Here are the Top 10 Most Important Steps When Applying to the Air Force Academy. Please comment below if you have any further questions not covered in this video! Find your ALO: www.academyadmissions.com/adm...
Hey yall - I got into the academy for class of 2023. Some (non intuitive) tips. Disclaimer - these are my opinions only: Varsity letters don't matter a ton. Never got one - never tried. Do a fun club sport that you enjoy and then make sure you can kill the physical exam. An ALO connection does not make or break it. I reached out to mine at least 5 times and never heard back. Nominations are not easy: make sure you ask other military academy kiddos (from your district/state!) about the questions the panels ask. Be prepared for difficult questions. Be confident walking into the interview. Grades matter a lot but do NOT make or break it and prep school is always a possibility. Take lots of AP classes. If math isn't a strong suit of yours make it one. Make sure you're on good terms with at least one math and one English teacher (recommendations matter a lot). Become the captain of an important educational club - debate club is what did it for me. The essays need to be good. When writing about a setback you've faced in life DO NOT write about a sports injury and DO NOT write any shallow essays. Ask as many teachers to read and edit your essays as possible. Medical evaluation / waiver process can be what takes the longest in the application. Seriously. I got something like 10 disqualifications (which required like 4 more doctor visits) for things going back to when I was 6 years old. Be prepared and try to finish it as early as possible. Something like 45% of applicants who actually get a nomination and complete the whole process end up with appointments and about another 10% make it to prep school. You can definitely do this. Good luck!!!
Hey, I have some QnA. My Dad is a disabled veteran of the Air Force, my stepdad is a career enlisted(20 years), and my mom was in the Air Force as well. My grandfathers, I think 2 of the 4 served in the Army, I have two police officers, and a former Marine Reservist. Will this in anyway, shape, or form boost my applicant status? Also, as being split between families and my father being disabled, I’d be graduating early to help get some more time with him, so I can’t take any AP courses as they’re all full year courses. Is it vital I take AP? Also, what SAT practice websites did you use?
I’m a senior and I have this last school year to raise my GPA up. My main issue was my entire junior year was online because of COVID which is something I didn’t want and caused me to have poor grades. Now I have my last year to get a high GPA. My advice is take as many advanced classes your sophomore year and junior and senior work your heart out. Genuinely hearing get good grades means a lot and has more realism than one would think
I’m a softmoore in high school I got a 3.6 gpa first semester without trying or knowing I wanted to go to the USAFA I hope to better semester 2 I with you luck wish me luck too.
On thing that I think is weird and flawed with the Military Academies and Ivy League schools is they place little emphasis on if the HS student held down a regular job during HS instead of participating in a gazillion high school and community events. Honestly, a kid who has high grades/SAT scores who holds down a regular job while in HS is A LOT more impressive to me than someone who enjoyed financial support from their parents and had loads of free time.
My biggest set back is the medical exam because I am hearing impaired but have hearing aids and can talk normally but I did see the the air-force may start accepting deaf and hard of hearing applicants so hope that’s works out
Great info. Thanks. A couple of graphics of the Top 10 list and the median scores would have been nice to see as you were talking. Good info though. Thanks
Hey, I’m home schooled, I take act regularly. Would it help to go to public school? Also my dad is a Boom operator, does that help? What are your thoughts, any extra advice?
I took US history in 8th grade and took the test for it and passed so I did get credit but will it count for the USAFA or do I need to take it again? I’m a junior btw
About those language credits. My school allows us to do Computer Classes to make up for those credits. So, if I were to study a foreign language outside of school would that still count?
Do I have any chances of being accepted with these qualities? I have a 4.0 GPA, but my composite score on the ACT was only 27. I will be retaking it, but will retaking it even matter? I thought I need to be submitting my application soon. I haven't done much for sports in school, but I was planning to do many next year. I have done bpa, though. I'm not sure how much this matters, but I do have a falconer's license. Will that help me in any way? What are the chances of me being being accepted, and what can I do to better my current chances? Thanks!!
