Hey guys I'm brand new on the forum and have submitted my application for the academy which has been accepted and marked "competitive". I am now submitting my letters for requesting my nominations however I am very worried because I have obviously much lower GPA and ACT/SAT scores than other people. I have a 2.9 unweighted GPA with a 1310 SAT/ 27 ACT. I am very involved in the community and have been a varsity athlete for the last 2 years but I doubt that is much compared to my other competition. Is there any chance I even get nominated? Thanks guys.
Low GPA, OK SAT Scores chances
- Thread starter nicb2235
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No one knows--there is always a chance. Prep school is also a possible option if the rest of your package is outstanding. Good luck!
Pima
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Nobody can answer that question for a zillion reasons. The top reasons are:
1. Nobody knows the state you are from
2. Nobody knows what the size of the application pool will be next year
3. Nobody knows your school profile
4. Nobody knows how rigorous your course curriculum is compared to your peers.
5. Nobody knows how VERY INVOLVED you are in your community. Are you working at the food bank every week, and volunteering at your local church/temple on top of holding a part time job?
6. Nobody knows if you have any leadership positions.
You have 0% chance if you don't apply.
OBTW, noms typically have a close date of Sept./Oct. Noms are not rolling. They will not give a nom until they pass the deadline date. IE if it 9/30, than you will not hear from them until mid-end of Oct. at the earliest.
~ I highly doubt that any MOC has their nom portal open yet for 2023.
~ Plus, you won't be deemed candidate and assigned an ALO until end of June at the earliest.
~ USAFA and the MoCs are just now clearing out the class of 2022.
If I were you I would be taking the SAT every chance you have until the end of the school year because USAFA does use superscore and that will help with you having that uwcgpa
EDIT:
Forgot to say if you want my opinion one of your downfalls is your gpa. not because it is 2.9, but because a 1310 SAT tells me you have the smarts, but your gpa is making me question why is it that low?
~ Can't say poor test taker when you have a 1310. Is it that you aren't putting all of your effort into class?
You need to also apply for ROTC scholarships, but beware. AFROTC only includes up to the end of your junior year, unlike USAFA which will include senior. USAFA superscores your SAT, AFROTC is only best sitting. USAFA starts at your district and state level than goes national. AFROTC is national, iows they could not care less if everyone on scholarship only comes from 10 states.
1. Nobody knows the state you are from
2. Nobody knows what the size of the application pool will be next year
3. Nobody knows your school profile
4. Nobody knows how rigorous your course curriculum is compared to your peers.
5. Nobody knows how VERY INVOLVED you are in your community. Are you working at the food bank every week, and volunteering at your local church/temple on top of holding a part time job?
6. Nobody knows if you have any leadership positions.
You have 0% chance if you don't apply.
OBTW, noms typically have a close date of Sept./Oct. Noms are not rolling. They will not give a nom until they pass the deadline date. IE if it 9/30, than you will not hear from them until mid-end of Oct. at the earliest.
~ I highly doubt that any MOC has their nom portal open yet for 2023.
~ Plus, you won't be deemed candidate and assigned an ALO until end of June at the earliest.
~ USAFA and the MoCs are just now clearing out the class of 2022.
If I were you I would be taking the SAT every chance you have until the end of the school year because USAFA does use superscore and that will help with you having that uwcgpa
EDIT:
Forgot to say if you want my opinion one of your downfalls is your gpa. not because it is 2.9, but because a 1310 SAT tells me you have the smarts, but your gpa is making me question why is it that low?
~ Can't say poor test taker when you have a 1310. Is it that you aren't putting all of your effort into class?
You need to also apply for ROTC scholarships, but beware. AFROTC only includes up to the end of your junior year, unlike USAFA which will include senior. USAFA superscores your SAT, AFROTC is only best sitting. USAFA starts at your district and state level than goes national. AFROTC is national, iows they could not care less if everyone on scholarship only comes from 10 states.
Last edited:
Pima
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The prep school is not something you can apply to attend. USAFA makes that determination. The idea behind it is that academically the prep cadet is a little behind the direct appointee cadet and need that extra year to get on par with the expectations of the USAFA curriculum. Many are prior enlisted.
Ok that’s interesting. Well maybe I can achieve that if nothing better. Aim for what I can.
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Please. Fencersmother has zero tolerance for this question. Look it up!!!! You are not 13 and here for a look-see. You are an applicant. Do your own homework and then Fencersmother won't have to spit her coffee all over the screen.
PREP SCHOOL. Navy has one. Army has one. Air Force has one.
