Does anyone know anything about the Airforce Academy?

Question

my eleven year old son wants to know. Serious answers only please !

Answer 1

from the website
You will be judged on a composite score taken from many factors. This is the score upon which selection is based.

Prior Academic Record (PAR)

This is a measure of classroom performance based on a combination of your rank in class and your GPA. When class rank is not provided, the PAR is based on our evaluation of your transcript.


High School

Generally, candidates must rank in the top 40 percent of their high school class. However, the average of recent entering classes is the top three percent.

Adjustments are made to the PAR for students attending unusually competitive schools with a rigorous college prep curriculum and/or where honors and Advanced Placement courses are NOT weighted in the school’s calculation of class rank and/or GPA.

To ensure that we make accurate adjustments to your PAR please ask your counselor to include a profile of last year’s graduating class from your high school with your transcript. Note: A solid foundation in algebra is more valuable than exposure to calculus.

Home School

Home-schooled students make up a small but increasing number of applicants for admission to the Air Force Academy. They compete against the same standards as students coming from a traditional school setting.

Post High School

A strong post-high school prep or college record, that essentially duplicates the Academy’s academic program and course load, will be carefully evaluated and may offset a poor high school record. At a minimum, the total post-high school record must be satisfactory; that is, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) with no grades lower than a C. In addition, all failing grades must be satisfactorily repeated.


Advanced Placement (AP)/Transfer Credit

The Air Force Academy will accept scores of four and five on most AP exams in conjunction with core course placement exams that you will take during Basic Cadet Training. Scores of three will be reviewed on an individual basis.

College Admission Test Scores (SAT I or ACT)

Students who score below 580 verbal and 560 math on the SAT I and below 24 English/reading and 25 math/science reasoning on the ACT normally will not be competitive for an appointment.
SAT I Mid-50% Range Mean
Verbal Aptitude 590-670 630
Math Aptitude 620-710 663

ACT Mid-50% Range Mean
English 26-31 28
Reading 28-32 30
Mathematics 27-32 30
Science Reasoning 27-32 29

Academic Composite

This score is a combination of your SAT I or ACT test scores and your PAR and is the most heavily weighted component of the selection composite. A low PAR and low test scores, even though they are individually qualifying, will usually result in an academic composite score below our qualifying guidelines.

Extracurricular Composite

This score measures your activities (athletic and nonathletic) in high school, community service and work. Low participation in sanctioned or high school athletic and nonathletic extracurricular activities may result in a disqualifying extracurricular composite score. However, consideration will be given to candidates from schools that do not offer typical athletic and extracurricular activities, as well as to candidates who work after school. Special consideration is always given to unusual accomplishments either in or out of school. Be sure the Admissions Office knows of your successes.

Weighted (Objective) Composite

This score is a combination of your academic and extracurricular composite scores. A relatively low score for either component may result in a disqualifying composite score. This score is the objective measure of a candidate’s overall potential to succeed at the Academy.

Selection Composite

This final score combines all admission factors into an overall competitive standing comprised of your weighted composite score plus an objective Selection Panel Rating. This rating includes all the objective components and intangibles that may be present in a candidate’s record. A relatively low weighted composite plus a low selection panel rating will usually result in a disqualifying selection score.

A Selection Panel, composed of a cross section of senior Academy staff, reviews every qualified admissions file. The objective component that is evaluated is primarily the candidate’s motivation and potential for success at the Academy and future performance as a career Air Force officer. It is here, also, that your writing sample, Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) and everything else in the admissions file is reviewed in evaluating the "whole person." The assignment of a Panel Rating to each file is the final review in the selection process and occurs as soon as your file is complete (medical results and nominations can still be pending).

For the average candidate, the relative weighting of the scores that go into the selection composite are: 60 percent academic composite, 20 percent extracurricular composite and 20 percent selection panel rating.

Selection Scoring
Notification of Apointment


Ready to Apply?


Preparing for the Academy

The U.S. Air Force Academy is one of the most selective colleges in the country, so you’ll need to start preparing well before your consideration for admission to meet the high admission requirements, intense competition for appointments and the demands you’ll face at the Academy.

A well-rounded program of academic, leadership and athletic preparation is important so make sure you participate in as many of these activities as possible every step of the way.

Junior High

Start planning your high school academic courses and begin physical fitness training. It may put you a step or two ahead of other applicants.

The decision to attend the Academy should be your own. Don’t let parents or friends make it for you – you will be the one facing the challenges!

If you enjoy responsibility, welcome new experiences and opportunities and like to excel and lead others, you have the attributes to become a successful cadet and Air Force officer.

Pick a Few Schools and Study Them

While preparing for the Academy, we also recommend that you select an additional top three to five college or university choices and get all the detailed information you can about their admissions requirements.

* Make a list of the requirements and decide what are the most important things to do to become competitive for admission.
* Visit all the schools if possible. Apply to all of your top choices and make your final decision about which school to attend after all the offers (or rejections) are available.

By concentrating on your top choices, you'll have the best chance of getting into one or more of them. Pick too many schools and there might be too much to do and not enough time to give your best effort. Pick too few schools and you may not have any options if you're not accepted for admission/appointment.

Keep Things in Perspective

* We very strongly recommend that you pick classes and extracurricular activities that interest you – but don't take on more than you can handle.
* Push yourself a bit to excel in academics, sports and activities, but don’t burn yourself out.
* The core subjects of English, math and science are very important and you must do well in them.
* Participate in at least one sport and at least one nonathletic after-school activity. Pick what you enjoy doing and don't worry about whether or not a particular school would rather you do something else. Getting involved and having fun are the rules to follow.

Bottom Line

Know the school's requirements. Work hard to meet or exceed those requirements. Have fun..

Answer 2

I know a lot about all of the service Academies. I am an Academy graduate myself (not the Air Force Academy, however). I am, however, an Air Force officer and pilot. I can throughly explain the whole process, from nomination to appointment. I could sit here and write many pages of information regarding this process so in the interest of time and boring everybody else, please IM me and I will gladly explain and if your son is serious, I will mentor him through the process.

Answer 3

its in colorado springs,co
it was founded in1948
it has a beutiful cathederal