Questions, Chatter, Congrats for the 2026 USAFA Appointment Thread

[emcconnell]

Does anyone know how counselor verifies school activities? Does USAFA provide them with the list I gave them and ask the counselor for verification, or just ask for a new list from the counselor. I don't keep touch with my counselor very often, and I'm pretty sure they are mostly unaware of my extracurricular activities, I'm worried they may have said that I didn't participate in something, that they weren't aware of.

The SA will send the list you have uploaded to your counselor and your counselor will verify.

 

[USAFA 2027]

awesome thanks a bunch

 

[have4kiddos]

There have only been a few appointments. Mostly ICs and preppies based on what I see on the 2026 parent group.

The "big release" won't be until end of March (est.)

My child got one in January, and is neither of those, but from what you are saying I guess is in the minority of “regular” applicants who got appointment.

 

[somuchbetterthanme]

My child got one in January, and is neither of those, but from what you are saying I guess is in the minority of “regular” applicants who got appointment.

Mine also. My DS received his in February .

 

[Wild_Blue_Yonder]

The SA will send the list you have uploaded to your counselor and your counselor will verify.

Unfortunately, almost every high school counselor is unable to honestly and realistically answer most questions from the USAFA system. Yes, I know there are exceptions. But how many counselors are truly able to speak of a students work ethic, integrity, teamwork, etc. Sure, they can draw a conclusion… if they really try. However, ours was a PITA and it took FIVE visits to plead with her to “look at things holistically and use letters from teachers that DO know him to better inform your decision.” And after 5 promptings, we have fret over what she actually rated/wrote.

IMHO there is a disconnect between what USAFA realistically expects from these counselors and how the counselor can honestly evaluate the student. The questions should be more of a “verification” of activities and involvement, not an evaluation of participation in activities.

In short, the current counselor evaluation is pointless. Kudos to those with more involved counselors, lower counselor to student ratio, or counselors that just “played the game” and moved things along.

 

[Jenb78]

Unfortunately, almost every high school counselor is unable to honestly and realistically answer most questions from the USAFA system. Yes, I know there are exceptions. But how many counselors are truly able to speak of a students work ethic, integrity, teamwork, etc. Sure, they can draw a conclusion… if they really try. However, ours was a PITA and it took FIVE visits to plead with her to “look at things holistically and use letters from teachers that DO know him to better inform your decision.” And after 5 promptings, we have fret over what she actually rated/wrote.

IMHO there is a disconnect between what USAFA realistically expects from these counselors and how the counselor can honestly evaluate the student. The questions should be more of a “verification” of activities and involvement, not an evaluation of participation in activities.

In short, the current counselor evaluation is pointless. Kudos to those with more involved counselors, lower counselor to student ratio, or counselors that just “played the game” and moved things along.

I can’t speak for all school counselors, but ours has been a tremendous help. We live in a highly populated area with 5 large high schools in a 10 mile radius (1500-2200 in each school). My son’s high school has around 2000 students. His counselor and principal were super helpful and knew him well. They both have emailed to check in and really just been awesome and went above and beyond to help!!!

 

[justdoit19]

Unfortunately, almost every high school counselor is unable to honestly and realistically answer most questions from the USAFA system. Yes, I know there are exceptions. But how many counselors are truly able to speak of a students work ethic, integrity, teamwork, etc. Sure, they can draw a conclusion… if they really try. However, ours was a PITA and it took FIVE visits to plead with her to “look at things holistically and use letters from teachers that DO know him to better inform your decision.” And after 5 promptings, we have fret over what she actually rated/wrote.

IMHO there is a disconnect between what USAFA realistically expects from these counselors and how the counselor can honestly evaluate the student. The questions should be more of a “verification” of activities and involvement, not an evaluation of participation in activities.

In short, the current counselor evaluation is pointless. Kudos to those with more involved counselors, lower counselor to student ratio, or counselors that just “played the game” and moved things along.

I don’t think this is true at all. A student who is involved in their high school, as a leader, would be able to be identified either first handedly, or though conversations with other staff/teachers/administrators. Even at a large school. The kind of student that a SA looks for, will be someone who is a standout. And identifiable…perhaps not first handedly, but through queries with others (ie teachers, coaches, etc…). No counselor/admin/teacher can attest to every single item. But they should be able to find the info very easily. And this is also why the whole person is looked at. Everything combined: fitness, LOR’s, teacher evaluations, student resumes, ALO interview, etc.

This is a good point to future applicants: don’t be a wall flower! Don’t be anonymous. Make a difference. Be a leader. That’s the candidate who will stand out and receive an appointmnet.

 

[DestroyerOfCommies]

My ALO just sent me an email containing this information.

“Normally the Air Force Academy would be issuing appointments by now. I just received notification that we won’t see appointments until the end of month or later. The majority of those appointments should be offered by April 21st. After that date, If you did not receive an appointment, there is a possibility that you may be offered an appointment to the AFA Prep School or a Falcon Foundation Scholarship to one of six prep schools around the country.

Another major change this year is that you will have only a brief period of time to accept or decline an offered appointment. If you receive an appointment prior to April 8th, your acceptance deadline is April 15th. If you are offered an appointment after April 8th, you will have one week to accept.”


Thoughts?

Just out of curiosity, do different ALOs usually get different information from USAFA admissions? My mentor ALO said that he hasn’t heard anything from USAFA regarding timeframes for releasing decisions.

