Trying to get into the Air Force Academy

Sarah is determined that she wants to attend the Air Force Academy when she graduates and we would be honored to see her do so. She is already working diligently toward that goal. (She’s in ninth grade this year.) We’ve worked to compile some resources that we’re using and that also might help the rest of you who have students interested in pursuing this course.

The first thing you should know is that only about 13% of all applicants are accepted so it is a VERY difficult appointment to receive. Based on what I’ve read, students need to start preparing for admittance by their first year of high school. Without high grades throughout their high school career, good ACT or SAT scores, good medical records, and excellent physical training, it’s unlikely that your student will be accepted. It is my understanding that they do look at ALL of these things.

In addition to those “general standards, here are the specific requirements for admission:

- Be a citizen of the United States (or have a nomination from an official of a country invited into the United States by the Dept. of Defense)
- Be unmarried with no dependents
- Be of good moral character
- Be at least 17, but less than 23 years of age by 1 July of the year of entry
- Meet high leadership, academic, medical and physical standards

In addition to the normal application process, all candidates must secure a nomination to the Academy, normally from a United States Senator or U.S. Representative. Each member of Congress and also the Vice President can have five appointees attending the Air Force Academy at any given time.

In the next section, I've included a list of resources that would be helpful to families who have a student interested in attending the Academy. These sites have helped us a lot and hopefully they'll help you as well!

Blessings,
Sonya Haskins, author of Homeschooling for the Rest of Us (Bethany House, 2010)



The Civil Air Patrol is probably the best resource to prepare for the Air Force Academy. While students who participate in the program do NOT have to go into the military, nor do they even need to have any desire to do so, for those who do, it’s great preparation. We learned about Civil Air Patrol several years ago when I was working on a book about local resources. Sarah only started to participate this year, though. (You have to be 12 to join.)

In the Civil Air Patrol, you have the opportunity to experience orientation flights (with regular planes and gliders), training in rescue situations, survival training, and much more. It’s an excellent program! I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Students also have regular PT (physical training), uniform checks, testing, promotions (that they have to study for), etc. This makes it an especially good program for homeschoolers since they have exposure to a very structured setting with strict rules and regulations. Their website is: www.gocivilairpatrol.com

We haven’t actually read this book yet, but it’s on my “want” list. Hopefully we’ll be able to get it soon. It’s supposed to be a thorough book about how to apply and be accepted to the Air Force Academy. It has very good reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/Air-Force-Academy-Candidate-Book/dp/0929311078

This is just a short e-how article that I thought had some good, short, simple tips about how to apply for the Air Force Academy – and hopefully ideas that will help you be accepted.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2040260_apply-air-force-academy.html

This is a private site that basically has tips for getting into the Academy. It has cataloged newsletters that you can read, advice, and information about the Academy. It’s definitely worth browsing.
http://www.academyhorizons.com/

This site is a general site about colleges, but it has some really neat statistics about the Air Force Academy. http://www.cappex.com/colleges/United-States-Air-Force-Academy-128328