I am currently a freshman and just finished my first semester at the Academy with a 3.8 GPA. To preface, before I came to the Academy, I felt certain that this was the place for me; however, now, I’m not so sure because of personal reasons. I really want to stay at USAFA and will have a positive attitude moving forward but I want to be safe and submit a couple transfer applications in case I ultimately decide that USAFA isn’t the place for me. What are my chances of transferring to civilian colleges like the Ivy Leagues, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, USC, etc. I was also admitted to the Martinson Honors Program. Thank you in advance for your help!
I don't have the answer to the specific question you asked, but I'll tell you some about my experience (and also share it with the kind people of the forum who have seen me around for several years!). After my first year, I still loved USAFA and was excited for the future years there and in the USAF. However, around the start of my 3/c year, I began to feel that my long term desires for my career were diverging from the track I was currently on. So what did I do? I talked to my leadership, advisors, friends, and even my dept head to inform any decisions I would make in the future. I was trying to decide if I wanted to be in the Air Force, and I had very little idea exactly what that looked at. You don't know what you don't know. That's the main point,
SEEK ADVICE. Especially during your 4/c year, you have a very small view of USAFA and a much smaller view of the Air Force at large, so talk to people who know more about it. Ask for the experiences of people who have done what you are considering doing and ask if they have struggled with the same questions you have. During this time, I also applied to a college (albeit not an Ivy League) to ensure that I would not have to take time off if I decided to leave. Personally, I think that's a good idea because it gives you options without having to take a year off school.
For me, the advice I received and deep thinking about my goals culminated in a decision to leave USAFA before the start of my 2/c year. I knew what I wanted to do and to be, and I found that commissioning into the Air Force was not the ideal path to get there. Without asking the advice of men and women much more experienced and wise than I was, I would have been taking a leap in the dark. I fully understand the fear of speaking out about a desire to leave, there is a lot of pressure on you in that way. But seek advice and consider things with a level, sober mind. Don't base your decisions on how much doolie (yeah, I said it) year sucks or how much you dislike Cadet XYZ for yelling at you last night. Consider your goals and the track you are on. For me, that contemplation led me to leave USAFA, and I won't lie to you: I miss it a lot.
The other thing I'll say is echoing the above. I would strongly recommend that you stay the course until after your 4/c year. USAFA is an entirely different place for the upper three classes. It will challenge you and improve your character in many ways. You don't "have" to decide until your 2/c year starts, so don't be afraid to take some time and avoid a rash decision.
To close a very lengthy post, I'll just recap the main points. Get advice to inform your opinions and decisions (you don't know what you don't know) and don't base your decision to leave on the bad attitudes of other USAFA cadets. Stay the course until you have a better grasp on USAFA if that is what you are uncertain about. And finally, consider the long term, not the fact that 4deg year is difficult. Questions like: "Do I want to be an officer in the military?" or "Where do I want to be in 1/5/10 years?" and then ask if USAFA aligns with those.
Good luck, pm if you need any further advice.