My grandson received his appointment letter in mid Dec. (I know the website says the letters go out Feb to Apr). His GPA is north of 4 and his ACT was a composite score of 35. Even with that we didn't really know if that was what selection committee was looking for. A week before his appointment letter, Col. Neff sent him an email inviting him to join the honors program. Good on him, it's his dream come true.
Hey I turn 20 in a few days and I’m graduated from high school my GPA wasn’t that good and I want to retake my ACT which you can do outside of high school, could I still be accepted if I do really good on my ACT despite having very mediocre school grades? I didn’t really try in high school that’s why I did mediocre, I only found out about the academy recently and want to peruse being a fighter pilot badly. I was on the varsity Soccer team and Varsity Tennis, do I have a chance if I get a good ACT score?
What if you were overseas the whole time. Born in Korea as US citizen but graduated in a DODEA school. Don’t have residency in any State. Is only nomination option president or VP?
Dear Officer, My Dodmerb single disqualified with Myopia & Astigmatism (vision). However my vision is 20/20 with corrective glasses. I'm not interested in to be a polite. USAFA gives you waver??? I really want to get in but it is so sad....
Okay, this is going to be long so grab a snack. I'm thirteen years old, but I have my heart set on the Air Force Academy. I am not in high school yet, but I have started preparing. I am taking a U.S. History course, a grammar/writing course, and German. My dad ( in the Army) had already told me it would be difficult to be accepted into the Air Force Academy, but watching this has kind of made me nervous. I desperately want to go to the Air Force Academy, and I don't know what I would do if I didn't. I already do volunteer work in my community, but I am a home schooler, so the teacher evaluation would not work. I have been trying to convince my parents to allow me to go to a high school, so I may be able to fix that. If I can go to a school, I'll be okay, because I'm a little bit of a teacher's pet. Physically, I can train. I'm a natural runner, I have generally strong abs and strong legs, but I'm more weak in the arms. I want to get into sports (dance, vollyball, competitive running, soccer, and softball). I am determined to get accepted once I'm old enough to even enlist, but I have some questions. - Can you go to boot camp before the Academy? - What are some extracurricular activities I can do to put myself ahead of other applicants? - What can you do if you don't get accepted ( I want to be a pilot) - How do you retake the SAT - What is a varsity letter? - Are you allowed to date while at the Academy? - Are you able to get a second ALO? - If you don't get a nomination, what else can you do? - If I can't go to a high school, what can I do to get recommendations from teachers? Can I get them from online teachers? - Is it absolutely required to take a computer study class? - What if you don't have a high class rank? - What happens if everything is good except your SAT scores? Will you still be eligible? - How well do you have to do on your athletic test? What are the standards for females? - If you don't do volunteer work, are your chances lowered significantly? - What happens if you are not a good writer? And what topic is the writing sample supposed to be on? - What do they ask about on the phone call interview? - I have Global Loton ( sp?) Meaning my core will normally be weaker than average. I can work through it, it would simply be more difficult. Would that be an issue in my medical evaluation? - Is there a pelvic evaluation? If so, will there be another same sex individual in the room to ensure the safety of the applicant? I know nothing would happen, but I just want to be sure. Thank you to anyone who answers my questions.
The things you should focus on is keeping as high of a GPA as possible. 4.0 is of course ideal, but 3.85 is the lowest normally. ACT goal is 28, range is 28-33 normally, 30 is avg, higher is better. Sports is more or less for keeping in shape. Id assume the more physically demanding the better, so swimming would be a good one imo. Also, make sure to participate in leadership opportunities
Answer to your questions (I am a current applicant to the academy) - no need if you get straight in - Any leadership opportunities, organized high school sports, community service, and any sort of competitive program - ROTC - You just sign back up for another one - Just means that you play on a varsity sports team - Yes dating is allowed - Your single ALO will help you enough although you will be interviewed by a different ALO - You can do ROTC or apply the next year. They like to see resilience. - You can take classes through home school Co-ops. Yes online teachers work. - Yes computer class is required - You should aim to be in the top 25% of the class - You will be eligible but unlikely to receive an appointment. If everything else in your application is strong, they may send you to the prep school. - You should aim to be above average. Standards are online. - You should really try to volunteer (I accumulated over 1000 hours) - There are three papers you must write for the writing sample. Try reading other peoples college application papers to get a feel for them. - In the heath records you will probably have to get a waiver for it it will not disqualify you. - Yes there is, and yes you will have a female chaperone in the room with you if it is a male doctor.
