I'm nervous, because I want it so bad.

but there is a big difference between marching band and team sports. I did both, and i can tell ya that band was the easiest of all my extracurriculars.
as for leadership, you need to explain BSA and OA because nobody knows what it is unless you explain...
 
I agree with the above comments. Perhaps this person is an outstanding musician in a top notch h.s. band, those are excellent accomplishments as an extra-curricular activity........no one considers that an athlethic/sports accomplishment.

If those of us here don't recognize those acronyms for leadership activities, probably good to remember that others who will be reviewing your application would also ask similar questions. Good to explain things so people not from your school or state can understand significant leadership accomplishments.
 
My high school marching band is great, we put in thirty hours of practice a week, that does not include time spent at competitions. 2 1/2 hours after school everyday and 10 hour practices on saturday and sunday
 
"No one knows what BSA and OA mean unless you explain." Are you kidding me?? Any academy board would know those acronyms. Scouting is very well respected on academy applications; the board is very aware of BSA (Boy Scouts of America) and OA (order of the arrow). Only people unfamiliar with scouting would not recognize these; that will not be an issue with anyone looking at your application.
 
all i'm saying is you need to be in excellent physical shape when you get here. the stats for my class had somewhere around 95% lettered in an ATHLETICS. the other 5% still played sports, maybe just not with the high school. example: my roommate now, she almost didn't get in for the lack of athletics, but she was a full-time dancer for 15 years and participated in many national competitions and stuff. band will look good, but the Academy needs to see you are also physically fit and a team player.
 
I have a varsity letter in band so I am sure that it is considered a varsity sport here. Also I am fairly certain that with such high numbers of scouts that admissions know about BSA and OA!
 
yeah, sorry, but I am a girl and had no idea what BSA or OA meant. so you do have leadership, but IMO you still need some sort of team sports. having gone through the admissions process the admissions board will most likely not see a letter in band as athletics. i also lettered in band 4 years, along with lettering in 4 different varsity sports every year.
 
I have played basketball for 2 years on in a community team that plays throughout the neighboring counties if that counts for anything?
 
yes it does. if you don't play for high school, you need to show the admissions board that you do play some sort of competitive sports, because anybody can be in marching band...you don't exactly have to be physically fit.
 
You obviously have never seen one of my high school bands shows. We have to try out, and we run a mile everyday, and do mini conditioning in the summer.
 
First, don't become defensive. Nobody is attacking how hard band is, what they are saying is there is an area that you are weak. We want to help. The board looks at the resume, you need to make sure you get all of the optimal points for your score that you can receive.

Now, don't take this the wrong way, but the AFA hasn't seen your marching band running every week either. Our DS had for athletics National Champ and State CHamp for Tae Kwon Do, Tae Kwon Do Instructor,, Black Belt Tae Kwon Do, Sr. Lifeguard (2 1/2 yrs) and they still came back and asked for letters from his superiors to prove that it was actually physical. He also had for his cfa ...13 pull ups, 77 ft bbal, 95 sit ups, 79 push ups, 9.4 shuttle, and 7:14 run to prove he wasn't a slouch. Marching band is not seen as athletic..it is going to be seen as EC. The AFA is very concerned about physical fitness due to the alt. For our sons' letter from his boss at lifeguarding...she explained that he had to dive in the pool retrieve a 10 lb object and get out of the pool within 40 sec, along with weekly CPR, rescue and swimming tests...all timed and endurance. This was also with his Master stating that he was an instructor 5 hrs a week, and on the Olympic team that required 12+ hrs of physical practice 52 weeks a yr, plus being a National Champ for forms, 2 time state champ for forms and sparring.

Athletics means a lot!

Don't get down about this, talk to your ALO, re-work the importance of community bball.

Remember it is the Whole Candidate Score. The other things you have pn your file help you trememndously
 
Pima put it nicely. They won't see what you do for it, just what it is. Then, they base what they think on the norms, they won't assume its the exception. They track how people in different ECs and sports do at the academy and are very concerned about how incoming applicants match up to their results.
 
Definitely a lot of very good perspectives and points being contributed here. For the original poster, or anyone else that is interested, there are certain things that need to be considered when applying to the air force academy. (Or any military academy). "ATHLETICS" or sports, is considered exactly as the stereotype would have you believe. Sorry, but band does not count as an athletic activity. I know many can argue that they put in just as many hours practicing and competing, but as long as the stereotype doesn't emphasize the "Physical Conditioning" that is involved with traditional "Athletics" it will NOT be considered a Sport or athletic activity. Sorry, that's the way it is. But yes, the 2 years of community basketball does count. You need to get that added to your application. Contact your ALO to have them get with your academy counselor and have that done.

Considering boy scouts, order of the arrow, etc... It doesn't count any more than anything else does. It is not "Significantly" better. You have to realize something about the academies; this also applies to the difference in sports and band. The academies are looking for candidate who are: 1) Extremely well rounded individuals. 2) Academically challenged (And Successful). 3) Physically fit ABOVE the average high school student. 4) Concerned with their community and things *Larger" than themselves. and 5) Those who have demonstrated the ability to be a leader.

