USAFA summer seminar

lexadre97

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2013
Messages
17
Hello everyone,

I have another question about the USAFA. I was wondering if it is "harder" to join the summer seminar program then the academy itself ? Also should I apply in my junior year of high school ? I am a US citizen living in France so the scholar programs are different, so how am I supposed to indicate my grades in English (9th-1st Semester of 11th) and Math (Alegebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Physics, Chemistry) ? Should I indicate my math, physics, chemistry and english grades , that are on a 0 to 20 scale ?

Thank you .
 
I just returned from Summer Seminar and the admissions officers who spoke to us there said that, at least for this year, it was more difficult to get accepted to the Summer Seminar program than the Academy itself (Not saying the Academy is easy to get into).

Opening an application for Summer Seminar is not the same as applying to the Academy. Most of the people I met at Summer Seminar (Including myself) had already opened a USAFA application.
 
how did you open a USAFA application which can be opened by march 1st when the summer seminar starts application by december 31st and finished by january 31st ? Also did you apply while junior in high school ?

Thank you
 
In the end, would you rather say I got an appointment to the Academy or gee I got into the "harder" summer seminar??? I usually don't post much but lately it seems like everybody is talking about how "hard" the summer seminar is compared to the academy itself and all that. What good does the SS do when you can't get an appointment, so my suggestion is to concentrate on the end game rather than the "midpoints." My basic cadet DID NOT go to summer seminar.
 
skismuggs : I totaly agree with you. If I had the choice between the summer seminar or the actual academy , for sure I would have chosen the academy . However it is always a "plus" to get into the summer seminar. It must be a great experience to stay in the academy !

Thank you.
 
skismuggs : I totaly agree with you. If I had the choice between the summer seminar or the actual academy , for sure I would have chosen the academy . However it is always a "plus" to get into the summer seminar. It must be a great experience to stay in the academy !

Thank you.

I agree with the above. Acceptance to the summer seminar means nothing in terms of admission to the academy. That is what we are told again and again and I fully believe that is true.

BUT, for those unsure of whether SA and military life is for then, the summer seminars are helpful, in my view. My D went to 2 SA summer programs. Great experiences mainly because of our lack of military background. They gave a very brief glimpse of what could be for her, VERY brief (and BGO kept saying to remember that they were CAMPS...use the time to ask questions about the actual academy and about life after graduation, not just to enjoy the fun stuff).

Whether it is a visit, summer seminar or another program...I do think that getting to the academy is important for those without much or any background or experience. It certainly is not at all a full picture, but it is better than just reading brochures. It is also a very affordable way to have a good amount of time there.

She had great advice from her BGO who said to apply to all 4 SA summer programs. Hope to get into one and go. If you get in to more than one, maybe go to 2. His view was actually that AIM really was a good one because it was harder, physically and emotionally, than others and kids usually came away knowing that SA life was for them or sure that it was not (they have a history of kids leaving during the summer week!).

Bottom line thoughts on our end: Apply to summer seminars. If you get in, great. Go. If you do not...no worries. Try and find another way to visit the Academy. Through it all, keep your focus on what really matters--getting an appointment.


S
 
Thank you very much for your reply stella , of course my main goal is an appointment to the USAFA. I have another question , currently living in France, how do I transfer my grades to a 4.0 scale ? Also scholar programs are deffirent, we can not choose our courses, we all have the same. We can only choose option ( I have chosen scientific + engineer science ) so when they ask " what courses did you take ? " what should I write down ?

Thank you
 
lexadre97, The academy will likely have a way to convert your grades. My son's school was on a 5 point scale and his GPA was adjusted which is quite common. Choosing a science track is a wise decision, all cadets have to take the basic sciences and math classes. Good luck to you.
 
Thank you very much for your reply stella , of course my main goal is an appointment to the USAFA. I have another question , currently living in France, how do I transfer my grades to a 4.0 scale ? Also scholar programs are deffirent, we can not choose our courses, we all have the same. We can only choose option ( I have chosen scientific + engineer science ) so when they ask " what courses did you take ? " what should I write down ?

Thank you

You don't have to re-calculate your GPA. Report your grades as they appear on your transcripts. USAFA will do the calculations for you. If you are specifically asked to report your grades on a 4 pt. scale, call/e-mail admissions for clarification. Regarding reporting classes taken, you would report the classes you receive a grade for. I am not an expert on the French system, but I would think that you are enrolled in distinct, identifiable classes. If not, then call/e-mail admissions for guidance. Best wishes to you. :thumb:
 
Thank you very much for your replies. I have converted my 0 to 20 grade scale to a 4.0 gpa scale with this grading system from the san francisco french high school : www[dot]lelycee[dot]org/academique/grading-equivalencies/?lang=en and I have a GPA of 3. Should I show this value table to my teachers so that they can convert my grades ? Or as you said let the academy do the process ?

Thank you very much
 
Should I show this value table to my teachers so that they can convert my grades ? Or as you said let the academy do the process ?

Thank you very much

Remember that while we (on the forums) want to give you good, sound advice, the admissions people know best. If you are unsure, contact USAFA directly.

From AcademyAdmissions.com:
If you have further questions on qualifications for the United States Air Force Academy, please call the office of Selections at 719-333-2520 or 1-800-443-9266 or contact us by e-mail (RR_Apps@usafa.edu).
 
Thank you very much, I will contact the USAFA by e-mail.

Thank you everyone for your precious help!
 
Just keep in mind, while it may be easier to get into the Academy, it is certainly harder to stay.
 
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