Air Force Academy
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From: Corydon US of A
Air Force Academy
Has anyone here (past or present) attended the Air Force Academy? if so, how was/is it? what were the entry req. I've done a lot of research on it but just wanting some personal opinions, thanks
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Air Force Academy
I looked into it my senior year of high school and found that I was nowhere near qualified. I wanted to fly A-10s, as I found out a little later my color vision would have made that impossible anyway. What they look for are outstanding grades, 3.5+ GPA I think for starters. Then you need a well rounded extracurricular history. (Sports, civic organizations, especially things in which you have demonstrated leadership abilities.) In addition, you need a congressional recommendation. There were several steps to the application process if I remember, including an exam and an oral board. I graduated high school with a 3.2 and as an Eagle scout, and I knew I didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting in. Good luck whatever you decide to do. I did take a shot at getting a pilot's license at Embry-Riddle and came within a few hours of it. I was disappointed to find that none of the trainers have 30mm autocannons, and my requests to equip them as such were met with scorn and derision. Hope you have better luck.
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Air Force Academy
My son was born at the Air Force Academy, does that qualify? I didn't attend the Academy, but visited it quite a few times. It appeared to be a well-run school and I never heard a bad thing about it. It's also in a great location if you're an outdoorsman.
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From: Corydon US of A
Air Force Academy
Thanks for the input, Embry-Riddle is at the top of my list right now too. I already have my private pilots lisence, will that help me get a little ahead there? thanks
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Air Force Academy
Having a license will put you a little ahead, but many new students have one when they arrive. I did not enjoy my experience there at all, and in fact none of the people I knew in the flight program returned for a second year, myself included. This was for a variety of reasons, but all included being less than satisfied with the school in one way or another. If you would like, e-mail me and I will be happy to give you my opinion and you can decide for yourself. It is a very expensive school, but is by no means the only one available for flight training. I also applied to Daniel Webster in New Hampshire and the University of North Dakota and was accepted to both. UND is supposed to be very good and a little cheaper as I recall, Webster was pretty pricey and didn't have the reputation of the other two. Contact me if you want to know more, I will help however I can.
Chris
ccoffin(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
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Air Force Academy
I was a captain in the Army in 1970 stationed in Colorado Springs. I taught a class at the Academy based on my Vietnam experience coordinating artillery and air strikes. ccoffin pretty well sums up the requirements. In addition, you need to have a referal or two from significant state polititians. They are looking for very bright leaders. If you truly stand out as "the" leader in you high school and have nearly perfect grades with plenty of community involvement and an unblemished record of behavior, you can get in. If you miss on a single one of these points, you won't make it. I would be proud to say I graduated from the AF Academy. I hope you are that kind of person. You would do well at any school. I would not go there for the purpose of learning to fly, that's not what it is about really.
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From: Walla Walla USA
Air Force Academy
Years back (1974) when I graduated from high school a friend of mine was going to the Air Force Academy. One hot summer night he was dragging the gut with the window down. He ate a banana, threw the peal out of the car and accidently hit a person on the sidewalk. He was arrested for third degree assault and was denied entrance into the academy....now is that a slipped opportunity or what? jim
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Fleet Owner
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
Air Force Academy
You DO need to be extremely highly motivated for that (as for any Officer school)
Personally - I think it's over rated. Do what you do well. If that's flying Airplanes - then GO AFTER IT, Son!
(And that is NOT sarcasm)
Personally - I think it's over rated. Do what you do well. If that's flying Airplanes - then GO AFTER IT, Son!
(And that is NOT sarcasm)
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From: Anchorage AK
Air Force Academy
Here are some links for you. This will at least give you some info. No matter what anybody says, you will definately work there and you will learn a great deal. I have met good and bad officers from the academy. What is inside of you will determine if you have what it takes.
http://www.academyadmissions.com
http://www.usafa.af.mil
http://www.academyadmissions.com
http://www.usafa.af.mil
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From: Corydon US of A
Air Force Academy
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-Apr-02 AT 03:57 PM (EST)]Thanks for the links and info, I guess I'll do some more homework. my goal would never be to nessicarily to become a officer, but most pilots are officers. Not that I would mind being an officer, but isnt really my goal. I'm going to talk to my counciler sometime soon, i'll let u all know how it goes. thanks again
Dave
Dave
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