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I'm a senior in high schoool and I currently have an application into the academy. Here's the thing. I attend a fundamental magnet high school which does not offer many sports programs., and even if they did I wouldn't have time to even consider them, because I'm a member of my AFJROTC's Drill Team and Physical Fitness team. we practice every day. Will this hinder my chances for an appointment? Keep in mind that I've been in Air Force JROTC throughout my high school career and have been named the most decorated cadet in the history of my corps. I have assumed leadership positions since my freshman year. Because of this, I'm pretty much already militarised. Will this help my chances too?

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 12:03 pm: Edit

Joe,
I assume you're in very good physical shape. A good score on the PAE will help you quite a bit and your participation in AFJROTC will be a plus, too. The Academy will consider all of this when evaluating your application, if you receive a nomination. Here are few points to remember, though. Over 90% of entering cadets have earned a varsity letter in at least one sport. Relatively few cadets participated in AFJROTC programs--partly because few schools offer the program and partly because they made other choices like participating in sports. I don't want to discourage you at all, just present the facts. Your AFJROTC participation and recommendations I assume you'll get from the program will be valuable, but they should be accompanied by strong PAE scores to assure the Academy you can handle the physical/athletic challenges, as well as strong board scores and grades. Best of luck with your application.

By Richard Marchetti on Monday, October 07, 2002 - 07:59 pm: Edit

Hi Marty,
I am a sophmore in high school and I am currently training for my private pilots license. I was wondering if this would be something to put in my application. Would a Pilots license help me get into the Academy?

By Richard Marchetti on Monday, October 07, 2002 - 10:02 pm: Edit

Marty-
I appologise for all of these messages; I forgot about a few other questions I had. I am currently the captian and assistant coach of my local swim team, and will be the head coach next year. Will this count as leadership/ athletics even though the team is not affiliated with the school? Also, do applicants that have gone to Boys State have an advantage over applicants that have not? Does a physical examination occur as a part of the application to the Air Force Academy?
Thank you for your patients,
-Richard Marchetti-

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Monday, October 07, 2002 - 10:55 pm: Edit

Richard - Short answer is "yes" to all of your questions. All of the activities you mention are definite pluses to a Service Academy nomination and deserve mention. Boys State is a particular biggie. As for swimming, I'd stress the leadership aspect and make sure it's followed with a strong recommendation from an adult leader. School sports are generally, better, but not always possible, so go for it, but quantify your activity is much the same way it would be for a high school sport.

Yes, a physical is required and you'll be scheduled for it after you send in your initial application info. It's fairly strict. There are several disqualifying conditions, the most common of which is asthma. Be careful what drugs you take, both prescription and over the counter. Ritalin and other ADHD drugs are generally disqualifying.

good luck!
Marty

By Jonathan Ellis on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 07:26 pm: Edit

I am a high school senior, Captain of the Varsity football team, Honor Society president, ranked 10th in my class with a 3.4 GPA and 1100 SAT. My father went to West Point. I am willing to work hard and do anything to get into the academy. I am the quarterback of our varisty football team and I am interested in playing for the Falcons.

The physical aspect of the academy is no problem. Is there any chance of my acceptance?

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 09:56 pm: Edit

Jonathan,
You've got a lot of the characteristics the Academy looks for in a cadet and it sounds like you'd be a good candidate. If you haven't already started the application process, though, you need to get moving quickly. Congressmen and senators are already scheduling interviews and working on nominations. Some applicants have already received appointments to the Service Academies.

If you're interested in playing FB at Air Force, I suggest your coach get in contact with Coach DeBerry's staff and send some tape of you. That can help you quite a bit. My biggest concern with your situation is your SAT score. The avg entering SAT score for this year's freshmen is 1310. You very much need to take the SATs again and improve your scores signficantly to be more competitive. I would also suggest that you make it known early that you are interested in attending the Academy Prep School in Colorado or even a private prep school for a year to improve you test scores and competitiveness. In any case, good luck with your application, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions--also contact the Academy admissions office and your local liaison officer. Good luck!

By me on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 02:27 pm: Edit

Doc:

Very nice of you to keep this thread going for so long. The discussions are interesting. My daughter is a sophmore, will likely stay in three sports for the rest of high school. Already doing varsity level in one & possibly the second in spring. Are the athletic teams at the academy Div I recruits?

Do you knwo how they look at minor allergies these days? Nothing life threatening, more a matter of convenience.

Also, how does the nomination process work. Assuming target level SAT/GPA/Athletics/Leadership happen, and assuming mnay possible candidates have those same qualifications, how are the selections made as to which students are nominated. Is it a problem if one has moved around quite a bit and does not have the connections in the current locale?

Thank you for your time.

