Re-applicant advice

[Lammi]

I was unsuccessful in achieving an appointment to USAFA and USAFAPS this cycle, I intend on re-applying as well.

I plan on going to a local community college for a semester, making sure I ace those classes along with attending AFROTC and remaining active in my local CAP squadron.

There’s still some “small” problems, I still screwed up my senior year (grade wise) and am still medically DQ’d

I can already confidently say I’ve improved overall from my application 2025 and I have no plans on stopping.

I'm just concerned on how much my senior year effect my application for 2026 and on top of that I’ll have to fight for a waiver. Despite all of these improvements I have made, and still intend on making I don’t even know if it’s realistic for me to receive an appointment for 2026.

Nevertheless I will still work on maxing my CFA and acing those classes.

Any advice or information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Aviator25]

First, I would really recommend scoring the very best you can on the SAT. I would aim for 1500+ or as high as you can get it. You have all summer so use it wisely.

Also, try to bring up your senior year grades. Seek out friends and teachers for help and bring those grades up. In College, retake core foundation courses you didn’t do so well in (Algebra II or PreCalculus, etc.) and try to make courses that a freshman at USAFA would take: Calculus I & II, Chemistry (with law), Physics (with lab), etc.

 

[PositiveEnergy]

First, I would really recommend scoring the very best you can on the SAT. I would aim for 1500+ or as high as you can get it. You have all summer so use it wisely.

Also, try to bring up your senior year grades. Seek out friends and teachers for help and bring those grades up. In College, retake core foundation courses you didn’t do so well in (Algebra II or PreCalculus, etc.) and try to make courses that a freshman at USAFA would take: Calculus I & II, Chemistry (with law), Physics (with lab), etc.

i could be wrong but im not sure if they care much about the SAT score for reapplicants. From what I have seen from others its also probably not super important to retake classes and instead better take new college courses to prove you can handle them.

 

[Aviator25]

i could be wrong but im not sure if they care much about the SAT score for reapplicants. From what I have seen from others its also probably not super important to retake classes and instead better take new college courses to prove you can handle them.

For your first part, I’m not sure where you heard that; I’ve never heard that before, but you may be right. However, I wouldn’t go in with that mindset. You have an opportunity this extra cycle to retake the SAT and to score better than you did before, so I would take that opportunity. You want to present your best self; so why not do so? Ultimately, the SAT is one of the best predictors of success for college applicants and is heavily weighted for Service Academy Admissions.

As for retaking courses, I certain agree with you that reapplicants should be looking at taking USAFA Freshman Year classes like Chemistry/Physics/Calculus, but I do would recommend retaking courses that are important foundational courses for future success (Algebra II is one of the biggest in my honest opinion) and if you did poorly in that class (C, D, or F).

 

[usafcellist2026]

To add onto what Aviator 25 said, make sure you "ace" your classes, and bring up your senior schedule so you can show your improvement from senior year. I'm sure if you perform extraordinarily in those courses, admissions will be impressed.

 

[Stealth_81]

i could be wrong but im not sure if they care much about the SAT score for reapplicants. From what I have seen from others its also probably not super important to retake classes and instead better take new college courses to prove you can handle them.

Standardized tests count the same for reapplicants. That is why the prep schools have you retake them.

Stealth_81

 

[katarina43782]

I am a reapplicant that got in my second time (this year), and my best advice would be to improve your fitness grades, keep your grades up, seek out leadership positions in college (AFROTC or other organizations, I joined a sorority and took on a Vice President position), really focus on writing quality essays that focus on what you improved on and what having a year of college experience will bring to the Academy. I took more time writing my essays on round two and focused on making them more personal and less about accomplishments. I talked about how doing AFROTC will allow me to help others as well as make me more prepared. Try to get letters of recommendation from different people. I asked high school teachers and coaches for letters, and then I explained to my admissions counselor that I was not close enough with college professors for letters (because of covid and online classes) and they totally understood. If you have any other questions or need advice, send me a message! I would be happy to help.

