How hard is it to get in the Airforce Academy?

Answer 1

It is very difficult to get accepted to the Air Force Academy (as well as any other of the military academies). You need to have a long standing, solid academic background. Academics, however, is not the only consideration. Participation in ROTC, community service / activity involvement, sports, band, 4-H, FFA, etc., are looked at as well.
Involvement in ANY illegal activities will seriously mar your chances. Same goes for know association with gangs, drugs, theft, etc., even if you have not been involved in those activities yourself.
You will also require strong usefull recommendations. School principles, career guidance counselors, accelerated course instructors, coaches, civic leaders, elected official from state and federal levels. Basically, people whoses postions allow them to have massive exposure for evaluation of you and your peers, and have personal reputations above reproach.
This is just a taste of it. Go talk to an Air Force recruiter. The sooner the better.
Good luck and if accepted, wear the uniform with unwavering pride. I always did, and I always will!

Answer 2

The Air Force and Army and Navy academies are very good schools, but they look at more than just grades and SAT scores. You notice from the other answer that the scores are not actually at the top level. They are significantly below the scores at the elite schools such as the Ivy league. But that is because the academies look more at leadership, and athletics than just academics. You must be in near perfect health to be admitted to the academies. One young man I know was accepted and then his acceptance was rescinded because his medical report showed that he had once been treated for a back problem. The Air Force was not willing to spend $250,000 training and educating a student who would not be able to serve out his commission.

Appointments to the Academy are made by US Representative and Senators. So you need to research this topic some more in a place that is more authoritative than YAHOO!!!!!

Answer 3

Average SAT: 1309
SAT - Verbal Range (25-75%): 590-670
SAT - Math Range (25-75%): 610-700
TPR Projected Range SAT Writing: 640-700
Average Verbal SAT: 644
Average Math SAT: 665
Average ACT: 28
Average High School GPA: 3.60
Students in top 10% of HS class: 57%
Students in top 50% of HS class: 98%

Admissions

Freshmen Academic Profile
Average SAT:1309
SAT - Verbal Range (25-75%):590-670
SAT - Math Range (25-75%):610-700
TPR Projected Range SAT Writing:640-700
Average Verbal SAT:644
Average Math SAT:665
Average ACT:28
Average High School GPA:3.60
Students in top 10% of HS class:57%
Students in top 50% of HS class:98%

From the Admissions Office about the
New SAT
Applicants for Fall 2007 are required to take the new SAT (or the ACT with the Writing section), but students may submit scores from the old SAT or ACT as well, and will use the student's best scores from either test.

Basis for candidate selection
Very Important Factors:
Secondary school record
Standardized test scores
Character/personal qualities
Interview

Important Factors:
Class rank
Essays
Extracurricular activities
Talent/ability
Volunteer work
Work experience

Total applicants who are accepted:18%

Good luck!

Answer 4

Matt and MM above have the right answers. I'd add a little more that Matt hints at. Your state's Senators and Representatives get to name a couple appointees every year. If you can get one of them to say, "Take him.", then you're in. If your father or mother was an academy graduate, you'll get special consideration. (That's true of any college, by the way, "legacy students" is what they're called.) If your father was an academy graduate and made General, you'll certainly get in. If he was a Medal of Honor winner, that would do it, too.

Remember the Defense Dept's official policy of zero tolerance for drugs. That road in high school is the sure road to rejection from any of the academies.

Answer 5

Are you 10 feet tall and bulletproof?
Can you outrun a speeding bullet?
Are you the greatest thing since sliced bread?

OK, seriously, it is very tough but if you make it; WOW.
And it is among the top educational facilities in the world.

You see, I didn't make it.

Master Sergeant, US Air Force, retired

Air Force recruiters can supply you with the exact requirements or point you toward someone who can help you.

Hey man, GOOD LUCK and keep 'em flying.