How will my application look?

G

Germanator

5-Year Member
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Jan 26, 2010
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7
I am currently a Junior in Highschool and Homeschooled. I will be applying to the academy next year. The question I have, is how good you guys think my chances are of getting accepted. So here's where I stand.

Cadet Second Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol. I hope to achieve Cadet Major by the time I apply. I have been a very active participant in that for the past almost 3 years since I joined.

I've been involved in the Martial Art of Jujitsu and am currently a Purple Belt. I am on track to achieve my Black Belt in the next year or so. I am also an Assistant Instructor.

I have held a job since August of 2008. I have been saving up since, I plan on using the money to pay for my Private Pilots License.

I have already completed ground school and gotten a 93% on the FAA written. I most recently started flying lessons, and expect to be able to put a Private Pilots license on my application.

My GPA is about a 3.75, and my best ACT score after two attempts is a 26 composite, I will be taking it until I get a really good score, or run out of time. The sub categories are English: 25, Math: 20, Reading: 34, Science: 24, Combined English/Writing: 22.

I am planning on attending Post Secondary enrollment at my local community college for my senior year. I think this will be especially helpfull for my application since I am Homeschooled.


That's the beef of what I will be putting on my application, I just compressed it a bit. I've tried to keep it to a lower amount of things that I stuck with and excelled in. So with what I have now and what I expect to get, what are your opinions?
 
20.10% chance of getting in

:)

Honestly, it's hard to tell. The panel looks at everything. Just keep working on grades, stay involved, and enjoy high school. Best of luck
 
My concern would be with that ACT math score. I know it's not high enough - someone should know the minimum they need to accept you as a "competitive" candidate. :confused: I'm thinking at least 26 or so? I would focus on that for a bit, and possibly even take the SAT and see if you do better there. I know AF has minimums for each section, and really doesn't look just at the ACT composite.
 
Things look decent, except for the test scores.

Your scores are the weakest where USAFA cares the most (math/science). Seriously work on that, and retake it.
Also try the SAT.
 
Homeschoolers have a good chance at service academies, but the admissions board puts more emphasis on outside sources (e.g. test scores, college classes). You really need to focus on things like that. Get some kind of book or study guide for the SAT or ACT and really excel in those tests. Great option on the college courses also, that is what I did and that really helped also. You really need to confirm the grades that you have received as a home schooler when you start those classes. If you have any other questions as a home schooler, feel free to ask.

Later,

Brian
 
Thanks for the input guys. Yes my scores have been a concern for me, my math is really the only thing I have had trouble with. The first time I took the test my Science was a 28, that should end up not being too hard to get back up. Like I said in the original post, I'm planing on taking it quite a few more times. I kind of think of it as a good thing, my reading, english, and science have all been at an acceptable score so far. I can really focus on Math now.
 
Raimus, so that's where your class crest went... onto your avatar. Or am I seeing the wall wrong? It looks like the crest is gone, but I'm in the library so it's hard to tell. Didn't see it during NMF either.
 
Germanator,
I would really stress taking the SAT at least once. I got a 25 composite on the ACT(like 1180 SAT or so) but got a 1320 (Math + Critical Reading) on the SAT. Give them both a chance. Don't just do the ACT. Besides that your application look pretty solid if you keep it up. My only question would be about your job. You have it since 2008. Have you been promoted? How many hour do your work a week during summer? Do you work during school? My ALO and my senator's selection panal were really impressed with the fact that I had been promoted and that I worked like 60-70 hours weeks (I don't recommend 60-70 hours week 40-50 is better, I had no life).
Good Luck!!!!!!
Runningman2014
 
Runningman2014 said:
Germanator,
I would really stress taking the SAT at least once. I got a 25 composite on the ACT(like 1180 SAT or so) but got a 1320 (Math + Critical Reading) on the SAT. Give them both a chance. Don't just do the ACT. Besides that your application look pretty solid if you keep it up. My only question would be about your job. You have it since 2008. Have you been promoted? How many hour do your work a week during summer? Do you work during school? My ALO and my senator's selection panal were really impressed with the fact that I had been promoted and that I worked like 60-70 hours weeks (I don't recommend 60-70 hours week 40-50 is better, I had no life).
Good Luck!!!!!!
Runningman2014
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice. That is one thing I'm glad I was told, to try the SAT if the ACT doesnt work out. Right now, all I need is to get my Math up and get my Science back to where I had it the first try and I'll have somewhere around a 28 Composite, which isn't bad. I'm gonna give the ACT another try or two and if I can't change it by then I'll do the SAT.

The number of hours I work a week varies quite a bit. I sometimes will get 30-40 a week (during the holidays), or more often I work 15-20. This isn't because they don't give me hours, it's because that just how much I can get my schedule to match up with their needs. As for promotions; the next promotion that I could get is to a supervisor. I work at an Ice Arena and supervisors have to be able to drive the Zamboni and Sharpen skates, both of which require the employee be at least 18 I think the Zamboni is more like 20. So I think promotions are out of the question for me.

Thanks again,

Jeremy
 
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