Throwing in the towel

the86boi

USAFA Re-Applicant, AFROTC
Joined
Apr 4, 2020
Messages
73
I write this because I’m expecting to receive my TWE very soon. For those of you who have never seen me floating around on the forums, i’m a re applicant to USAFA and am currently in AFROTC. And while I’m very familiar with this process having gone through it multiple times, I ask this question directed towards those even more experienced than myself - what more does USAFA admissions want from me? Without giving too much information regarding my application, I improved in the area that admissions said I was lacking in from last year (which ultimately led me from getting 0 nominations last year to 2 this year) and put together an application which I thought virtually eliminated any chance of rejection. A strong CFA score, two nominations, medically qualified, a 3.7 GPA as an Aerospace Engineering Major in college, AFROTC, letters of rec from USAFA alumni, etc.

And yes, I believe the person that took my spot in my district was an NWP student, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of the whole admissions process.

Just don’t know what to do moving forward. Of course I can always try to get . 1 higher GPA and shave off 5 seconds on my run, but at what point do you just give up?
 
I write this because I’m expecting to receive my TWE very soon. For those of you who have never seen me floating around on the forums, i’m a re applicant to USAFA and am currently in AFROTC. And while I’m very familiar with this process having gone through it multiple times, I ask this question directed towards those even more experienced than myself - what more does USAFA admissions want from me? Without giving too much information regarding my application, I improved in the area that admissions said I was lacking in from last year (which ultimately led me from getting 0 nominations last year to 2 this year) and put together an application which I thought virtually eliminated any chance of rejection. A strong CFA score, two nominations, medically qualified, a 3.7 GPA as an Aerospace Engineering Major in college, AFROTC, letters of rec from USAFA alumni, etc.

And yes, I believe the person that took my spot in my district was an NWP student, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of the whole admissions process.

Just don’t know what to do moving forward. Of course I can always try to get . 1 higher GPA and shave off 5 seconds on my run, but at what point do you just give up?
What about your SAT/ACT? My understanding is that they are one of the most important factors with Service Academy Admissions. Though GPA, CFA, Interview, Extracurriculars, LORs, still are very important factors, the SAT/ACT is one of the most objective and standardized tools for Admissions used to evaluate candidates, and in competitive districts, it could be especially important.

You shouldn't give up if you really want to attend USAFA. If you really want to attend that bad, apply again next year. I also recommend contacting your admissions counselor or team and ask them the question you posed above about what else you can do for next year; they might be able to provide some insight.
 
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but at what point do you just give up?
I can only offer advise as a person. I haven't been accepted to USAFA or obviously a graduate. Here's how I answer this question. Today I raced in a track meet. I went into my last mile feeling horrible. Heck my only other race I had felt on top of the moon but now? Well let's just say I got rid of some of my stomach 20 min before the race ( not nervous). So I'm feeling like crap, walk up to the line with girls who are much much fast than me and guess what?? I'm the one who's supposed to score for my team.
Now you're thinking I'm going to tell you I got first right? Keep pushing and learning from each chance and finally made it? Nah I got third. But there's one reason I'm proud of my self and you should be too. When It came down to it I sprinted and raced that second girl for second place. Instead of losing by 10 seconds I lost by one. It's still a loss though! That's what most say, I should feel like I've given up I gave everything to that race, my stomach, my legs, my pain when is it enough why wasn't it enough??

But no it was enough. It was enough for me to say I got a new PR by one whole second. You aren't giving up. You've looked and imporved on the aspects you can see. You raced and really good race. You raced when you felt down. And you got third. Yet this isn't the only race you'll ever run. Are you giving up? Or are you realizing that you need to prepare for the next race?

Every failure is just a door with a dumb sheet over it. It hurts, no sugar coat. Take that hurt, sit with it for just a bit, then use to for the next race. If you decide that race is usafa remember you are better than you were this year. So at least you're a better! And if you choose to race with rotc realize it's just as an important race. So run with every last bit even when you got third last time.

Best of luck, you'll get to where you need to be, heck it's you how could you not?
 