And, Prep Schools are NOT "oh well" schools. They are a golden ticket to a great future. Please: Look up prep schools.
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Fencersmother is not likely to be applying for roles as Ask Siri or Ask Alexa anytime soon.
The concept of showing initiative and researching primary sources for basic information seems to at times be on the verge of extinction.
Ok well I did, but I wanted to get a perspective from the people here too. I apologize for attempting to have a diverse field of research. By the way, the way you reffered to yourself in the third person was really odd and condescending. I was just coming for help from experienced people, and hoping to avoid snarky and rude answers like the one you just gave me. Thanks.
1meanteacher
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Good luck to you! My son didn’t worry about his GPA, but he worried about his ACT score. He took it 5 or 6 times, and finally got a 29. He desperately wanted to attend USAFA, and I told him to apply and keep up hope until they told him no. Well, he applied, and they told him yes! He’s finishing up his first year, and he’s doing great! If your dream is to attend the Air Force Academy, do everything you can to make yourself competitive and see what happens! I wish you all the best!
Thank you a ton, that's good to hear about your son. What is he majoring in?
service1st
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My guy! Prep schools are not just at the academies, but they are all over the country! Look up RMA, NMMI, MMI, Greystone, Georgia military school, etc., for more information; those are most noteable. I feel you on the gpa! Last year, mine was at a 3.3 weighted, my SAT was a 1260, and my ACT a 27. Sadly I got the TWE, but this year I decided to self prep at one of the schools listed above to improve my gpa and test scores. Look into prep schools for plan B if plan A doesn't go well. Aim high!
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1.
2.
3.
In response:
1. A simple look-see would have given you an idea of the USAFA PS, in addition to all the others- MMI, NWP, etc. The information about "What is the Prep School" was there for you to glean online, here and at other sites. *I* have a strong distaste when *I* see that are kids not looking anything up for themselves. (Capt MJ - yeah, you got that right!)
2. "... if nothing better." Now that we have established WHAT the Prep School is, know that it is a GOLDEN TICKET to a wonderful future. It means USAFA wants you but you need another year to ... build up your Math, English, Leadership, or other skills. Generally speaking, those who are offered the Prep School have a nomination and appointment in hand the following spring. Many many times, a Prep School grad winds up being the #1 Cadet at USAFA, or a distinguished grad. Some people complain that it is mostly athletes at the Prep. Sometimes that's true, sometimes it's not. One does not "aim for" the Prep school. One is offered it.
3. There were plenty of threads for you to research here. It's why there is a search button. See, easy peasy!
Thank you for your critical analysis of MY literary style. Golly *I* feel so much better now!
Good luck in your future.
2.
3.
In response:
1. A simple look-see would have given you an idea of the USAFA PS, in addition to all the others- MMI, NWP, etc. The information about "What is the Prep School" was there for you to glean online, here and at other sites. *I* have a strong distaste when *I* see that are kids not looking anything up for themselves. (Capt MJ - yeah, you got that right!)
2. "... if nothing better." Now that we have established WHAT the Prep School is, know that it is a GOLDEN TICKET to a wonderful future. It means USAFA wants you but you need another year to ... build up your Math, English, Leadership, or other skills. Generally speaking, those who are offered the Prep School have a nomination and appointment in hand the following spring. Many many times, a Prep School grad winds up being the #1 Cadet at USAFA, or a distinguished grad. Some people complain that it is mostly athletes at the Prep. Sometimes that's true, sometimes it's not. One does not "aim for" the Prep school. One is offered it.
3. There were plenty of threads for you to research here. It's why there is a search button. See, easy peasy!
Thank you for your critical analysis of MY literary style. Golly *I* feel so much better now!
Good luck in your future.
1meanteacher
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He hasn’t decided his major for certain, but he’s leaning toward astronautical engineering. He also wants to be a pilot....if he doesn’t grow anymore! He’s 6’4” and the max height is 6’5” [emoji15]
BTCS/USN
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Keep working to improve your overall application. SAT/ACT, GPA, areas of leadership, physical fitness, community service and whatever other areas that demonstrate that you are driven and want to not only do ok but to excel. Fencersmother is correct when she recommends that you put in the research before asking the easy questions. That shows drive and desire also and as an aside, the questions and work only get harder as time goes on.
One piece of advise though and take it as you will. Know your audience before you speak and check your ego/attitude. You never know who you are addressing on a forum such as this. Some may be future comrades in arms, some might be the people that write your fitness reports if you do commission, some may be future instructors, your cadre, classmates or titans of industry that may wind up determining future employment down the road. Others might just be people that have paid a lot more in the dues of life than you'll ever experience.