Obligatory what are my chances post

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Usfbutler

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Feb 28, 2024
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Hello! Current HS Senior asking people with insight what my potential chances at receiving an appointment to. While everybody’s story is different, from those who know the typical admitted cadet are these stats about the same? I’m looking for honesty, thank you.
Extracurriculars:
Cheerleading- 4 years of highschool (captain) and 3 of all star (in both programs im the only male athlete)
4 years of Drama Club
3 years of SADD Club
4 years of Class of 2024
Lead actor in a short film for a Graduate student at Columbia University
Carvel (Current Job)- 15-20 hours per week

Honor societies:
History National Honor Society
Science National Honor society
Italian National Honor Society
National Honor Society

*Co-Founder of History Honor Society as well as Vice-President of the club

Volunteering:
Over 200+ hours of service

Main Sources:
Lego Club Leader at the local library
Building and Acting in the past graduated students passion play When Words Come To Life
Tutoring in science and math
Helping coach and choreograph for JV cheer

Awards:
*Awarded nomination by Senator Gillibrand and Senator Schumer for US Air Force Academy
2x UCA All-American Cheerleader
High-Honor Roll for the majority of high-school career

School Stats:
SAT: 1220
ACT: 23 (Not an amazing test taker)
Had above a 97 unweighted and weighted it’s about a 99
Took relatively all honors and AP classes and succeeded with high grades in all

CFA scores were well above minimum

If there’s anything anybody could say to give me any peace of mind, this really is my dream school.
 
No one, but AF Admissions can tell you definitively. As you know, your scores are below average, so that will impact you. You are likely a very good candidate for the Prep School so you will be considered automatically. You still have a chance for an appointment so don't read 'my take' as definitive.

If you do not receive notice of an appointment by April 15, then you are unlikely to have one. Next cycle, however, will provide you with another opportunity to apply to USAFA. I recommend that my students in this situation attend college as a freshman and select a school with an ROTC unit. Join the ROTC unit, and perform well as a student and as an ROTC cadet. Reapply to USAFA as a college freshman demonstrating your ability to do college-level work and your commitment to this career path. Also, in ROTC, you are on a path that allows you to earn an 'on campus' ROTC scholarship and continue your path to becoming an AF officer.

Some 25 - 30% of all cadets at the Air Force Academy did not come directly out of high school as many attended a prep school, or a year or two of college, prior to becoming cadets.

I have had four students follow this recommendation. All four received appointments in their freshman year. One, in fact, will graduate this year from USAFA. I hope you the best with either path that you take!
 
Usfbutler said:
Hello! Current HS Senior asking people with insight what my potential chances at receiving an appointment to. While everybody’s story is different, from those who know the typical admitted cadet are these stats about the same? I’m looking for honesty, thank you.
Extracurriculars:
Cheerleading- 4 years of highschool (captain) and 3 of all star (in both programs im the only male athlete)
4 years of Drama Club
3 years of SADD Club
4 years of Class of 2024
Lead actor in a short film for a Graduate student at Columbia University
Carvel (Current Job)- 15-20 hours per week

Honor societies:
History National Honor Society
Science National Honor society
Italian National Honor Society
National Honor Society

*Co-Founder of History Honor Society as well as Vice-President of the club

Volunteering:
Over 200+ hours of service

Main Sources:
Lego Club Leader at the local library
Building and Acting in the past graduated students passion play When Words Come To Life
Tutoring in science and math
Helping coach and choreograph for JV cheer

Awards:
*Awarded nomination by Senator Gillibrand and Senator Schumer for US Air Force Academy
2x UCA All-American Cheerleader
High-Honor Roll for the majority of high-school career

School Stats:
SAT: 1220
ACT: 23 (Not an amazing test taker)
Had above a 97 unweighted and weighted it’s about a 99
Took relatively all honors and AP classes and succeeded with high grades in all

CFA scores were well above minimum

If there’s anything anybody could say to give me any peace of mind, this really is my dream school.
Click to expand...
Since Ive heard so many schools have overinflated GPA's, I would think they would look at your AP scores to see what your actual understanding of the classes were. And not all AP classes are considered tough and/or equal. So it might be hard for anyone to realistically give you a good idea of your chances, there are too many variables here.
 
