How much do circumstances matter?

moho

moho

Pilot, artist, USNA '27
Joined
Jul 21, 2021
Messages
508
Hi -

I'm a second-year reapplicant who's starting my freshman year at a university next fall majoring in an engineering field and doing AFROTC. I struggled very much during my senior year. I took the most challenging courses I could because I had always handled those fine in the past. This time, however, the first semester I had C's and even a D in calc, but the second semester I brought calc up to a B and B's/A's and a C in other classes. My school does semester grades. Outside of my senior year, I am an A/B student.

How forgiving is the service academy process? If I excel at SAT/ACT and have a solid first semester at my university does that give me a shot?

I hate being the sob story kid, but my father lost his job (we barely made it out of that one) and a colleague of mine passed away in a plane crash during my flight training right before finals. Distance learning didn't help either, it just compounded the issues. That's not everything either, that's just what I'm comfortable sharing to a forum. It was definitely the hardest year of my entire life. If that's not "enough", well, I guess that makes me weak, but at least I'm stronger now and I gained a bit of resilience.

Outside of academics, my extracurricular record is academy material (hundreds of service hours, 4-8 year commitments, leadership positions, varsity sports, etc. I don't really do any fluff either so they're all solid experiences that taught me tons).

I'm expecting the "go home, you're not good enough", but I plan on applying anyway because I'm not a quitter. I will sleep better when the admissions board tells me to go home at least knowing I gave it my all. What I was looking for from here is advice- do I spend an essay on this or do I save my essays on positive things and talk about this during the interview? Do I do the opposite of that? There's not really much out there on that.

I'd ask my mentor ALO, but apparently, now they don't release those until you do your PCQ and I don't want to start the timer on my rolling application yet. I can get better at my CFA, standardized test scores, more extracurricular stuff in my record.
 
The student resume is fairly objective.
Your GPA and Standardized Test scores are fairly objective.
The essay, ALO Interview, and Nomination Interview are the only real places to insert subjective context like you are describing.

Leverage some of the backstory in an essay. Do not make it an excuse. Keep it crisp - not to the point of piling on. The message you really need to convey is
1) My scores say this
2) I am what my record says I am (own it)
3) I know what happened - I was distracted by X, my family encountered new stressors, I lost a close friend to an aviation accident. That is a lot for anyone - particularly for a High School student.
4) I learned ABC. This experience taught me...
5) I am better for having gone through this
6) I have changed and you can see that here LOOK AT XYZ
7) My drive and passion for USAF is more than ever because ABC


There is a tricky balance to this message - you need to convey why they are seeing what they see on paper. You need to pull at their logic and emotions without crossing the line into excuse making and complaining. That will not be easy.

Understand that several of the objective layers earlier in the process could potentially mean you never get the critical human eye look at your package.

If I am you, I focus on what I control and that is making the best package I can. That may mean college transcripts that are amazing. It may mean a standout CFA score. It may mean retaking the SAT/ACT to crush it. You have to show that the 12th grade was a blip on your trajectory, out of character, you know why, made corrective action and want to keep on moving down the road.
 
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My son was a successful applicant to USAFA but ultimately medically dq'd for migraines (he did get an appointment to USNA but that's another story.) At any rate, he too took dual credit Calculus online and got a D both semesters his senior year. Like you, prior to that he was a mostly A's student (no A+ at his school), had tons of leadership activities/skills and participated in varsity sports as well as All-State music. He interviewed well, had amazing rec's from both his math and English teachers, and scored well on both the ACT and SAT, so apparently, his difficulty with Calculus did not play a huge factor in his application to either service academy. When his AOL asked about his struggles, he laid out why he was having trouble, what his plan of action was, and declared that he was NOT going to give up and drop the class the way so many of his friends did. he did not dwell on difficulties in his life, nor did he blame the instructor. Instead he used this as an example of his fortitude and drive, and it seemed to work for him. So stand tall and present the best picture of yourself that you can--I have no doubt you will be successful!
 
