USAFA 4th Class Cadet Willing to Answer Questions

BmiraiC

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Jun 3, 2016
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Hello all,

My name is Briana Carter, and I am a freshman here at the United States Air Force Academy. I am fresh out of basic and about two months into the academic year. Having gotten used to things, I've decided to open this thread; I'm hoping this will help as much as it helped me during my application process.

Questions about my academic/athletic standings in high school, CFA scores, BCT experiences, thoughts thus far as a freshman, and so on are all fair game.

Thanks and go Falcons!
 
What is the GPA showed in the application portal? weighted or unweighted or refigured? I don't believe it is refigured GPA because I haven't mailed in my transcript yet, just my counselor sent the two GPA numbers when she filled out Form 148. The shown GPA neither my weighted nor unweighted, it's a lot higher than actual unweighted but slightly lower than weighted.

Do I report AP exam score and SAT II subject test score? Do these scores matter?

If you don't mind, could you share your high school academic standings and your leadership positions?

Thank you very much Briana!
 
What's your schedule like this semester?
Yo America Works,

My schedule is split into two days: M Days and T Days.

On M Days, I have the following:
Behavioral Science 110
English 111

On T Days, I have the following:
Math 141
Japanese 321
Computer Science 110

These courses will change next semester. Hope that answered your question!
 
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What is the GPA showed in the application portal? weighted or unweighted or refigured? I don't believe it is refigured GPA because I haven't mailed in my transcript yet, just my counselor sent the two GPA numbers when she filled out Form 148. The shown GPA neither my weighted nor unweighted, it's a lot higher than actual unweighted but slightly lower than weighted.

Do I report AP exam score and SAT II subject test score? Do these scores matter?

If you don't mind, could you share your high school academic standings and your leadership positions?

Thank you very much Briana!
Hello lookforE.T.,

So, to be completely honest with you, I don't remember specific details about the GPA situation. However, my school only did weighted GPA, so that was the number that went into the portal. My roommate's school did unweighted, so that was the GPA that was inputted in her portal. Bottom line, I believe it depends on what your school does. About the refiguring, I think that's normal because my GPA went up a little higher once it was placed into the portal.

Please report AP exam scores. This will be your ticket to validate any courses you do not wish to take again. As for SAT II, USAFA does not require them nor do I think they use those scores for validation credit, so I wouldn't bother.

My high school academic standings:
GPA: 3.95 (weighted)
SAT: 1420
Rank: Top 20% out of 600 people (My school did not rank)
IB Program
Leadership Positions:
Editor-in-Chief of school newspaper
Writing Center tutor
Officer of Japanese National Society
Team Captain of Volleyball Team
President of Amnesty International

All in all, this is just a general overlook of all my statistics, but USAFA seeks the whole person concept. Every cadet here is unique in their own way. As you can see, my GPA is lower than most candidates, but I participated in the IB program, was very active around my school, and also speak more than one language. I'm sure you have some awesome qualities as well, and admissions are going to want to hear that through your essays. REMEMBER: Essays are key. You got this.

Hit me up with any other questions you have.
 
How was BCT? Care to list some activities ?
Fellow IB student here ..;)

Hey MikeLaw84,

BCT was hard, but not too challenging if you're in the right state of mind. And it's all about teamwork, so if anyone's worrying about their performance during basic, your flight will always be there to help.

So basically, It's separated into two parts: 1st Beast and 2nd Beast. A typical day within 1st Beast is waking up at 4:30 AM, breakfast, briefings, briefings, lunch, administrative work, physical training (or as we like to call it: beat sessions), dinner, and another briefing. Depends on the day and on your cadre's mood whether your day sucks or is tolerable.

Typical day in second Beast varies. Most likely your flight will be doing an obstacle course. Every course is done either once or twice. It's a lot more fun, esp if you love the outdoors, and is more "loose" in terms of rules.
 
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Currently, a Junior in High School
Stats:
4.24 Weighted GPA
3.87 Unweighted
1160 SAT ( I know very low. To improve, trying to do Khan Academy 2 hours each day after tons of hw. (1. )Any tips to improve more efficiently?)
570 R&W 590M
Captain of Varsity Football
Captain of Cadet Challenge Team (JROTC)
Captain of JLAB Academic Bowl Team (JROTC)
Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta
Student Council Board
Beta (Can't run for officer position this year)
Volunteer at Church (I run the cameras)

My family's house was flooded about a little more a year ago and my family is still not in our original house. I went from living in a 4 bedroom house with 4 people to living in a 4 bedroom house with 12 people. (2.)Is this something I should include in my essays?

