Academy and ROTC
Air Force Academy
The
United States Air Force Academy is located in the foothills of the beautiful
Rocky Mountains near Colorado Springs. It is nationally recognized as one
of the premier colleges in the United States and consistently ranks among
the top for overall academic experience, most selective schools to enter,
and best undergraduate engineering programs. The campus includes the Cadet
Chapel with seventeen soaring spires, two coed dormitories, modern classrooms,
laboratories, library, and top-notch athletic facilities. The cadet wing
includes 4,000 students from all 50 states, including approximately 20% women
and 18% minorities. About 1,200 students enter each year. The mission of
the Air Force Academy is to inspire and develop outstanding young men and
women to become Air Force officers with knowledge, character and discipline,
motivated to lead the world's greatest air and space force in service to
the nation.
The Academy's whole-person program stresses leadership, academics, character development and physical fitness. The low student-faculty ratio, combined with average class size of 17, allows for close relationships between cadets and instructors. Cadets experience leadership by holding positions in wing, group and squadron staffs. Cadets take classes in physical education and participate in either intercollegiate NCAA Division 1 or intramural sports. When you first enter the Academy, you'll be challenged with a five-week rigorous summer orientation program called Basic Cadet Training. Other summer programs include survival training, soaring, free fall parachuting, and visits to active duty bases. There are over 100 extracurricular clubs to develop talents and recreational interests. In addition to Christmas and spring break, you'll be granted three weeks leave in the summer. Graduates receive a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force and a Bachelor of Science degree in one of 32 academic majors.
Every cadet at the Air Force Academy receives full tuition, room and board, a $700 per month salary, and military benefits including comprehensive medical and dental care. The scholarship is valued at approximately $320,000. Your only obligation is an initial Air Force commitment of 5 years (10-year concurrent commitment upon graduation from pilot training).
To learn more about the Air Force Academy, visit the official admissions web site at www.academyadmissions.com. Other important web site links are also available on the Links page.
Summer Seminar
If you are a junior going into your senior year, the Academy offers two one-week sessions during June to experience the academic environment, physical requirements, team building, and leadership skills necessary to become an Air Force Academy cadet. You will be able to choose from approximately 30 different workshops, participate in other activities and sports, and live in a cadet dormitory. The registration fee is $300 and pays for all your meals and room, as well as all workshop supplies. You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to and from Colorado Springs. Applications are accepted between January 1 and March 15 and are available online at www.academyadmissions.com.
Falcon Sports Camps
Week
long summer camps are led by Academy intercollegiate head coaches for athletes
8-18 years of age: baseball, basketball, cheerleading/dance, diving, fencing,
football, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis,
track/cross country, volleyball and wrestling. Athletes are given the opportunity
to improve their skills while experiencing the Academy's unparalleled athletic
facilities, learn from the Academy's head coaching staffs, and live in cadet
dormitories. The camps encourage teamwork, help build self-esteem and encourage
the practice of good character qualities. Registration is approximately $550
and is on a first come, first serve basis. You are responsible for arranging
your own transportation to and from Colorado Springs. Applications are processed
after February 1 and are available online at goairforcefalcons.cstv.com.
Academy Tours
Cadet-escorted tours and admissions briefings are available for high school seniors, juniors, and sophomores on weekdays during the academic year from mid-August to mid-May. Briefings are available most summer weekdays. Reservations are required at least 10 working days in advance. If you wish to take the cadet-escorted tour, you should plan to stay for the entire day. To schedule a tour, call 1-800-443-3864 (option 1) between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time, weekdays, except holidays. You can also email your request to academy.tours@usafa.af.mil. Candidates who are offered an appointment will be invited to attend a special Appointee Orientation that is normally scheduled three times in April.
Air Force ROTC
Air
Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is another way to earn an officer's
commission and receive financial assistance at over 900 colleges around the
nation. As an Air Force ROTC cadet, you'll take classes in military history,
professionalism and leadership. You'll participate in field training exercises
and also visit active duty Air Force bases.
Air Force ROTC offers high school students a variety of college scholarships that are based on merit, not financial need. Scholarships are degree-specific and about 70% of all offers will be made in technical areas. Type 1 pays full college tuition and fees; this is the most selective. Type 2 pays up to $15,000 per year tuition and fees. Type 7 pays for students to go to a public college where the tuition is less than $9,000 per year or where the student qualifies for in-state tuition rates. A four-year type 7 scholarship may be converted to a three-year type 2. In addition, students receive a $900 yearly textbook allowance and $250-$400 monthly allowance. The scholarships do not cover room and board; however, some universities subsidize their own room and board scholarships. You are not required to have a scholarship to enroll in Air Force ROTC. Students can later apply for the In-College Scholarship Program.
