LEAD Program C/O 2024

Good day all,

I’m also applying for C/O ‘24 under LEAD. I’m a reapplicant. Not sure why I wasent admitted to BOTH the prep school and direct last year (I called the counselor and she didn't even say why). Im too old for the prep school so I have to go direct this year. I’m really focusing on getting my ACT score up (already brought it up 3 points). Im taking engineering and high level math college courses. Hopefully this year will turn out better than last.
 
Jen2277 said:
Good day all,

I’m also applying for C/O ‘24 under LEAD. I’m a reapplicant. Not sure why I wasent admitted to BOTH the prep school and direct last year (I called the counselor and she didn't even say why). Im too old for the prep school so I have to go direct this year. I’m really focusing on getting my ACT score up (already brought it up 3 points). Im taking engineering and high level math college courses. Hopefully this year will turn out better than last.
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me asking what did your package look like last year?
 
Nebulalabai? said:
Jen2277 said:
Good day all,

I’m also applying for C/O ‘24 under LEAD. I’m a reapplicant. Not sure why I wasent admitted to BOTH the prep school and direct last year (I called the counselor and she didn't even say why). Im too old for the prep school so I have to go direct this year. I’m really focusing on getting my ACT score up (already brought it up 3 points). Im taking engineering and high level math college courses. Hopefully this year will turn out better than last.
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me asking what did your package look like last year?
Click to expand...

Yes I can share my application last year

Academics
College classes (English, math up to pre-cal, physics, aeronautics) 4.0 GPA working on an engineering degree
Highschool: 3.19 GPA

Extracurricular
Highschool Band (captain), Highschool swim, MMA, tons of local/ base volunteer work (100+ hrs).

Leadership
Squadron PTL, Squadron booster club vice president, base wide vice president for airman council.

Awards
Top Fitness
Squadron amn of quarter
Wing amn of quarter

On the CFA I made at least minimum and some max on all categories

ACT (Most likely the reason I was not admitted)
English- 25
Math-20
Science- 21
reading-22
Writing- 8

Yes they look for whole person concept but I strongly believe they base like 80% of admission on ACT/SAT scores.
 
Jen2277 said:
Nebulalabai? said:
Jen2277 said:
Good day all,

I’m also applying for C/O ‘24 under LEAD. I’m a reapplicant. Not sure why I wasent admitted to BOTH the prep school and direct last year (I called the counselor and she didn't even say why). Im too old for the prep school so I have to go direct this year. I’m really focusing on getting my ACT score up (already brought it up 3 points). Im taking engineering and high level math college courses. Hopefully this year will turn out better than last.
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me asking what did your package look like last year?
Click to expand...

Yes I can share my application last year

Academics
College classes (English, math up to pre-cal, physics, aeronautics) 4.0 GPA working on an engineering degree
Highschool: 3.19 GPA

Extracurricular
Highschool Band (captain), Highschool swim, MMA, tons of local/ base volunteer work (100+ hrs).

Leadership
Squadron PTL, Squadron booster club vice president, base wide vice president for airman council.

Awards
Top Fitness
Squadron amn of quarter
Wing amn of quarter

On the CFA I made at least minimum and some max on all categories

ACT (Most likely the reason I was not admitted)
English- 25
Math-20
Science- 21
reading-22
Writing- 8

Yes they look for whole person concept but I strongly believe they base like 80% of admission on ACT/SAT scores.
Click to expand...

You have some fair academic marks and I agree that it might just be the ACT that held you back a bit. I was talking with an Officer who came from the academy as a prior enlisted, and he mentioned that even with below avg grades and class schedules from high school that an ACT > 27 will give you a big boost. Simply work on that ACT; I will be taking the July 13th test and will let you know how I did.
 
Just a quick question. When it comes to the commander who signs off on the 1786, does this have to be your squadron commander? I read that on the Academy website, but it is not specified in the handbook. Can this be my AMU OIC or perhaps even the Wing commander?
 
