What can I do to prepare for the Candidate Fitness Assessment?

OP, you are pretty late coming up with the cure to y our "procrastination issues." You aspire to, in less than 10 months, be counted among the basics incoming at USAFA?

PLAN to join CAP - in your senior year? Fine, good, but you will not reach officer level - not even Billy Mitchell Award in that time. So, if you want to join, great! And it might give you a tiny taste of what you are in for...

Just getting started on your physical fitness? As a rising senior? Research this site and usafa.edu and you might realize: Colorado Springs is high altitude - so you need to couble up on all aerobics.

I don't want to put a damper on things but your SATs are not competitive. You really need to get those up by 150 points to even be in the running.
 
OK... you've been scolded. Enough of that. Frankly your resume is weak. Low academics and subpar extracurriculars.

The advice you've been given is all good. Your chances of admissions are slim, but if you don't apply you'll never know. You may fall into an area of geographic need, perhaps you are an underrepresented minority. Perhaps your high school is desirable in the eyes of the academy.

There is definitely a tendency for appointees to have stellar records. There are a few however that get in with a less than excellent resume.
Good luck to you in your newly found quest. If you get in you'll really need some good luck. It is a tough row to hoe.
 
:thumb:
Maplerock said:
OK... you've been scolded. Enough of that. Frankly your resume is weak. Low academics and subpar extracurriculars.

The advice you've been given is all good. Your chances of admissions are slim, but if you don't apply you'll never know. You may fall into an area of geographic need, perhaps you are an underrepresented minority. Perhaps your high school is desirable in the eyes of the academy.

There is definitely a tendency for appointees to have stellar records. There are a few however that get in with a less than excellent resume.
Good luck to you in your newly found quest. If you get in you'll really need some good luck. It is a tough row to hoe.
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There is a some good news, however....

Blacksnow, you've been given some very good advice here, and I'm hoping some eye opening "reality check posts" as well. You know you're behind the 8 Ball in getting into the Academy, in just about every area they measure in assessing if someone is deserving of an appointment. What you do now to improve that situation is up to you - but as so many have said here already, you're chance of getting that appointment is zero if you don't apply.

Sounds pretty discouraging, huh?

Well, let me re-focus you and the many on here sometimes who only focus on the path and NOT the destination --- What is your goal, to go the Academy, or to become an officer in the Air Force? You may not be ready NOW for the Academy, but that doesn't mean that in 5 years time (your last year of HS and your 4 years of college) that you won't be ready to be an Officer. Academy experience and free education? It's nice. But ultimatley if this is what you are only concerned about, you'l be in for a real shock when you finish that step.

Frankly, you'll discover thatonce you Commission and go to your first duty assignment, NO ONE cares where you got your Commission from. What they care about then is how well you do your job and what kind of officer you are. There are two other paths to get to that point -- ROTC and OTS. An if you now decide that being an officer is your goal, please consider them as another option.

Bottom Line: Live up to the promises you made here and start doing the things even you know you need to do to make you competitive. Apply to the Academy and hope for the best. But also remember that while you may not get plan A, plan B gets you to the same goal post -- but only if you apply yourself there as well....

Good Luck
 
Bullet said:
Blacksnow, you've been given some very good advice here, and I'm hoping some eye opening "reality check posts" as well. You know you're behind the 8 Ball in getting into the Academy, in just about every area they measure in assessing if someone is deserving of an appointment. What you do now to improve that situation is up to you - but as so many have said here already, you're chance of getting that appointment is zero if you don't apply.

Sounds pretty discouraging, huh?

Well, let me re-focus you and the many on here sometimes who only focus on the path and NOT the destination --- What is your goal, to go the Academy, or to become an officer in the Air Force? You may not be ready NOW for the Academy, but that doesn't mean that in 5 years time (your last year of HS and your 4 years of college) that you won't be ready to be an Officer. Academy experience and free education? It's nice. But ultimatley if this is what you are only concerned about, you'l be in for a real shock when you finish that step.

