How heavily weighted is the college transcript in the Air Force Academy Process?

[Christine Hess]

I graduated second in my high school with a 3.96 GPA. I am now studying aerospace engineering with a total of 19 credits at Iowa State University. I am struggling to keep my grades up in Calculus I and Chemistry for Engineering Students. I am currently at a low B in both the classes with A's in all my other courses (Aero 160, Leadership, ROTC, and Honors), but working to raise the grades with tutors and constant studying. Will this effect my eligibility and competitiveness for the academy? (By the way, this is my second year applying, and I am trying my hardest to get accepted this year.)

 

[Scratcher]

You’ll be fine. Work hard and do your best. Your ACT/SAT and HS transcripts will support your aptitude to succeed. Best of luck.

 

[flieger83]

College applicants get a "different" kind of look. Yes, USAFA will look at the high school stuff, scores, etc., however all of that is used to predict how well the candidate may do in a college environment. If you are in college, taking classes like you describe, and getting "A" and "B" grades then you are showing that you can succeed in college. THAT part of the equation just got proven.

College is viewed very heavily and favorably IF the candidate is taking a regiment of study similar to what a cadet would take and is doing very well.

Press ahead!!! Keep the grades high, the fitness level high, and lets see where you end up!!

I took two tries.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

 

[USMA 1994]

My DD had a 3.2 her first semester of college taking similar classes as a Biotech/Premed Major. She is in the middle of her Plebe year now. Your grades are just fine considering what you are taking. Most people do not get a 4.0 the first semester of college.

 

[fencersmother]

Do not neglect the athletic components required by USAFA.

Cyclones beat Oklahoma in Norman!!! Holy Cow!

 

[USMA 1994]

Do not neglect the athletic components required by USAFA.

Cyclones beat Oklahoma in Norman!!! Holy Cow!

Does the Chair Force have an athletic component????

 

[fencersmother]

My flyboys will whoop your ground pounders every single day, twice on Tuesday.

 

[TexasSoccerMom]

Good luck to you. Son is also a reapplicant. That's good to hear USAFA considers college reapplicants differently.

Sons midterms at Texas A&M were all A's and 1 C. A's in honors calculus, honors chemistry, engineering 1, AFROTC classes and A&M corps class. The C is in a 1 credit hour chemistry lab. The GPA still configures to over 3.5. Son is very worried about his C. Doing well in AFROTC, maxed out fitness assessment with highest score in his group.

Good luck to you. It's challenging maintaining college coursework, doing AFROTC and completing USAFA applications simultaneously.

 

[USMA 1994]

Good luck to you. Son is also a reapplicant. That's good to hear USAFA considers college reapplicants differently.

Sons midterms at Texas A&M were all A's and 1 C. A's in honors calculus, honors chemistry, engineering 1, AFROTC classes and A&M corps class. The C is in a 1 credit hour chemistry lab. The GPA still configures to over 3.5. Son is very worried about his C. Doing well in AFROTC, maxed out fitness assessment with highest score in his group.

Good luck to you. It's challenging maintaining college coursework, doing AFROTC and completing USAFA applications simultaneously.

Tell your son not to sweat the small stuff. The one "C" in the chemistry lab will not keep him out of the academy.

 

[AFFwdTX]

Longtime lurker here... My DS was a reapplicant and is now in UPT at Laughlin. His doolie roommate was also a reapplicant from A&M. He's at Vance. It can be done and like Flieger says keep the grades up. Good luck to you both.

 

[Fritz3180]

Going off this, what is considered a "competative" college GPA? Obviously college GPAs will be lower than high school, so does anyone have any insight as to how large is the spread for competative college GPAs? Obviously it depends on the college on the courses, but I'm looking for a generalization. Thanks!

 

[AFFwdTX]

Going off this, what is considered a "competative" college GPA? Obviously college GPAs will be lower than high school, so does anyone have any insight as to how large is the spread for competative college GPAs? Obviously it depends on the college on the courses, but I'm looking for a generalization. Thanks!

Both DS and fellow classmate were in AFROTC at UT and the Corps of Cadets at A&M. Both were STEM majors and after their freshman year had I think about a 3.8 and 3.7, respectively.