USAFA Prep

M

Maya_clouds

New Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2021
Messages
1
Hello! A few days ago I was offered an appointment to USAFA prep! I have a few questions about what this means for my future.

I watched a few videos that said that USAFAPS is for candidates that were good in almost all of their application but had one or two things they needed to improve on, is this true? If so, could my age have to do with it?(I am 16, I will only turn 17 a little before the deadline) I know they have an age range for a reason, so maybe that's not it...

Are all of my breaks the same as USAFA cadets? When do we get out? Do we do BMT with USAFA? Its a 10 month program so do I get to go home from April to June? (of course, pending acceptance)

In reference to nominations, how do those work? I have one for this year, and I know I will need to get another one to get into USAFA class of 2026. How do these work? Do I have to apply to the senators/congress people in Colorado Springs or in my hometown?

I know we did this all on our own and that I could easily do it on my own again, but do they have help with applications at USAFAPS? I know the acceptance rate from their to the academy is like 80% so that's why I have this wonder.

Because its the prep school and not the real thing, how much does it differ? Are we allowed to go off base more than the freshman on the hill? Should I be worried about not having a car? Do we have more freedoms or is it about the same? Do we still have a mandatory sport?

Concerning my financial situation, am I considered an enlisted airman at the prep school? Do we get paid the same? (this isn't a huge concern, I was just curious)

Again, not a huge concern, my boyfriend is currently a freshman at USAFA, can we still date? Its okay if not, love life can pause for a few years, I am in no hurry. Education will aways come first...

Finally, if I go through this prep school and don't get into USAFA, what happens? Do I get credit transferred to college? Do I have to/ can I stay in the AF? Will I be an airman if I leave?
If I go through the prep school and absolutely hate it, can I leave at the end of the year with no ties to the AF or do I have to serve for x amount of years to pay off debts.

I know this is a lot, sorry! If you have info on even one question I would appreciate it, thanks! Another thing I can't seem to shake off, I feel like I just got waitlisted. USAFA was never my dream or anything like that but being rejected from the academy really put a dent in my self confidence. Is anyone else feeling this way? LMK...
 
Maya_clouds said:
Hello! A few days ago I was offered an appointment to USAFA prep! I have a few questions about what this means for my future.

I watched a few videos that said that USAFAPS is for candidates that were good in almost all of their application but had one or two things they needed to improve on, is this true? If so, could my age have to do with it?(I am 16, I will only turn 17 a little before the deadline) I know they have an age range for a reason, so maybe that's not it...

Are all of my breaks the same as USAFA cadets? When do we get out? Do we do BMT with USAFA? Its a 10 month program so do I get to go home from April to June? (of course, pending acceptance)

In reference to nominations, how do those work? I have one for this year, and I know I will need to get another one to get into USAFA class of 2026. How do these work? Do I have to apply to the senators/congress people in Colorado Springs or in my hometown?

I know we did this all on our own and that I could easily do it on my own again, but do they have help with applications at USAFAPS? I know the acceptance rate from their to the academy is like 80% so that's why I have this wonder.

Because its the prep school and not the real thing, how much does it differ? Are we allowed to go off base more than the freshman on the hill? Should I be worried about not having a car? Do we have more freedoms or is it about the same? Do we still have a mandatory sport?

Concerning my financial situation, am I considered an enlisted airman at the prep school? Do we get paid the same? (this isn't a huge concern, I was just curious)

Again, not a huge concern, my boyfriend is currently a freshman at USAFA, can we still date? Its okay if not, love life can pause for a few years, I am in no hurry. Education will aways come first...

Finally, if I go through this prep school and don't get into USAFA, what happens? Do I get credit transferred to college? Do I have to/ can I stay in the AF? Will I be an airman if I leave?
If I go through the prep school and absolutely hate it, can I leave at the end of the year with no ties to the AF or do I have to serve for x amount of years to pay off debts.

I know this is a lot, sorry! If you have info on even one question I would appreciate it, thanks! Another thing I can't seem to shake off, I feel like I just got waitlisted. USAFA was never my dream or anything like that but being rejected from the academy really put a dent in my self confidence. Is anyone else feeling this way? LMK...
Click to expand...
I have accepted my offer to go to the P and here is what I know so far....

Most breaks line up with USAFA according to my understanding. We will not have BCT with USAFA. BCT at the P is roughly 3 weeks and we start later than USAFA.

You will need to receive another nomination for the class of 2026. I have heard that if you focus on your academics then you shouldn't have to worry about getting one since the staff at the P can help you... All the staff is there to help you to succeed, but you have to put in the work. If you put in the work then you should be set.

We will be considered enlisted airmen. I can not tell you the exact amount we will get paid, but it is more than doolies at USAFA.