 

[throckmortius]

I'm in the same boat as OP, as in I intend to reapply for the CO 2026. In the TWE, it says "we recommend taking Calculus I and II, college
chemistry (with lab), college physics, two semesters of English, and a social science course". Which of these classes do I take my first semester of college? Do I take all of them? I figure I can't take Calc 1 and 2 at the same time, but should I be taking chem and physics at the same time? Is this even possible?

Sorry if the answer to this is obvious, but I want to be absolutely certain before I pick my classes.

 

[MCNCUSAFA]

My DS is also considering reapplying. He had a 3.94/4.87 GPA in HS and already has 34 dual enrollment college credits, including 4 semesters of college english, 2 semester of US History, Chem 1/lab and Chem 2/lab. He also already had AP Calc AB/Calc 1, AP Calc BC/Calc 2 and AP Physics, each of these were not dual enrollment. What would any of you recommend he take freshman year? Retake these courses (as suggested in the non-select letter) for sure A's or take the next level in each of these subject areas?

Aside from reapplying, his plan is to attend one of the other colleges he's been accepted to on an AFROTC Type 7 (or 3 year Type 2) with an aerospace engineering degree.

 

[hopefulmom182]

My DS is also considering reapplying. He had a 3.94/4.87 GPA in HS and already has 34 dual enrollment college credits, including 4 semesters of college english, 2 semester of US History, Chem 1/lab and Chem 2/lab. He also already had AP Calc AB/Calc 1, AP Calc BC/Calc 2 and AP Physics, each of these were not dual enrollment. What would any of you recommend he take freshman year? Retake these courses (as suggested in the non-select letter) for sure A's or take the next level in each of these subject areas?

Aside from reapplying, his plan is to attend one of the other colleges he's been accepted to on an AFROTC Type 7 (or 3 year Type 2) with an aerospace engineering degree.

I would recommend your DS make sure to take a calc and an English class the first semester. This is because USAFA will want letters of recommendation from these professors in his USAFA application. While I'm no expert, I would suggest he start with the most difficult calc class that he feels he can ACE. He should let his calc and English professors know of his desire to re-apply to help him get noticed enough to get these letters from them. To this, I'd add chem first semester. Maybe move Physics to second semester.

 

[AFFwdTX]

My DS is also considering reapplying. He had a 3.94/4.87 GPA in HS and already has 34 dual enrollment college credits, including 4 semesters of college english, 2 semester of US History, Chem 1/lab and Chem 2/lab. He also already had AP Calc AB/Calc 1, AP Calc BC/Calc 2 and AP Physics, each of these were not dual enrollment. What would any of you recommend he take freshman year? Retake these courses (as suggested in the non-select letter) for sure A's or take the next level in each of these subject areas?

Aside from reapplying, his plan is to attend one of the other colleges he's been accepted to on an AFROTC Type 7 (or 3 year Type 2) with an aerospace engineering degree.

My DS was in nearly the same circumstances. Have your DS refer to the AFA curriculum for schedule guidance. If all goes as planned your DS will have a choice to make. My DS really liked his detachment but in the end decided to go to USAFA. In UPT he actually met up with some of his former AFROTC members. Good luck to your DS. It may be a more difficult choice than he thinks.

 

[anlee]

i could be wrong but im not sure if they care much about the SAT score for reapplicants. From what I have seen from others its also probably not super important to retake classes and instead better take new college courses to prove you can handle them.

First, I would really recommend scoring the very best you can on the SAT. I would aim for 1500+ or as high as you can get it. You have all summer so use it wisely.

Also, try to bring up your senior year grades. Seek out friends and teachers for help and bring those grades up. In College, retake core foundation courses you didn’t do so well in (Algebra II or PreCalculus, etc.) and try to make courses that a freshman at USAFA would take: Calculus I & II, Chemistry (with law), Physics (with lab), etc.

They asked about my SAT in my interview and I responded politely stating that I had completed up to differential equations/linear algebra college level courses where algebra II is foundational. So clearly I had mastered and excelled beyond the topics on the SAT.

 

[anlee]

I'm a third time re-applicant and got accepted this year also. I'd say get involved in college- participate in research and club opportunities in whatever interest you. Keep your grades up and take STEM courses. Get to know your professors so they can write you good letters of rec.