Your noms are outstanding, so someone has seen past the test scores. You've got good advice: stay the course, and if it doesn't work out go to college and come back next year. College grades show you can do college work, and reapplying shows your desire to attend more clearly than any essay could possibly convey. It's out of your hands at this point, so take a moment to appreciate how much good work you've done in your high school career, give yourself a high five, and then go enjoy senior year. Good luck.
 
Your overcoming challenge essays could highlight the discipline you exercise to work at Carvel, where the awesome Fudgie the Whale and Cookie Puss cakes are made, and yet you remain in shape as a nationally ranked cheerleader - that's the dedication/discipline they are looking for!

You bring a lot to the table. Have you considered a large university where you could have a blast as a cheerleader and participate in ROTC (if you're a master of time management)? Consider all branches and all paths to serve as an officer - OCS/OTS, ROTC, service academies.

Just line up plans B, C, D that includes participation in AFROTC (did you apply for the HSSP with them in case you are not nominated to USAFA this round. If not join ROTC as a programmer and compete for an ICSP. Good luck to you.


1709217587318.png1709217612600.png
 

From the USAFA webpage
"SAT or ACT​

Students may take the SAT and ACT as many times as they’d like. Only the highest scores will be counted. When you register for the tests, request your scores be sent to the U.S. Air Force Academy. The SAT code for the Academy is 4830, and the ACT code is 0530.

Students who score below 620 Evidence-based reading and writing or below 580 math on the SAT reasoning test and below 24 English/reading and 25 math/science on the ACT normally will not be competitive for an appointment directly into the Academy. However, they will be considered for the prep school or a Falcon Foundation Scholarship."

Although not helpful for the OP, anybody applying next year, take the SAT / ACT multiple times to make sure you super score well above the minimum. Take them early and often. If you know you're "not an amazing test taker", there are plenty of free and low-cost (as well as high-cost) prep programs to maximize your ability to score well.
 
Actually, OP,, if you are considering reapplying to USAFA next year, take the SAT this spring. With the new online format, you may do much better. Make sure that you are comfortable with Desmos.

If you can get a higher score, that is the one that will count next cycle. (Or even if one section is higher you'll benefit with superscoring.
 
Hey OP.

Fairly similar stats, also a senior in high school. Guess we'll have to wait and see! I've heard stories of people getting in with stats around ours, or alternatively candidates who have lower GPAs but higher SAT/ACT.
--
3.8ish GPA
1230 SAT (660 EBRW, 570 Math)
Took pretty much all honors/dual enrollment/AP classes
CFA scores well above minimum, I think mine were at or above average.

I didn't do any school-sanctioned athletics, but have been a competitive biker for some time.

Model UN
National Technical Honor Society
Theater Tech
Student Volunteer Groups
Student Journalism
Student Government
Honor Roll

4 part-time jobs, 1 volunteer position as an Emergency Medical Technician/Emergency Vehicle Operator. Atleast 3000 hours, 1000 of which volunteer.
Private Pilot's License

Two senator nominations (technically. Maryland will only actually award one so that they can nominate as many people as possible. I was informed in writing that if one hadn't given me a nom, the other would have.)
Presidential nomination
--
Hoping for the best for us!
 
Hello all,
I'm in the same boat. Finished the app, dodmerb, interview, etc. but no LOA or any other updates yet. I know it's a waiting game, and I am eagerly waiting 😣. If I may pick your experienced brains for some insight into my chances just to analyze to occupy my mind a little..

Here's my summary:

SAT - 1420 ( English 740, Math 680)
96.5 GPA - 8 AP classes (5 done / 3 Current yr - Cal BC, Physics & Gov)
Additional 15 college credits in Math & 32 in Business through high school scholar programs with an affiliated university.
3 Nominations received to USAFA from all 3 MOC sources & application in for VP's.
I received the NROTC scholarship, and the AFROTC application is also in.

