US Air Force Academy (USAFA)

Re: My chances and how to prepare

Raptorcoach — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 11:48:06 GMT

You're on the right track! The Academy sites mention somewhere that a good foundation in Algebra is better than exposure to Calculus. However, you answered your own question--take the summer class too. In fact they like it if you take a computer science or prog. class as well.

Lots of H.S. activities, volunteerism, and leadership roles. Push yourself to extend your leadership capabilities. Stay focused. Prepare for your interviews with the Liason Officers and the Nomination committe by thinking of dozens of questions they might ask you and practice answering them. Have a smart friend listen and critique. Tape yourself.

Most importantly be yourself and let your answers reflect how you really feel, not how someone thinks you should feel or answer. Be passionate and clear.

Character matters--make sure yours is squeaky clean and that you are an honorable person--read and memorize the Air Force Code of Honor.

Good luck!

Re: My chances and how to prepare

CAPman21 — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 05:44:25 GMT

Best thing to do to improve your mile time is to run very hard days with recovery days in between. Try doing speed ladders. Speed ladders are where you start off at a smaller distance (100-200 m) and then work up the ladder (increasing distance 800 m) and then back down. An example would be (in meters) 200-400-600-800-600-400-200. Set small (1-1.5 min) recovery times in between runs but increase them as the distance increases. Or you can do intervals such as 8x400m or 4x800. Best thing to do though is to switch it up on hard days and to try not to do the same workout on hard days every week. On your recovery days try running for at least 40-45 min or so at a conversational pace. This was my schedule during track this winter.

Mon-hard, Tue-recovery, Wed-hard, Thur.-recovery, Fri- Meet (test yourself on your improvement). Also try to run on at least one day of the weekend.

Through these workouts I dropped my mile time from about a 6 min mile to a 5:37 mile in about two months and I'm looking forward to more improvement. Running is one of the most time consuming things to improve but if you keep with it and push yourself to the limit, you will only see improvement.

Re: My chances and how to prepare

mach10 — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 00:46:12 GMT

Thanks guys!

Re: My chances and how to prepare

s8894swim — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 03:36:54 GMT

ya i would work on your mile alot and also i would go to the gym every now and then to strengthen your muscle even move.

Running every day for at least 45 min should, over time, improve you mile!!

Re: My chances and how to prepare

raimius — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 18:17:06 GMT

About your mile time, just run each day. When I was a freshman, the best I got was a 9:02 mile. I got it down to around 6:30 by senior year (even without running every day). Running is something that just takes practice to improve. Keep up the good work.

Re: My chances and how to prepare

mach10 — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 07:25:55 GMT

Ok...thanks for your help!!!! I will try and get in contact as soon as school starts again!!

Mach10

Re: My chances and how to prepare

CAPman21 — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 02:38:45 GMT

Better sooner than later. Just contact him/her now and get to know them. You really start talking to them a lot during your later junior year, but it is good to get your name in their head early and get to know them. Also they are a great resource and can answer many of your questions about the academy that you have right now or in the future.

Re: My chances and how to prepare

mach10 — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:35:14 GMT

When should I try to contact him/her(my ALO)???? I am still in my freshman year of high school...is this too soon or should I try as soon as possible?

Re: My chances and how to prepare

CAPman21 — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:50:22 GMT

You can either ask your school guidance counselor or you can call to find out through the number given in the annual Academy catalog.

http://www.academyadmissions.com/downloads/catalog.php

Download the admissions section and look at the last sentence last page.

Try your guidance counselor first and if they don't know call the number.

Re: My chances and how to prepare

mach10 — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 04:06:12 GMT

Also does anyone know how to get ahold of my ALO??

Mach10

Re: My chances and how to prepare

mach10 — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 04:54:51 GMT

Fortunately I know that LASIK disqualifies you and I was wondering if they might start accepting it soon. I did not know that they will correct it for you....this is great news to me!!! Well hopefully if I make it in they will approve me to be a pilot (my 20/70 or so vision included)!!!!!!

Re: My chances and how to prepare

CAPman21 — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 00:16:16 GMT

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT get Lasik surgery done. Not only will it disqualify you from pilot training it will also disqualify you from any military programs. Wait until the academy and then let them correct your vision for you. The actual requirements are about 20/50 for pilot and 20/200 for navigator. These requirements are not set in stone though because, as I said before, they will do corrective surgery for you if you are qualified.

Best of luck,

CAPman21 (aka usafa21astr)

Re: My chances and how to prepare

SMDSkata — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 00:31:57 GMT

I belive I read lasik can disqualify you. You don't need 20/20, but close. I don't know what a minimum requirement is. All I know it, at the optitromist, I read the smallest row with each eye.

Re: My chances and how to prepare

mach10 — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 09:13:34 GMT

I also have a question about vision....do you have to have 20/20 to be a fighter pilot??? If so does anyone know if LASIK type sugeries will be accepted any time soon???

Re: My chances and how to prepare

raimius — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 01:27:47 GMT

4.0 is always a good starting point! Extra-curriculars are good too. Make sure that you make Eagle!

I would try to get some experience with Calculus before entering. Even if it is just asking your High School's Calc teacher to show you the basics during your lunch periods. Simple derivatives go a long way.