Most Important Steps for Getting an Appointment

[kate in seattle]

My son was an Eagle Scout and a team captain (swim and x-country). BUT, his other leadership was through YMCA's Youth and Government. He participated all four years, was the chairman of the delegation his second year, a committee chair in Olympia (our state capital) the third year and Speaker of the House his 4th year. This is a program where each student drafts a bill, learns parlimentary procedure and then all the groups from the state convene at the state capital and run a "youth legislature" for 3-1/2 days. some act as representatives, some as senators, some as lobbyists, others as journalists. You learn a lot about government and have some leadership opportunities, both in your local delegation (when Alex was chair, he ran meetings with 20+ kids in attendance) and at the state level (there were 120+ kids in the House, when he was Speaker ). It accomplishes much of what Boys State/Girls State does, but was somewhat easier for Alex as he was homeschooled. Check with your local YMCA office to see if they have a program already established.

[DzMom]

Leadership can come from anywhere. If you are the captain of a team or in scouting helps. Try coaching younger kids at the rec center, YMCA or town league. My son assisted the middle school swim coaches for the season. I think one of the important qualities is being a well-rounded individual. Involvement in school, church and community is as important. Good luck!

[AuzmansMOM]

[MarkandLaurie]

A friend who is very involved says the single best thing any person can do is show they can hold a part-time job in addition to getting good grades and having a well-rounded "resume."

[72falcon]

Originally Posted by MarkandLaurie

A friend who is very involved says the single best thing any person can do is show they can hold a part-time job in addition to getting good grades and having a well-rounded "resume."

As a newly annointed ALO, I'm always trying to pick up on things to look for when reviewing candidates' packages...I have only heard the advice about holding a part time job from those posting on this web site, but not from other ALOs, nor from USAFA admissions...my "knee jerk" reaction is that would be low on my priority list, especially in light of the current economy...the national news services said that the availability of part time jobs for young folks is close to an all-time low...would like to hear from others who believe that part-time jobs should be (ought to be?) part of the "package"...not sure about the statement that a part time job is "the single best thing any person can do..." I have to agree with previous posts that emphasize leadership and academics (GPA, college boards)....but I'm open to new ideas!

[scraper]

My son is in the class of 2014 in my mind I believe holding a job as opposed to not having a job or had a job is important.When everyone is out with their friends he was working helping to provide for himself taking care of responsibilities like paying his insurance on his truck and part of his truck payment, movie or eating money etc; It showed he is dependable, he held the job for over 2 years (CVS). He would open the store on Sunday mornings while his friends were sleeping, the company valued him as an employee and management would try to accomadate his schedule during the week because he was a football player (starter) a very talented piano player, acapella group and other things too numerous to mention. People who wrote to the MOC's and Senator would mention this as well I just have to think it show a individual not a follower. Hope it helps.

[72falcon]

Originally Posted by scraper

My son is in the class of 2014 in my mind I believe holding a job as opposed to not having a job or had a job is important.

I would not have a problem telling a potential candidate that holding a part time (or full time) job is a good thing to have on your record, certainly for all the reasons stated by scraper....we need to be careful when stating that this or that is "the most important thing." ALOs and USAFA admissions are going to look at the whole package of every individual...you can have perfect college boards, and a perfect GPA, but if you do nothing else (i.e., no leadership, no clubs, no sports) you won't get an appointment to USAFA (probably not to West Point or Annapolis, either). We have JROTC instructors here in my town that almost guarantee that if you join their unit, you will get a service academy appointment....the numbers for 2012 and 2013 just don't bear that out (about 10-12% of each class has JROTC on their record)...while over 80% of each class has a varsity letter...doesn't mean that earning a varsity letter will guarantee you get in to USAFA, but it does show that the vast majority of these two classes possess that attribute, so as stated before one may want to pursue a varsity sport in high school if you have not already done so.

The concept used to be called the "whole man concept"...today more accurately called the "whole person" concept....the applicant who has good, maybe not exceptional, GPAs and college boards, but has a long list of student government positions, leadership positions in sports teams and clubs, and is physically fit, still has a good shot at an appointment...the flip side is also true, as there are plenty of slots for the academically brilliant who may have less than a full resume of the "other stuff."

Bottom line for me to potential applicants: if you have a job--great, make sure you include it...if you haven't been employed outside the home, don't think that this will prevent you from getting in to USAFA...and don't forget your physical fitness level.

[afprincessintrainingmom]

I do not know much about getting an appointment process. My daughter did most of it by herself except the stuff we as parents needed to do...but I would think the most important step may be to make sure You as a future Appointee, are doing it for yourself and not anyone else and that you put yourself out there truly and not how you think you should be seen in order to acquire and appointment. My daughter did not have all the outstanding everything that you would think you need. She was in AFJROTC for four years and was Commander her Sr year. She was in Volleyball for 7 years but never held a captain position. Her grades were just above average her Sr Year...but she was an all around person that was a "jack of all trades and a master of none" (for a better way of saying it). She was just herself in all her interviews and SHE wanted to go to the Academy for her own reasons...not anyone else's. She did go to the Prep School first, but I don't think she considers this a bad thing, in fact she is glad she went through the Prep School first. It let her know that she really did want to go to the Academy and hopefully learn to fly planes.

Maybe I have misunderstood the question...if I have just ignore my comment and I apologize in advance...Carry on!