Activities:
Civil Air Patrol Connecticut Wing Encampment, Staff/Flight Sergeant (7/2023)
US Coast Guard Academy Summer Seminar, AIM (7/2023)
Boys State - Senator, Senate Committee Chair for Internet and Technology (6/2023)
US Naval Academy Summer Seminar (6/2023)
US Air Force Academy Summer Seminar (6/2023)
Civil Air Patrol (2022-Present)
Track and Field Co (2022-Present) Co-Captain (2023-2024)
Taekwondo (2012-Present)
Boxing (2021-Present)
CrossFit (2021-Present)
Student Congress (2021-2022 | 2022-Present)
Model United Nations (2020-Present)
Band - Pep, Jazz, Marching (2021-Present)
Red Cross Certified Lifeguard (2022-Present)
Red Cross Certified CPR/AED & First Aid (2022-Present)
Volunteer-Book Fairies (2022-Present)
Volunteer-Island Harvest (2021-Present)
Volunteer-Family Search (2022-Present)
The Chariot - Writer (School Newspaper) (2022-Present)
Stage Crew - President (2022-Present)
Financier Cub - President (2023 - Present)
Cyber Patriots (2022-Present)
Civil Air Patrol Winter Encampment (12/2022)
Space Camp - Aviation Challenge MACH III (7/2022)
iD Tech - MIT Campus | Intro to Python Coding for Machine Learning (7/2022)
IEEE Certificate - From Goddard to Apollo: The History of Rockets (2016)

Honors, Awards & Achievements:
All County Award for Weight Throw (2024)
Presidential Volunteer Service Award - Gold (2023)
AP Scholar with Distinction Award - (2023)
WRIGHT BROTHERS Award - Civil Air Patrol (3/2023)
Cadet of the Month - Civil Air Patrol (10/2022)
1st Degree Black Belt (2015)
2nd Degree Black Belt (2021)
Varsity Award - Track & Field (Outdoor, 2023)
Varsity Award - Track & Field (Indoor, 2023)
Red Cross Certified Lifeguard (2022-Present)
Red Cross Certified CPR/AED & First Aid (2022-Present)
CompTIA ITF+ Certification (2019)
High Honor Roll (2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023)
National Honor Society (2023-Present)
National Junior Honor Society (2020-Present)
National Society of High School Scholars (2022-Present)
Tri-M Music Honor Society (2021-2022)
Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society (2022-Present)
Business Honor Society (2021-2022)
FBLA (2022-Present)
Talented and Gifted (2022-Present)
Outstanding Delegation (Model UN - SIDMUN 2022)
Best Position Paper (Model UN - BOSMUN 2023, Boston University)
Honorable Mention (Model UN - SIDMUN 2023)
Honorable Mention (Model UN - BOSMUN 2024, Boston University)

I applied to USAFA & USNA but only received nominations to USAFA. Also applied to 20 Civilian schools and so far got 6 acceptance (4 with scholarships) and 1 deferral. If I don't get into the academy, I'm going to see if I gets in to any of my top choices in the ROTC applications. If not, I will pick one of the schools offering me scholarship and apply to the academy again next year.

Thank you so much in advance for any insights on my chances 🙏.
 
USNA2028,

Wow! Although I have no way of evaluating interviews, the resume seems great. One area seems to stick out a bit when compared with the rest of your resume - the SAT Math score. I hate to be picky, but your math SAT score seems a bit low when compared with the strength of the rest of your resume. A 680 is very good, but a 700+ would be great like the rest of your resume.

3 nominations don't guarantee selection, but your resume seems to meet the whole person concept. Nobody has a perfect application, but I like your chances.
 
Hello Sir, Thank you so much for the response. Understood you comments about the Math score. I took a few times to bring it up to 680. I couldn't take the last STA before the deadline due to other conflicts but will try again to improve if I have to apply again next year. Thanks again
 
USNA2028 said:
Hello Sir, Thank you so much for the response. Understood you comments about the Math score. I took a few times to bring it up to 680. I couldn't take the last STA before the deadline due to other conflicts but will try again to improve if I have to apply again next year. Thanks again
Click to expand...
USNA2028, I understand. Good luck.
A few years ago, my DS had the reverse problem. He kept taking the SAT to improve the critical reading score. English was his third language growing up in Europe. We moved to the USA in time for him to start 5th grade in the US. I think he struggled with the advanced vocab needed for the SAT, but never used again. However, he never got a math SAT question wrong in four consecutive exams while he tried to improve his reading score. He was a math/science whiz. Due to his low reading score (550?), USAFA admissions never scored his application. He went to USMA and studied mechanical and nuclear engineering.
 
