How Competitive?

[jeremyanderica05]

New to this forum, my DS is a Sophomore in high school and really wants to attend USAFA. We are looking to move him into AP classes next semester and his Junior/Senior year. He is an A/A+ student. He doesn't have a sport outside of Cross Country and Track. He will letter in Cross Country and he may in Track. He is also in AFJROTC (at another HS actually) and just made MSgt and is the Flight Sargent for his Flight.

He joined Civil Air Patrol this past May and is working toward his Earhart Award. He participates in Youth in Government and hope to join NHS next year as well. He also just took his PSAT, waiting on scores to come back so we can start to work on his SAT/ACT scores.

In any case - I am looking at all this and had a couple of questions:
1- Based on this info, how competitive does he sound? What do you recommend?
2- Has anyone used this calculator and if so, any sense of how 'accurate' it is? I understand it will not be precise, nor will it deter, I was really just more curious.

Are Force Academy Admissions Calculator – Are you Competitive?

USAFA uses a score called the "Selection Composite Score" to rate you. Use our Air Force Academy Admissions Calculator to get your SCS!

www.gainserviceacademyadmission.com

Thanks!

 

[T-37IP]

The calculators are pointless... Athletics. Academics. Leadership. He is on a great trajectory. Take the most difficult classes available and excel. Take the ACT / SAT early and often, USAFA super scores. Varsity letters in two sports in awesome. Team captain is always a positive.

Lifeguarding is a great job to talk about that has a leadership aspect if that is available. Junior volunteer fireman is another way to distinguish himself. Boys State between his junior and senior year is a "must do" if at all possible.

He seems to be on a good track right now. You never know what the competition is going to look like. He just needs to put forth the best package possilble.

 

[Helen737]

The calculators are pointless... Athletics. Academics. Leadership. He is on a great trajectory. Take the most difficult classes available and excel. Take the ACT / SAT early and often, USAFA super scores. Varsity letters in two sports in awesome. Team captain is always a positive.

Lifeguarding is a great job to talk about that has a leadership aspect if that is available. Junior volunteer fireman is another way to distinguish himself. Boys State between his junior and senior year is a "must do" if at all possible.

He seems to be on a good track right now. You never know what the competition is going to look like. He just needs to put forth the best package possilble.

What is boys state?

 

[trailrunner612]

I will say, I did that calculator for fun and got 3% chance of being accepted. I recently graduated. Again... athletics, academics, leadership.

 

[OldRetSWO]

What is boys state?

This is a good summary of general info.

About Boys State & Boys Nation | The American Legion

www.legion.org

Each state runs it independently but in general, its about a week long. Many elite colleges and especially the
Service Academies are fans and give a good deal of admissions "credit" (points) for attending.
Personally, I think it was a big part of me getting into USNA back in the day. One of my sons, also a USNA grad
also attended Boys State.
I am a Trustee and member of staff for my state's program.

 

[proud*mom]

New to this forum, my DS is a Sophomore in high school and really wants to attend USAFA. We are looking to move him into AP classes next semester and his Junior/Senior year. He is an A/A+ student. He doesn't have a sport outside of Cross Country and Track. He will letter in Cross Country and he may in Track. He is also in AFJROTC (at another HS actually) and just made MSgt and is the Flight Sargent for his Flight.

He joined Civil Air Patrol this past May and is working toward his Earhart Award. He participates in Youth in Government and hope to join NHS next year as well. He also just took his PSAT, waiting on scores to come back so we can start to work on his SAT/ACT scores.

In any case - I am looking at all this and had a couple of questions:
1- Based on this info, how competitive does he sound? What do you recommend?
2- Has anyone used this calculator and if so, any sense of how 'accurate' it is? I understand it will not be precise, nor will it deter, I was really just more curious.

Are Force Academy Admissions Calculator – Are you Competitive?

USAFA uses a score called the "Selection Composite Score" to rate you. Use our Air Force Academy Admissions Calculator to get your SCS!

www.gainserviceacademyadmission.com

Thanks!

Great path so far, and you've gotten some good advice here already. The only thing I would add is to look for activities to differentiate himself. Right now, he's done a lot of good things, but from what you listed, I can't get a feel for him. You don't want to the admissions to see accomplishments, you want them to see a kid they NEED on campus. What are his passions? Start to narrow down the focus and do activities that support that. Seems like he likes to run. Maybe his volunteer work could be helping during marathons to support a cause, or organizing kids' runs through the neighborhood. Write some articles for an online running site. YOu can do this with any interest. Does he like photography? get a part-time job helping a photographer during their busy season - they always need help lugging around equipment. and enter some online photography contests - they're practically everywhere. Join a 4H photography club. Volunteer to take unique photos of dogs at the shelter. Doing that, he will also have fun experiences to talk about during the MANY interviews he will do, and will make the interviewer laugh and smile and remember him. Having a more distinct narrative will also help him with other competitive colleges in case he decides to go ROTC or even IVY's. and, in the end, he'll have enjoyed himself!

 

[Academician]

One addition to the great advice. It is not too early for your son to prepare for the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). He should review the SA websites and become familiar with the entire application process. Also, note that next year, Dec 2024, your son should apply to the AFA summer seminar, which will kick-off his application for the Academy. Plus, don't forget AFROTC (and other service) scholarships.

I recommend to all of my students to put together a Plan A - B - C. "A" is USAFA (and the SAs), Plan "B" is one or several ROTC scholarships, and then "C" is the set of civilian universities that you apply to as part of the ROTC application process. I have had three students who won a scholarship or simply joined ROTC on campus (as part of Plan C) and then won an appointment (3 of 3) the following year. Some 25 - 30% of all cadets at USAFA did not come directly out of high school as many attended a prep school, or a year or two of college, prior to becoming cadets.

Your son is off to a great start! Good luck.

 

[MDRDV]

New to this forum, my DS is a Sophomore in high school and really wants to attend USAFA. We are looking to move him into AP classes next semester and his Junior/Senior year. He is an A/A+ student. He doesn't have a sport outside of Cross Country and Track. He will letter in Cross Country and he may in Track. He is also in AFJROTC (at another HS actually) and just made MSgt and is the Flight Sargent for his Flight.

He joined Civil Air Patrol this past May and is working toward his Earhart Award. He participates in Youth in Government and hope to join NHS next year as well. He also just took his PSAT, waiting on scores to come back so we can start to work on his SAT/ACT scores.

In any case - I am looking at all this and had a couple of questions:
1- Based on this info, how competitive does he sound? What do you recommend?
2- Has anyone used this calculator and if so, any sense of how 'accurate' it is? I understand it will not be precise, nor will it deter, I was really just more curious.

Are Force Academy Admissions Calculator – Are you Competitive?

USAFA uses a score called the "Selection Composite Score" to rate you. Use our Air Force Academy Admissions Calculator to get your SCS!

www.gainserviceacademyadmission.com

Thanks!

1. He's on the right path. I'd recommend sticking with JROTC. It is a possible nomination source. He should let his senior instructor know his SA goal ASAP. If his instructor is good they will want to talk with you to provide info on the SA application process.
2. I've found Gain Service Academy to be very good. Their info is solid, but as mentioned here before, no one really has the inside scoop. Find their podcast if you haven't already. Between SA sites, GSA and SAF there is enough guidance to build a stellar applicant.