USAFA Teacher Evaluation Process

[ALaz99]

Hello, I am a Junior in high school and beginning to apply for the class of 2024. I am looking to complete my application as soon as possible (preferably over the summer), so I want to contact my teachers before school ends so they know what to do when filling out the evaluation form. How will this process work? Will an email be sent to them, or will they receive the form in the mail? Thanks.

 

[madfad]

you print the paper the portal gives you that has their name and access code to the website where they write the evaluation and then they have everything they need from there i think. make sure you make up a resume of some sorts that includes your activities, awards, etc so they can get a broader sense of everything you’re balancing while being successful in their classes.

 

[ringczar23]

Each letter has different protocols, I think it is customary to ask your senior teachers after the first few weeks of school or administrators who you’ve had long relationships with.

 

[ALaz99]

So just to clarify, i will be getting a paper from my portal over the summer that has my teachers’ names and access codes. Will they be getting a separate email with instructions, or is everything they need to do on that paper?

 

[FMHS-79]

So just to clarify, i will be getting a paper from my portal over the summer that has my teachers’ names and access codes. Will they be getting a separate email with instructions, or is everything they need to do on that paper?

You will enter the names of your references on the portal from which USAFA Admissions will generate/post an individualized letter for each which you will be able to send and/or deliver to them. The letter includes the URL and individualized access code they will use to enter their input.

 

[DSM]

So the should we wait until July (when the application is available) or could we download a teacher eval form USAFA 145 and provide to request transcripts (USAFA 148) now? Could some one please let me know. thanks

 

[Aldo.dector]

So the should we wait until July (when the application is available) or could we download a teacher eval form USAFA 145 and provide to request transcripts (USAFA 148) now? Could some one please let me know. thanks

I think you should just wait till July and do everything then. No need to rush that part right now in my opinion.

 

[GoCubbies]

So the should we wait until July (when the application is available) or could we download a teacher eval form USAFA 145 and provide to request transcripts (USAFA 148) now? Could some one please let me know. thanks

I agree with the previous poster. I would wait until July when the app is opened for your DS.

My DD showed me the USAFA candidate instructions. There are a minimum of 3 School Official Evaluations (SOE).

The first 2 must be from an 11th or 12th grade math and english teacher.

The 3rd SOE must come from of the following, in order of priority:
- JROTC instructor
- HS counselor
- HS principal
- HS chemistry or physics teacher
- other HS official/teacher

Letters of Recommendation are option, but the USAFA strongly encourages submission of up to 2 LORs.

What your DS can do now (or he can wait until May right before classes let out for the summer) is give his teachers heads-up about the pending SOE/LOR requests. This way, some teachers (11th grade) may be able to do in July/Aug before school gets back in session.

In the email, my DD included her resume/CV, biography (2/3 page), USAFA class profile, and the USAFA writing samples. I think there were 2 required writing samples. My DD went ahead an answered the 3rd optional writing sample too.

The english and physics teachers were from 12th grade so my DD couldn't reasonably expect them to write an appropriate SOE right when classes got back in session. I think the english teacher may have submitted her SOE for my daughter in mid-Sept when classes were in session for 30 days at that point. She happened to be her english teacher in 8th grade so she was familiar with my DD's academic preparation and character.

For the physics teacher, my DD wrote in her email to him that she understands it will take some time for him to provide an accurate SOE. She also mentioned her suspense to get everything in was 1 Nov. The physics teacher was a USAFA grad so he was more than understanding about the SOE requirement and suspense dates.

 

[DSM]

Thank you for your detailed answer. My DS downloaded the pre-candidate booklet. However, thought those forms may be available before 7/1 so that he could give the forms to his teachers. But I guess he has to wait. I asked him to get teacher private emails, phone numbers so he could contact them during summer.

 

[FiddleSticks]

So the should we wait until July (when the application is available) or could we download a teacher eval form USAFA 145 and provide to request transcripts (USAFA 148) now? Could some one please let me know. thanks

It is a good idea to line up your teachers now, but you will and must wait until your portal is opened and the necessary paperwork is on your portal to give to your teacher. So just talk to your teachers now. You can then give them the paperwork the first few weeks of school.

 

[TeddyPlus4]

Focus on STEM!
Letters from math, physics, and calculus teachers will be better for the board

 

[Capt MJ]

I’ve seen some good recommendations over the years:

- Assemble a folder for the teacher with your resume, the desired timeline, what to expect, all your contact info, perhaps some background on your SA of interest and your understanding of key points of emphasis.

- A polite inquiry along the lines of “are there any times this summer it would be inconvenient to contact you?” would elicit important planning info, so there is no intrusion on their vacation or family time.

There will be other suggestions, I’m sure.

 

[Wishful]

I asked him to get teacher private emails, phone numbers so he could contact them during summer.

I'm old-fashioned. I believe that students shouldn't be communicating via private email/phone with their teachers. This blurs the line between the student/teacher relationship. As it is now, too much information is being shared between students & teachers on social media. My DD didn't have any social media accounts yet teachers knew her business from Facebook accounts they shared with her friends...& those teachers felt quite comfortable asking DD about personal events.
In any event, business should be conducted during business hours (school days in this example), especially if you're asking for a positive well-composed letter. Writing these letters is part of a teacher's job... just as being off for the summer is; off from school as the student is. I don't think students would like to do writing projects during the summer. I know I wouldn't. FYI: I am not, nor is my DW a teacher.

 

[GreenGate1]

Another thing to think about (maybe you already have...) are the congressional/senatorial nomination packets. These often require specific letters of recommendation (math teacher, science teacher, counselor, etc.). These requirements would probably be available now - knocking these out before the end of the year is great, especially since the deadline for these packets are often early in the Fall. Recs, the CFA, and medical clearance are the "catch-points" for many in this process. If you can get all the MOC recs and the CFA done by early summer, you would be in great shape - no pun intended

 

[DSM]

Another thing to think about (maybe you already have...) are the congressional/senatorial nomination packets. These often require specific letters of recommendation (math teacher, science teacher, counselor, etc.). These requirements would probably be available now - knocking these out before the end of the year is great, especially since the deadline for these packets are often early in the Fall. Recs, the CFA, and medical clearance are the "catch-points" for many in this process. If you can get all the MOC recs and the CFA done by early summer, you would be in great shape - no pun intended

Thank you very much for your response.