Hi everyone,

I know this is a common question in this forum, but I'd like to have outside evaluation from the members. Thinking of what I'm weak in or strong in could cause some biased results, so I'd like your opinions.

My ultimate goal is to be accepted in to the Air Force Academy. Knowing how competitive it is, I'm being flexible and figuring my odds of scoring an AFROTC scholarship, particularly the Type 1.

So here is an overview of what I am doing now to be competitive and what I plan to do:

-Currently have my solo certificate. Plan to go up through commercial or multi-engine rating.
-Joining my school's Tennis team and will try to earn Varsity letter.
-Part-time job consisting of up to 25 hours a week
-Current GPA is 3.9
-Volunteering at a local aircraft museum
-A member of my school's Key Club (volunteering)
-Join the Civil Air Patrol
-Attend Boys State
-Running my own business through which I sell products world wide.


There may be a few things I forgot to mention, but that's a good list for now.

If I don't make the Academy, then I'm really hoping that I can earn either a Type 1 or Type 2 scholarship for ROTC and attend a college of my choice.

Anywhere you may see a need for strengthening or improvement, let me know.

Your opinions are valued,

Thanks,
Kobbe

From what you have written here, you look like a good cantidate for a AFROTC scholarship. The items when will likely help you the most are...
-Solo certificate
-Sports, job, volunteering etc, shows you can handle being busy
-CAP
-Boys State, any leadership experience is a huge factor, try to build this area up more.
-very solid GPA

Can't say for sure how much running your own business will help you in the numbers game, but explain it in your interview to impress them.

Two big factors you left out are SAT/ACT, almost as important as your GPA...and your intended major. The Air Force is always looking for those with technical degrees, ie engineering and science, especially electrical engineering and meterology. But plenty of people in my det got scholarships for underwater basket weaving too, so don't change your major just to get a scholarship. You may improve your chances of a scholarship now, but 10 years down the road you're going to hate your job.

Type I scholarships are very hard to come by, less than 15-20% of all given. Type II are the most common, around 70%. You can be given either a 3 or 4 year type II. If you receive a 4yr type VII, which limits you to a school under $9000/yr it can be converted into a 3yr type II if you plan to attend a more expensive college.

When it comes time for your interview, DON'T BLOW IT OFF! This is the only face time anyone has with you in order to make a reccommendation for you to receive a scholarship. Ask your guidance counselor or a teacher to set up a practice interview. If you impress your interviewer enough, each detachment commander has 2 4yr type I scholarships that they can give to anyone they believe absolutely deserves a scholarship.

Best of luck, let me know if I can answer anything else for you.

Thanks for the reply.

I have not taken my SAT yet, that's why I left it out. I plan to take the PSAT, then the real SAT test during my sophomore year.
Do you know of a reference for recommended subjects to major in, for the Air Force? I don't know what it is called exactly, but business management interests me. If not, science has always been of interest to me.

Assuming I didn't get a Type I scholarship and wanted to attend a college charging around $17,000 tuition, I would get a Type II (Not 7) and pay for my first or last year, correct?

I really do not want to go to college here in Southern California, since I have lived here all my life so far and have seen and been involved in the violence.

Also, say I wanted to go out of state, would I contact the O-O-S ROTC detachment or my local one to apply for a scholarship and have an interview?

Thank you very much for answers,

Kobbe

There are no recommended subjects to major in for the Air Force but the more technical (e.g. Electrical Engineering) the better to obtain a scholarship. Most of the career fields (even pilot) will accept any degree except for Engineering and Weather etc....
Not sure what you are referring to if you have a scholarship that you would pay for your first or last year. If you are in high school then you can contact your high school counselor or either the local or out-of-state det however you'll do your scholarship interview at a local det.

Oh, that's what I figured. Technical fields would be more valuable for getting a scholarship. There's only one course I can think of that I'm interested in and is a technical field. Computer science/engineering.

So I would contact the out of state detachment in interest of joining their program and receiving a scholarship, then go through the application process at a local one?

Do you know if many students take out student loans to pay for the rest of the tuition if they get a Type 7 scholarship?
For going out of state, the tuition plus room and board can really add up so I might need one to supplement.

Thanks for the info,
Kobbe

If you are granted a 4yr type 7, and want to attend a school costing more than $9000/yr, you just need to convert your 4yr type 7 to a 3yr type II(Its a very simple process.) Your scholarship would then kick in starting your sophmore year.

To apply for a scholarship, go to afrotc.com. You don't NEED to contact a det unit your interview, but you'd be foolish not to. While school is in session, visit the unit you intend to go to, attend their Leadership Lab, and talk to cadets in the unit, especcially upperclassmen. Each unit offers its own perks. Unfortunately, you will interview at the detachment that is closest to where you live, so that make getting a commander's scholarship very difficult if you're not going to that school. It will not however affect your interview rating.

Like I said earlier, when it comes to pilots, the AF could care less what your degree is in. Get your degree in whatever interests you the most. ALOT of people I know, myself included, joined AFROTC with hopes of being a pilot, but for whatever reason, is doesn't happen. Make sure you degree is in something you'll be happy doing if you don't get pilot.

Ok, I'm glad you told me about that conversion option.

One question about the SAT tests. Say I take the test during my Sophomore year, do I forward the results directly to my desired detachment and the Air Force Academy? I understand that you can test again if you don't like your score, so figuring I do take the test again, should I not forward my first results?

I'll talk with my counselor about the practice interviews and such.

Thank you for your help.

I took the ACT, so I can't say definately for the SAT, though I doubt there would be any diference. When you take your test, find the code for both USAFA and AFROTC. (Everything regarding your scholarship, except your interview, is done through HQ AFROTC at Maxwell AFB, AL, you det doesnt' have anything to do with deciding whether or not you get a scholarship.) Personally, I would reccomend not taking your SAT until Fall of your junior year. Like anybody else, the Air Force is only going to consider your latest score, so put them on every test, so you don't have to go through the hassle of getting your scores sent later.