I will be a sophomore in high school this august, and am trying to prepare myself to apply to the Air Force Academy. I am making this thread before I visit a recruiter to talk, just to get information from real people. Please feel free to point out what I've done wrong, and I'm going in the right direction.
As previously stated, I will be a sophomore this coming year. My classes that I've signed up for are driver's ed, honors geometry, honors english II, AP government and politics, honors chemistry, marching band, symphonic band, and one other class which I am not aware of. I don't know what my eighth class is, because I tried doubling math classes and it didn't work out with both band classes. When I switched back, apparently they weren't allowed to show me my schedule.. One of my main concerns, is that my application will become uncompetitive, due to 8 classes throughout high school being taken up by some sort of band.
The only reason that I turned down applying to a STEM school, was because of the high school band program, which I am now questioning. I was told that the best thing on an application to the academy would be going to a stem school, but I feel like my school's band will balance that. My high school's band program is very competitive, and a good size(around 130-140 people this year). We attend two rather large competitions, one being COC(Contest of Champions) at MTSU(Nashville, TN), and the other is Band Beat, hosted by Carolina Crown. I will provide links to see what these are at the end. I say all this, not to brag, but to present the option for leadership.
Here, I'll explain what a drum major is for those who don't know, and explain how this ties into my application. I think that being the drum major(the person who conducts the marching band, also the highest student leadership position) would look better on an application to the academy than, say, ROTC or something by a mile. Or at least in my case, I think.. Let me know. As drum major, you are challenged to lead the band, represent the band, and be a leader. Not a sports team of 20-30, not a club of 15-20, over 130 people. Growing up around the band, I've been able to see what the drum major is like. Apart from having the responsibility of creating a conducting pattern special to your piece of music, you have to help everyone with their music, and drill. By this, I mean mainly helping out the underclassmen with what they're doing wrong in the drill, and just generally giving tips on music. And of course, all the normal characteristics of a leader apply here.
Not doing boy scouts or ROTC, in my mind, is ok, because of marching band. It is physically, mentally, and intellectually demanding. While marching, you must stay completely flat(not bouncing your head when you walk) by not bending your knees as you walk, you must stand straight up to maximize lung capacity(and for good posture). You have to know exactly where to go, how many steps it will take to get there, how many counts(how much time) you have to get there, and all the while playing a challenging piece of music. As in all music, you must use dynamics, articulations, and so on.. Not to mention, you must work together as a team, to accomplish your goal, performing a show as flawless as possible. I've heard that being on a varsity sports team teaches you discipline.. In band, you have to stand outside in august, for at least 4 hours a day when you have after school practices. During these practices, you will stretch, do fundamentals(kind of like doing some basic plays, to get warmed up, in football or something) in a certain way, and in a set time. Also, you do it as a group, or in a 'block'. If this isn't teaching you discipline, I'm not sure what will. It teaches you to obey your captains, march better, and to work as a team.
However, if this wasn't enough, I am going to tryout for Cross Country my junior year for a varsity sport. In addition, I will be on the robotics team from my sophomore year, forward. Next, I will be looking to apply to the NHS when I can, and will be getting a part time job when I become of age. Lastly, I will be looking to join the Civil Air Patrol before school starts in august, if possible. Are these extra curricular activities enough?
I'm not sure if it's of any significance, but I'll share my test scores from my freshman year. I only decided to apply to the academy half-way through the semester, so those first normal level classes aren't really going to help me. If anything, they've set me back a semester.. However, I made all A's. Thinking it would be more of a challenge, I turned up the rigor by joining honors classes, after Christmas. Taking Honors Biology I & Honors Algebra I as my academics, I made it out with a 94 in math, and a 97 in science(after +3 points). On my EOCs(state given tests), I made a 99 on my algebra test, a 97 on the biology test, and a 97 on the health & wellness test. Band does things differently, but I ended the semester with all A's. Again, not sure if this is relevant, but thought I would throw it in there.
My love and passion for math and science has driven to want to pursue a career in computer science or computer engineering, and I can't really see anything better to put forth my skills. Please let me know if I am even competitive, if I were to apply right now, and what I have done wrong or right.
