LEAD Applicant

MuricanFalcon

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2015
Messages
10
Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum but I was hoping that I could get your guys' thoughts on my chances as far as getting an appointment directly into the AFA or Prep for that matter.

I'm a 20-yo A1C enlisted in the Air Force just about to hit my 1 year mark in 2 weeks. I finally "completed" my application through the LEAD Program a couple of days ago but I've been working on it since November. I graduated High School in 2013 in the top 5% of my class (21/510) with a 3.83 unweighted GPA (4.12 weighted) and scored an 1850 on my SATs (660 Verbal/Crit Reading, 650 Math, 540 Writing.) During my time in the Air Force, I've spent hundreds of hours volunteering for both on and off base organizations. I was a 4-year varsity wrestler so I'm in top shape (WarHawk in BMT whoot!)

I'm hoping for a direct entry but was unable to secure a congressional nomination due to the time in which I started my application (I was still in training earlier last year) but I did get my flight, squadron and group commanders' approvals and letters of evaluation. I was also able to get a Letter of Recommendation from a prior group CC from USAFA and he directly put in a good word for me to the personnel in charge of admissions...

I guess what I'm asking is how good do you think my chance is of getting a direct appointment? Is my lack of a congressional nomination detrimental to my application? Is my lateness with the application going to hurt my chances?

Thank you for taking your time to read this and I hope to hear some opinions. I'm nervous but I'm hopeful.
 
Hi, not quite the same situation, although if I don't get in I'm planning on enlisting and applying through LEAD for next year. The Vice Presidential Nomination application isn't due until January 31st, so you could still apply for and receive that. Plus it's a really quick application compared to the Congressional ones.
 
You are also eligible, as active duty military, for a nomination through:

AIR FORCE REGULAR AND RESERVE COMPONENTS
There are unlimited nominations, but only 170 appointments available annually in this category. Vacancies are available for enlisted members of regular and reserve components of the Air Force. The deadline to receive Air Force regular and reserve nominations (AF Form 1786) is December 31st. For more specific instructions on nominations in this category, see Advice to Applicants: Enlisted Airmen.

Unfortunately, the deadline has passed so remember this if you do not get an appointment this year. Good luck.

Link for the Vice Presidential Nom http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/vice-president-biden/academy-nominations

You must have a nomination for an appointment so at a minimum you need to apply for the Vice Pres for this year. I know USNA has an admissions staffer who works with enlisted candidates specifically to help navigate the process, perhaps AFA has a similar contact.
 
Thank you for your correspondence! I have actually gained my nomination as a regular airman. I did however hear that this is not enough to secure a direct entry into the Academy and only leads to entry into the Prep academy... Is this true? Thanks again! I will however still apply for the Vice-Presidentaial nomination-- it couldn't hurt to try.
 
I am much more familiar with USNA, however, if you received an appointment as an enlisted airman, my understanding is that you can either receive an appointment for direct entry or prep school if you need academic work. Your scores look good so I doubt you would need academic help but sometimes enlisted applicants are sent that way depending on length of time out of school just to get back "in the swing" of things.

Having multiple noms helps the service academy put together the puzzle. It gives them more flexibility to "slate" candidates to nominating sources and juggle things around so they can admit the applicants they desire. It also helps you to help them by securing as many noms as possible.

Keep us posted. Hope to see you at the Navy v Chair Force, I mean Air Force, game next year! Go Navy? :)
 
I am much more familiar with USNA, however, if you received an appointment as an enlisted airman, my understanding is that you can either receive an appointment for direct entry or prep school if you need academic work. Your scores look good so I doubt you would need academic help but sometimes enlisted applicants are sent that way depending on length of time out of school just to get back "in the swing" of things.

Having multiple noms helps the service academy put together the puzzle. It gives them more flexibility to "slate" candidates to nominating sources and juggle things around so they can admit the applicants they desire. It also helps you to help them by securing as many noms as possible.

Keep us posted. Hope to see you at the Navy v Chair Force, I mean Air Force, game next year! Go Navy? :)

Uh.... which SA is in possession of the Commanders in Chief Trophy? Oh that's right..... Air Force!!!
 
Correct you are... And it appears the blind squirrel did not find a nut this year!

Navy is (19-28) against Air Force

Average score: Navy 18.6 - Air Force 22.8

:p
 
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