My Dad knows a Lt. Col. pilot in the Air Force and he is going to give me a letter of recommendation. (3.)How much will these things affect my chances of getting in?

(4.)Any other tips and my overall chances of getting an appointment?
 
I have my congressional interview on Saturday. Do you have any tips? Do you remember what kind of questions they asked you? Thanks for doing this, I;m sure you must be very busy!
 
Currently, a Junior in High School
Stats:
4.24 Weighted GPA
3.87 Unweighted
1160 SAT ( I know very low. To improve, trying to do Khan Academy 2 hours each day after tons of hw. (1. )Any tips to improve more efficiently?)
570 R&W 590M
Captain of Varsity Football
Captain of Cadet Challenge Team (JROTC)
Captain of JLAB Academic Bowl Team (JROTC)
Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta
Student Council Board
Beta (Can't run for officer position this year)
Volunteer at Church (I run the cameras)

My family's house was flooded about a little more a year ago and my family is still not in our original house. I went from living in a 4 bedroom house with 4 people to living in a 4 bedroom house with 12 people. (2.)Is this something I should include in my essays?

My Dad knows a Lt. Col. pilot in the Air Force and he is going to give me a letter of recommendation. (3.)How much will these things affect my chances of getting in?

(4.)Any other tips and my overall chances of getting an appointment?

Hey Tigerplane77,

Those stats are looking pretty good. Like you already said, that SAT will need a boost, especially your math score. A score within greater than 1350 would be sufficient, as I believe that is the average among my class. I scored right around where you did the first time I took the SAT, and I studied through Khan Academy and had private tutoring a few times. My main problem personally was the time constraint on each section.

Love the leadership. When you get to the essay portion of the application, be sure to give examples when you have exerted leadership, such as leading a group discussion, helping those struggling, and so on. Also, the situation with your house should definitely be incorporated within your essays, especially if it made you learn anything valuable or how it shaped you as a person.

As for you dad being a Lt. Col. pilot in the AF, I honestly don't know the answer to that question. In fact, I'm not so sure a family member can even write a letter of recommendation. Correct me if I'm wrong.

And for your chances of getting an appointment, I don't know either because I am not on admissions board. But, I can tell from what you've given me that you're an exceptional student and athlete. All of it is very impressive, and once the SAT score goes up and you send in some killer essays...the chances can look good. Not 100%, of course, because there are qualified candidates that do not receive appointments. All I can say is keep grinding and don't let anything stop you. Good luck!
 
Currently, a Junior in High School
Stats:
4.24 Weighted GPA
3.87 Unweighted
1160 SAT ( I know very low. To improve, trying to do Khan Academy 2 hours each day after tons of hw. (1. )Any tips to improve more efficiently?)
570 R&W 590M
Captain of Varsity Football
Captain of Cadet Challenge Team (JROTC)
Captain of JLAB Academic Bowl Team (JROTC)
Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta
Student Council Board
Beta (Can't run for officer position this year)
Volunteer at Church (I run the cameras)

My family's house was flooded about a little more a year ago and my family is still not in our original house. I went from living in a 4 bedroom house with 4 people to living in a 4 bedroom house with 12 people. (2.)Is this something I should include in my essays?

My Dad knows a Lt. Col. pilot in the Air Force and he is going to give me a letter of recommendation. (3.)How much will these things affect my chances of getting in?

(4.)Any other tips and my overall chances of getting an appointment?
I hate to butt in, but I felt the need to give my 2 cents regarding your letter of rec. The way you worded it, it sounds like you don't personally know this LtCol very much, if at all. IMHO, you'd be better off getting a letter of rec from the hobo down the street who you interact with every day than a LtCol who only knows you through a piece of paper. If he just regurgitates a resume admissions can tell. Consider finding someone who knows YOU and can speak personally about how awesome you are. Obviously it's ultimately your decision, but you can go online and see loads of other people and articles seconding the importance of having letters written by people who really know you.
 
