I am currently a freshman in highschool an want to attend the Air Force Academy. I want to know what to do to get a higher chance of being picked to go there. I want to start doing what I can to make my application look the best that it can be. I have done some reading on it but i would like to know suggestions. I play club softball and school too, i do an indoor soccer leauge and I am looking to do dual enrollment at my school. We have an ROTC program there and wondering if i should join it. I already have a year of foreign language and working on my second one. I want to be a physical therapist or nurse, and i know i have to major in organic chem or biology, any suggestions? What is it like to be in the Academy? I would really like to go here so any info is appectiated! Thank you!
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- Thread starter Jenna
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Take challenging classes and be excellent in everything you do. Keep your nose clean and seek out leadership positions in school government and sports.
They want excellent students that are well rounded and physically fit.
They want excellent students that are well rounded and physically fit.
I am looking into doing the Rotc profram at my school and maybe nhs. I was going to take sports med and later evit, and dual enrollment. Do you have any workout programs that I could syart now to prepare for the academy? Is there a way to make me more likely to get in? I really want to go there. I am thinking about doing a tour and a softball camp if they haave one? What is the best way to prepare for the academy if i get in?
And im not the trouble type either, people call me coaches pet and goodie goodie. I am as drama and trouble free as possible. I only worry about keeping straight As.
Hoodlum15
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One of the things the Academy looks for is motivated self-starters. All of your questions are very generic. If you go to your admissions counselor when the time comes and the questions you ask have easy to find answers, it will reflect poorly on you. If you're genuinely interested, take the time to really do some research into the Academy. It seems like you don't even know some very basic things about it.
The best place to look for information about your high school JROTC program is your high school. The best place to find the sports camp you want is the Academy sports camp website. There are dozens, if not hundreds of threads on this forum about how candidates can improve their chances and what kind of statistics those who received appointments have. The Academy admissions website has loads of information on life at the Academy and steps to take in high school.
Develop your own workout plan tailored to your needs and the sports you're playing now; don't expect someone to make one for you. There are thousands of internet resources to help you develop a workout plan, and as a freshman in high school, preparing for Academy specific athletic tests should not be your primary concern.
Sorry to be blunt, but you need to do some of your own leg work. You're early on in the process and all your questions have already been answered, if you're willing to look for them.
The best place to look for information about your high school JROTC program is your high school. The best place to find the sports camp you want is the Academy sports camp website. There are dozens, if not hundreds of threads on this forum about how candidates can improve their chances and what kind of statistics those who received appointments have. The Academy admissions website has loads of information on life at the Academy and steps to take in high school.
Develop your own workout plan tailored to your needs and the sports you're playing now; don't expect someone to make one for you. There are thousands of internet resources to help you develop a workout plan, and as a freshman in high school, preparing for Academy specific athletic tests should not be your primary concern.
Sorry to be blunt, but you need to do some of your own leg work. You're early on in the process and all your questions have already been answered, if you're willing to look for them.
I actually just joined yesterday so sorry if I havent exactly read every thread, I have looked and actually know some information. I was just looking for more people that have more experience than me and would have any insight of what to do to prepare for training, such as people who have actually been through the academy, and have any advice of what they would do differently. Thanks for your bluntness tho and I have done some research btw.
What kind of questions should I ask then in your opinion since mine are so generic
Hoodlum15
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That's my point! There are hundreds of people on here who have done it or are doing it and who have already provided lengthy answers to the questions you've asked. I know you're eager - the prospect of the Academy is extremely exciting, but take a deep breath, use the search function, and read through the thousands of threads that have already been written on this forum. Then if you have a question that you cannot find an answer to, go ahead and ask it.
And of course, my opinion is not universally shared on this forum. It is absolutely your right to ask the questions you've asked, and perhaps some other people are willing to answer. But as someone who has done it, and who is familiar with this forum, my recommendation is that you spend a few hours just eating up whatever info on the Academy you can find.
Billberna
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Hi, Jenna. I suggest you visit the USAFA admissions website and pore through its many pages of information on admissions criteria. There is info about extra curricular activities, average test scores, GPA, and typical high school activities of a typical incoming class. You want to set goals to be above average of those statistics. There is even a document of advice for home-schoolers. Also view the many videos linked from the website. They will give you more of a feel for cadet life and admissions expectations. Afterwards, if you still have questions that aren't addressed there, there are some threads on this forum where current cadets have volunteered to answer specific questions. The admissions website is academyadmissions.com .
Thank You!!
DesertCaliMom
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Run more long distance, that will be your best acclamation tool.
thanks for your input!
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One big thing that might be a hurdle is that nursing and physical therapy are not jobs that you can get coming out of USAFA. There is no major for them. The Air Force hires almost all of their nursing staff through AFROTC, either through a nursing scholarship or the AF Nursing program at Baylor. Physical therapists need at least an MS in PT or preferably a DPT with 2+ years of experience before the AF will hire them. My daughter did her DPT at a state school and did one clinical rotation at USAFA but did not get hired by Big Blue.