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 08:53 pm: Edit

Yes, the Academy recruits on the Div I level. Air Force probably has a higher percentage of athletic recruits per entering class (~25%) than any school in the nation, and they recruit for a lot of sports. Again, few schools in the nation have more intercollegiate teams than USAFA.

Allergies are probably evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Asthma is generally unwaiverable and disqualifying, but I've known several cadets and officers with mild allergies. It may make a cadet unqualified for flying.

In general, you apply for a nomination through your congressman and senators. Children of career military can apply for presidential nominations, too. In Spring of your daughter's junior year, she should write each of her senators and congressman and ask for an application package. In the meantime, she should visit the Academy website (www.usafa.edu) and provide as much info directly to the Academy as possible. They can schedule her for physicals and physical fitness exams in the summer or fall before she actually gets a nomination and provide some feedback on her chances of acceptance.

Each c-man/senator can have 5 cadets at USAFA at any one time. As each of his/her cadets graduates or leaves the Academy, they can nominate up to 10 to fill that slot. The Academy generally picks the most qualified of those 10 and offers hime/her an appointment. Some others may also get appointments as "qualified alternates." There's a lot more detail on this at the Academy web site.

Moving around isn't a big deal. Lots of people do that these days. It is important that your daughter have a few people that can write good recommendations for her, though. Political connections are not required at all. The process is so competitive, that the days of handing out nominations to kids of political cronies is long, long gone.

Keep firing away with the questions. I'll try to answer what I can. Spend some time at the website, too. There's a lot to learn. The key is to start early by taking the right classes (the difficult possible) and stay ahead of the application curve--it runs 3-6 months ahead of applications for civilian universities.

Good luck!

By Nick Tucker on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 07:40 pm: Edit

Hi. From what I have been reading, this is helpful.

I'm a high school sophmore really interested in going to the academy. But, as a younger child, I had asthma and some allergies. I got a physical in June, and I no longer have asthma, as I have had no symptoms for 2 years, and they weren't that bad to begin with. Is this a disqualifying event? If it is, is it waiverable?

Thanks a lot!

By Nick Tucker on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 07:42 pm: Edit

Oh yea, I forgot to say.

I'm on the swim team at school, plan to do track and field, and plan to do XC next year. If I do these things, shouldn't it help, since it proves that the asthma had little effect on my physical life?

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 11:39 pm: Edit

It may help, but in general, if you need medication to control your asthma, you will not be found medically qualified. I suggest you go ahead and apply, take the physical, be open and honest about your condition at the physical and see what happens. My guess is if you are not taking medication, have had no symptoms in 2 years (and it'll be 3 or more by the time you take your Academy physical) then you'll probably be okay, but then, I'm NOT a medical doctor and cannot make any promises. The only way you'll know for sure is to try. Good luck!

By Nick Tucker on Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 09:32 pm: Edit

Thanks a lot.

-Nick

By ryan forystek on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 02:44 pm: Edit

What are the physical fitness tests like?

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 04:24 pm: Edit

The Physical Aptitude Exam that you take when applying consists of pull ups, a kneeling basketball throw, a shuttle run, standing long jump, and a 300 yd run. I think it used to include situps but doesn't anymore. You can check that at the USAFA website (www.usafa.edu), too, as well as what the minimums and averages are.

Once you're a cadet, you take a physical fitness test and an aerobic fitness test each semester. The PFT is pullups, pushups, standing long jump, situps, and a 600 yard run, all completed within 15 minutes. The AFT is a 1.5 mile run.

By Ben on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 07:06 pm: Edit

You've mentioned Boys State several times in some of your answers and I've never heard of it before. What is it and how do you get involved? Thanks,
Ben

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 12:59 am: Edit

Boys State is a program run by the American Legion in every state. It's a mock legislature/state/local gov't exercise run during a one week "camp" at a university or college in your home state. There are usually 1-7 boys from each high school. There's also a Girls State that works the same way. Check with your HS counselor for more info. I'm sure they've heard of it. At most schools in the country it's competitively chosen. You can also check your state's American Legion website for info, probably.

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 01:01 am: Edit

One more thing to add... Boys State is for rising high school seniors. It takes place usually in June after your junior year.

By Stephen on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 10:19 pm: Edit

Hi Marty

I've thought for a while that my lack of athletic participation was my biggest weak spot. However, I spend 10-15 hours a week in the gym or at the track, and I'm in really good shape. I just need something to prove it, in place of a athletic letter. I thought about organizing a weightlifting competition at my school. If I did, and won, how favorably would the Academy look at that? Somebody suggested me sending a picture of myself flexing, but that seemed to unorthodox. What about coaching a little league team? Any suggestions?