The most difficult to understand of all these is #1 (Well rounded). Academics is pretty self explanatory. The average gpa of the class that just entered was a 3.85 with just about every student taking AP classes or the IB program. Physically fit is where the sports comes into play. Again, band might involve a lot of marching and exercise, but the physical conditioning is not a mandatory part of the activity, and as long as the stereotype of the "Overweight" tuba player is in people's minds, it will not be considered a sport or athletic activity. A "Letter" in it mean nothing for athletics. People get letters for a lot of reasons depending on the school. Community service is pretty self explanatory. Volunteer and help other people. Leadership is also self explanatory. That is where the Boy scout activities come into play. Again, a stereotype. Boy/Girl scouts teach leadership, self esteem, team work, rank structure, etc...

The hardest is the well rounded person. In this category they include just about every activity known to mankind. All of the other categories eventually fit into this 1 category. They know that it is impossible for any person to do everything available. There aren't enough hours in a day or days in a year. The easiest way to understand what I'm saying, is to imagine a magical list of 1,342 activities that can be done by potential candidates. These activities are made up of the other 4 categories I mentioned above. Now, assuming that you have activities (Usually numerous) in each of those categories; and assuming that you excelled in each of those activities, you would be considered well rounded. Boy scouts is not significantly "Better" than say JrROTC or Civil Air Patrol. Marching Band is not significantly "Better" than say the drama club or choir. Just like football isn't "Better" than soccer or track.

The exception to this is ICA - Intercollegiate Athletes). These are students being recruited for a particular sport. They still have to be good in all those other areas, but their sport is being looked at to play at the college level. For a understanding of the current class that entered in June (Class of 2012), here are their BASIC stats.

* 47 are prior-enlisted members
* 17 percent were either high school class presidents or vice-presidents
* 62 percent were in an academic honor society
* 95 percent were athletic letter award winners
* 30 percent were in band or orchestra
* 28 percent were Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts
* 9 percent were in Civil Air Patrol
* 13 percent were in Junior ROTC

The high school grade point average for the Class of 2012 is 3.85.
College entrance score average for the SAT is 1,290.

As you can see; even with 30% being in band, even THEY played high sports and lettered in those sports. 95% had athletic letters. This is NOT to discourage you or anyone else who reads this. I've been on these forums for a while. My purpose is only to INFORM. There are those that obviously did NOT have athletics/letters in their high school year. Some were home schooled and some had other activities. Those individuals usually made up for that lack of athletics by excelling in some of the other areas. E.g. 2200/2400 SAT; 34-36 ACT; Eagle scout; Commander JrROTC; etc... Remember, it's the "WHOLE PERSON" that they are looking for and what "Well Rounded" means. If your ALO believes that you made up for athletics in certain other areas, then he/she can emphasize that in their recommendations. Good luck and I hope this helps you and others understand a little more about being "Well Rounded". Later... Mike....
 
What Mike says is very true. Yes, the Academy will be interested in your band activities, but no, they will not get you in.

Please don't be defensive about your record or your chances. Most of us are just trying to help you present yourself in the best possible manner, while giving you realistic ideas about your chances.
 
Okay...thanks so far. I received a nomination from my Senator a few days ago...this brings up some new questions. How many nominations are given out? Is it beneficial to have multiple nominations (one more interview)? What are my chances of getting in now(listed as competitive)? When should I be hearing from the academy...since my application is complete and I have a nomination it should be soon right?
 
Oh and will the Academy favor senatorial nominations over congressional nominations?

Thanks!
 
My daughter is applying to the CGA and MMA, so I cant give you much insite... BUT congrats on ALL you achievements with BSA.. As a BSA trainer and District Training Chair over her in the BIG Washington congrats for all your accomplishments with your Eagle and OA! My son is a Life and on his way . My daughter is a GSA and although she didnt complete her Gold Award (similar to Eagle) she did earn her silver award (2nd highest in GSA).
 
Thanks, i will have completed all 3 palms be the time I turn 18 as well!
 
AFAplease said:
Okay...thanks so far. I received a nomination from my Senator a few days ago...this brings up some new questions. How many nominations are given out? Is it beneficial to have multiple nominations (one more interview)? What are my chances of getting in now(listed as competitive)? When should I be hearing from the academy...since my application is complete and I have a nomination it should be soon right?
Click to expand...

1. Each MoC can nominate up to 10 applicants for each open slot. There is a total of five slots for each MoC.
2. I believe it is beneficial to have more nominations, as it adds more weight to you application.
3. If you weren't a candidate before your nomination, this will increase your chances, since I think they only look at candidates (as opposed to applicants, prospects, etc.). If you were already competitive, then a nomination shouldn't changed anything.
4. They send out appointments in March, unless you receive an early appointment/LOA (for highly qualified candidates).
 
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