r/USAFA • u/No-Lavishness-7539 • 11d ago
Dad question
G'morning.
My 17 year old son, entering senior year, has wanted to go the USAFA for the last 4 years. He's been working hard, has some strengths and some weaknesses. I'm looking for honest opinions on his chances, don't hold back. Strengths is leadership experience and weakness is grades, in my opinion.
Varsity Baseball player
Senior Class President
Eagle Scout, with Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader experience. Completed National Youth Leadership Training and was invited back to be a youth instructor, which he did. Worked at a Scout Camp for 8 weeks teaching Pioneering merit badge. Went on 6 high adventure programs and was elected Treking Crew Chief for his 90 mile backpacking trip. Is teaching his Troop the new Eagle required badge of Military History which was just added.
Worked FT all summer pumping septic tanks and washing out porta potties
Varsity Jazz band. 7 years of trombone
4 years of Spanish
3.66 gpa with 1330 sat. He's retaking his SAT at least twice. He'll have 6 AP classes under his belt by the end of his senior year
6:10 mile
85 foot basketball throw
12 pull ups, currently.
55 push ups, currently.
54 sit ups, currently
has not yet done shuttle run
Practice interview with Air Force officers
Also applied to USNA and was invited to a candidate visit, which he's doing in 3 weeks
Applied for nominations from USCongressman, both senators and JD Vance.
We are blessed to live in a rural area with typically lower application numbers.
Any feedback, odds or blind spots would be appreciated. Be direct.
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u/TheGreatWhiteDerp Silver 11d ago
As someone who sits on a nomination board for a Congress member, your son has crushed the stats portion, even with the slightly low grades. He more than makes up for it with all the others. His admission will be determined by his interview during the nomination process, that will be his time to REALLY shine. Realize that he's awesome, but so are so many of the other candidates that bring similar stats. By differentiating himself during the nomination interview, he can get that last little edge to make sure he's on the list your members send up.
The best way to shine during the interview is to share stories of his endeavors. He shouldn't just list the things he participated in, we want to hear WHAT HE DID in the. We see that he's an Eagle Scout, so he should share an example of how that process helped him grow, like what he learned during his Eagle project. We see that's he's a varsity baseball player, so he should share a story if overcoming adversity, like when the team was down in a big game and he rallied them to the defense that stopped the other team and allowed them to come back at the bottom of the 9th. We see that he's the student president, so he should share a story of how he used that position to mediate a situation between groups, like between students and teachers to bring about some initiative for the school.
Those kinds of stories show us that he's the kind of leader we are looking for.
But at the same time, let me offer one other piece of mitigating advice. Many candidates get all worked up thinking they need to blow our shoes off with this amazing life history or whatever. I tell every candidate that we aren't looking for the next 4-star general, or the next colonel, or the next captain, or the next lieutenant, or even the next cadet. What we are looking for is a cadet CANDIDATE who is ready to take the next step to Basic Cadet Training, who can complete that step, and then take the step after that, and after that, and after that. We want someone willing to grow and learn and lead and continuously become more than they were. If he focuses on his prowess at leading and learning in the interview, everything else will come along fine.
Hope this helps!
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u/sunnyhuckle147 11d ago
Your son is very competitive in leadership, physically, and athletics.
His GPA is a little low, but it looks like he has been taking challenging courses, so that will factor in. His test scores are competitive, but it would help for them to be higher. If he can break into the 1400s, I think he has a good shot, especially since he should be able to secure a nomination easily and possibly win his slate. Tell him to study hard for the SAT, that might put him over the top. Use Khan Academy if he hasn’t already.
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u/Flying-buffalo 11d ago
Our C4C couldn’t crack 1500 (1470), so I suggested he try the ACT. He pushed back but relented. He scored a 35 (out of 36). Tell your son to try the ACT.
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u/ScaredClass6522 11d ago
Good analysis. I would say 1400 SAT is a great target, but the academy is a STEM school. He needs at least a 700 in the math section since they weigh that higher.
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u/Hereforporn78 11d ago
If he can get a 1400 SAT then he will be golden. Since you said you live in a rural area, I would be surprised if he does not get an appointment. But even without that, he sounds like a great candidate.
The USNA visit is also a good sign. It tends to be fairly competitive. I think he’s done a great job.
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u/teksmith 11d ago
I would say he is competitive, but would help if he got his SAT up 30 or 40 points.
