Prepare For My Future

[Sixes]

Hey everyone!

I'm a Freshman this year and I'm wanting to prepare myself for the academies, especially USAFA. I am in honors classes and plan on doing CAP and NHS (I am currently not in it due to COVID but hopefully that will change). I also plan on doing activities in the community as well as my church. I am currently on the Freshman Football team and plan on doing Golf or Track. I am curious on how I can set myself up for success. I've already talked to some guys from USAFA and USMA, but I still am looking for more ways on how I can prepare. Here are my questions:
What kind of classes should I take to get a direct appointment? (I've been told to take AP and IP but I don't know much about them)
What kind of leadership are they looking for?
How many AP classes should I take without overwhelming my self. (I am a pretty well multitasker.)
What clubs/activities should I be involved in?
How big of a help is CAP?
Would a job be helpful?
Things are a bit weird this year with the whole virus situation, but I'm sure everything will sort out by the end for both people already at the academies, and people planning to go there.

Thanks!
SuperFalcon68

 

[EEBTTF]

Welcome - All good questions. I suggest you take some time and get familiar with the forum. All of your questions have been asked and answered. You will learn a lot about the process during your research. Good luck to you!

 

[Sixes]

Welcome - All good questions. I suggest you take some time and get familiar with the forum. All of your questions have been asked and answered. You will learn a lot about the process during your research. Good luck to you!

Thanks!

 

[MidCakePa]

+1 to @EEBTTF. Everything you asked has been covered as nauseum on SAF. So comb the USAFA section carefully. And go onto USAFA’s website and read every link, tab, page and pulldown to ensure you have a full picture.

Only thing I’d add, which I learned from an SA admissions consultant who’s also an SA alum: Take the hardest classes your school has to offer, especially in STEM, and excel at them.

 

[USAFA_86]

1. Take the hardest classes offered to you, without overwhelming yourself. AP classes are college level classes that are offered in high school. The AP class selection differs from school to school so I would contact your high school counselor if you have more questions.

2. When deciding which extracurricular activities to participate in, look for those which you enjoy, not those which may look good on your resume. In my experience, the best way to earn leadership positions is being active in the club or organization. It will be much easier to be active if you genuinely enjoy what you are doing.

3. I am applying for the c/o 2025 and I have never been involved in CAP. Looking back, I wish I would have made the time for it because I think I would have enjoyed it. Again, don't do CAP solely for the purpose of improving your application.

The good news is that you are a Freshman and already thinking about the Service Academies! You have plenty of time to prepare! Good luck!!

 

[Sixes]

Thanks to both!

 

[shock-n-awe]

Hey everyone!

I'm a Freshman this year and I'm wanting to prepare myself for the academies, especially USAFA. I am in honors classes and plan on doing CAP and NHS (I am currently not in it due to COVID but hopefully that will change). I also plan on doing activities in the community as well as my church. I am currently on the Freshman Football team and plan on doing Golf or Track. I am curious on how I can set myself up for success. I've already talked to some guys from USAFA and USMA, but I still am looking for more ways on how I can prepare. Here are my questions:
What kind of classes should I take to get a direct appointment? (I've been told to take AP and IP but I don't know much about them)
What kind of leadership are they looking for?
How many AP classes should I take without overwhelming my self. (I am a pretty well multitasker.)
What clubs/activities should I be involved in?
How big of a help is CAP?
Would a job be helpful?
Things are a bit weird this year with the whole virus situation, but I'm sure everything will sort out by the end for both people already at the academies, and people planning to go there.