Usfbutler said:
Hello! Current HS Senior asking people with insight what my potential chances at receiving an appointment to. While everybody’s story is different, from those who know the typical admitted cadet are these stats about the same? I’m looking for honesty, thank you.
Extracurriculars:
Cheerleading- 4 years of highschool (captain) and 3 of all star (in both programs im the only male athlete)
4 years of Drama Club
3 years of SADD Club
4 years of Class of 2024
Lead actor in a short film for a Graduate student at Columbia University
Carvel (Current Job)- 15-20 hours per week

Honor societies:
History National Honor Society
Science National Honor society
Italian National Honor Society
National Honor Society

*Co-Founder of History Honor Society as well as Vice-President of the club

Volunteering:
Over 200+ hours of service

Main Sources:
Lego Club Leader at the local library
Building and Acting in the past graduated students passion play When Words Come To Life
Tutoring in science and math
Helping coach and choreograph for JV cheer

Awards:
*Awarded nomination by Senator Gillibrand and Senator Schumer for US Air Force Academy
2x UCA All-American Cheerleader
High-Honor Roll for the majority of high-school career

School Stats:
SAT: 1220
ACT: 23 (Not an amazing test taker)
Had above a 97 unweighted and weighted it’s about a 99
Took relatively all honors and AP classes and succeeded with high grades in all

CFA scores were well above minimum

If there’s anything anybody could say to give me any peace of mind, this really is my dream school'
Click to expand...
Honestly you're cooked, season yourself and flip yourself on the pan its game over. A 1220 is not to our standards, so genuinley you wont be able to cut it academically. Im gonna be honest athletically, you are a chearleader, most people here played lax football swimming or something super demanding, not saying cheerleading isnt a sport but........ as far as the military stuff goes, it looks like you just play with legos at a library, not saying theres kids here that wouldnt do that but let be real with ourselfs
 
FortuneMaterial said:
Honestly you're cooked, season yourself and flip yourself on the pan its game over. A 1220 is not to our standards, so genuinley you wont be able to cut it academically. Im gonna be honest athletically, you are a chearleader, most people here played lax football swimming or something super demanding, not saying cheerleading isnt a sport but........ as far as the military stuff goes, it looks like you just play with legos at a library, not saying theres kids here that wouldnt do that but let be real with ourselfs
Click to expand...
Completely disagree. Some people are just bad test takers. Ik someone who’s gotten in with under 1200 from a busy Philadelphia slate. It’s important, but not everything.
I get tough love, but this is someone you never spoke a word to before so sounds like just being a d***
 
FortuneMaterial said:
Honestly you're cooked, season yourself and flip yourself on the pan its game over. A 1220 is not to our standards, so genuinley you wont be able to cut it academically. Im gonna be honest athletically, you are a chearleader, most people here played lax football swimming or something super demanding, not saying cheerleading isnt a sport but........ as far as the military stuff goes, it looks like you just play with legos at a library, not saying theres kids here that wouldnt do that but let be real with ourselfs
Click to expand...
I've noticed that you have been posting a lot of very unhelpful and unkind content (like this), and you've posted a lot in an hour-long period. I don't know what's up with you, but we don't need that energy.

Maybe your account got hacked or something, or you are having a bad day, I don't know. If it was hacked that sucks, and if you are having some issues, please seek help.
 
Hopful_Mil_Kid said:
I've noticed that you have been posting a lot of very unhelpful and unkind content (like this), and you've posted a lot in an hour-long period. I don't know what's up with you, but we don't need that energy.

Maybe your account got hacked or something, or you are having a bad day, I don't know. If it was hacked that sucks, and if you are having some issues, please seek help.
Click to expand...
It’s spring break. This seems to happen every year. Must not have exciting plans? Idk. But looks this poster had fun last night…Thankfully Mods catch them eventually.
 
Osprey123 said:
Actually, OP,, if you are considering reapplying to USAFA next year, take the SAT this spring. With the new online format, you may do much better. Make sure that you are comfortable with Desmos.

If you can get a higher score, that is the one that will count next cycle. (Or even if one section is higher you'll benefit with superscoring.
Click to expand...
Remember, new test protocols and formats may change the scores required. Look at the percentiles of the current scores and then aim for a similar percentile on the new tes.
 
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