignment. In other words, you can't say: "I have the money to pay for it". The Air Force needs to make sure there are no possible strings attached and that you will be able to attend.

As for AFIT, that is primarily an engineering school. Yes, you can apply to other schools. Hornet is currently at RAND getting his PhD. My son was fortunate to also be accepted to RAND and after he graduates the academy next month will start at RAND. He, Hornet, as well as most other applicants also applied for scholarships like the Truman Scholarship. They also applied to Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT,,,, with other scholarships like the Rhodes. But you aren't really limited to where you apply. A friend of ours, currently just promoted to Captain, went to Arizona State for grad school after the academy.

Anyway; I hope that explains most of what you're looking for. Basically; do well at the academy; apply for the Air Force to "Approve" grad school as your next assignment; then go through the process of applying for scholarships and admittance. Hornet can add actual details if you need. best of luck. mike...
 
Mike hit most of the points. One correction, you ARE limited to where you apply. There must be a USAFA approved scholarship to attend. The caveats are on the Truman, Marshall, NSF, Gates, and Hertz scholarships as these are not school specific....but these are rare to get. We have had 0 NSF and Hertz in the last 5 years, 3 Marshal (IIRC), and 1 Gates.

USAFA guides you through the entire process so if you qualify, don't worry about figuring out the system, they get you through it.

Shameless plug for the RAND program - only PhD offering of all scholarships. :)
 
hornetguy said:
..... Shameless plug for the RAND program - only PhD offering of all scholarships. :)
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Nothing shameless about that. You're going to probably be 24-25 years old next year when you get your DOCTORATE/PhD Degree. How many people your age can say that. (Very, Very, few). You should be quite proud of your accomplishment.

(I know you are; but you're much more humble about it). Congrats.
 
Actually not any more Hornet. I am not sure how long it will last, but AFIT and AFPC created a new program for physics with 2 years of research at Wright-Patt (for me AFRL Sensors Directorate) followed by a 4 year PhD at AFIT in something related to those 2 years. It is experimental and I and one other 2012er are the first, so we are not sure how long it will last, but I should have my PhD by 28.
 
So 6 years to get your PhD? I think I like Hornet's 3 year plan. :thumb: Especially if you're following grad school with a pilot slot like Hornet and my son are doing.

But it is nice to see that the air force is coming up with some additional options. Especially if they can truly utilize that additional education. Best of luck in the program for you.
 
USAFA10s said:
Actually not any more Hornet. I am not sure how long it will last, but AFIT and AFPC created a new program for physics with 2 years of research at Wright-Patt (for me AFRL Sensors Directorate) followed by a 4 year PhD at AFIT in something related to those 2 years. It is experimental and I and one other 2012er are the first, so we are not sure how long it will last, but I should have my PhD by 28.
Click to expand...

Durrrr, I forgot and I even commented on your Facebook post when you got that assignment! Hope they follow through with it!
 
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