It should to be a commander in the legal sense of the word - someone who is on G-series orders who has a C prefix on their duty AFSC. A squadron commander, group commander or wing commander would all be acceptable whereas a flight commander would not. Most people use their squadron commander because it is usually an easier paperwork routing process. The 1786 it is an application requirement - if you do not submit it your application package will be incomplete and not reviewed. No extra points are given to the name in the signature block. When it comes to officer recommendations I am not sure exactly how they are scored. I imagine that earning the most "points" has to do with content. Certainly a strong stratification (not normally allowed in EPRs) could be used in a letter of recommendation and the denominator could be bigger the higher up the chain you go for those letters of recommendation.
 
7258FFAWPOA said:
It should to be a commander in the legal sense of the word - someone who is on G-series orders who has a C prefix on their duty AFSC. A squadron commander, group commander or wing commander would all be acceptable whereas a flight commander would not. Most people use their squadron commander because it is usually an easier paperwork routing process. The 1786 it is an application requirement - if you do not submit it your application package will be incomplete and not reviewed. No extra points are given to the name in the signature block. When it comes to officer recommendations I am not sure exactly how they are scored. I imagine that earning the most "points" has to do with content. Certainly a strong stratification (not normally allowed in EPRs) could be used in a letter of recommendation and the denominator could be bigger the higher up the chain you go for those letters of recommendation.
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This is solid advice.

It should be your squadron commander.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Thank you for the good advice. I'm a little torn right now on whether I should even attempt applying this year or if I should wait another year. My main concern is that I am too new to my first base, and have yet to obtain my 5-level.

It is my belief that no Commander or Supervisor would recommend someone to the Academy who is so new, and especially only a 3-level. Part of me wants to try to apply anyway, since I can apply for multiple classes. If I did obtain support and get accepted, that's a whole year early I'd be able to start.

However, I don't want my leadership to think that I don't care about my job or my training either, because I know how important it is to be a good Airman before anything else.

I think it would be best for me to wait a year, keeping steady focus on learning my job and doing it well, while obtaining my 5- level. This would also give me time to volunteer locally, compete for quarterly awards, and get to know my chain of command. Any opinions on this? I would appreciate any advice I am given.
 
BonoDex said:
Thank you for the good advice. I'm a little torn right now on whether I should even attempt applying this year or if I should wait another year. My main concern is that I am too new to my first base, and have yet to obtain my 5-level.

It is my belief that no Commander or Supervisor would recommend someone to the Academy who is so new, and especially only a 3-level. Part of me wants to try to apply anyway, since I can apply for multiple classes. If I did obtain support and get accepted, that's a whole year early I'd be able to start.

However, I don't want my leadership to think that I don't care about my job or my training either, because I know how important it is to be a good Airman before anything else.

I think it would be best for me to wait a year, keeping steady focus on learning my job and doing it well, while obtaining my 5- level. This would also give me time to volunteer locally, compete for quarterly awards, and get to know my chain of command. Any opinions on this? I would appreciate any advice I am given.
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I knew a prior who applied and was accepted while they were still in tech school (they were a linguist). I know a few others who applied got in within a year of shipping to BMT. It really does depend on your commander. If you want to wait a year to get some more experience, then that is your prerogative. However, don't feel that you need to self-eliminate this round because you're green.
 
BonoDex said:
Thank you for the good advice. I'm a little torn right now on whether I should even attempt applying this year or if I should wait another year. My main concern is that I am too new to my first base, and have yet to obtain my 5-level.

It is my belief that no Commander or Supervisor would recommend someone to the Academy who is so new, and especially only a 3-level. Part of me wants to try to apply anyway, since I can apply for multiple classes. If I did obtain support and get accepted, that's a whole year early I'd be able to start.

However, I don't want my leadership to think that I don't care about my job or my training either, because I know how important it is to be a good Airman before anything else.

I think it would be best for me to wait a year, keeping steady focus on learning my job and doing it well, while obtaining my 5- level. This would also give me time to volunteer locally, compete for quarterly awards, and get to know my chain of command. Any opinions on this? I would appreciate any advice I am given.
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Hey, I’m a 3-level and felt the same way until my OIC approached me about this. Good leadership should recognize that this isn’t you trying to flake on your responsibilities, but you trying to better yourself. Talk to your supervisor, let them know this is something you’d like to do and get them on board. Do the same with commander. Review all the requirements, to make sure you fall in line with the Academy’s standards, and to reassure them that this is something you’re committed to doing.
 
