How to Apply for the Air Force Academy

Applying and gaining entrance for the Air Force Academy requires persistence and dedication--as only the best and the brightest are suitable for this line of work. By preparing early and devoting yourself to your goal, you can successfully apply for the Air Force Academy.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Check out the Air Force Academy website. Request brochures and information early, so that when application time rolls around, you know everything that needs to be done.

2. Familiarize yourself with important dates and set up a time line. Your application process officially begins during your junior year in high school, but what you do in your first two years counts, too. Make sure that you're on time and prepared for all required deadlines, so that your application and all your hard work count. For instance, you need to request a nomination from your congressional representative no later than December 31 of your senior year, and you must fill out the precandidate questionnaire by January 31 of your senior year. Before March 1 of your senior year, you need to take your medical exam as well as your fitness exam.

3. Stay fit. Remember that military careers require high levels of physical conditioning and your application to the Air Force Academy includes fitness tests. For example, each semester, cadets practice pull ups, long jump, sit ups, push ups, and a 1.5 mile run. For men, the minimal requirements are 7 pull ups, a 7-foot long jump, 58 sit ups, 35 push ups and 12 minutes and 25 seconds for the 1.5 mile run. Women must achieve at least 1 pull up, a 5-foot-9-inch long jump, 58 sit ups, 18 push ups and complete the 1.5 mile run in under 14 minutes and 17 seconds.

4. Make academics a priority. Take rigorous courses throughout your high school career, and study hard so that your grades shine in the applicant pool. Remember that your score includes your class rank, GPA and difficulty of courses, so push yourself early to prepare your application well. The average applicant holds a 3.9 GPA in high school and achieves at least a 550 on each section of the SAT.

5. Show the Academy what makes you special. Keep in mind that all of the applicants should have strong test scores and a record of extracurricular activities. Exhibit your passions for music, animal welfare, or science through your activities and in your application. Make your application strong by highlighting special skills that make you stand out, and your application should stand out, too.

6. Obtain an appointment letter. U.S. Senators, House Representatives, the Vice-President and the President can write up to five a year. Make this request sometime between March 1 of your junior year and December 31 of your senior year. Check your Congressman's website to find information on requesting the letter.

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[remmy19]

on 6/16/2009 http://usmilacademyapps.blogspot.com/ is a great site for info on this topic, it is published by an actual liaison officer for the US air force academy. I highly reccomend it!