Job and Service Academy Application

KCnA333

KCnA333

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2016
Messages
32
Hello, I am a sophomore in high school with all A's, with the exception of 2 B's, a Civil Air Patrol Cadet, and I am working at my local airport as a lineman. I wash, fuel, and tow aircraft on the ramp. Even though the Service Academies look on a job favorably, does having a job in the aviation community make me more competitive because I am in the field I want to eventually work in?
 
Not necessarily. The majority of the benefits come from having a job during the school year and letters of recommendation you can get from your employer. The aviation aspect may play a small role. However, do look into flying hours, as that is on the application (work towards PPL).
 
Having a job for a long period of time, maybe with promotion and increasing responsibility, all while maintaining those good grades, participating in a sport, and having some other leadership activity will be a very good thing for you. The fact that it is in aviation is a plus for you, certainly, but not necessarily a plus for your application. If you have the job for a long time, it shows dedication and perseverance, which are two things they look for in a candidate.

Do you participate in a sport?
 
I have participated in football, freshman and sophomore year. I was one of the co-captains of the JV football team, and I am close to flying soloing for my PPL, I haven't soloed yet though.
 
Do not drop the football. Is there any other sport you can pick up in the spring?
 
Well, Track was an option, but I can't participate because I am preoccupied with my job, grades at school, Civil Air Patrol, and Private Pilot lessons. I also am trying to get off to a good start at my job, and then see what this coming fall will be like for XC. Is this a good plan?
 
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The problem is that you do not show dedication to ONE SPORT - or two. Let's discuss this: CAP meets once a week with an occasional Saturday and the summer encampment. Your job: how many hours a week? Is it regular hours or hit-n-miss? As needed? Of course, those grades are very important and you have the SAT/ACT to prepare for in your junior year. Things that USAFA wants to see is someone who can handle grades (and all the pressures that go with that), dedication to a sport you enjoy, quality ECs where you develop leadership (CAP may h ave this as you progress), perhaps a job where you are given greater responsibility over time.

It would look better for you if you continued on in one sport rather than a season of XC here, maybe a stint on the track team - if you feel like it. First off, you will not gain the desired experience in the sport, and will almost certainly hold no leadership position in it (Captain, co-capt, etc).

As the mother of THREE pilots, I appreciate your desire to get your PPL (my eldest son did it on his 17th birthday, before he could drive the car!), I am not sure that would be as advantageous as you might hope on your application. Flying is great! And having that PPL is awesome! It may not be just the ticket for you though (and is really pricey, to boot!).

You are only 16-or will soon be so- and now is the time to learn those time management skills which will help you reach all these goals. Just as important as that A in Biology is the ability to use your time wisely so you may also participate in that favorite sport, work at your job, teach reading to disadvantaged kids, tutor freshmen, fly the plane, and get your Mitchell at CAP.
 
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