Thanks!
SuperFalcon68

As stated, search SAF for your answers. Go to the SA websites of those you wish to apply to and research them in depth.
Once you’ve gotten a good dose of information, meet with your guidance counselor and tell them your goal of attending an SA. They may or may not understand the process. If they are unfamiliar, you will really have to work hard with them to map out a class schedule taking the hardest and STEM focused classes your school offers. You also need to have the same discussion with your teachers. They need to understand your goal and what you need to do to accomplish it. Having them all understanding the objectives and process will be a huge help. You will be asking some of them for a lot of help later on. Things such as proofreading your essays, letters of recommendation, practice interviews, additional instruction before/after class as needed, administering the CFA, sending transcripts, etc.
They will be a huge support if you bring them along with you for “the ride”. Coaches and EC instructors may also offer you the needed leadership opportunities such as Captain if they know your goals and prove yourself worthy. Then you will need to actually lead if given the opportunity not just check the “leadership “ box.
The SA application process and your HS career can be a difficult journey. It is up to you to do the hard work and gain the needed knowledge so you can best prepare yourself for success. Having said that you will also need the support of the key people mentioned so work with them.
Best of luck, and don’t be afraid to ask questions here. Often times the same basic questions get blurted out by new members who haven’t researched anything at all, and the answers have already been given here a thousand times.
But that’s ok, the old members here can still give a quick answer early in the morning with eyelids half shut while waiting for their coffee to brew followed by a “salty” remark welcoming the newbie!

 

[Sixes]

As stated, search SAF for your answers. Go to the SA websites of those you wish to apply to and research them in depth.
Once you’ve gotten a good dose of information, meet with your guidance counselor and tell them your goal of attending an SA. They may or may not understand the process. If they are unfamiliar, you will really have to work hard with them to map out a class schedule taking the hardest and STEM focused classes your school offers. You also need to have the same discussion with your teachers. They need to understand your goal and what you need to do to accomplish it. Having them all understanding the objectives and process will be a huge help. You will be asking some of them for a lot of help later on. Things such as proofreading your essays, letters of recommendation, practice interviews, additional instruction before/after class as needed, administering the CFA, sending transcripts, etc.
They will be a huge support if you bring them along with you for “the ride”. Coaches and EC instructors may also offer you the needed leadership opportunities such as Captain if they know your goals and prove yourself worthy. Then you will need to actually lead if given the opportunity not just check the “leadership “ box.
The SA application process and your HS career can be a difficult journey. It is up to you to do the hard work and gain the needed knowledge so you can best prepare yourself for success. Having said that you will also need the support of the key people mentioned so work with them.
Best of luck, and don’t be afraid to ask questions here. Often times the same basic questions get blurted out by new members who haven’t researched anything at all, and the answers have already been given here a thousand times.
But that’s ok, the old members here can still give a quick answer early in the morning with eyelids half shut while waiting for their coffee to brew followed by a “salty” remark welcoming the newbie!

Much appreciated schock-n-awe! I will definitely talk to my coaches, teachers and guidance counselor about the SAs. I have looked at the Big Three SAs and seen the "criteria" for being a likely candidate for the Academy. Everything looks like I should be able to do it, but that's only if I put in effort. Much thanks to everyone else for their help as well, I'll be sure to continue looking into the SAF.

 

[Nbravs]

Hey everyone!

I'm a Freshman this year and I'm wanting to prepare myself for the academies, especially USAFA. I am in honors classes and plan on doing CAP and NHS (I am currently not in it due to COVID but hopefully that will change). I also plan on doing activities in the community as well as my church. I am currently on the Freshman Football team and plan on doing Golf or Track. I am curious on how I can set myself up for success. I've already talked to some guys from USAFA and USMA, but I still am looking for more ways on how I can prepare. Here are my questions:
What kind of classes should I take to get a direct appointment? (I've been told to take AP and IP but I don't know much about them)
What kind of leadership are they looking for?
How many AP classes should I take without overwhelming my self. (I am a pretty well multitasker.)
What clubs/activities should I be involved in?
How big of a help is CAP?
Would a job be helpful?
Things are a bit weird this year with the whole virus situation, but I'm sure everything will sort out by the end for both people already at the academies, and people planning to go there.

Thanks!
SuperFalcon68

Hey there! Welcome to the forum! I’m also a candidate applying for the c/ 2025. Like @USAFA_86 said, don’t just go into CAP to just be in it. If you really want to shock the academy’s admissions board, reach the Mitchell and beyond! That will show perseverance, leadership, and excellence! Good Luck!