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u/BTC_ETH_HODL 11d ago
Awesome job. I’m impressed with the extracurricular’s. I’d say bump up the academics, especially the SAT scores. Focus on that.
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u/Pbevivino 11d ago
Cadet dad here. The only thing I’d add to the conversation is some more high school club leadership and of course NHS.
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u/No-Lavishness-7539 9d ago
Thank you, he's in the NHS, I forgot to add that. Good call.
Congrats to you and your kiddo!
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u/Pbevivino 9d ago
One more thing. Practice interviewing as much as possible so when he goes to the real thing he’s really ready.
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u/Either_Clock6484 9d ago
My son is starting his freshman year. Your son seems like a hardworking guy, with much you should both be proud of. My thoughts align with the other comments, his SAT stands out because everything else is stellar. My son got 200 points higher SAT by actually studying hard and practicing, his first pass disappointment was a much more effective motivator than I was.
If you have not already done so you should become extremely familiar with AFROTC, immediately if not sooner. There is a parallel application process. In brief, I learned it is another excellent path to becoming an officer. The scholarship turned out not to be a full ride, but very significant. Results came back sooner, which was helpful for morale.
Even though he clearly works hard for it, your son, like mine, is accustomed to success, and I have no doubt that his future will be excellent, whether or not he is in Colorado Springs a year from now. I respectfully suggest you make that very clear to him; in my life prior to now I have seen firsthand and experienced myself how emotionally crushing a disappointment can be.
Brace yourself for a turbulent year filled with a roller coaster of paperwork, deadlines, and anxious waiting. My son’s USAFA appointment came in about the first week of April. That left about 10 weeks until I day, a major life transition for both you and your son. Find the appointee’s handbook (prior year or so is online) as you should both start to become familiar with it as soon as all the application paperwork is in, don’t wait until the appointment comes through. He should start the pre-arrival fitness regimen early.
I underestimated the emotional impact I day has on so many levels. Your human becomes their human.
Wishing you both all the best. Go Falcons!
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u/GlumAd8562 7d ago
I’m a junior at the academy and my stats and EC’s looked the exact same. He can not only get in but also do well, I’m top 20% here while in HS my grades weren’t stellar.
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u/No-Lavishness-7539 7d ago
Love it, thanks for letting me know, it's greatly appreciated. Good luck to you in your studies and career as an officer, and thanks for what you do.
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u/beachfrontwater17 6d ago
My son is a current cadet and I think his odds are good. If they are worried about his grades they may send him to the prep school for a year before starting the academy but he’ll still get in. Honestly the prep school kids do really well once they get to USAFA. My son’s first two roommates went to prep school and my son said they helped him get up to speed fast since they already knew what to do from prep school. They become the natural leaders of squadron, so if he gets prep school let him know it’s not a bad thing.
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u/No-Lavishness-7539 6d ago
That is excellent feedback and advice. Thank you. He and I have spoke briefly about their prep school, we'll dig deeper into it. I know he would love any opportunity.
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u/Primary_Translator27 11d ago
These are amazing stats, except the GPA and SAT score. They aren't out of mix, on the lower end, but still in the "potential" range. I'm an '03 grad, so been out of it awhile, but have mates that are instructors. He is competitive right now, but if he wants an assured slot, take the SAT and ACT again, and again, and again. You should be taking it every opportunity, and getting tutors specifically for the test. If he breaks a 1450, his chances will be astronomically better. Your son has better stats than I had in leadership and athletics, but my SAT was a 1570, and my ACT a 34, which is what I think got me the slot. If he gets his scores up, he will be a perfect candidate.
Good luck, sounds like he will make a great cadet.
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u/Apart-Dragonfruit-60 11d ago
Concentrate more on the Math portion of the SAT and crunches. USAFA puts more emphasis on math in the super score. 95 is max crunches. 54 is way low
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u/Typical-Storage-4403 10d ago
Leadership is excellent and grades are slightly below average but not that bad. The more his SAT can go up, the more his chances of being accepted go up. He seems like he has a good shot as of now so don’t be discouraged at all. Also make sure he ups that sit up number.
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u/i_should_go_to_sleep RTB 11d ago
I’d say he has a really good chance. Especially if he can bring that SAT up.
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u/CivilSubstance5562 11d ago
Gpa and Sat scores are on the lower side of average but the extracurriculars are great.