What to work on for Application

C

CessnaEnthusiast04

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Joined
Apr 13, 2021
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I am currently a Junior and just turned 17, and I am wondering what to work on to be more competitive for the academy.
GPA: 4.45
SAT: 1270 (retaking in a week)
-680 reading/writing 590 math
-CAP flight sergeant
-just earned PPL (flight training was payed for my USAF/CAP scholarship) (working on instrument)
-captain of Track and XC teams
-member of NHS
-currently have A's in 3 AP classes + engineering class. Taking 3 more AP's next year.
I am wondering what areas I need to improve (other than my SAT, which I know is subpar)
I have started to train for the CFA, only thing I don't hit above average on is the shuttle run.
Thanks in advance!
 
Recommend mentioning if you've made it to state or won conference. Also community service? You mention NHS which I know for me required community service. If you've lead any they really like that too
 
Advice from our local representative for USMA - reach out to your local FFR (not sure what USAFA calls them), and ask them to evaluate your application. They have a huge voice in the admissions process, and they know exactly what it takes to get accepted. From what you typed, you need to push hard on the math SAT; they do superscore. Another huge help is Boys or Girls State. She also said to apply to every branch, including USCGA - they fly too. And you never know where an opening is. Good luck!
 
VasilyZaytsev said:
Advice from our local representative for USMA - reach out to your local FFR (not sure what USAFA calls them), and ask them to evaluate your application. They have a huge voice in the admissions process, and they know exactly what it takes to get accepted. From what you typed, you need to push hard on the math SAT; they do superscore. Another huge help is Boys or Girls State. She also said to apply to every branch, including USCGA - they fly too. And you never know where an opening is. Good luck!
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I think USAFA calls them AOI and did you get Sommer seminar for USAFA? I think they shows the dedication to the school. I would also say to boost that sat score to at least a 1300-1400. I would ask if you did any volunteering for the community? I think that would look good.
 
FlyFalcon said:
Recommend mentioning if you've made it to state or won conference. Also community service? You mention NHS which I know for me required community service. If you've lead any they really like that too
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almondqqq said:
I think USAFA calls them AOI and did you get Sommer seminar for USAFA? I think they shows the dedication to the school. I would also say to boost that sat score to at least a 1300-1400. I would ask if you did any volunteering for the community? I think that would look good.
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Unfortunately I had a conflict with the summer seminar and did not apply, during that time I had made a commitment to intern at a summer governor's school. I am in contact with my ALO, but he basically told me to keep doing what I'm doing and contact him after the pre-candidate phase is over. I don't have much community service, but I have interned at this Governor's. School several years and done some stuff through CAP. Cheers for the advice!
 
CessnaEnthusiast04 said:
Unfortunately I had a conflict with the summer seminar and did not apply, during that time I had made a commitment to intern at a summer governor's school. I am in contact with my ALO, but he basically told me to keep doing what I'm doing and contact him after the pre-candidate phase is over. I don't have much community service, but I have interned at this Governor's. School several years and done some stuff through CAP. Cheers for the advice!
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Good Luck for your future endeavors and may we both get appointments next year!
 
Get some solid leadership results - not just leadership titles (this can be CAP, community service, sports, but it should be something where you actually did something, not just a title). I think the need for community service is greatly exaggerated on this forum. Just participating in a lot of community service won't really add that much - focus on leadership impact instead.

Study for that SAT! This is probably where you can make the biggest difference by putting in the time - looks like you cover all the other bases, just keep working to have an impact and keep those grades where they are at
 
USAFA10s said:
Get some solid leadership results - not just leadership titles (this can be CAP, community service, sports, but it should be something where you actually did something, not just a title). I think the need for community service is greatly exaggerated on this forum. Just participating in a lot of community service won't really add that much - focus on leadership impact instead.

Study for that SAT! This is probably where you can make the biggest difference by putting in the time - looks like you cover all the other bases, just keep working to have an impact and keep those grades where they are at
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I definitely agree that alot doesn't make a difference. Again my 100 hours I led a events was more interesting to the academy than 300 I served. However I mentioned it as I noticed they had NHS on there. Sometimes we don't put something down because we don't realize the academies care about it. For example, I didn't put down babysitting as a job until my evaluator interview (oops).
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Theyalready have the hours just making sure they mention it because they do deserve some credit for using their time to better their community.
 
