USAFA College Reapplicant

U

USMCAFNA

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Joined
Jun 9, 2022
Messages
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Hello,

(I apologize in advance for all of the questions and information)

I'm looking for some advice to a couple general questions. I'm an incoming college freshman and joining AFROTC. I've already started the process of reapplying and I'm eager to finish my application. I understand that if I wait a couple months I'll have a couple more things to add to my resume/put under my belt, etc. However, I feel that the last time I applied, I waited too long. So, I've already sent my presidential nomination to USAFA, and now I have the AFROTC, Senatorial, Congressional, and Vice Presidential nominations in mind. However, since I will be a new cadet/student I'm not sure if I'll be able to receive a recommendation from my unit or my professors until later in the semester. Should I wait to ask for a recommendation or ask the first week?

Along that same string of thought, I'm not sure if my recommendations have to come from an english and a math professor. This first semester I will not be taking a math or english course, but I will be taking a physics and chemistry course.


Lastly, I wanted to see if anyone had advice for the CFA and preparing for it. Currently, I'm working out about 4 times a week, with multiple sessions of running weighted and unweighted, plus some beginner calisthenics. I know that my weakest physical area is in my upper body and the endurance of the CFA itself. If anyone has any recommendations for improving those areas please let me know!

I haven't taken any practice CFA's recently, but once I do, I'd like to know where I stand. In the meantime these were my past scores (from Oct 2021):

BT: 50ft
Pull-Ups: 10
Shuttle Run: 9.5 sec
Push-Ups: 60
Sit-Ups: 96
Mile Run: 6:30

Thank you so much!
 
USMCAFNA said:
Hello,

(I apologize in advance for all of the questions and information)

I'm looking for some advice to a couple general questions. I'm an incoming college freshman and joining AFROTC. I've already started the process of reapplying and I'm eager to finish my application. I understand that if I wait a couple months I'll have a couple more things to add to my resume/put under my belt, etc. However, I feel that the last time I applied, I waited too long. So, I've already sent my presidential nomination to USAFA, and now I have the AFROTC, Senatorial, Congressional, and Vice Presidential nominations in mind. However, since I will be a new cadet/student I'm not sure if I'll be able to receive a recommendation from my unit or my professors until later in the semester. Should I wait to ask for a recommendation or ask the first week?

Along that same string of thought, I'm not sure if my recommendations have to come from an english and a math professor. This first semester I will not be taking a math or english course, but I will be taking a physics and chemistry course.


Lastly, I wanted to see if anyone had advice for the CFA and preparing for it. Currently, I'm working out about 4 times a week, with multiple sessions of running weighted and unweighted, plus some beginner calisthenics. I know that my weakest physical area is in my upper body and the endurance of the CFA itself. If anyone has any recommendations for improving those areas please let me know!

I haven't taken any practice CFA's recently, but once I do, I'd like to know where I stand. In the meantime these were my past scores (from Oct 2021):

BT: 50ft
Pull-Ups: 10
Shuttle Run: 9.5 sec
Push-Ups: 60
Sit-Ups: 96
Mile Run: 6:30

Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
I would reach out to your HS Sr year teachers for your application since they just had you. Similar to using Jr year from last cycle. Get on everything early and you have more time. The critical is to get the medical going ASAP just in case you fall into the not medically qualified category.

As for the CFA, all your scores are passing except for maybe the BT. My DS got over 70' there, but is not very quick and got a 9.8 on shuttle run. He passed and is a current Basic Cadet until Friday. The CFA is not highly weighted in the whole candidate calculator so passing is the major consideration. Focus on good evaluations, improve on SAT ACT if you can, and keep looking for leadership opportunities.
 
My son is a 2nd year applicant. He took college classes last year. He is a Basic Cadet right now. He worked out about 4 times a week, also. He ran several times a week. He got letters of rec from senior year teachers......math & English teachers, a coach and his JROTC instructor.
Keep up the good work! You're on the right track.
 
One point to add: USAFA will require your transcripts from your first quarter/semester of college so you can take some time to meet your professors as well as your AFROTC officer staff who may provide a recommendation for you. I also suggest joining the Arnold Air Society with ROTC to provide added experiences for your application. Two of my students have successfully reapplied to the service academies las year (USMA & USAFA) -- best of luck with your reapplication!
 
You really should be taking Calculus also. Is it too late to add? Or at least English. Your semester should look like a Doolie semester as much as possible.
 
Good for you and best of luck and applying to USAFA as an ROTC cadet. Agree with above in mimicking the doolie year as much as possible in your class schedule. USAFA staff like to see that.

Having said all of that, think hard about why you want to attend USAFA. You said you're attending ROTC at your college and have an opportunity to commission as an officer in the USAF upon graduation - achieving the same goal as you would at USAFA. If you still "want" USAFA for its own sake, then go for it! But unless you really want to fly - over 2/3 of a given year's pilots slots go to USAFA grads - I would recommend some soul searching and further examination of the path your currently on. I do realize I may catch flack from other grads out there for this input. It's not designed to discourage you, but to enlighten you as to the possibilities you have at the moment.

