I'm starting to have my doubts

@MicroCommando - Where there is a will, there is a way. If this is a goal for you, and something you are serious about, there are multiple paths. Appointed candidates from all over the country will have widely varying High School student resumes. Some areas of the country are more competitive than others.

If Plan A doesn't work out, Plan B could be a focused Service Academy prep program like MMI. Others would recommend spending a year at a traditional college with a schedule that mimics the USAFA freshman academic load.

Some who start the application will not finish. Some who finish will receive appointments. Some who finish will be told "no." Some who are told "no" will refuse to stop trying until they succeed.
 
PositiveEnergy said:
class of 2021 had 2608 qualified candidates (I'm assuming that is people who completed application) and 1508 appointments given out. that would be even higher than what I said if I'm reading that correctly.
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Qualified candidates are candidates who are academically, physically, and medically qualified. That is far different than simply completing the application.

Stealth_81
 
Stealth_81 said:
Qualified candidates are candidates who are academically, physically, and medically qualified. That is far different than simply completing the application.

Stealth_81
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Is there a way to know if you are a qualified candidate?
 
MicroCommando said:
Hey everybody. I just wanted to come on here and vent out my internal frustration with myself. I no longer really see myself suitable to the academy after seeing the accomplishments of better men/women.

Through my junior year, I had received a 3.6 GPA with a 4.0 weighted, I have participated in at least two leadership opportunities, participated in JV wrestling, and have never had a job.

Early in the application process, I thought I was pretty competitive for USAFA, however I have hit rock bottom now after attempting to do some of the CFA exams.

Would any of you possibly consider me for the USAFA preparatory school or
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Getting into the SAs isn’t a formula so reading others’ profiles won’t do anything for you. If you don’t think on paper you look good then make up for that by getting really great Letters of Recommendation, School Official Evaluations, and Essays that can show how your commitment to America makes you a better candidate than someone with higher numbers but isn’t as committed.
 
Stealth_81 said:
Qualified candidates are candidates who are academically, physically, and medically qualified. That is far different than simply completing the application.

Stealth_81
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100%. Another key element is which district you're from. Our area is uber competitive and just completing the application isn't enough to earn an appointment. Candidates here are competing with students from some of the highest ranked high schools in the nation.

@MicroCommando How did you do? I agree with the others, don't give up!
 
MicroCommando said:
Hey everybody. I just wanted to come on here and vent out my internal frustration with myself. I no longer really see myself suitable to the academy after seeing the accomplishments of better men/women.

Through my junior year, I had received a 3.6 GPA with a 4.0 weighted, I have participated in at least two leadership opportunities, participated in JV wrestling, and have never had a job.

Early in the application process, I thought I was pretty competitive for USAFA, however I have hit rock bottom now after attempting to do some of the CFA exams.

Would any of you possibly consider me for the USAFA preparatory school or
Click to expand...

At the end of the day every one of us is a long shot! Suck it up, bust your butt and have a plan B! You are being way too hard on yourself, you are competitive!! I understand, I have stressed a lot about not being able to retake standardized tests since before last March. I decided to just give it all I’ve got and pray that I land where I’m supposed to! GOOD LUCK!!!
 
USAFA_86 said:
Is there a way to know if you are a qualified candidate?
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That comes much later:
After the Admissions Board reviews your application and information and deems you "Qualified".
Also after DoDMerb says "Qualified" OR they say "Not Qualified" and you receive a waiver.
Also, of course after you PASS the CFA.

After all three of these, you are a qualified candidate
 
OldRetSWO said:
That comes much later:
After the Admissions Board reviews your application and information and deems you "Qualified".
Also after DoDMerb says "Qualified" OR they say "Not Qualified" and you receive a waiver.
Also, of course after you PASS the CFA.

After all three of these, you are a qualified candidate
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You must also have a nomination to be considered "Qualified."
In our district the majority of applicants don't get nominations.
 
As others have said, if you say no or dont try you are 100% guaranteed not to get in. Let them say no to you. You of course need to fix the things you may weak at , but if you have time to do so, there is no reason to quit. Here is the thing, sometimes for whatever reason (luck, timing external influcenes (this is true of all things in life) you get accepted a program, school or job that normally wouldnt would get, but for whatever reason, you get in. If you dont try you will never know . My wife always says, my son has more luck than brains. My son got into two colleges that had flight majors. One school flew him in for free and the other he visited. While there, they would ask each prospective student about their GPA and their classes. Every kids stood up and say I have 3.8 or a 4.0 and i am taking 5 AP courses and such. Every kid had the same story more or less. My son who was a decent high school student had no AP courses and probaby had a 3.2 GPA. He never volunteered his info but kept wondering what they hell he was doing there because his stats didnt compareto the other students. He wasnt the best college student and maintained his 3.2 average in college but he did kick butt in his major and today he is flying a B-52 bomber.
 
whynotnow said:
You must also have a nomination to be considered "Qualified."
In our district the majority of applicants don't get nominations.
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No

You must have a nomination AND be Qualified Academically, Physically and Medically to be Admitted. Getting Qualified (3Q) is seperate from getting a nomination.
 
@MicroCommando , I hope you had a solid CFA today!