Frankly, you'll discover thatonce you Commission and go to your first duty assignment, NO ONE cares where you got your Commission from. What they care about then is how well you do your job and what kind of officer you are. There are two other paths to get to that point -- ROTC and OTS. An if you now decide that being an officer is your goal, please consider them as another option.

Bottom Line: Live up to the promises you made here and start doing the things even you know you need to do to make you competitive. Apply to the Academy and hope for the best. But also remember that while you may not get plan A, plan B gets you to the same goal post -- but only if you apply yourself there as well....

Good Luck
Click to expand...

This is the calibre of reply that I was hoping to see when I joined this site 3 years ago. Thank you for offering honest but respectful observations coupled with some very good suggestions. Refreshing. I hope the OP will print out this post and chew on it (not literally!).
 
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+1 Bullet!

OP, if your goal is to become an AF officer, there are several paths you can take - and some of them will give you that time you need to improve your stats, your physical preparedness, and help you to overcome your procrastination issues.

So, improve all that, and do apply... you may be offered a Falcon Foundation scholarship, the prep school, an AFROTC slot (well, those scores still have to come way up for that)... you could even consider enlistment and following through with that to OTS.

If your goal is USAFA, you may have to spend a year or even two at some other college, improving scores, and your physical fitness. Keep applying, though it doesn't get easier later.

What about a job? Community service? volunteer work? Leadership? What's on your resume regarding those things? In short, what have you been doing with yourself for the past four years?
 
To try to add to Bullet's excellent post, now is the time to strengthen your resume. The good news is your GPA is competitive. That is one of the hardest to change, since it is a longer-term average. Remember, the academy (and AFROTC) look at 3 major areas--academics (GPA, class rigor, and test scores), leadership (clubs, sports, community service positions, etc), and athletics (sports and PFA). Right now, from what you have stated, you are below average in all three. That's not good, but you do have a little bit of time to improve. You may be able to join AFROTC at a civilian college next year, and if you do well, try for a scholarship in a year or two. If you want to go to USAFA, apply this year (knowing the odds aren't great). If you aren't accepted or offered a prep-school slot, go to a civilian school for a year. While at the civilian school take a full load of rigorous basic classes (calc, chem/physics, history, english, etc), and work on leadership experience and fitness. Basically, you need to show the admissions team that you can handle college classes while being a leader and being physically fit. It's still no guarantee, but it's probably your best shot at improving your USAFA admissions chances (and it keeps your options open to transfer elsewhere as a back-up).
 
Bullet said:
Blacksnow, you've been given some very good advice here, and I'm hoping some eye opening "reality check posts" as well. You know you're behind the 8 Ball in getting into the Academy, in just about every area they measure in assessing if someone is deserving of an appointment. What you do now to improve that situation is up to you - but as so many have said here already, you're chance of getting that appointment is zero if you don't apply.

Sounds pretty discouraging, huh?

Well, let me re-focus you and the many on here sometimes who only focus on the path and NOT the destination --- What is your goal, to go the Academy, or to become an officer in the Air Force? You may not be ready NOW for the Academy, but that doesn't mean that in 5 years time (your last year of HS and your 4 years of college) that you won't be ready to be an Officer. Academy experience and free education? It's nice. But ultimatley if this is what you are only concerned about, you'l be in for a real shock when you finish that step.

Frankly, you'll discover thatonce you Commission and go to your first duty assignment, NO ONE cares where you got your Commission from. What they care about then is how well you do your job and what kind of officer you are. There are two other paths to get to that point -- ROTC and OTS. An if you now decide that being an officer is your goal, please consider them as another option.

Bottom Line: Live up to the promises you made here and start doing the things even you know you need to do to make you competitive. Apply to the Academy and hope for the best. But also remember that while you may not get plan A, plan B gets you to the same goal post -- but only if you apply yourself there as well....

Good Luck
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:thumb: +1
USAFA is an awesome school/institution with prestige to follow, no doubt. Keep pluggin' away at the academy and check out ROTC and OTS also.
 