USAFA10s said:
Get some solid leadership results - not just leadership titles (this can be CAP, community service, sports, but it should be something where you actually did something, not just a title). I think the need for community service is greatly exaggerated on this forum. Just participating in a lot of community service won't really add that much - focus on leadership impact instead.

Study for that SAT! This is probably where you can make the biggest difference by putting in the time - looks like you cover all the other bases, just keep working to have an impact and keep those grades where they are at
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice, I have been really pushing leadership opportunities and the whole concept of pushing my teams and flights through the challenges of the year. In my mind, displaying resilience would be valuable to the admissions board. Luckily, I'm VA-6 district so the nomination aspect will be less challenging then larger areas...... I think.
 
Hey, I’m applying as well this year, and my main improvement point I need is sat. I was just wondering how you got your reading and English so high. That’s my bad section and math is my good.
 
@CessnaEnthusiast04 , looking forward to an update on your SAT retest! Hoping for an excellent anchoring score! Good news is your EBRW is quite nice, you are so close to 700+. You aren't having to claw your score up in both elements.

You have flying stuff with CAP/PPL, and sport is track/XC w/leadership. It is interesting you mentioned interning - several years - Governors School - what is that? That sounds interesting, especially if it's very competitive and you have defined contributons/progression to leadership.
 
HCopter said:
@CessnaEnthusiast04 , looking forward to an update on your SAT retest! Hoping for an excellent anchoring score! Good news is your EBRW is quite nice, you are so close to 700+. You aren't having to claw your score up in both elements.

You have flying stuff with CAP/PPL, and sport is track/XC w/leadership. It is interesting you mentioned interning - several years - Governors School - what is that? That sounds interesting, especially if it's very competitive and you have defined contributons/progression to leadership.
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The governors school was a very competitive week long STEM camp that focused on energy production and pro-environmental implementation of new technologies. I applied and was accepted as a student for 3 years, then competed for and was accepted to intern and help instruct the students for the next 2 years. I am doing it again this summer. It is a lot of "in the field" experiments and it ends with a final project. I will keep the thread updated when my scores come in!
 
hopefull2022 said:
Hey, I’m applying as well this year, and my main improvement point I need is sat. I was just wondering how you got your reading and English so high. That’s my bad section and math is my good.
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To be honest, the first time I took the test I had not had any time to study. My main advice is to read read read! Although I haven't read a book other than required course literature, when I was in middle school I would go through several a month. At this point in the timeline, take a couple practice tests and make sure you understand the format of the test. Best of luck and I hope to see you there!
 
HCopter said:
@CessnaEnthusiast04 , looking forward to an update on your SAT retest! Hoping for an excellent anchoring score! Good news is your EBRW is quite nice, you are so close to 700+. You aren't having to claw your score up in both elements.

You have flying stuff with CAP/PPL, and sport is track/XC w/leadership. It is interesting you mentioned interning - several years - Governors School - what is that? That sounds interesting, especially if it's very competitive and you have defined contributons/progression to leadership.
Click to expand...
New score just released as a 1300, although 8 of the math questions were "omitted" for some reason or another. Retaking again in late august!
 
CessnaEnthusiast04 said:
I am currently a Junior and just turned 17, and I am wondering what to work on to be more competitive for the academy.
GPA: 4.45
SAT: 1270 (retaking in a week)
-680 reading/writing 590 math
-CAP flight sergeant
-just earned PPL (flight training was payed for my USAF/CAP scholarship) (working on instrument)
-captain of Track and XC teams
-member of NHS
-currently have A's in 3 AP classes + engineering class. Taking 3 more AP's next year.
I am wondering what areas I need to improve (other than my SAT, which I know is subpar)
I have started to train for the CFA, only thing I don't hit above average on is the shuttle run.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
New score is 1300, 700 reading 600 math. 6 math questions were "omitted" although it dosent seem to have affected my score. Retaking again in August and shooting for 1400 this time!
 
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