SLS vs. SS vs. USAFA Soccer vs. Boys State

usafacademy4

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Hey everyone! sorry for the long title...

I have a little bit of a dilemma. I was selected for USMA SLS, USAFA SS, and GA Boys State. I will also be attending a soccer camp at the USAFA. But, I will only be able to do 3 out of the 4 things that I was planning to do due to the dates that conflict. Which ones will look best on my application for when I apply for USAFA and USMA next year? I want to play soccer in college, but I think the summer seminar camps will give me a heads up of what the Academies are like. I believe going to Boys State will look very good on my application, but I want the chance to meet with the USAFA coach to maybe get a spot on the team.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? Thanks for the help!:thumb:
 
Personally I picked summer seminars over Girl's State because I wanted a chance to see Annapolis and USAFA. I still put that I was nominated for Girl's State but just with a little side not saying I did not attend due to conflict in time. In the end though it's really your choice on what you want to experience. Whatever activities you feel you will enjoy the most are the ones you should go for.
 
Very simple question. Very simple answer.

1. Boy's State: Why? Because it's "Leadership" and BOTH academies want to see as much leadership as possible. THIS ONE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.

2. Soccer is important to you, you should go to Soccer Camp at the Air Force Academy. You'll be applying to BOTH academies, and if you contact their athletic department in the hopes of possibly being a "Recruited Athlete" in soccer; going to such a camp is very impressive. Army isn't going to care that the soccer camp you went to is at Air Force. You should definitely go to soccer camp at air force.

3. Pick the summer seminar that you know THE LEAST ABOUT and attend it. I.e. If you live around air force bases; know a lot of air force people; have air force in your family; or something similar; but know little to nothing about Army, then accept the army summer seminar. Remember, the summer seminars are for you to learn more about the academy before you apply. It's not some pre-screening for the academies to pick you. LESS than 50% of those who attend any of the academies even went to the summer seminars. So, in my opinion, pick the summer seminar for the branch of military service that you know the least about. HOWEVER: Remember to keep an open mind about the one you DIDN'T attend. Reason being, it's easy to be awed and impressed with what you see when you attend the academy for summer seminar. You didn't get to see the other one, so realize that they too have similar offering. Now, if you choose soccer camp at air force, then you will already at least know what it looks like. (By the way, you WILL BE IMPRESSED). Largest college campus in the entire country. 18,000 acres in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. So, you might choose army for summer seminar.

Best of luck. Mike..... P.S. BOY'S STATE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE. GO TO THAT!!!!
 
Agree with the boys state - we did same thing - wen't to sports camp which has many cadets working at the camp, stay on campus you will get a feel and meet the coaches. Leadership is the key and the coaches have some sway on helping you get selected. Son went to the swim camp meet many future and current cadets, and the coaches could see his skills and leadership firsthand. It also allowed him to effectively compete in the summer season and go to nationals.
 
SLS vs. SS vs. USAFA Soccer

I agree 100% with Christcorp.

RGK
 
Very simple question. Very simple answer.

1. Boy's State: Why? Because it's "Leadership" and BOTH academies want to see as much leadership as possible. THIS ONE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. I did not attend Girl's State, which is the exact same as Boy's state, and I still recieved an appointment to USAFA. Maybe it was because I had other leadership positions but not attending Girl's State didn't hinder me in getting selected. Granted I made sure to put it on my resume but I also put right next to it that I went to NASS rather than Girl's State. USAFA didn't seem to mind that I had selected a summer seminar over Girl's State. However, I'm sure each candidate is different and once again I feel it should be what you think you will get the most out of. If you are having trouble deciding between the academies I really feel that summer seminar is a great indication of what the schools and the branches are like. I also remember that at NASS we got a chance to meet the coaches of the various sports. You do not get to show off your skills but you do get to introduce yourself and request information about that sport. It's not quite the same as the sports camp but it might still help a little.
 
since you've been selected to Boy's State, that can go on your resume either way. However, I agree with Christcorp because of the experience you get while you're there. I got to attend Buckeye Boy's State (BBS) in 2005, and had a blast. It was great to learn about the government that way and to meet and interact with many other great people. I still keep in touch with several of my friends from BBS. Not to say you won't meet people at SLS or SS, but it's almost repetitive. I would choose to do different things. Since you'll already be visiting USAFA for soccer, I would probably choose SLS and leave out SS.

no matter what, you're in good shape. pick what you think you'll have the most fun doing and go for it. Best of Luck
 
I was selected for Buckeye Boy's State but could not attend because of SS and Nationals. Like shortbread I simply put on my resume that I was selected but could not attend because of SS. On the other hand I am good friends with the two that did go from our school and from what I hear it is an awesome experience so if I were you I would try make it.
 
I am not saying that if you don't go to boy's state that you can't get an appointment. You can. Just like you can get an appointment if you've never played a high school sport. You can get an appointment if you never took AP or IB or honor classes. You can get an appointment on all of these examples. Shortbread, I'm happy you received an appointment. I truly am. But not seeing your application, scores, points, etc... I don't know the rest of your resume. So I can't say if not attending girls state hindered or didn't.

Put it this way. You DO RECEIVE POINTS for attending Boy/Girl's state and similar activities. You DON'T RECEIVE POINTS for attending summer seminar. Yes, the academy likes to know that you went if offered, but they know that you probably applied to others and can't attend everything. Also, not sure about other states, but at the Wyoming Boy's state, it is visited by our state legislators. US Senator/representative. The same people you're asking a nomination from. Also, our Boy's State is sponsored by the American Legion. A "Military" organization.

Summer seminar is for your benefit, not the academy's. They are not really going to remember you at summer seminar. Also, boy/girl's state is in the summer. It's in the summer prior to senior year. Attending this is an HONOR that you were submitted for. Summer seminar is simply enough slots or not. And the academy knows you can't possibly attend everything. They know it's not possible.

So, choose what you want. Go to what you want. It is still my opinion that boy/girl's state is much more significant than going to summer seminar. The same way some say that by mentioning they were "Selected" to boy/girl's state, and putting that on their resume helps; so does saying you were offered summer seminar and put that on your resume. My son had it easy. He only wanted Air Force. Nothing else. So he went to boy's state and air force summer seminar. But there are definitely going to be some people that apply to the academies and have absolutely no idea what they are getting into. Attending summer seminar will help you understand better whether you really should apply to the academy or not. Being the original poster has the benefit of being able to do one of the summer seminars, if he does boy's state and soccer camp at the academy, I suggest he chooses one of the summer seminars and keep's boy's state. But hey, each person is different. You know your application. You know what you're familiar with. You know your representatives and senators. You know your resume. None of us do; so it's totally your decision. Best of luck. Mike.....
 
ALL of the responses you've had are good, valid, and filled with information.

My perspective as an ALO...

1. Boys/Girls State. WHY?
Answer: this is typically something that is selected by school administrators, is open to VERY few students in each state, and is by definition (whether you agree or not) a LEADERSHIP appointment. Once at B/G State, there are HUGE opportunities to "step up" into leadership roles and EACH AND EVERY ONE of them is something you'd want on your resume/application!
And ALO's love to use that information on the AF Form 4060!

2. The SLS/SS of your PRIMARY choice academy. Self Explanatory
3. The SLS/SS of ANY other academy that you're truly interested in. It gives you the opportunity to "check them out" and see if it's really something that interests you.
4. Anything else.

Just my opinion.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
thanks everyone for the suggestions and comments!! it was very helpful! ill write back on this post to let you know what i end up doing... THANKS AGAIN!!
 
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