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raimius said:
To try to add to Bullet's excellent post, now is the time to strengthen your resume. The good news is your GPA is competitive. That is one of the hardest to change, since it is a longer-term average.
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I used to maintain a 3.9 until my 'C' and 'D+' lowered it to a 3.8. It's still pretty good though!

raimius said:
If you aren't accepted or offered a prep-school slot, go to a civilian school for a year. While at the civilian school take a full load of rigorous basic classes (calc, chem/physics, history, english, etc), and work on leadership experience and fitness. Basically, you need to show the admissions team that you can handle college classes while being a leader and being physically fit.
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So let's say I apply for the USAFA, and I do not get accepted or offered a prep-school slot. I then decide to go to the University of Washington (which is my back-up college) for a year or two, taking rigorous academic classes, athletics, and leadership experience. You're saying that I could apply to the USAFA a second time after I complete my year at the university? Like a second chance to show the admissions I'm capable of much more?
 
Yep. You can apply as many times as you want as long as you meet the age and medical requirements (DoDMERB only lasts for two years.)
 
I personally know 2 Cadets who completed 2 years at a major university after 2 non-appointments. One is now at USAFA Class of 2018 the other at USMA Class of 2018. Both persevered. Neither were recruited athletes.

If you do not receive appointment, ROTC is a great alternative. As well, you can remain in CAP until 21 yoa. You could get Earhart by then and maybe Eaker.

Get into an SAT prep class and take the SAT as many times as you can. Don't beat yourself up so much on the C&D. 3.8 is respectable. Don't take a light class load this year. Load up with honors classes, etc. If any of this scares you, fasten your seat belt. The ride is a lot bumpier wearing the blue.
 
Given that our OP is deficient in the three major areas, I am still waiting to hear if there are any exceptional leadership or volunteer experiences. Usually, most applicants strive for years to build those things: community service, jobs, heading up clubs or teams or being involved, and I mean INVOLVED in the local community.
 
I was a member of Key Club during sophomore and junior year, where we accomplished various activities for community service. Like hosting school events and donations around the neighborhood.

What other community service activities look great on the transcipt?


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It's concerning that you're applying with scores you are embarrassed of and "run around the block" for exercise . Definitely apply but know that doing well on the fitness test will not get you in-- your academics and SAT scores make up 80% of your package. I would buckle down and try to get your test scores up. They can take scores that low but typically only for those recruited for athletics that are sent to the prep school-- It doesn't sound like you were recruited.
 
*And, there may be other factors which do indeed play a role in our OP's appointment to USAFA or other SA or ROTC program.

We simply have very limited information -

BlackSnow, I do encourage you to do your best, and to apply!!! But do things right since you are behind the proverbial 8-ball here. Don't apply when your schedule permits: be on top of things! Be first in with the apps and phone calls. Have you read thru the stickies? There is a wealth of info there which will better guide you through this process, but as a rising senior looking at the start of his senior year: are you taking AP or dual enrollment classes? SAT prep or review class (worth the money if you are serious)?

And tell us more! What will make a board look past your SATs and CFA to decide you deserve the coveted nomination?
 
fencersmother said:
There is a wealth of info there which will better guide you through this process, but as a rising senior looking at the start of his senior year: are you taking AP or dual enrollment classes? SAT prep or review class (worth the money if you are serious)?
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I am taking 3 AP classes this upcoming school year -- AP Govt, AP English, and AP Physics, along with Pre-Calculus. I am interested in SAT prep. classes but I have not yet joined one. My other classes are Weight Training and Leadership for the full year, hopefully adding on to my chances for the academy.

fencersmother said:
And tell us more! What will make a board look past your SATs and CFA to decide you deserve the coveted nomination?
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Hopefully the admissions will recognize my potential in the field. My persistence, determination, and my strive to work and inspire are what attracts me to the USAFA. I'm not sure if Filipinos are an underrepresented minority in the academy, but I myself am a Filipino residing in Washington state. I have a creative and imaginative mindset that propels me to fight vigorously for a great life.