Applicants should achieve a minimum SAT mathematics and critical reading 1100 (or ACT 24), 3.0 GPA and class rank in the top 40%. Competitive scores for scholarship recipients: SAT 1260 (or ACT 27), 3.77 GPA. Your only obligation is an initial Air Force commitment of 4 years (10-year concurrent commitment upon graduation from pilot training).
To learn more about Air Force ROTC, visit the official web site at www.afrotc.com. Other important web site links are also available on the Links page.
Air Force Officer
Whether
you choose the Air Force Academy or ROTC, the goal is the same: graduation
and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. After graduation,
those who qualify for pilot or navigator training will complete about one
year of instruction to earn their wings. Graduates may also select from a
variety of other exciting career programs. As an Air Force officer, you'll
receive an excellent career compensation package. Your annual salary increases
with promotions in rank: 2Lt $34,790, 1Lt (2 years) $44,294, Capt (4 years)
$58,694 (not including flight or incentive pay). Other benefits include:
comprehensive medical and dental care, tax-free housing and food allowances,
30 days paid vacation each year, graduate degree opportunities (including
tuition assistance or full scholarship), and retirement after 20 years of
service. You'll also enjoy on-base shopping at reduced prices and recreational
facilities.
To learn more about Air Force officer career opportunities, visit the official web site at www.airforce.com. Other important web site links are also available on the Links page.
Preparation
- Academic: The Academy strongly recommends four years of English, including a college prep course in writing; fours years of math, with a strong background in algebra, trigonometry, and analytical geometry; four years of lab science; three years of social science; two years of foreign language; and a computer course. Advanced placement or honors courses are very beneficial. Strive for the best grades possible. Also, develop effective study habits and efficient time management.
- Athletic: Develop your fitness by participating in individual and team sports or an individual fitness program. Upper-body strength, running speed, and endurance should be your objectives. Participation in at least one sport is the minimum suggested. At the Academy, about 83 percent of entering cadets have earned a varsity letter in at least one sport and more than 95 percent have participated in high school sports.
- Leadership: Your athletic and non-athletic activities indicate your leadership potential. Quality of involvement means more than quantity of activities. Earn leadership positions in a few activities rather than being a member of many. Pick activities in which you are most interested: sports, student government, school clubs, publications, boy's/girl's state, national honor society, band, chorus, drama, speech and debate, scouts, community service, junior achievement, church, work, JROTC, Civil Air Patrol, etc.
How To Apply
- Air Force Academy: Apply online at www.academyadmissions.com after February 1 of your junior year, but no later than December 31 of your senior year.
- Air Force ROTC Scholarship: Apply online at www.afrotc.com no later than December 1 of your senior year.
- To be eligible to enter the Academy, you must be a citizen of the United States, unmarried with no dependents, of good moral character, and at least 17, but less than 23 years of age by July 1st of the year you would enter.
- Because the SAT or ACT tests are an important indicator of your academic ability, you should plan to take them early. Juniors should prepare by taking the PSAT since this your only opportunity to earn a National Merit Scholarship. Each of these tests has a slightly different emphasis, so you should consider taking both to reflect your true potential. You may take these tests several times and your highest scores will be accepted. To be competitive on the SAT, the average appointee scores 590-670 critical reading and 620-700 mathematics. On the Enhanced ACT, the the average appointee scores 26-30 English, 27-32 Reading, 28-31 Math and 27-31 Science Reasoning. Your scores must reach the Academy no later than March 1. You may signup online.
- If you meet the Academy's minimum qualifications, you will be sent a letter with instructions for completing the online candidate application. Contact your ALO and complete the application before you get busy with school in the fall. Make copies of all information sent to USAFA and ROTC. You may continue to update your Academy file with additional achievements until March 1 of your senior year.
- Request a nomination for the Academy from all sources: your U.S. Representative, two U.S. Senators, the Vice President and any military-affiliated categories (if eligible). Deadlines usually occur in November of your senior year. More information and links are available on the Nominations page.
- You will be scheduled for a DoDMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) medical examination. Complete this as soon as possible to allow additional time in the event any medical issues need to be resolved. If you haven't heard from DoDMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) within 2 weeks after receiving your candidate kit, call them at 800-841-2706.
- Prepare for the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) which is a timed 6-event test: basketball throw, cadence pull-ups (men), flexed arm hang (women), 40-yard agility run, abdominal crunches, push-ups, and a 1-mile run.
- An Academy candidate's overall composite score is based on 60% academic composite (high school or college academic performance, SAT or ACT scores), 20% extracurricular composite (athletic participation, leadership position, public/community involvement and work experiences), and 20% admissions panel (faculty and staff review, candidate fitness assessment, Admissions Liaison Officer interview, and writing sample).
- You should contact the Admissions Liaison Officer (ALO) that is assigned to your high school. You may search for your ALO if you do not know. Keep your ALO updated on your progress. Academy candidates will be scheduled for an ALO interview. AFROTC scholarship applicants will normally be scheduled for an interview by a nearby AFROTC detachment.
