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Hi

I've got a 3.8 GPA at a magnet school, 8th of 40 students, recent SAT pending, took it in 7th grade with a 1060 so I think it will be good, Student Council President, chosen for Who's Who, attendee of 2002 Internation Summit of Young Technology Leaders, Delegate of said Summit, Officer in Campus Christians, Member of local Mensa Chapter, National Honor Society Member, and been in numerous other extracurricular activities.

I think my biggest problem will be in athletics. My school doesn't offer soccer, weightlifting, football, wrestling, etc. so I don't play an organized sport. However, I am very active in my own time (I can bench press ~150% of my body wieght) and I think I can pass the PAE with ease. How would you rate my chances for acceptance?

P.S. I have an interview with an ALO next week. Do you know what I can expect from that?

By hahaha on Monday, December 23, 2002 - 06:47 pm: Edit

You want to get in with your 7th grade SAT score? Why not take it again?

By defenestrated on Monday, December 23, 2002 - 08:48 pm: Edit

he just said "recent SAT pending..." meaning he took it in seventh grade and has taken it again but hasn't received his scores yet... sorry, i'm sure you're not a moron, you were just trying to be helpful, right?

By defenestrated on Monday, December 23, 2002 - 08:54 pm: Edit

btw, depending on how your recent scores turn out and whether or not you have really outstanding recs, you could have a slight chance. It all depends though.. the information you've given us isn't good enough to estimate your chances at such a place as the Air Force Academy. They're weird.. incredibly selective and it seems you need to know someone special to get in... anyway, whatever, good luck. (also, i doubt telling them you can bench 150% of your body weight will help you get in... hope this helps)

By hahaha on Monday, December 23, 2002 - 08:57 pm: Edit

defenestrated: I didn't see that at first...

By defenestrated on Monday, December 23, 2002 - 09:05 pm: Edit

i know, i've done that before, i was only kidding

By Liz (Liz) on Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 06:27 pm: Edit

I wouldn't count on a great SAT score just cause you broke 1000 in seventh grade. I made 1130 in 7th, but wouldn't have broken 1400 if I hadn't studied that big red book a lot.

By Wade Leahy on Wednesday, December 25, 2002 - 11:49 am: Edit

Well, the sport issue brings down your chances (which otherwise seem rather ok for Zoomies). If your school doesn't have much to offer in the athletic department, you should have searched for the athletic factor someplace else (I know a girl who got into a service academy after working for two years as an aerobics instructor at her local gym). But, nevertheless, if you'll have an impressive PAE score, they might overlook that.
And, no, you don't need to know "someone special" to get there.

By Stephen on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 12:49 am: Edit

Update:

I had my interview with the ALO yesterday and it went well, so I atleast have a good recommendation from him. I also got my SAT, and I have a 1480, 720 math and 760 verbal.

By Wade Leahy on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 05:02 am: Edit

That's great. Seems like you have a good chance, especially with that high SAT score. How is the ALO's recommendation weighted over there, btw?

By Stephen on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 12:26 pm: Edit

I'm not sure how it's weighted for the summer seminar, which was what the interview was for, but for actual Academy admission, there are 3 parts to the overall selection composite
Academic composite, made of GPA and SAT/ACT scores, weighted 60%
Review panel, made of ALO interview, candidate fitness test, and a writing sample, weighted 20%
Extracurricular composite, made of athletics, clubs, community work and leadership positions, weighted 20%

By Wade Leahy on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 01:43 pm: Edit

So basically it's pretty similar to what I've been through in the West Point process... btw, summer programs, especially in service academy, give you a very good advantage when applying. It's a great experience, also. They'll think better of you when they'll consider your app later on. And, you might meet some people who might talk about you later (they pay a lot of attention to summer people, as they consider them potential applicants).

By Stephen on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 05:50 pm: Edit

bump

By Stephen on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 10:25 pm: Edit

has anyone here been involved with a congressional nominationg commitee? how could you rate my chances at a principal nomination, or even getting on the list of 10 nominees?

By Stephen on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 08:55 pm: Edit

By the way, I think I found a way to boost my athletics: getting lifeguard certified. That's atleast 1 thing I can do and put on my application