Make sure to check out AFI 26-2013 and remember that most everything is waiverable - excluding age, marriage, dependent requirements etc. I would capitalize on every opportunity to apply - you will learn from the process and be better prepared if a second or third go around is necessary. I am happy to assist any enlisted personnel wanting to apply to USAFA. I have worked with several in the past and some have been successful. Wanting it bad is not enough though - there are academic requirements that are in place to ensure you are successful at USAFA - that is usually the biggest challenge facing enlisted applicants. In my experience, those who exceed the academic requirements are usually very successful at getting accepted since their motivation, military performance and PT are almost always outstanding.
 
@colucci: They were interesting reads. Hopefully they'll help some enlisted personnel apply.
 
Jen2277 said:
Good day all,

I’m also applying for C/O ‘24 under LEAD. I’m a reapplicant. Not sure why I wasent admitted to BOTH the prep school and direct last year (I called the counselor and she didn't even say why). Im too old for the prep school so I have to go direct this year. I’m really focusing on getting my ACT score up (already brought it up 3 points). Im taking engineering and high level math college courses. Hopefully this year will turn out better than last.
Click to expand...
I was rejected to both first time. Too old and went direct the next year. Didn't start again till October, so my application was finished just barely before due time. Don't make my mistake of thinking that it isn't worth starting now.

Once you get there, you will realize how many reapplicants they accept, because that in itself shows some determination and desire to make it. Another factor I would like to throw out there, for High Schoolers (yes I'm aware this is for only priors) they take near 50% of all completed applications because most don't actually complete it and still count because they started it. Not sure how similar the incomplete application numbers compare for the enlisted side of the applicants.
 
BonoDex said:
Thank you for the good advice. I'm a little torn right now on whether I should even attempt applying this year or if I should wait another year. My main concern is that I am too new to my first base, and have yet to obtain my 5-level.

It is my belief that no Commander or Supervisor would recommend someone to the Academy who is so new, and especially only a 3-level. Part of me wants to try to apply anyway, since I can apply for multiple classes. If I did obtain support and get accepted, that's a whole year early I'd be able to start.

However, I don't want my leadership to think that I don't care about my job or my training either, because I know how important it is to be a good Airman before anything else.

I think it would be best for me to wait a year, keeping steady focus on learning my job and doing it well, while obtaining my 5- level. This would also give me time to volunteer locally, compete for quarterly awards, and get to know my chain of command. Any opinions on this? I would appreciate any advice I am given.
Click to expand...
Some of my friends I made were only in about a year before making it to USAFA. If you apply now, maybe get in now or be seen as a reapplicant next year and that would help.
 
Has anyone's portal updated yet? My pre-candidate questionnaire was categorized as competitive on July 3. When will it update to candidate phase? I don't remember it taking this long.
Thanks.
 
Jen2277 said:
Has anyone's portal updated yet? My pre-candidate questionnaire was categorized as competitive on July 3. When will it update to candidate phase? I don't remember it taking this long.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Mine updated to candidate on 02JUL but I got moved to Applicant 04MAR so obviously YMMV and would be a better question for your counselor, but while you’re here, would you mind sharing your stats from last year for reference?
 
colucci said:
Jen2277 said:
Has anyone's portal updated yet? My pre-candidate questionnaire was categorized as competitive on July 3. When will it update to candidate phase? I don't remember it taking this long.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Mine updated to candidate on 02JUL but I got moved to Applicant 04MAR so obviously YMMV and would be a better question for your counselor, but while you’re here, would you mind sharing your stats from last year for reference?
Click to expand...

Someone else already asked that and I posted the stats in this thread already. :biglaugh:
 
Jen2277 said:
Has anyone's portal updated yet? My pre-candidate questionnaire was categorized as competitive on July 3. When will it update to candidate phase? I don't remember it taking this long.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Yes, mine opened this sunday. I have been working on everything since then, and making very good progress.
 
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