Stealth_81
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As a freshman, this is a great time to start doing basic research. It’s exciting to think of all the possibilities out there.
You will learn in a more organized fashion by researching the primary sources, taking some notes on key facts, and treating it like research for a paper you are writing. Asking scattershot questions on an anonymous forum may not be your best approach for a cohesive set of accurate answers. SAF is a great place to get insights on how things work for the application cycles and many other aspects of this process, as well as career options, from a wide range of perspectives.
Recommend:
- Read every page, link and drop-down on Service Academy Websites - many of your basic questions are answered there.
- Look at all 5 of the Federal Academies, to ensure you are informed about mission differences, career paths, majors, desired HS courses, etc. USAFA, USMA, USNA, USCGA, USMMA. You mentioned nurse or physical therapist - there are those programs in the AF, but the path there may or may not not be via USAFA.
- Pay attention to the medical disqualifications pages - best to know now if there are things that might derail your dream or if there is a medication you have to stop taking x years before attending.
- Research the web page for the JROTC program of interest, then go talk f2f with the live people who run it. They are usually retired service members who desired to continue to serve by working in this program; youth leadership development is their passion.
- There are generally 3 ways to become a commissioned officer: attend a SA, go to a civilian college and participate in ROTC, or complete civilian college and attend OCS/OTS. Research them all, as part of exploring a career as an officer. Easy-peasy - google “Air Force ROTC.”
- You need a nomination + appointment to attend 4 of the 5 SAs. Read about the noms on the SA websites, and for the elected official ones, go to your Senators’ and MOC websites for their Service Academy nomination process.
- Explore the STEM camps and sports camps at the SAs - things you can do now to get more familiar with an SA.
- Don’t overlook the SMCs, the Senior Military Colleges. That path can also be a great fit. I’ll help you out on that.
https://m.goarmy.com/rotc/courses-and-colleges/military-colleges.m.html
- And for your stretch assignment, there is a uniformed service, USPHS. There are 7 uniformed services, of which 5 are armed services. USPHS offers service as a commissioned Public Health Officer, which includes doctors, nurses, physical therapy specialists, with essentially the same benefits as the military services. They have some great HS and college programs and scholarships.
https://www.usphs.gov/student/
Here on SAF:
- Find the Acronyms sticky in Community Information. Essential!
- Read the Stickies in the Nominations forum.
- Browse the SA individual forums, and use the Search box with “chance me” and “stats” - that will bring up numerous threads of what candidates bring to the table in terms of grades, advanced courses, test scores, sports participation and leadership, Summer leadership programs (Girls’ State is a big one), volunteer and community service work.
It is very early days - but you are smart to explore now. If this becomes your dream, to commission as an officer and serve at least 5 years after academy or college, then you are at the right point to make choices about academics, sports and other activities.
When I see a lot of questions that could fairly easily be answered by a bit of personal effort, I too can suffer an “I’m not your Siri” moment. The many thoughtful and experienced posters here on SAF respond very well to questions more in the vein of “I’ve been reading up on X on the Y.edu website, would someone help me understand ....”
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Thank you for all your input, ill look into it. It was helpful! When do you suggest I apply, I was thinking around junior or senior year, is that when I should apply? Are you from USAFA? thanks for all your input I will do it! Merry Christmas
Thank you for that! I was thinking of majoring in Biology or Chemistry and then doing the PT or nurse, would that work too? Thanks I will look into that
peppypea
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Y'all, be a little kind to this person: she has admitted she is just a kid. I am willing to bet many of us weren't this driven as 15 year olds. Understand that if she is asking young inexperienced questions it's BECAUSE SHE IS YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED.
Best of luck, OP! Take the next few days and familiarize yourself with the various boards. Try to understand as much as you can absorb and feel free to ask questions when you don't feel like you can find the answers.
I agree with others- over the next 3 years, challenge yourself as MUCH as you possibly can! Foster a love for people and become a natural leader. This entire process is a marathon, not a sprint- I feel like you are starting to stretch now! You go, kid! I'll be pulling for you!
Best of luck, OP! Take the next few days and familiarize yourself with the various boards. Try to understand as much as you can absorb and feel free to ask questions when you don't feel like you can find the answers.
I agree with others- over the next 3 years, challenge yourself as MUCH as you possibly can! Foster a love for people and become a natural leader. This entire process is a marathon, not a sprint- I feel like you are starting to stretch now! You go, kid! I'll be pulling for you!
Thank you so much! You just made my day! I'll do that, thank you for your kind words they mean alot to me! If only eveybody was as nice as you! Merry Christmas. This is great advice thanks. thanks for not being rude to me.
peppypea
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My DS is at the end of the application process- I am by NO means an expert. That being said, feel free to message me if you think there is something I can do to help.
Now, go have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!