Reapplicant Advice

[MCNCUSAFA]

DS is reapplying to USAFA and will soon start his freshman year in college. Everything in his resume is very good according to multiple USAFA grads and current and past ALO's (leadership, LOR's, CFA, athletic, GPA, passed DODMERB) however his SAT score was only slightly above the USAFA average (1340, 660 R/W and 680 Math). We can only assume that the SAT was the weak link. He had 3 nominations last cycle (2 senators and Congressman) and CAP's USAFA Prep School recommendation.

Should he and can he retake the SAT? Other suggestions to strengthen his reapplication?

Since his "qualified but not accepted" from the last appointment cycle, he will acquire his private pilot license within the next 2 weeks, achieved CAP's Spaatz award, was on the state Cadet Advisory Council, promoted to Commander of his squadron, received several awards for COVID relief efforts (worked vaccine sites, distributed PPE to nursing homes) and will likely soon receive a Bronze Service Award from CAP for which he was recently nominated (after he saw a fire through a window in a retail store, he called 911, then entered the building and escorted all of the shoppers outside to safety, then went back in and extinguished the fire before the fire trucks arrived). Athletically he led his HS tennis team to it's first ever state playoff victory and was captain of his HS soccer and tennis teams senior year. He gave a moving "don't give up when your dream hits a road block" speech at HS graduation that he plans to be the basis of his USAFA reapplication essay.

With USAFA Plan A not having worked out for this year, he accepted an AFROTC scholarship and will major in AE. He enrolled with 35 college credits from HS dual enrollment and AP courses. His 1st semester courses will be 4 entry level engineering and computer courses, Calc I and Econ. He already has met all chemistry, english and history course requirements.

Thank you all for any advice you can share!

 

[Bigrod]

Every year there are thousands of kids just like yours. Sometimes they just don’t win the individual slate from their nominating source, maybe they have a bad interview, maybe they put drug use on their paperwork paren don’t know about. There are too many variables to know why such and such child got in and yours didn’t. The great thing is people can reapply and they can also still end up 2nd Lts graduating from AFROTC. Don’t dwell on why not and just focus on the future. Yes, I would retake the SAT to get the best score possible and the ACT as he may score better on that. Most importantly do extremely well freshman year and find your niche. He may decide AFROTC was the better route for him and everything happens for a rea son. I’m a firm believer in that. We may not know why now but we soon discover why later on. Good luck to him and I wish you both the best.

 

[flieger83]

I was an applicant to the Class of 1982 for all five SA's. TWE's for all, although I was offered a slot at the USMAPS.

It was recommended by the USAFA/RR (he was my neighbor) that I consider attending either the Millard School in Oregon (it has closed) or Northwestern Prep in Mound, MN (it's now in CA). I went to NWPS.

I was a re-applicant to the class of 1983 for all five SA's. I received offers of appointment from four of them: USAFA, USNA, USMA, USMMA.

Those Puddle Pirates of USCGA...they're TOUGH! I was an alternate.

It is totally doable!

Steve

 

[Phoenixfalcon25]

With a resume like that, and a solid solid essay describing that growth as a person should really pull him through. I obviously cannot say for certain but reapplicants, especially those who perform well in their freshman courses, are favorably looked up. The biggest things will be that PPL, putting out in his courses, and making sure he finishes that second application (with some improvement.) Don't not finish the reapplication, it will always be worth the effort of applying.

 

[HCopter]

Sounds like your DS has a Plan A-1 and Plan A-2!

6 strong engineering/comp sci/calc/econ classes sounds doable but also aggressive. I'd make sure he knows the drop policy, just in case. Better to do really well in 5 rather than tip over the edge for 6. He's essentially a year ahead and has the luxury of one less class if necessary. He had to account for the reapplication process - including possible SAT retake, CFA, and all noms again, doing ROTC, being a college freshman, engineering or other college clubs, flying, or club sport, and do them all well. But he sounds very motivated, focused, and has great support from you. I see only upside in his future. Good luck!

PS - My civilian DD entered college very similar with 40 credits and is now in her 3rd and final year with a double major. She strategically takes "i-courses", which are online but even better they are pre-recorded classes and take-at-your-own pace. She really likes them because they cover all the material vs. getting off track like in-person classes, and she never skips a lesson and says she learns all the material at her own pace, which is super fast and concentrated. She does this for non-"major" classes and to beep up her GPA. She blasts through these in 1-2 weeks, and so she was allowed to take 24.25 credits this semester, with 2 i-courses and then essentially have a 5 class courseload of "majors" classes. I mention this because if your DS's school has a "class audit" feature, he can check if he needs any unrestricted hour requirements and take something fun or required as an i-course and then free up his schedule for other things.