 

[Wild_Blue_Yonder]

I don’t think this is true at all. A student who is involved in their high school, as a leader, would be able to be identified either first handedly, or though conversations with other staff/teachers/administrators. Even at a large school. The kind of student that a SA looks for, will be someone who is a standout. And identifiable…perhaps not first handedly, but through queries with others (ie teachers, coaches, etc…). No counselor/admin/teacher can attest to every single item. But they should be able to find the info very easily. And this is also why the whole person is looked at. Everything combined: fitness, LOR’s, teacher evaluations, student resumes, ALO interview, etc.

This is a good point to future applicants: don’t be a wall flower! Don’t be anonymous. Make a difference. Be a leader. That’s the candidate who will stand out and receive an appointmnet.

I wouldn't say "not true at all." As per multiple correspondence with our counselor, she stated "same form that was sent to me previously where it says it MUST BE COMPLETED BY A TEACHER." She said it was impossible to rate "communicates effectively in written communication" or "persists when solving problems." Excellent wall flower advice! But I still think there is a disconnect... especially if the form begins "MUST BE COMPLETED BY A TEACHER."

 

[TLR2025]

My DS got his appointment on March 17th, 2021. He is going through recognition at this very moment.
Hang in there!

 

[justdoit19]

I wouldn't say "not true at all." As per multiple correspondence with our counselor, she stated "same form that was sent to me previously where it says it MUST BE COMPLETED BY A TEACHER." She said it was impossible to rate "communicates effectively in written communication" or "persists when solving problems." Excellent wall flower advice! But I still think there is a disconnect... especially if the form begins "MUST BE COMPLETED BY A TEACHER."

Something seems off with this…I’m so sorry your son had such a poor experience! Maybe it’s different for USNA, but as I recall from my sons USAFA application, there were things that teachers filled out, with verbiage you provided. Separately, a counselor/admin ‘validated’ his activities record. Which wasn’t an evaluation, with verbiage as you stated.

I wonder if the counselor received the wrong request? Idk. But it’s not been a common thing, that counselors are unable to fill out and validate/attest to the into needed. So maybe something happened wrong in your sons case?

And I was saying ‘not true at all’ to that point: it’s not true that *most* counselors are unable to fill out the info requested. Not that it didn’t happen to your son. That would be frustrating.

 

[Sparky233]

Just out of curiosity, do different ALOs usually get different information from USAFA admissions? My mentor ALO said that he hasn’t heard anything from USAFA regarding timeframes for releasing decisions.

I was told that most appointments would be given out in the middle of march, so it seems most people should know by the end of this month

 

[USAFA 2027]

does anyone know people who are not on the forum who have received their appointment?

 

[Stealth_81]

does anyone know people who are not on the forum who have received their appointment?

Yes. Several.

Stealth_81

 

[Wild_Blue_Yonder]

does anyone know people who are not on the forum who have received their appointment?

According to AFrpaso’s chart, historically it looks like only about 15% of appointees actually report their appointment on this forum. So, about 50 out of over 300 so far have reported.

 

[FlyFalcon]

does anyone know people who are not on the forum who have received their appointment?

I've actually posted a few and hear from friends all the time. I know of about 3-4 four not on the forum and have noted here.

 

[Capt MJ]

According to AFrpaso’s chart, historically it looks like only about 15% of appointees actually report their appointment on this forum. So, about 50 out of over 300 so far have reported.

The rough historic 15% reflects the number out of a class at the end of the cycle - not right this minute. We can’t know who else has an appointment in hand. Only Admissions does.

There is no way of knowing if what we are seeing today correlates to 15%, with a predictable unreported number of posts out there, as if this minute.

It’s a tiny data sliver, with a trend factor built of jello. We have also speculated here many times about the bias in the poster pool, as the people here tend to go out researching and lean forward in the process, which may or may not correlate to a higher appointment rate.

 

[FeedingFrenzy]

My child got one in January, and is neither of those, but from what you are saying I guess is in the minority of “regular” applicants who got appointment.

Same with my DS, he was appointed in late January and had no athletic background, not an IC nor a preppie, nor a legacy, not military affiliated. Just keep your chin up and stay positive. If your kiddo achieves more honors or accomplishments, then have them immediately send to Admissions. That's what DS did in early January-- sent more supporting evidence of leadership and achievement-- and admissions said it was helpful and added the info to his file. Fingers crossed!

 

[Candd82026]

My ALO just sent me an email containing this information.

“Normally the Air Force Academy would be issuing appointments by now. I just received notification that we won’t see appointments until the end of month or later. The majority of those appointments should be offered by April 21st. After that date, If you did not receive an appointment, there is a possibility that you may be offered an appointment to the AFA Prep School or a Falcon Foundation Scholarship to one of six prep schools around the country.

Another major change this year is that you will have only a brief period of time to accept or decline an offered appointment. If you receive an appointment prior to April 8th, your acceptance deadline is April 15th. If you are offered an appointment after April 8th, you will have one week to accept.”


Thoughts?

I can vouch for the April 15 date being given as a deadline to accept. For DS, he submitted an early declination in January after accepting his USMA appointment. But some may be holding off until the April 15 deadline before committing to an offer they're waiting for whether USAFA or otherwise.

 

[Skyhawk]

Same with my DS, he was appointed in late January and had no athletic background, not an IC nor a preppie, nor a legacy, not military affiliated. Just keep your chin up and stay positive. If your kiddo achieves more honors or accomplishments, then have them immediately send to Admissions. That's what DS did in early January-- sent more supporting evidence of leadership and achievement-- and admissions said it was helpful and added the info to his file. Fingers crossed!

Hey is legacy a big deal? Didn’t think it was but I’m legacy! Also I sent something to admissions and they never responded, candidate booklet says you can’t update, are you team silver?