I have my congressional interview on Saturday. Do you have any tips? Do you remember what kind of questions they asked you? Thanks for doing this, I;m sure you must be very busy!
Hi usafadreams,

Congratulations on getting a nomination interview!

Here are some tips:
-Main good eye contact
-Speak loud enough and clearly
-Prepare for your interview, but do not rehearse it
-Don't be afraid to ask them questions too; it's not all about you, girl ;)
-Don't let your parents get too involved. Make the interview yours
-Watch body posture: sit up straight, minimal hand gestures, no tapping your foot, etc.

As for questions, they may ask:
-Why USAFA?**
-What makes you think you can handle the stress?
-Strongest and weakest points?**
-When was a time you have failed and what did you learn from it?**
-What will you do if you don't get in?
-Suppose you caught your friend cheating. Would you turn them in?
-Any current events related to the Air Force?**

The ones with asterisks by them are most important, in my opinion. I vividly remember my interviewer asking me for a current event. I wasn't prepared for it, but luckily came up with an answer before it became too awkward. So please, have one in mind and be ready to discuss it. Overall, good luck and kill it!

P.S: There is a book called, The Air Force Academy Candidate Book: How to Get in, How to Prepare, and How to Survive. This helped me out tremendously, so I highly recommend it. Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/Air-Force-Academy-Candidate-Book/dp/0979794307
 
Consider taking the ACT, some students perform better on it.
 
Here's another quesion: Do you remeber the essay prompts for the academy admissions? I wanted to get a head start and have everything squared away when the March pre-candidate questionnaire comes around.
 
Consider taking the ACT, some students perform better on it.
I tried the ACT 3 times before taking the SAT. After my first time taking the SAT, the score was equivalently higher than all 3 of those scores. Plus I find the SAT easier because it gives you few extra minutes on all of its sections.
 
Here's another quesion: Do you remeber the essay prompts for the academy admissions? I wanted to get a head start and have everything squared away when the March pre-candidate questionnaire comes around.
Hey again Tigerplane77,

Well, it's been about a year since I've written these essays, so forgive me if I don't remember them verbatim. However, I vaguely remember them asking me why I wanted to attend USAFA and to describe a moment I've failed. There was a third question, but I seriously cannot recall it. Hope this helps, though.

P.S: This is just my speculation, but I believe they may change prompts every year.
 
Hey again Tigerplane77,

Well, it's been about a year since I've written these essays, so forgive me if I don't remember them verbatim. However, I vaguely remember them asking me why I wanted to attend USAFA and to describe a moment I've failed. There was a third question, but I seriously cannot recall it. Hope this helps, though.

P.S: This is just my speculation, but I believe they may change prompts every year.
Thanks for the advice! Hopefully, I'll see you around when you're a second class cadet!;)
 
BCT will be tough at times no matter who you are. Don't worry about finding out everything you can about it, just buy into it and experience it for what it is.
 
^i agree.

I graduated last May and keep telling all the newcomers to take it meal by meal. Every person, squadron, class year has different experiences...Some harder some not so hard.

Basic is basic. It's what you make out of it.
 
Hello all,

My name is Briana Carter, and I am a freshman here at the United States Air Force Academy. I am fresh out of basic and about two months into the academic year. Having gotten used to things, I've decided to open this thread; I'm hoping this will help as much as it helped me during my application process.

Questions about my academic/athletic standings in high school, CFA scores, BCT experiences, thoughts thus far as a freshman, and so on are all fair game.

Thanks and go Falcons!


Although I'm only in 8th grade right now, I'm very determined to make it into USAFA.

What do you suggest bringing to BCT? So far I've heard just bring a gym bag/duffel with the items on the required list, plus compression shorts and plenty of stamps. Also, what would you suggest that parents bring to acceptance weekend? Any civilian clothes? Athletic shoes, and army boots? Stationary, new underwear, anything for the cadet room? Should they bring me my swimming gear since I plan to swim at the college? (Swimming bag, swim suit, goggles, etc.) Also, should I bring my phone/charger to BCT? Or have my parents bring it to parents weekend. And what abt. headphones, are those permitted? I'm sure you're very busy and I'm asking a bunch of questions, so thanks for even looking at this!!
 
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