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 10:47 pm: Edit

Nix the flexing photo. Please. How about track in the spring? Have your done the PAE yet? What year are you? If you're not a senior, it's certainly not too late. Coaching youth sports is a good extra-curricular, too. A good PAE score will help makeup for the lack of a letter. Good luck!

By Stephen on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 11:00 pm: Edit

I'm a junior, but I go to a small magnet school with a pretty limited athletic program; that's why I've been looking at out-of-school options. I haven't taken the PAE yet, but I practice it once or twice a week, and I'm sure I can have a good score come fall. In the meantime I'll contact the local YMCA about getting involved in one of their programs.
Thanks.

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 06:07 am: Edit

Sounds like a good idea, Stephen. With no other options at school, club sports will be viewed as equivalents or nearly so. Be sure to explain that in your application.

By Christie H on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 06:15 pm: Edit

I am interested in applying to the Academy for the class of 2008. I am a senior this year and will complete one year of college first at University of Texas-Dallas (yes, I know the credits won't transfer). I have a 4.2 GPA, SAT 1330, varsity letter for cheerleading, pres of German Club, vp of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 4 year member of top choir, won Who's Who, state and national level awards, and I attended the 2002 summer seminar at USAFA. What are my chances of getting in??????

Thanks!

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 07:18 pm: Edit

Christie, I think your chances are pretty good. Take a challenging course load at UT-D whether they transfer or not, and realize that with the placement tests at USAFA you'll get plenty of credit for what you do at UT-D. You seem to have most of the key blocks checked, so if the physical, PAE and other stuff go well, you should be competitive. I once had an admissions officer tell me that if someone with prior college time applies and has a 3.5 or higher on their college transcript, that that's looked upon very favorably by the admissions board. Good luck!

By Him2 (Him2) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 04:55 pm: Edit

I know this question is not about the USAFA but I was considering joining the Marines. Since all of you know quite a bit about the military, I was wondering what is the shortest amount of time I can join the Marines for. Thanks alot!

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 05:01 pm: Edit

I've got no clue. Call your local recruiter or go to their website.

By Him2 (Him2) on Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 08:14 pm: Edit

anyone else know?

By Him2 (Him2) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 11:40 am: Edit

I also had one more question. Is it true that if you have flat feet you cannot join the armed forces? I have flat feet but they don't bother me at all. In fact I ran cross-country for 4 years on the varsity level, and captained the team senior year. I also have ran a 26.5 mile marathon, without any problems with my feet. I just hope that having flat feet doesn't prevent me from joining the Marines

By F15leo (F15leo) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 06:28 pm: Edit

Him2,

First of all, if you are interested in joining the Marines, you should inquire about going to Annapolis (Naval Academy). Every year, about 200 graduates go to the Marines from Annapolis.
To answer your second question, no, flat feet does not hinder you from military service. From my understanding, it was a World War II requirement, but is now one the the military's biggest fallacies. Take care and best of luck!

Leo Romero Class of 2007 appointee (woo hoo!)
El Paso, TX

By Him2 (Him2) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 10:34 am: Edit

Thanks alot F15leo!

By Gijaneintrainin (Gijaneintrainin) on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 10:40 am: Edit

i am a junior in a magnet high school, and as of now do not participate in any sports. However i am trying to get into cross country running and swimming at my local high school. i should be starting in a week or so. So far my average for this year is a B, but i'm taking all Advanced Placement Classes. If i do take up swimming and running for the next two years, how good do you think my chances are for obtianing an appointment?

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 07:38 pm: Edit

Not enough data...

By Nyminute (Nyminute) on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 04:02 pm: Edit

How much can a varsity coach influence the admissions process? If you are a recruited athlete and have at least the average SAT, GPA, a nomination and are fully qualified, would a coach run into any problems securing an appointment for you?

By Docfrance (Docfrance) on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 11:27 pm: Edit

Nyminute,

If you have a nomination, meet mins (and especially if you're at or near class averages), then it's VERY common and accepted practice for the coach of the sport for which you are being recruited to weigh in at the admissions board. As I understand it, recruited athletes are labeled either "blue chip" or "monitored" by their coach. Blue chip athletes who have all of the above characteristics have a much higer chance of getting an appointment, while for monitored athletes, their athletic status will be weighed, but probably isn't enough alone to get them in--it helps, though.

About 25% of each entering class is a recruited athlete in some form or another, and that percentage is even higher for women because USAFA competes on the Div I level and is one of the smallest Div I schools out there.

Keep in touch with the coach recruiting you and he or she will give you more info. Good luck! And, go Falcons!!! Beat UNLV!

By Alax8 (Alax8) on Sunday, April 11, 2004 - 12:22 am: Edit

Hey:
Does anybody know anything about the girls lacrosse team?