What can an 8th grader do to prepare for high school USAFA application
- Thread starter LilFlyBoy
- Start date
Overwhelmed
5-Year Member
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- Jan 3, 2018
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I would review his medical history. Try to get ahead of any future DQs. See if his doctor can safely wean him off any regular medications.
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@LilFlyBoy, the 8th header should start by reading every link, tab and drop down on the USAFA website. Make sure he/she knows the nitty-gritty of USAFA and AF careers. It’s a minimum nine-year gig, not just four years of college.
Speak to as many alumni and cadets as possible over the next few years. Pick their brains, hear their perspective, learn from them.
Take the hardest classes your school has to offer, especially in math, science and English. Do very well in them.
Don’t be a serial club joiner. Quality over quantity. Seek leadership roles. But don’t just hold a chair, make a real impact. That’s true leadership, not winning a popularity contest.
Play varsity sports. Try to become a captain. Again, quality over quantity.
Finally, explore other SAs. My DD knew for sure about USNA in the 8th grade. Then she learned about this place called West Point. Attended SLE, received offer of appointment, was wowed at Founders Day dinner and came oh-so-close to accepting the offer. Ended up at Annapolis in the end...but again, explore beyond what you think you want. Best wishes.
Speak to as many alumni and cadets as possible over the next few years. Pick their brains, hear their perspective, learn from them.
Take the hardest classes your school has to offer, especially in math, science and English. Do very well in them.
Don’t be a serial club joiner. Quality over quantity. Seek leadership roles. But don’t just hold a chair, make a real impact. That’s true leadership, not winning a popularity contest.
Play varsity sports. Try to become a captain. Again, quality over quantity.
Finally, explore other SAs. My DD knew for sure about USNA in the 8th grade. Then she learned about this place called West Point. Attended SLE, received offer of appointment, was wowed at Founders Day dinner and came oh-so-close to accepting the offer. Ended up at Annapolis in the end...but again, explore beyond what you think you want. Best wishes.
Is it possible to be in jortc, civil air patrol,and boy scouts while also being student president?
sa_applicant2023
USNA 2023
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Absolutely 1000% Yes. Dont put any limits on yourself, manage your time well especially wifh academics and you can do that
SFRanger
Banned
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Start working with a tutor on the ACT and SAT. A perfect score on either gives you a lot of options. These options will include all the academies. At the same time work on your physical fitness, become an Eagle Scout, go to Boys State, and earn a varsity letter in high school.
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Eagle Scout looks good; also attending Boys State. There is a Girls State as well.
A recent classes profile breaks down what they're looking for. Some links below.
Keep in mind some applicants cannot do sports & clubs due to working on farm, in parents store, taking care of siblings, etc.; NP, the SA's take that into account. Good Luck!
http://www.neoafapa.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/2021_-_Demographic_Profiles.224160126.pdf
https://www.legion.org/boysnation/stateabout
https://www.alaforveterans.org/ala-girls-state/
A recent classes profile breaks down what they're looking for. Some links below.
Keep in mind some applicants cannot do sports & clubs due to working on farm, in parents store, taking care of siblings, etc.; NP, the SA's take that into account. Good Luck!
http://www.neoafapa.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/2021_-_Demographic_Profiles.224160126.pdf
https://www.legion.org/boysnation/stateabout
https://www.alaforveterans.org/ala-girls-state/
Push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and run! I wish I had started it earlier!
The best advice I can give you though is to follow your passions in extracurriculars and truly think if this is what you want to do. If it is, that should be motivating enough. Also, play sports, go to Boys'/Girls' state, and do all of the programs where you will be surrounded by like-minded individuals.
The best advice I can give you though is to follow your passions in extracurriculars and truly think if this is what you want to do. If it is, that should be motivating enough. Also, play sports, go to Boys'/Girls' state, and do all of the programs where you will be surrounded by like-minded individuals.
raimius
15-Year Member
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- Jun 9, 2006
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The academies look for 1. Academics (grades, course load, test scores, class rank, etc), 2. Leadership (clubs, scouts, CAP, boys/girls state, etc) , and 3. Athletics (sports, CFA).
(In that order of weight, if I recall correctly).
So, take the hardest classes offered at your school and do well in them.
When the time comes, take the standardized tests several times, and do well on them. (USAFA superscores)
Be active in extracurricular activities, and take some leadership in them.
Play sports. Earn leadership roles here, as well, if you can.
Stay physically fit (not all sports automatically cover this).
(In that order of weight, if I recall correctly).
So, take the hardest classes offered at your school and do well in them.
When the time comes, take the standardized tests several times, and do well on them. (USAFA superscores)
Be active in extracurricular activities, and take some leadership in them.
Play sports. Earn leadership roles here, as well, if you can.
Stay physically fit (not all sports automatically cover this).
I joined Civil Air Patrol at the beginning of 9th grade. I can say with certainty that this program changed my life. Coming from a family with next to 0 military experience, this program opened my eyes to the military, its values, its mission, etc, and today I do not see myself doing anything else. The opportunities that CAP offers are absolutely endless. I would really suggest to anyone in 7th-10th grade interested in the military to join this program.
unkown1961
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- Oct 20, 2016
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Careful with the time consumed by activities so that it doesn't cut into homework and some downtime for the kid. I've had two kids get AFROTC and NROTC scholarships but there was no way they could have done CAP, Scouts, and JROTC together and still had adequate time for homework (granted, they were in an academically rigorous high school), and other activities like soccer, track, senate, speech and debate (a great activity to prep for interview skills as well as making the kid well rounded on current events). Plus, at least at my kids' school, JROTC would have taken up a class period that was better served by taking an academic-oriented class.
My daughter chose CAP and my son did the Eagle Scout route. Neither did JROTC. Personally, I think a child should choose just one of these to ensure enough time to maintain grades, have some fun time, and be able to participate in other activities like sports, Senate, or debate in order to have a well-rounded group of activities.
That's my two-cents and it probably isn't worth that much.
My daughter chose CAP and my son did the Eagle Scout route. Neither did JROTC. Personally, I think a child should choose just one of these to ensure enough time to maintain grades, have some fun time, and be able to participate in other activities like sports, Senate, or debate in order to have a well-rounded group of activities.
That's my two-cents and it probably isn't worth that much.