It’s hard to say what specifically held you back from admission to USAFA. You have a great GPA and AFROTC is a great addition to your application, but sometimes you just fall short despite your best efforts. Don’t give up yet because the journey is not over. You can look back and say you put in your best effort which is an important part of the process. Throughout your career as a cadet and as an Air Force Officer you will face many disappointments. Promotions that you miss out on, billets that you do not receive, etc. However, every dark cloud has a silver lining. You are in AFROTC which is an opportunity that not many get and you are killing it in your major which many people desire. You are doing fantastic and you will be successful no matter where you end up.
 
Please don't be discouraged! AFROTC is a fantastic path to commissioning. It was good enough for the current Chief of Staff of the Air Force, it's good enough for you. I would focus on doing your best in ROTC and then in the AF. If you go to USAFA, you have to start all over: would that be worth it? I teach at a service academy and I am amazed at the number of college re-applicants I have in class (from amazing places like UCLA, Purdue and Virginia Tech!). They have to repeat coursework and often interact with peers much younger than them. Some love it and are living the dream. Others - well they wonder if it was worth it to start over. Those are difficult conversations for me to have. Service Academy Admissions are unique and tough to predict - they definitely don't indicate anything about your value as a person or as an officer. They just have factors they are looking for and those didn't fully overlap with what you have to offer. It doesn't mean there is anything you could have done better. I will be proud to serve along with you when you commission.
 
Every year there are more applicants then seats at the table. No question. Many are beyond qualified. And amazing. And stellar and making an impact on their peers. You are among them. It sounds to me like you took the advice, adjusted course and improved. That is success. While you haven’t gotten the appointment you seek, you have continued to be successful seeking the same ending.

Your post struck a chord with me. Your last question “at what point do I just give up?”, Is key.
You don’t. You keep seeking your goals. But you may need to shift the goalposts. The highest ranking military officer in the world is an ROTC grad. The level of competition each year for SA’s seems to climb with the benefits of Khan academy and forum counsel and more AP and IB courses.
I know this sucks right now. And I feel for your angst. But I think you can achieve what you want via a different track. And thrive.
 
I write this because I’m expecting to receive my TWE very soon. For those of you who have never seen me floating around on the forums, i’m a re applicant to USAFA and am currently in AFROTC. And while I’m very familiar with this process having gone through it multiple times, I ask this question directed towards those even more experienced than myself - what more does USAFA admissions want from me? Without giving too much information regarding my application, I improved in the area that admissions said I was lacking in from last year (which ultimately led me from getting 0 nominations last year to 2 this year) and put together an application which I thought virtually eliminated any chance of rejection. A strong CFA score, two nominations, medically qualified, a 3.7 GPA as an Aerospace Engineering Major in college, AFROTC, letters of rec from USAFA alumni, etc.

And yes, I believe the person that took my spot in my district was an NWP student, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of the whole admissions process.

Just don’t know what to do moving forward. Of course I can always try to get . 1 higher GPA and shave off 5 seconds on my run, but at what point do you just give up?
You give up when you feel like the time and effort outweighs the prize. That's for you to decide. But there's nothing wrong with commissioning out of AFROTC. From what you've said it sounds like you're a strong cadet and have the potential to be a great officer. Even if you give up on USAFA, remember that the ultimate goal of becoming a pilot, or just officer in general is still very achievable.
 
USAFA is only one route to the end goal of commissioning. AFROTX offers plenty of opportunities to succeed and explore your potential. It all depends on how you view the cup of water.
 
You can focus on something or someone to blame, or you can move forward.

If your absolute best doesn't work, go do something else that will work. You are already on track towards commissioning. Don't sweat the plans that don't quite work. Learn something and either improve and try again or alter your plans. I have yet to meet an officer whose career went exactly the way they thought it would.
 
Fast forward 5, 10years...in 5, or 10 years, this post of yours won’t really matter. You will a commissioned officer. Doing cool stuff. Your past only a memory in the rear view mirror. It wont matter HOW you got there. It will ONLY matter that you GOT there.

I like that ‘adjust the goalpost’ above. I have a son who adjusted course a lot. A LOT. He is so happy! Set. Confident. A man. Doing what he loves. But that journey getting there? He was defeated. Sad. Disappointed. But kept trudging forward...5 yrs later he is so happy. None of that past makes one bit of difference. But it was So painful in the moment.

Some things are simply out of our control. Some things simply aren’t meant to be. But don’t be so consumed with all that, that you aren’t open to a different path.

BTW....you haven’t actually received your TWE yet, have you?? Hang on to that towel for a minute....
 
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