A great start is with the mentor and evaluator ALOs from the last cycle - do you have rapport with them, and did they give you feedback on areas to improve? If so, do that. The golden rule with mentors - if they tell you to do something, then do it. When I interviewed people (investment banking), I had zero patience with candidates who came back to me and obviously did not do what I told them to do (research something, talk to so-and-so, etc). So in that regard, if it's improve the CFA, standardized test scores, excel with a 1st year college curriculum - then do that.

Excellent you brought a D to a B in calc, really great. Hopefully the lessons you learned from senior year carry over, and you will excel in college courses to reaffirm the strength of your academics. Great job on ECs - again, not much detail given but sounds like you are doing well in those areas.

Most everyone will have an overcoming adversity essay. Agree with quickly citing what it is you overcame, and the bulk of the essay should be about YOU - what you did about it, what you learned, what characteristics you display, how you would advise others going through it, how you processed it - essentially, what does that adversity say about YOU and answers the question Why do you belong in the Cadet WIng?
 
My DS is a successful reapplicant, so do not be discouraged. But know that you will have to fight for your goals. The Academy is looking for balanced individuals who can own their mistakes, learn from them, and articulate the changes they made. Follow Shiner’s advice. Do not dwell on the past, but one essay will give you the opportunity to speak to overcoming a challenge. This might be the place to address this.

If you want to be a leader in the AF, do not be dissuaded. Own the adversity and mistakes as part of your story and share your triumphs as an inspiration for others.

All my best
 
shiner said:
The student resume is fairly objective.
Your GPA and Standardized Test scores are fairly objective.
The essay, ALO Interview, and Nomination Interview are the only real places to insert subjective context like you are describing.

Leverage some of the backstory in an essay. Do not make it an excuse. Keep it crisp - not to the point of piling on. The message you really need to convey is
1) My scores say this
2) I am what my record says I am (own it)
3) I know what happened - I was distracted by X, my family encountered new stressors, I lost a close friend to an aviation accident. That is a lot for anyone - particularly for a High School student.
4) I learned ABC. This experience taught me...
5) I am better for having gone through this
6) I have changed and you can see that here LOOK AT XYZ
7) My drive and passion for USAF is more than ever because ABC


There is a tricky balance to this message - you need to convey why they are seeing what they see on paper. You need to pull at their logic and emotions without crossing the line into excuse making and complaining. That will not be easy.

Understand that several of the objective layers earlier in the process could potentially mean you never get the critical human eye look at your package.

If I am you, I focus on what I control and that is making the best package I can. That may mean college transcripts that are amazing. It may mean a standout CFA score. It may mean retaking the SAT/ACT to crush it. You have to show that the 12th grade was a blip on your trajectory, out of character, you know why, made corrective action and want to keep on moving down the road.
Click to expand...

I wanted to personally thank you for this advice. I used your notes to craft my hardship essay, and I think it is good. I talked to my mentor ALO and also received very similar advice. If you want to read it, let me know.

I'm doing very well in university, I got a perfect score on my calculus midterm, ranked first in AFROTC flight, Rifle Team member, wing involvement, etc. My 11th grade English teacher and current college math professor are writing glowing recommendations. I've taken the ACT for the first time and am scheduled to take it again, and also take the SAT again twice. I'm expecting average scores on those but they will improve as I retake them.

I believe my biggest hurdle is the CFA, I always struggled with the run but I am working on it. Last year the run was the only CFA "goal" I missed. I am working on it though.

Once again, thank you. You said what needed to be said when I needed to hear it.

V/r,

"Moho"
 
Update:

Just finished out my first semester of college with a 4.0 GPA (I'm an astronautics major), raised my SAT to a 1450, and took the ACT and got a 31. Ranked first in AFROTC Detachment flight as well.

Doin everything I can. Thanks SAF, you gave me the push I needed to get the ball rolling at the right time.
 
moho said:
Update:

Just finished out my first semester of college with a 4.0 GPA (I'm an astronautics major), raised my SAT to a 1450, and took the ACT and got a 31. Ranked first in AFROTC Detachment flight as well.

Doin everything I can. Thanks SAF, you gave me the push I needed to get the ball rolling at the right time.
Click to expand...
🙌🙌
 
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