My chance to 2022 Summer Seminar at USAFA?

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picklerick

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I am 17 years old (18 in 2 months) junior in high school. It is my dream to attend USAFA and my first goal is to get accepted to the summer seminar since I heard people say that I am more likely to get accepted to the academy if I already have been accepted to the summer seminar. I already took SAT early during summer and got 1200. 590 in EVBRW and 610 in math. I know it's not the best score but I'm definitely going to study and retake multiple times. My life is kinda crazy and it's pretty interesting so I'm some what confident with essay part. Anyways here are my stats and I want you guys to see if I have a chance at making it in.

  • 3.87 GPA I'm not sure if it's weighted but it probably is
  • 9 AP classes by the time of graduation
  • Ranked 46 out of around 240 (need more improvement here)
  • Speaks Korean, Chinese, English
  • Varsity athlete in soccer and ski racing
  • Student Senate as a secretary
  • Business professionals of America officer position
  • Model UN
  • Started a investment non profit organization and teach other students how to invest and trade options
  • Takes classes on planes and have some hours on flying planes (planning to get my student pilot license when I have some time)
There are more small things that I did that were probably better off not including it. I wanna hear yall thoughts on this
 
Another year another young applicant asking if they have a chance…

1. Everyone has a “chance”. Don’t define yourself by some test scores and your resume. Bottom line, apply either way, no matter what you may think about your resume. There is no set guidelines on what makes a good candidate.

2. In my personal opinion, you sound like a great potential cadet, however, take what I say with a grain of salt, as I am not an admissions counselor.
 
mingcoin said:
It is my dream to attend USAFA and my first goal is to get accepted to the summer seminar since I heard people say that I am more likely to get accepted to the academy if I already have been accepted to the summer seminar.
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Don’t know where you heard this, but it’s not true. That’s the word from SA officials and it’s reinforced anecdotally. The SA’s summer programs are not “screeners” for potential candidates. They’re used primarily as outreach programs to spread word about the SAs and provide exposure to underrepresented communities. Those communities are defined in different ways, e.g. certain regions or states, ethnicities, races, socio-exonomics, etc.

So getting into a summer program is not a 100% meritocracy. To be sure, many summer program attendees have high-level credentials. And SAs see every attendee as a potential appointee (that’s the point). But because of the programs’ mission, the SAs are consistent in saying they confer no special advantage come admissions time. There are no WCS points for “attended summer seminar.” In any entering class of plebes/doolies, only a small fraction attended a summer program.

By all means, apply for and attend a summer program. They’re great for learning more and seeing if you fit. But don’t think it’ll give you some advantage in the admissions decision.
 
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I was rejected to the 2021 summer seminar cycle, and I felt terrible about it. But in the rejection letter, admissions confirmed that 60% of those that are accepted to USAFA did not attend summer seminar. Even if you aren't accepted to it, don't give up! You still have a great application and you're doing well.
 
Too hard to chance someone on summer seminar.

However, here are some thinking questions:
Is your first language Korean/Chinese? Chinese is a highly desired language. Also look at the Space Warfighting Minor, Intel track with Russia or China emphasis.
What is your CORE GPA vs. total GPA? Are you excelling in the classes that AF will want to see strong performance - Chem, Phys, Comp Sci, Calc?
Lots of your list check the boxes - but how in depth are they?
One of my pet peeves - i'd be delighted to see it passes the HCopter test: Who's on your board? What's your fiscal year? Can I see your meeting minutes? Can you give me a copy of the IRS nonprofit status form? What's your sustainability plan - who's running while you are at USAFA? I ask this because there was a wave of People Starting NonProfits (in my DD's circles) that were either total and utterly Mommy-Dos, and/or it was obvious they didn't actually know the first thing about setting up a nonprofit, but wanted the credit for starting one.

I think you have some excellent and compelling items. For others, keep posting the Chance Me Posts. I really enjoy seeing candidates who help themselves and are willing to put themselves out here. It's great for brainstorming and showing others what is possible! My own DD benefited greatly; she lurked...and took a lot of information to heart on her way to 4 LOAs and now doing well at USAFA!

More Chance Me Posts!
 
There is no virtually no correlation between getting accepted into summer seminar and receiving a nomination and appointment. DS is a perfect example. Soundly rejected for SS but had an LOA and very early (Dec appointment) and isn't a recruited athlete. Don't read anything into being accepted, or rejected, for summer seminar. As previously mentioned, summer seminar is more of an exposure tool.

Good luck.
 
I can confirm; selection for summer seminar has no bearing on your candidate status for admission. The fact that you did or did not attend isn't even in your USAFA candidate folder.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
HCopter said:
Too hard to chance someone on summer seminar.

However, here are some thinking questions:
Is your first language Korean/Chinese? Chinese is a highly desired language. Also look at the Space Warfighting Minor, Intel track with Russia or China emphasis.
What is your CORE GPA vs. total GPA? Are you excelling in the classes that AF will want to see strong performance - Chem, Phys, Comp Sci, Calc?
Lots of your list check the boxes - but how in depth are they?
One of my pet peeves - i'd be delighted to see it passes the HCopter test: Who's on your board? What's your fiscal year? Can I see your meeting minutes? Can you give me a copy of the IRS nonprofit status form? What's your sustainability plan - who's running while you are at USAFA? I ask this because there was a wave of People Starting NonProfits (in my DD's circles) that were either total and utterly Mommy-Dos, and/or it was obvious they didn't actually know the first thing about setting up a nonprofit, but wanted the credit for starting one.

I think you have some excellent and compelling items. For others, keep posting the Chance Me Posts. I really enjoy seeing candidates who help themselves and are willing to put themselves out here. It's great for brainstorming and showing others what is possible! My own DD benefited greatly; she lurked...and took a lot of information to heart on her way to 4 LOAs and now doing well at USAFA!

More Chance Me Posts!
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Thank you. I'm learning a lot from your response. I'll definitely think about some of those things you mentioned.
 
Last point: plan to apply to the Academy. You may want to add USMA and USNA to expand your opportunities. Also, I recommend applying to AFROTC and perhaps other scholarship programs. Having alternative plans is a key component of your application process. Hope that helps!
 
I could be totally wrong here but it seems like they select a certain demographic. I've heard of some very talented people not getting selected for summer seminar then being admitted the following year and vice versa. I don't think posting your accolades helps anyone determine your chances.
 
xray328 said:
I could be totally wrong here but it seems like they select a certain demographic. I've heard of some very talented people not getting selected for summer seminar then being admitted the following year and vice versa. I don't think posting your accolades helps anyone determine your chances.
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I can see this happening. I was admitted to USAFA Summer Seminar 2021 and I've talked with a few others who weren't admitted and had similar stats (or sometimes better) than mine.
 
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