You may be asking "Why is an artistic person joining the much more rigorous, athletic-oriented academy? Shouldn't you be joining an art school or something?" If you did, you're not the first, lol. I plan on being a Drafter for NASA or Boeing, someone who draws and sketches manufacturing. Another job I am interested in, I plan on being an aerospace engineer. I hope my inventive, dynamic mind sets me off from other candidates, and I intend to spread some innovation and influence to a world where art is a dying importance.

Not necessarily a complaint, but how come the academy expects us to be these perfect people? As if we're perfect, flawless drones incapable of making mistakes? I am nowhere close to perfect, as you can see from my naive comments earlier. Just a curious thought I've pondered on for a while.
 
BlackSnowMarine said:
I am taking 3 AP classes this upcoming school year -- AP Govt, AP English, and AP Physics, along with Pre-Calculus. I am interested in SAT prep. classes but I have not yet joined one. My other classes are Weight Training and Leadership for the full year, hopefully adding on to my chances for the academy.



Hopefully the admissions will recognize my potential in the field. My persistence, determination, and my strive to work and inspire are what attracts me to the USAFA. I'm not sure if Filipinos are an underrepresented minority in the academy, but I myself am a Filipino residing in Washington state. I have a creative and imaginative mindset that propels me to fight vigorously for a great life.

You may be asking "Why is an artistic person joining the much more rigorous, athletic-oriented academy? Shouldn't you be joining an art school or something?" If you did, you're not the first, lol. I plan on being a Drafter for NASA or Boeing, someone who draws and sketches manufacturing. Another job I am interested in, I plan on being an aerospace engineer. I hope my inventive, dynamic mind sets me off from other candidates, and I intend to spread some innovation and influence to a world where art is a dying importance.

Not necessarily a complaint, but how come the academy expects us to be these perfect people? As if we're perfect, flawless drones incapable of making mistakes? I am nowhere close to perfect, as you can see from my naive comments earlier. Just a curious thought I've pondered on for a while.
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USAFA doesn't expect people to be perfect. It expects people to be highly-capable and well-rounded.
I'm curious as to where in your goals being an officer in the Air Force fits. USAFA doesn't create world class draftsmen, and AE is a major but very few grads actively work in designing components or systems while on active duty.
 
You are not expected to be a perfect, mind-numbed drone. In fact, just the opposite is true. However, at any US service academy, the cadets and mids are not just students. They are being trained to lead others into war (and peace in precarious locales). Yes, it's ALSO college, an academically rigorous top quality "college" where cadets/mids work full time, participate in sports, and learn how to follow and how to lead.

And, you should probably do some more study on just what cadets at USAFA do, and more importantly, where they go following commissioning, because it is almost NEVER "drafting." In fact, there are no career field options for officers in the US Air Force for "draftsman." Aero engineering, yes, and you will take this as a required course no matter what you actually choose for a major. (You will have to really step up your math program if you expect to compete in any engineering field at USAFA)

Just making sure: you are of Filipino extraction but are a US citizen? If not, that's a whole different ball game.
 
Yes, I am a US citizen. Born outside the US and became a citizen.

And how can I step up my math performance? Take Pre-Calculus and AP Statistics at the same time?


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Others who have children in regular high school can probably speak better to this topic. I strongly suggest you get an SAT prep book, and take the ACT too. Math builds, year after year, and I assume you have taken the most difficult math program available in your high school or homeschool.

But especially if you are looking to engineering or, should you go to civilian college for a more art oriented program, you should be 100-150 points higher, minimum in math. If you were born in the Philippines, there may be some leeway granted for a lower CR score.

Please contact your local ALO ASAP. S/he can guide you through the process and determine if you are really suited to a US Service Academy.

Did you read all the stickies? You understand you don't just "graduate and go work for NASA or Boeing?" YOu will have a minimum five year commitment to the Air Force AFTER graduation.
 
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