I am not too sure about dating, but I have heard of people doing it. I just don't think it is necessarily recommended.

No, credits do not transfer to other colleges. The P is meant for future cadets of USAFA, so considering that the curriculum is different from your "typical" college or university.

I felt the same way...I was torn for not being direct, but everyone says this is just as good, or even better! We may have the chance to test out of classes if we get an appointment to USAFA, making our workload lighter. USAFA wants you, they just want to make sure you don't fail. Trust me this is a good thing. Keep your head up! If you have any other questions I will try my best to help : )

I hope this helped! And please correct me if I have said something inaccurate.
 
I was also offered, and accepted my appointment to USAFAPS. From sources like the Air Force academy YouTube and on the Air Force academy admissions website there is some information on the prep school you may find helpful and want to look into. According to those sources the prep school is exactly what it sounds like. Anyone admitted to the prep school was a strong candidate and was just slightly lacking in some part of their application (usually academically, like in test scores), but going to the prep school these cadet candidates are given the tools they need to make them successful and ready to attend the academy. Going to the prep school doesn’t guarantee you a spot into the academy but it is referenced as the “golden ticket” because as long as you make an effort in the prep school and keep up your grades, the prep school can aid you in gaining another nomination, should you be unable to obtain one yourself, I would assume the nominations would still be from your hometown but I am not sure about that part. Aside from that the only other information I have to contribute is that I was very grateful and happy to have received a prep school appointment. I have wanted to attend the academy since elementary school, but nonetheless I know that me being in the prep school will only allow me to become a better cadet upon my arrival at the academy the following year. Given there is a very few amount of students at the prep school, I believe it is maybe slightly less than 300? I am glad to be among those selected, I have heard nothing but good things from people that went to the prep school as some even felt that if they had gone directly to the academy they would have dropped out due to the academic rigor or other challenge. I hope you find peace in whatever decision you make, I tried to give you as much as I know, but apologize if there are any inaccuracies :)
 
JOEste said:
I was also offered, and accepted my appointment to USAFAPS. From sources like the Air Force academy YouTube and on the Air Force academy admissions website there is some information on the prep school you may find helpful and want to look into. According to those sources the prep school is exactly what it sounds like. Anyone admitted to the prep school was a strong candidate and was just slightly lacking in some part of their application (usually academically, like in test scores), but going to the prep school these cadet candidates are given the tools they need to make them successful and ready to attend the academy. Going to the prep school doesn’t guarantee you a spot into the academy but it is referenced as the “golden ticket” because as long as you make an effort in the prep school and keep up your grades, the prep school can aid you in gaining another nomination, should you be unable to obtain one yourself, I would assume the nominations would still be from your hometown but I am not sure about that part. Aside from that the only other information I have to contribute is that I was very grateful and happy to have received a prep school appointment. I have wanted to attend the academy since elementary school, but nonetheless I know that me being in the prep school will only allow me to become a better cadet upon my arrival at the academy the following year. Given there is a very few amount of students at the prep school, I believe it is maybe slightly less than 300? I am glad to be among those selected, I have heard nothing but good things from people that went to the prep school as some even felt that if they had gone directly to the academy they would have dropped out due to the academic rigor or other challenge. I hope you find peace in whatever decision you make, I tried to give you as much as I know, but apologize if there are any inaccuracies :)
Click to expand...
Very good point! I went ahead and found some links to some information regarding the P : )
Below I have given the website and last years booklet. I hope this helps!

https://www.usafa.edu/prep-school/

2019 Packet
 
1) USAFA Prep school does almost nothing with USAFA students
2) You will need a new nomination (only good for 1 admissions cycle) - you will apply to your HOME OF RECORD MOC/Senators and not C-Springs/USAFA
3) You get typical vacations - Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and a small summer but these are not necessarily connected to calendar events for USAFA. Here is this year's calendar : https://www.usafa.edu/app/uploads/USAFA-Prep-School-AY20-21-Calendar.pdf
4) Liberty - Prep school students experience a range of freedoms throughout the course of the year going from restricted like 4* to freedom like upperclassman.
5) Pay - you do get paid very well for the program and are encouraged to be smart and save it for future use.
6) Dating - going to be challenging. The larger issue will be when you are a C4C and he is a C2C upperclassman. Frat is a big thing and prior existing relationships don't seem to get much of a break. It could derail both of your trajectories if you fail to pause the relationship.
7) Separation - if you leave the Prep School or complete the program but are not appointed to USAFA, there is no additional obligation to the USAF. Likewise, there is no service commitment until the start of your JUNIOR year at USAFA -- could be financial payback for issued items prior to the Junior year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top