Again, if you want that USAFA grad status for life, then by all means. But USAFA is a tough experience and the pay off for non-flying graduates isn't what it is for those wearing wings. My humble 2 cents...
 
T-37IP said:
You really should be taking Calculus also. Is it too late to add? Or at least English. Your semester should look like a Doolie semester as much as possible.
Click to expand...
I took AP Calculus and AP English Lit. my senior year, and I earned credit for my college, but now that you bring up the classes I'm not sure if USAFA would take my AP credit or not ... I'll look into it.
 
AcadAdmCoach said:
One point to add: USAFA will require your transcripts from your first quarter/semester of college so you can take some time to meet your professors as well as your AFROTC officer staff who may provide a recommendation for you. I also suggest joining the Arnold Air Society with ROTC to provide added experiences for your application. Two of my students have successfully reapplied to the service academies las year (USMA & USAFA) -- best of luck with your reapplication!
Click to expand...
I'll make sure to join AAS! I did some research, it looks like a great place to be to develop my leadership skills, and the service mindset. Thank you!
 
skyfox said:
Good for you and best of luck and applying to USAFA as an ROTC cadet. Agree with above in mimicking the doolie year as much as possible in your class schedule. USAFA staff like to see that.

Having said all of that, think hard about why you want to attend USAFA. You said you're attending ROTC at your college and have an opportunity to commission as an officer in the USAF upon graduation - achieving the same goal as you would at USAFA. If you still "want" USAFA for its own sake, then go for it! But unless you really want to fly - over 2/3 of a given year's pilots slots go to USAFA grads - I would recommend some soul searching and further examination of the path your currently on. I do realize I may catch flack from other grads out there for this input. It's not designed to discourage you, but to enlighten you as to the possibilities you have at the moment.

Again, if you want that USAFA grad status for life, then by all means. But USAFA is a tough experience and the pay off for non-flying graduates isn't what it is for those wearing wings. My humble 2 cents...
Click to expand...
I actually have had this talk multiple times with instructors, friends, and family. I feel that my interest in flight medicine would be great for the Air Force Academy. However, I also think that the "medicine" part is a bit of a turn-off to USAFA. I am interested in flying planes, the military lifestyle, and self-development through USAFA in all aspects! I'm just also interested in medicine. I'd like to combine the two and become a flight surgeon. So to answer your question, yes I do "want" it, but I also do want it. :)
 
USMCAFNA said:
I took AP Calculus and AP English Lit. my senior year, and I earned credit for my college, but now that you bring up the classes I'm not sure if USAFA would take my AP credit or not ... I'll look into it.
Click to expand...
USAFA does not "take" AP credit at all. You need to test and validate classes.
 
USMCAFNA said:
I'm sorry, I didn't clarify. I took the classes, and then tested in them. I earned a 3 in AP Calc and a 4 in AP English Lit.
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Still won't matter. USAFA does not give credit for AP or IB. You must validate via testing to skip ahead.
 
T-37IP said:
USAFA does not "take" AP credit at all. You need to test and validate classes.
Click to expand...
Gotcha. You're saying that AP credit just isn't taken at all. You have to take separate tests for each class. Is that correct? (I'm sorry I didn't understand the first time. I think I have it now.)
 
USMCAFNA said:
Gotcha. You're saying that AP credit just isn't taken at all. You have to take separate tests for each class. Is that correct? (I'm sorry I didn't understand the first time. I think I have it now.)
Click to expand...
I think the confusion is you will not get a class on your transcript for AP credit. If you meet or exceed the AP standards set out by the academy, you will effectively place out of that class and can take the next level or not take anything related at all. You still have to take the minimum required hours in residence to graduate, so those free classes open room for a minor, an additional minor, or possibly a double major. Generally, the AP requirement is a 5 for most liberal arts classes.

From USAFA website:

Can cadets transfer credits or validate courses?​

When you enter the Academy, you will take several validation tests offered by the various academic departments. We accept scores of 4 and 5 on some AP exams and scores of 5/6/7 on some IB exams in conjunction with core course placement exams that you will take during Basic Cadet Training. AP scores of 3 will be reviewed on an individual basis. If you attended another college or university, the Academy may award transfer credit. Regardless of the total transfer and/or validation credit, a cadet must earn 131 semester hours in residence and must spend four years in residence at the Academy for graduation. College courses taken as part of a high school curriculum will not be considered for transfer credit. In all cases, individual academic departments determine whether or not to award credit for AP and IB exams and previous college courses.

www.academyadmissions.com

Academics FAQ | U.S. Air Force Academy

Read frequently asked questions about the Air Force Academy's academic program, requirements and experience.
www.academyadmissions.com www.academyadmissions.com
 
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