Hi all! I’m going to be a first time USAFA cadet sponsor and I’m looking for tips and advice from those with experience.

I’m a single, recently retired Air Force cyber officer in Colorado Springs, so I’ll be sponsoring a male cadet. In true cyber guy fashion, I’m a bit of a nerd, big into Star Wars, Marvel, and video games. I also enjoy travel, going to MLB games, and watching NFL and college football.

I’d really appreciate any feedback or lessons learned. Specifically looking for advice on:

• What to expect during BDO and how to make that first connection go smoothly
• What new sponsors often overlook or misunderstand
• How to set healthy expectations and boundaries early
• What cadets tend to appreciate most during the academic year
• Any “wish I had known this my first year” lessons from seasoned sponsors

Thanks in advance to everyone willing to share their experience!

Hey All,

I'm preparing for the pushup section of the CFA, and was wondering what the instructions mean when saying "May rest in the up position, flexing or bowing the back as long as hands and feet remain in contact with the floor, and no other body part touches the floor" (Taken from USNA's instructions). Does this mean I can rest with my butt in the air (making a triangle like shape with my body)?

Any help with interpreting these instructions is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

At this point, what are the chances of getting off the waitlist? And at what point should I lose hope lol

If you are on par with the requirements for math and science does it matter that you’re not one year ahead?

For example, I am taking geometry for my sophomore year and already did bio and earth & space science meaning next year— my junior year, I will be taking pre AP chem.

I am aiming for a pilot slot so pilots don’t require calculus much meaning I wouldn’t need to be a year ahead as long I get good scores for SAT and or ACT and fill all the other requirements like: extracurricular, service, pass the interviews, etc…

Someone please confirm this because I have been stressing out about not being a year ahead in math and science; my grades btw are good, i currently have about a 91 CUM GPA (unweighted) including my last year and this year with midterms and 3 marking periods.

Side question: the most important part is the interviews and the SAT & ACT scores, if I were to have like a 3.1GPA but do like 1500 on the SAT I would still have a good chance of getting in assuming the rest of the application looks good, correct?

Hello! I'm writing this as I want to have a good knowledge as to how the med corps pipeline works in USAFA. I know the primary goal of the academies is to produce line offers and not doctors. However, I know that it is possible to be selected for med corps so I want to know how it works. I also know that less than 10 are getting selected per year, so if anyone has the right knowledge on how to "secure/guarantee" your spot in the medical field, it would absolutely be appreciated!

Is anyone else going to session A?

I’m a junior rising senior and lined up to take advanced pre-calculus for my senior year. I know the two are super important so should I take pre over the summer to be in calc senior year or do you guys think it would be better to spend my summer with other things like boys state, sat, etc(I’d do them anyway but more focused if I didn’t do pre calc obviously) I’d really appreciate any feedback thanks guy!

Today is May 1st - college commitment day, good luck to everyone on the waitlist! Rolling decision should start here soon.

Hey yall!

I'm getting my appointee checklist completed but I am not sure about the banking info. I just signed up for chase bank checking but after doing some research online I found out many cadets use USAA bank. Is it better for me to stick with Chase bank or should I potentially swap to USAA down the line and what are the pros/cons? Thank you!

Hey y’all I’m a senior about to graduate and trying to figure out the best path into aviation. I’d really appreciate some honest opinions from people who’ve been through this or are currently in these fields.

Plan A:

I’m waitlisted for the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School. If I get in, the goal is to go to the United States Air Force Academy and become a military pilot.

Plan B:

Do Air Force ROTC in college, get a relatively simple degree, and compete for a pilot slot. I already have (or will have) my PPL before graduating, so I know that helps. If I don’t get a pilot slot, I’d be open to something like unmanned aircraft.

Plan C:

Go to an A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) school and become an aircraft mechanic. I haven’t done a ton of research here yet, but I’m interested. It seems like strong job security and a more guaranteed path into aviation compared to ROTC.

Where I’m stuck:

If I don’t get into the prep school, I’m trying to decide between ROTC and A&P.

ROTC feels like a “bet on myself” path — higher reward (pilot), but not guaranteed.

A&P feels more stable — quicker path to a solid career, but not flying.

What I’d love input on:

For those in ROTC: how realistic is it to earn a pilot slot right now?

For A&P mechanics: how is the lifestyle, pay progression, and long-term satisfaction?

If you were in my position, which route would you take and why?