Thanks,
- Noah
As previously stated, I will be a sophomore this coming year. My classes that I've signed up for are driver's ed, honors geometry, honors english II, AP government and politics, honors chemistry, marching band, symphonic band, and one other class which I am not aware of. I don't know what my eighth class is, because I tried doubling math classes and it didn't work out with both band classes. When I switched back, apparently they weren't allowed to show me my schedule.. One of my main concerns, is that my application will become uncompetitive, due to 8 classes throughout high school being taken up by some sort of band.
The only reason that I turned down applying to a STEM school, was because of the high school band program, which I am now questioning. I was told that the best thing on an application to the academy would be going to a stem school, but I feel like my school's band will balance that. My high school's band program is very competitive, and a good size(around 130-140 people this year). We attend two rather large competitions, one being COC(Contest of Champions) at MTSU(Nashville, TN), and the other is Band Beat, hosted by Carolina Crown. I will provide links to see what these are at the end. I say all this, not to brag, but to present the option for leadership.
Here, I'll explain what a drum major is for those who don't know, and explain how this ties into my application. I think that being the drum major(the person who conducts the marching band, also the highest student leadership position) would look better on an application to the academy than, say, ROTC or something by a mile. Or at least in my case, I think.. Let me know. As drum major, you are challenged to lead the band, represent the band, and be a leader. Not a sports team of 20-30, not a club of 15-20, over 130 people. Growing up around the band, I've been able to see what the drum major is like. Apart from having the responsibility of creating a conducting pattern special to your piece of music, you have to help everyone with their music, and drill. By this, I mean mainly helping out the underclassmen with what they're doing wrong in the drill, and just generally giving tips on music. And of course, all the normal characteristics of a leader apply here.
Not doing boy scouts or ROTC, in my mind, is ok, because of marching band. It is physically, mentally, and intellectually demanding. While marching, you must stay completely flat(not bouncing your head when you walk) by not bending your knees as you walk, you must stand straight up to maximize lung capacity(and for good posture). You have to know exactly where to go, how many steps it will take to get there, how many counts(how much time) you have to get there, and all the while playing a challenging piece of music. As in all music, you must use dynamics, articulations, and so on.. Not to mention, you must work together as a team, to accomplish your goal, performing a show as flawless as possible. I've heard that being on a varsity sports team teaches you discipline.. In band, you have to stand outside in august, for at least 4 hours a day when you have after school practices. During these practices, you will stretch, do fundamentals(kind of like doing some basic plays, to get warmed up, in football or something) in a certain way, and in a set time. Also, you do it as a group, or in a 'block'. If this isn't teaching you discipline, I'm not sure what will. It teaches you to obey your captains, march better, and to work as a team.
However, if this wasn't enough, I am going to tryout for Cross Country my junior year for a varsity sport. In addition, I will be on the robotics team from my sophomore year, forward. Next, I will be looking to apply to the NHS when I can, and will be getting a part time job when I become of age. Lastly, I will be looking to join the Civil Air Patrol before school starts in august, if possible. Are these extra curricular activities enough?
I'm not sure if it's of any significance, but I'll share my test scores from my freshman year. I only decided to apply to the academy half-way through the semester, so those first normal level classes aren't really going to help me. If anything, they've set me back a semester.. However, I made all A's. Thinking it would be more of a challenge, I turned up the rigor by joining honors classes, after Christmas. Taking Honors Biology I & Honors Algebra I as my academics, I made it out with a 94 in math, and a 97 in science(after +3 points). On my EOCs(state given tests), I made a 99 on my algebra test, a 97 on the biology test, and a 97 on the health & wellness test. Band does things differently, but I ended the semester with all A's. Again, not sure if this is relevant, but thought I would throw it in there.
My love and passion for math and science has driven to want to pursue a career in computer science or computer engineering, and I can't really see anything better to put forth my skills. Please let me know if I am even competitive, if I were to apply right now, and what I have done wrong or right.
Thanks,
- Noah