LEAD Program Advice

[BonoDex]

Hello, I am currently in tech school and have been highly interested in the USAFA since high school, but didn't take the opportunity to apply. Now that I am enlisted and know about the LEAD program, I am extremely excited to begin preparations for applying.

I would just like some advice as far as when I would be able to start applying after I reach my first duty station, and if I would need to wait until I finish all of my OJT (No CDCs). I am set to graduate tech school 13 June, 2019. I'm not quite sure where this puts me in terms of applying for the class of 2024, or if it would be better to wait until the class of 2025. Of course, this depends on if I can apply prior to completing minimum time on station requirements or my OJT. I am under the impression that by waiting a year that gives me time to volunteer for community and base happenings, compete for quarterly awards, display my work ethic, and so on.

As far as my record goes, I am 18 years old and fairly fresh out of high school.

I was in AFJROTC for 4 years, two of which I was the unit commander.
I was in National Honor Society my 10th to 12th grade years.
I participated in CMD, which was a HS club.
I worked all throughout HS since I was 13 (Legal reasons kept me from receiving pay until I was old enough).
I graduated BMT with honor grad, and am working towards DG in tech school.

My academic record:

I graduated with a 3.9 GPA.

I've only ever taken the ACT, and my scores were:
33- English, 23- Mathematics, 25- Reading, 27- Science.

I plan to take the ACT several more times between now and when I can apply so as to increase my score (especially the mathematics score).

If anyone could give me advice on where I currently stand, things I can do now in tech school to prepare for applying, when the best time to apply would be, etc. I would greatly appreciate all the help!

 

[Justacandidate]

From my experience, the math portion of the ACT was the easiest to improve. I would recommend completing your OJT ASAP so you can focus a lot of your time improving it. Some things that helped me study for the ACT were college classes and a site called UWorld. If you would like free access to UWorld you can get it from this Reddit link here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ACT/comments/7q6bn3/free_uworld_act_access/. From my experience, however, I struggled the most with the physical aspect of the application process so I recommend that you start practicing now so you'll be ready for the CFA as it took me nearly a year and a half to do at least decent on the test. Aside from that, I think you look like a stellar candidate!

 

[Jen2277]

Hello, I am currently in tech school and have been highly interested in the USAFA since high school, but didn't take the opportunity to apply. Now that I am enlisted and know about the LEAD program, I am extremely excited to begin preparations for applying.

I would just like some advice as far as when I would be able to start applying after I reach my first duty station, and if I would need to wait until I finish all of my OJT (No CDCs). I am set to graduate tech school 13 June, 2019. I'm not quite sure where this puts me in terms of applying for the class of 2024, or if it would be better to wait until the class of 2025. Of course, this depends on if I can apply prior to completing minimum time on station requirements or my OJT. I am under the impression that by waiting a year that gives me time to volunteer for community and base happenings, compete for quarterly awards, display my work ethic, and so on.

As far as my record goes, I am 18 years old and fairly fresh out of high school.

I was in AFJROTC for 4 years, two of which I was the unit commander.
I was in National Honor Society my 10th to 12th grade years.
I participated in CMD, which was a HS club.
I worked all throughout HS since I was 13 (Legal reasons kept me from receiving pay until I was old enough).
I graduated BMT with honor grad, and am working towards DG in tech school.

My academic record:

I graduated with a 3.9 GPA.

I've only ever taken the ACT, and my scores were:
33- English, 23- Mathematics, 25- Reading, 27- Science.

I plan to take the ACT several more times between now and when I can apply so as to increase my score (especially the mathematics score).

If anyone could give me advice on where I currently stand, things I can do now in tech school to prepare for applying, when the best time to apply would be, etc. I would greatly appreciate all the help!

Your ACT scores are great! Go ahead and continue taking them to get a higher score. Go ahead and apply this year, it will not hurt you at all. If you don't get accepted you can easily apply for C/O '25. The only requirement is you must be on station for at least a year before your BCT day at USAFA according to their website. I know it's late but try to be a rope in Tech School. When you arrive at your duty station take up every leadership position possible. Start college ASAP. College is not required as I seen many enlisted folks get accepted with no college, but it will make your application stronger! I have read on forums that some people got accepted while in Tech School, but its rare. Apply every year!

 

[BonoDex]

Hello, I am currently in tech school and have been highly interested in the USAFA since high school, but didn't take the opportunity to apply. Now that I am enlisted and know about the LEAD program, I am extremely excited to begin preparations for applying.

I would just like some advice as far as when I would be able to start applying after I reach my first duty station, and if I would need to wait until I finish all of my OJT (No CDCs). I am set to graduate tech school 13 June, 2019. I'm not quite sure where this puts me in terms of applying for the class of 2024, or if it would be better to wait until the class of 2025. Of course, this depends on if I can apply prior to completing minimum time on station requirements or my OJT. I am under the impression that by waiting a year that gives me time to volunteer for community and base happenings, compete for quarterly awards, display my work ethic, and so on.

As far as my record goes, I am 18 years old and fairly fresh out of high school.

I was in AFJROTC for 4 years, two of which I was the unit commander.
I was in National Honor Society my 10th to 12th grade years.
I participated in CMD, which was a HS club.
I worked all throughout HS since I was 13 (Legal reasons kept me from receiving pay until I was old enough).
I graduated BMT with honor grad, and am working towards DG in tech school.

My academic record:

I graduated with a 3.9 GPA.

I've only ever taken the ACT, and my scores were:
33- English, 23- Mathematics, 25- Reading, 27- Science.

I plan to take the ACT several more times between now and when I can apply so as to increase my score (especially the mathematics score).

If anyone could give me advice on where I currently stand, things I can do now in tech school to prepare for applying, when the best time to apply would be, etc. I would greatly appreciate all the help!

Your ACT scores are great! Go ahead and continue taking them to get a higher score. Go ahead and apply this year, it will not hurt you at all. If you don't get accepted you can easily apply for C/O '25. The only requirement is you must be on station for at least a year before your BCT day at USAFA according to their website. I know it's late but try to be a rope in Tech School. When you arrive at your duty station take up every leadership position possible. Start college ASAP. College is not required as I seen many enlisted folks get accepted with no college, but it will make your application stronger! I have read on forums that some people got accepted while in Tech School, but its rare. Apply every year!

That's great to hear! I appreciate the advice. I actually am a green rope in tech school currently, so that's good to know it will help!

 

[BonoDex]

From my experience, the math portion of the ACT was the easiest to improve. I would recommend completing your OJT ASAP so you can focus a lot of your time improving it. Some things that helped me study for the ACT were college classes and a site called UWorld. If you would like free access to UWorld you can get it from this Reddit link here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ACT/comments/7q6bn3/free_uworld_act_access/. From my experience, however, I struggled the most with the physical aspect of the application process so I recommend that you start practicing now so you'll be ready for the CFA as it took me nearly a year and a half to do at least decent on the test. Aside from that, I think you look like a stellar candidate!

Perfect, that's great to hear! Thank you very much for the information!