@@chandlerthomaston9001 Do you know if a varsity letter is required? I am going into high school next year and I already workout at the gym so I don't know if I should devote time to getting on a varsity team or focusing on going to the gym and doing extra curricular activities.
McCrackine, Try 4-H if you have it where you are. I am 16, home-schooled, into math, history, archery, ice-skating, and latin and will be joining up with the USAF summer after this one. I have found that one can do a lot of community service, leadership, and sports through 4-H. I am really hoping to make it to Air force Academy as well. Good luck. P.S. Try girl scouts too. P.P.S. Oh, and you have my grandmother's maiden name. P.P.P.S. I hope to become a pilot as well. P.P.P.P.S. Post-scriptum is overused by some people.
I’m about to start my junior year, I have a strong JROTC background being the current Operations Officer, a 4.0, and I am doing cross country for a varsity letter, what are my chances?
I have lived in the states my whole life until I was 13, then I moved to nz. I will not move back to the us until I finish high school. Is there any way for me to get into the Air Force academy?
What age would you recommend for someone to start asking for nominations and start applying for usafa also can you apply for multiple nomination as then pick one
You apply for a nomination the same year you being applying for admission, so typically the summer before your senior year or during. You can look up who your member of congress is and they should have information on their website about how to apply for the nomination and what to send to them. Depending on how competitive your district is, you can get nominated to multiple schools, but you do need a nomination for each one. I was fortunate enough to be nominated to USAFA, Navy, and Army by my MOC.
Oh God, I am not the most fit person in the world, I was kinda nerdy playing xbox all the time getting in trouble all the time but now it's my freshman year and I'm deffinately putting myself in place I realized that I wanna join the airforce because my dad was and I want to for the experience knowledge and retirement, in just the past week I have been doing as many situps push ups and pull ups that I can running as far as a can and keeping track, I'm being a lot more engaged in school because i really want to get a spot in the academy, I have been there when I was little and remember how cool it was when I lived in Colorado springs it's my dream the get there but the problem is it is other people's too.
I’m heading into my final year of school before college. But I go to an English school and there system is different, will that affect me in any way? Also I have calculated my GPA, and it is currently 3.57is that okay? I’m still going to raise it. About the nominations. I’m going for a presidential nomination, how do I get that to the academy, or even to myself? And finally what do I do with my final application, is it a package you send directly to Colorado, or is it an online submission? Thank you
I'm sorry but 3.57 probably won't cut it. But, grades isn't the only thing. You must stand out in some way such as participating in JROTC or Civil Air Patrol. But there is always other options such as ROTC colleges.
I'm really interested in attending USAFA, but I looked everywhere on the internet and can't seem to find whether my country can nominate candidates. What do I do? This is my dream school
I'm currently a sophomore in high school and I want to go to the air force academy. How early should I start to take these steps (besides academics or athletics), and I'm planning to take AP US history this summer at a community college, will that still count for my us history credit? All help would be appreciated! Thanks.
Hi! Applications open March 1st if your junior year. This is when I’d start, the sooner the better, it’s a long process so I wouldn’t rush. There’s lots of different times to contact your ALO. On the website it says to do it when you start applying (March 1st). But I’m a sophomore and I’m actually gonna reach out tomorrow. I’m just gonna introduce myself, explain why I wanna get in and stuff like that and give my contact info (phone number, etc). I wouldn’t contact your ALO much before you actually start applying, unless you have any specific questions, but a lot of that stuff is online. And yes, if that AP US history counts towards your GPA then it would count. Good luck getting in, hopefully we can see each other at the academy if we get in.
ELIT3 FR3SHN3SS wait, so March 1st of your Junior year of high school is when it’s recommended to start the application process right? Like the basics and then hope you qualify?
You need to start getting ready RIGHT NOW. Join the future falcons, maybe civil air patrol, AP courses, dual enrollment classes, sports, clubs, EVERYTHING. This is extremely competitive you have to put your head in the game.
