Transferring to the USAFA: I need advice.

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piper24

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Apr 12, 2022
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Hi everyone,

Apologies if I am going about this incorrectly: it's my first time on this forum, but I'm searching high and low for some information.

99% of the data I've found on attending the USAFA academy is regarding students going straight from high school. That is not my scenario. I graduated HS in 2019, and I'm currently wrapping up an associate's degree in Physics from a civilian state college. However, I'm interested in applying to the USAFA because: 1) I was intending to serve after college anyways; 2) it seems to be the best way to attain a pilot slot; 3) the free, world-class education is very enticing.

Yes, I know that USAFA students are required to complete four years regardless of prior college attendance, and yes, I will be younger than 23 by the time I would be attending (if accepted.)

Here's the thing...

I'm filling out the pre-candidate questionnaire. As I'm sure you know, it's quite simple, but it wants my high school stats. I wasn't a terrible student in high school, but it's nothing compared to the person I am now. I'm talking 3.4 and no extra-curricular compared to 4.0 and all the curriculars. In addition, when I took the SAT in high school I didn't study because I wasn't planning on attending a school which required standardized test scores. So, it's not the best score.
TL;DR: My high school stats are average, and my college stats are very impressive.

Some dumb questions, from a humble hopeful:
1) Should I retake the SAT and the ACT before the December 31st pre-candidate questionnaire deadline?
2) Is there any way to input college information/reach out to a representative and explain my situation?
3) If 2 is a no, has anyone passed through the pre-candidate questionnaire phase with average high school stats?

Thanks for reading.
 
piper24 said:
Hi everyone,

Apologies if I am going about this incorrectly: it's my first time on this forum, but I'm searching high and low for some information.

99% of the data I've found on attending the USAFA academy is regarding students going straight from high school. That is not my scenario. I graduated HS in 2019, and I'm currently wrapping up an associate's degree in Physics from a civilian state college. However, I'm interested in applying to the USAFA because: 1) I was intending to serve after college anyways; 2) it seems to be the best way to attain a pilot slot; 3) the free, world-class education is very enticing.

Yes, I know that USAFA students are required to complete four years regardless of prior college attendance, and yes, I will be younger than 23 by the time I would be attending (if accepted.)

Here's the thing...

I'm filling out the pre-candidate questionnaire. As I'm sure you know, it's quite simple, but it wants my high school stats. I wasn't a terrible student in high school, but it's nothing compared to the person I am now. I'm talking 3.4 and no extra-curricular compared to 4.0 and all the curriculars. In addition, when I took the SAT in high school I didn't study because I wasn't planning on attending a school which required standardized test scores. So, it's not the best score.
TL;DR: My high school stats are average, and my college stats are very impressive.

Some dumb questions, from a humble hopeful:
1) Should I retake the SAT and the ACT before the December 31st pre-candidate questionnaire deadline?
2) Is there any way to input college information/reach out to a representative and explain my situation?
3) If 2 is a no, has anyone passed through the pre-candidate questionnaire phase with average high school stats?

Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...
I'd recommend retaking the ACT and/or the SAT when reapplying. It definitely won't hurt you.

When you get past the PCQ, the next stage of the application has a spot to input some college information. You also will be submitting a college transcript later on.
 
I would say my ACT scores were average, my grades were above average. I had a 27 composite and straight A's with a couple B's my freshman year.
 
My son applied pre-candidate with average to what I would consider low GPA and scores compared to the average for the academy. He had no issue moving to candidate status.
 
piper24 said:
Hi everyone,

Apologies if I am going about this incorrectly: it's my first time on this forum, but I'm searching high and low for some information.

99% of the data I've found on attending the USAFA academy is regarding students going straight from high school. That is not my scenario. I graduated HS in 2019, and I'm currently wrapping up an associate's degree in Physics from a civilian state college. However, I'm interested in applying to the USAFA because: 1) I was intending to serve after college anyways; 2) it seems to be the best way to attain a pilot slot; 3) the free, world-class education is very enticing.

Yes, I know that USAFA students are required to complete four years regardless of prior college attendance, and yes, I will be younger than 23 by the time I would be attending (if accepted.)

Here's the thing...

I'm filling out the pre-candidate questionnaire. As I'm sure you know, it's quite simple, but it wants my high school stats. I wasn't a terrible student in high school, but it's nothing compared to the person I am now. I'm talking 3.4 and no extra-curricular compared to 4.0 and all the curriculars. In addition, when I took the SAT in high school I didn't study because I wasn't planning on attending a school which required standardized test scores. So, it's not the best score.
TL;DR: My high school stats are average, and my college stats are very impressive.

Some dumb questions, from a humble hopeful:
1) Should I retake the SAT and the ACT before the December 31st pre-candidate questionnaire deadline?
2) Is there any way to input college information/reach out to a representative and explain my situation?
3) If 2 is a no, has anyone passed through the pre-candidate questionnaire phase with average high school stats?

Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...
I just met a 2019 HS grad who will be attending USAFA with the class of 2026. It is a doable task. Good Luck!
 
My 2019 graduate will be going into the academy with the class of 2026. The trickiest pieces were the LOR’s as he was not required to take an English class in college. One of the classes on his transcript was an honors class taught by a mechanical engineering professor and the academy requested he get his English LOR from that professor. The math LOR was equally tricky as it was a huge class (100+) students in a combined Calc3 and DifEq from Spring 2020 (Went home due to Covid). He had established a very good relationship with both those professors and they were able to write the needed LOR.

He was able to take a similar load to the academy. He took chemistry and biology, a few engineering courses, both physics courses , the math class already mentioned, and two levels of German. Even if he is not able to validate all his college courses, is content to retake them knowing they will be easier the second time.

The academy also requested an updated SAT and he told them he could not comply as he was in Germany.

Get to know those a professors! The academy let him know 2 days before his due date that he had to change his English LOR. Somehow, he had made a large enough connection with that professor to find a way to get it done on time.

Good luck.
 
The Pre-Candidate questionnaire is the first screen to cut out anyone that does not fit the basic requirements. It's looking for people who are out of the age requirement, aren't citizens, clearly not academically competitive, etc.

Anything above a 3.0 and a 1200 SAT should get you to the next step. Your SAT will need to be better in order to get an appointment, but your college GPA looks fantastic. You'll have the opportunity to explain your high school and college story once you get to candidacy.

I invite more experienced opinion on this, but I wouldn't worry. There's nothing telling me you'll get cut out at the PCQ level.
 
I got a 35 ACT and 4.0 with AP classes = No Appointment. Don't get too worked up about numerical stats, this is only 1 piece of the puzzle.
 
Prep school!!,
Greystone is a great prep program ,allows your kid to have ROTC experience and college experience. Great program to get your scores up too! They have an incredible track record for free agent applicants.
They provide the structure and oversight for college academics and teach kids how to excel at an academy.
 
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