Pivot a moment. Nothing you have done between the time you thought you were an excellent candidate to today has really changed, it's only coming her to SAF that has somewhat pysched you out. Remember this place is like collegeconfidential, skewing to highest achievers, reporting their measureable aspects, but not necessarily comparable or even an actual deciding factor for that candidate! It takes nothing away from you. And you aren't "competing" with most posters - mainly the 10 on your slate, and then perhaps into the NWL and so forth.

Use awe inspiring posts to do just that - inspire you to "bridge the gap", set new goals for yourself, and not to discourage you.

There is no way to tell the other half of your package - essays, rec letters, interview, and how you chose to present your Activities Record.
 
OldRetSWO said:
No

You must have a nomination AND be Qualified Academically, Physically and Medically to be Admitted. Getting Qualified (3Q) is seperate from getting a nomination.
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We must be talking about different things. I was referring to the Class Profile that a previous poster linked. From hours and hours of reading past posts, it's been said that the Qualified category on the profile pertains to those who are 3Q and have a nomination. I apologize for my lack of clarity.
 
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DO NOT DOUBT. CHIN UP! Proceed. Have a solid back up but do not doubt! I know of a kid who had a medical issue that surely would have knocked him/her out. The kid proceeded and didn't look back. Today, the SA is handling the issue and that kid is a proud MID. CHIN UP - FIGHT if this is what you want!!!
 
MicroCommando said:
Hey everybody. I just wanted to come on here and vent out my internal frustration with myself. I no longer really see myself suitable to the academy after seeing the accomplishments of better men/women.

Through my junior year, I had received a 3.6 GPA with a 4.0 weighted, I have participated in at least two leadership opportunities, participated in JV wrestling, and have never had a job.

Early in the application process, I thought I was pretty competitive for USAFA, however I have hit rock bottom now after attempting to do some of the CFA exams.

Would any of you possibly consider me for the USAFA preparatory school or
Click to expand...
Not trying to be one of those hand out a trophy to everyone person but its normal to doubt yourself and with this doubt you should push you self to be better rather than sitting around. I really sucked at CFA and I just kept pushing dont let anything stop you.
 
MicroCommando said:
Would any of you possibly consider me for the USAFA preparatory school or
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Good morning MicroCommando. I hope this finds you well... I wanted to respond to this portion of your ask... as I am a parent of a Preppie (or Cadet Candidate). As you likely already know... you cannot apply to the prep school. It is an honor bestowed on a select few candidates that the Academy saw something in; however, did not make the ‘cut’ for a direct appointment to the Academy. (For some it could be they did not have the standardized test score, some GPA, some CFA... some, like for the priors, it could be they just need to be introduced back into the classroom environment... No one really knows why... it just happens that way... be prepared... and don’t look down on this honor... as it is an HONOR)

As others have been outlining for you - never give up!! The Academy is looking for all types of individuals and I doubt that anyone on this forum is able to outline for you line for line - what attracted a specific cadet/cadet candidate to the Academy/Prep School. So, NEVER GIVE UP... the mission for this process is to stick with it until they tell you that you were not selected.

If you are LUCKY enough to be offered an appointment to the USAFAPS - TAKE IT! It was/is the best experience and certainly prepares you for what you will endure at the Academy.

Hold your head up high, work hard for the best outcomes you can produce and don’t give up!! You never know what might get you noticed for either a direct appointment OR an appointment to the Prep School...

Best of luck with your application and CFA...
 
I would start with saying the best piece of advice I can give you is to stop comparing yourself to others and start to project your energies on yourself. You have already highlighted an area of potential weakness so...... start to make a plan to overcome this. My son applied last year and was successful in getting into the Prep School. (THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED). He highlighted areas of weakness and made sure he did what he could to increase his scores. Decide on a date to retake the CFA and make a plan on how you can increase your scores. Workout every day with a plan to get stronger. Find a partner to workout with you. Challenge each other. You still have time to turn this into a positive. They are looking for candidates with a can do attitude who will find a solution and work out a plan to deliver. This is your opportunity to make change. GOOD LUCK!!!! If you believe you can do it, you are heading in the right direction!!!!
 
Also please keep in mind that the people on ServiceAcademyForums are self-selected...much like those on other college type forums they are top people looking for every advantage. Also keep in mind that different areas of the country may have different school systems/things to do. And finally, you are comparing yourself against the best of everyone on CC.
 
CFA score need improvement? - Good - get to work. Gives you a topic to discuss about how you overcame adversity.
Test scores need improvement? - Good - See above.
Get rejected first year - Good - you have the opportunity over a year to build your application and come back stronger with knowledge of the process. Take the core requirements, train and/or apply for state dept. program to learn language overseas by immersion (one the Navy needs)

I had the privilege to attend a change of command event for command of SSBN 7##. Both officers enlisted straight out of high school and came back to the academy through the ranks.

And there is this:

If you get so down you think it'll never happen...read this!

Hello Navy Lovers! (Hey, what'd you expect from a USAFA type?) ;) I wanted to pass along something that I think will bring a smile to some faces. We all talk about "will I get in, do I have the best package, etc...etc." I know I did when I was applying. And some will get that golden ticket...
www.serviceacademyforums.com

You have several opportunities at this

The ONE thing everyone on this forum will agree with is that you will not get in if you quit.
 
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