I am twenty-two, have a bachelor's degree in nursing science. Six months to learn 23 is it possible to start the process now and would I be more competitive already having going to college?
You just got to check on the application. I think the last date for applications is in January, but that is when I applied to get into the class of 2016. The deadline might have changed over the years.
Hello The Air Force Officer! I am interested in becoming a Cadet. I am a junior and have not taken the SAT yet, but I am very soon. Should I send my pre candidate before I take my SAT or should I wait until I send it.
This is a somewhat old post, but the answer is you can start the application process and submit your tests later. In fact, you can take the tests after your application deadline. Just be sure to take both the SAT and ACT and multiple times if possible because the academies allow super scoring.
What if my high school only offers 3 years of a science? Would this affect my chances of getting accepted? And I play varsity lacrosse in the spring and I do in indoor league in the fall. Do they want to see multiple sports or just show that I’m participating?
There is definitely no "cookie cutter" applications the Academy looks for. If I remember correctly, I took probably about 2.5 years of science in high school. They admissions might have changed their criteria so you just have to check on your own. Their website should give you a general direction of what their minimum standard to even be qualified. I was unathletic and only got two varsity letters during my senior year. I think people put too much emphasis on athletics when they really should be focused on their grades and test scores. I made a video about my "stats" and how I got into the Academy. Let me know if you have any questions! I will be happy to answer!
I dont know how to fill th STA score part, can someone help me? I think there is no one on the office because of the quarentin! I will like to know if is possible with a GPA of 3.21 that was from school and I drop it a 2.86 at collage because of a situation that make my to drop 3 curses but I get it up agan at 3.12. You think I still can quilyfy? I want to be a pilot! To clear never will let a situation take over me agan, take with you too, stay with a positive attitude and keep going.
I’m a college applicant too. 3.12 is very low for the academy and most likely for the prep school too, so I would try to get it to a 3.8 at a minimum if you can and get around a 1350-1450 on the SAT. I have a 3.8 and I’m almost a junior and will be retaking the SAT soon. I didn’t take high school seriously until the very end, so I got a 3.49 GPA and a 990 on the SAT. I’m trying to bring my college GPA to a 3.85-3.87 by the time I apply and will aim for a 1400 on the SAT. They will super score your SAT, so keep that in mind. 😁
Participating in something that demonstrates your athleticism and work ethic helps. In fact, doing something different (like ballet) might garner you some extra attention. That said, admissions is looking for balance. Be sure to mix in some other activities to show your versatility.
I am just starting high school next year, and I am dead set on becoming a cadet, when should I start working on getting a nomination, and where do I start?
Go to each nomination website you are eligible for and see when they suggested or preferred deadline then apply accordingly. Usually you do this whole application process is done during the spring of your junior year. I am currently in the midst of my application process.
Hi, I'm in high school and i really want to join the USAFA after.It is required to go to the Prep-school before the USAFA or can be possible to join right after graduated from high school?
i have had depression in the past and i have a mild anxiety disorder. i can manage both without medication and i went to therapy for a while to get it under control. would i be disqualified from the academy because of this?
I have had my heart set on the Air Force Academy since I was 12. One problem I have is the Medical evaluation, I have food allergies to peanut & egg. Will having a food allergy disqualify me from entering?
I know the academies accommodate a variety of dietary preferences and restrictions (for health and religious reasons) which might also include food allergies. I wouldn't let that stop you from applying.
I’m still in 8th grade and I’m ready to take any chance I got. I have 5 years including 8th grade to make this right. Also if you don’t get accepted make sure you have a plan B.
I am currently a sophomore in high school. I was wondering if there is anything I can do now aside from doing well in school, maintaining physical health, and doing extracurricular activities, that will help me. Also what do they mean by a computer class? I don’t think my school has any computer classes aside from electives, so do elective ones count? Thanks
Chandra Houtsma No but if you wanted to be a pilot obviously it would affect that. It also depends on how bad your eyesight is and if it can be corrected
Eyesight is not an automatic disqualifier for any of the military academies. Contrary to what most people think, you do not have to be a pilot if you want to join the Air Force. Hahaha
I myself want very much to be a pilot but I have not the best eyesight. PRK surgery corrects bad eyesight. If it can’t be corrected with PRK than you very likely cannot be a pilot.