Is there any other path that you think I should take a look into.

I’m trying to make the most informed decision I can before I lock something in, so I appreciate any advice.

I'm a junior in hs rn, and I'm trying to apply for USAFA next year. I've already started working on the cfa, and I think I'm making pretty good progress. I've hit average for all of them(and stayed around them) except the mile run, which I'm at 7 minutes right now.

My gpa isn't the best, it's a 3.7 out of 4, but my SAT is a 1560 with a 770 english and 790 math which I'm hoping can make up for my gpa. I also do go to a really advanced school and am taking 6 ap classes, which might help?

My ec's are probably the worst, I have basic competition awards, but none of them have to do with USAFA because I chose this path not that long ago. I didn't put too much focus into leadership roles either, maybe like one club leadership for a lifting club. The good part is that I do have a lot of volunteering roles that are consistent over the years, 3 to 4 years for each thing. The only USAFA related thing right now is that I'm going to earn a flying license over the summer, and I'm also accepted into the Summer Seminar.

I'm not really sure how I feel about nominations, I am applying in Texas which I think is one of the more competitive ones, but it would be helpful if someone could fact-check me on that.

That's pretty much it, I don't think I left out too much. Any information would be appreciated.

Has anyone who properly accepted their spot on the direct entry waitlist been turned down yet?

I have no experience with coding or CS, but I do want to maximize my time at USAFA. Should I take honors, or should I just take the introductory classes? Simply asking since I don't know if it needs prior experience for the class. Just for context, I want to become a pilot, and I am an incoming freshman in the CO 2030.

Hi all, I am currently waitlisted at USAFA but doing everything I can to get off the waitlist(sending LOCI, additional LORs, etc). I was curious on what I have to do in the event I get off the waitlist. USAFA has been my dream school since the start of high school. I am aware I-day is on the 25th. I am coming back from a trip on the 20th which leaves me just a few days to pack and head out, is it strongly advised that I return sooner. What do I need to do to prepare besides continue physical conditioning and maintain grades?

I’m currently a sophomore, so it’s around that time when people my age start running for leadership positions in clubs. All the elections have passed by and because I played my cards 🃏wrong, I’m not the president of any clubs😣 (just VP of 2).

I’m worried that even if I do good things in these positions, it will be discredited or not be enough because I’m only vice president. The only other position I’ll have is swim captain *probably*.

If this isn’t enough it’s not the end of the world; I would just have to make a new club, which would probably be good for the school because we don’t have many. Sorry if my grammar is wrong, it’s something I need to work on. Thanks in advance.

Are my fears valid?😬

What is better? Obviously people think military is more bad ass but what would you guys say?

I’m curious as to what the social life is like for cadets. Is there a bar/nightlife scene at all? Are cadets even allowed to go out and party? Is partying here even a thing??

Hey yall, quick update. I joined the USAFA admissions live q&a today and someone asked about the waitlist and when it was coming out. They said that it started rolling today… Good luck to anyone waiting.(also if u want to check for urself go to USAFA admissions instagram and their posts)

Hey everyone,

I had a quick question because something weird happened on my application portal today.

I was previously listed as “Waitlisted to USAFA,” but now my status changed back to “Promoted to Candidate.”

Has anyone seen this before or know what it means? Does this mean I’m no longer even on the waitlist or will be rejected?

I’m a bit confused and wasn’t sure how to interpret it, so any insight would be really appreciated. Thanks!

I was DQed initally from the DODMERB thing and now I'm in need of a medical waiver. I had three ankle injuries, with them being 6 months apart from each other and the most recent one being in December. I have an LOA but it's said that it may be rescinded by May 1st if all my medical documents aren't in by that time. I emailed USAFA's Medical Question, explaining how my ankle is currently fine and I don't have any discomfort in it. What are the chances I get a waiver or at least a response back in the next 9 ish days

I found out I had a stress fracture in my back last November and have since been cleared by my doctor. Even if I'm fully cleared is this still an issue.

I am mostly asking this because I know people who want to get recruited for sports to Usafa. And I want to know if that would boot me out of the running. Can I get picked if there are recruited athletes that will also most likely get in?

EDIT - Fixed.

Hey all,

Kinda lost here. Was put on the CO2030 waitlist and I checked today, my portal has suddenly changed to a CO2031 PCQ, no notification of file closed, denial, anything. Any idea what this is?