For a fighter pilot, is there a requirement for vision (correctable)? I have -5 prescription (nearsighted) but is correctable to 20/20. Could I get a waiver or something for academy?
Watch C.W Lemoine's videos he is a fighter pilot for both the airforce and navy and has videos on how to become one. I remember him mentioning your eyesight doesn't need to be perfect as long as its corrected with glasses and or surgery.
I've been working my whole high school career to attend a Military Academy. I just got accepted into West Point's SLE and The Naval Academy's Summer Seminar. I'll list my current stats below, I would like to currently know my chances and if there is anything I can do to increase that chance. Stats: Class Rank: Top 25% Academic Rigor: All APs/Honors/Dual Enrollment GPA (UW): 3.82 GPA(W): 4.6 ACT: 30 SAT: 1390 Band(4 years): Section Leader all of my high school career Jazz Band(4 years) Martial Arts(All of my life): Head Instructor/Team Captain all of my high school career. All-State Musician: 4th Euphonium in the state. District Musician: 1st Chair All- South Musician National Honor Society National Music Honor Society National English Honor Society (I also have a lot of awards, but there are too many to really list. Some of the awards might doxx me, so I don't want to list them for that reason also) Thank you!
@@cheesestar467 All of these accomplishments show how much you can responsibly juggle, that'll make you look competitive to the people giving out admissions.
I am class of 2020, I am thinking about the AFA but the problem is that I haven’t been able to take any SATS because of COVID. Is that a legit excuse to put in my application or do I have to take it somewhere else?
@@lzgbonesy4090 I graduated in 2020 but due to COVID I couldn’t take any SATS/ACTS. And my question was that it if it was a legit excuse as the reason to not take it. Hope that makes sense.👍🏻
I’m a college applicant too. I don’t believe you have to take similar majors, but I would suggest going towards something in the STEM field. I’m working on a B.S. in Energy Systems at my college.
Great Video! A lot of information. My son is leaning towards the academy. We’ve got a few questions. 1. How many Congressional Letters (Nominations) do you need? 2. What’s the most advantageous way to go about the letters? Thanks in advance.
Applicants only need one nomination from an official nominating source. Each nominating source has a designated place where you can find their application (typically on their website or at a physical office).
Are you talking about athletic varsity letters or recommendations? In my application, I remember all my recommendation letters are done online. I provided my teachers/coaches with a link and they wrote in their thoughts. I hope that helps! I am also a 2016 grad so let me know if you have any questions!
Jackson Cude Lift weights while getting decent in running and bodyweight exercises. They are all complimentary to each other. I actually produced a video or two talking about my experiences as a cadet on my channel. Check them out!
@@thaddeusspendlove7437 as you might have seen in my comment im homeschooled too. I've seen videos of homeschooles who got into the academy, but i dont know what different you need to do to get in:/
Thaddeus Spendlove if you wanna get in from being homeschooled you need a really high SAT scores and a lot of community service and prove you are fit enough
I am 16 years old and I am seriously thinking about going to the air force academy I think I have 2000+ community hours and I am going into Civil Patrol, I have wanted to fly for a very long time and am wondering what i should do to give me a better chance to get into AFA
Really stupid question here but can you join the Air Force without going to their school? Like do the basic training then going from there or is basics a part of the academy? I’m sorry but I’m just really confused and I want to join the Air Force after I finish graduating from my university
@@josiahmascarenas9982 Applying and getting in are two different things. The academy really wants to see that you are involved in different sports or clubs, and that your school is challenging you. I'm not saying that there is a 100% chance you won't get in, just that you are going to have to work a LOT harder than the other applicants. Good luck man, I really do hope you get in.
@@josiahmascarenas9982 That would probably double your chances of getting in. If you're taking college classes anyway, I might recommend going to a civilian college and joining AFROTC. You graduate with the same rank as someone who went to the academy, and you can get into a civilian college much easier than the academy.
