USAF Academy & ROTC Admissions

Illinois Admissions Liaison Officers

This page provides a brief look at some of the basic areas of interest to students who are considering the Air Force Academy. Additional information may be found on other pages of this site.

PRE-APPLICANT
Request an application from the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA)

APPLICANT / PRECANDIDATE
Complete and return the Precandidate Questionnaire (PCQ)
USAFA determines basic eligibility

TENTATIVE CANDIDATE / CANDIDATE

The student must accomplish or complete the following:

Obtain a nomination from U.S. Congressman or the Vice President
Complete a Department of Defense Medical Evaluation
Pass the Physical Aptitude Exam (Oct-Feb)
Provide Official SAT or ACT Test Scores
Counselors complete an official transcript & activities record
Complete various Air Force forms/certificates
Submit an essay/writing sample
Complete an interview with an Air Force Admissions Liaison Officer

NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Each Cadet appointed to a military academy must first obtain a nomination. These nominations are usually obtained from the student's U.S. Congressmen, although other sources are available. Each Representative or Senator has his or her own application requirements, but they usually include providing a writing sample or letter, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and completing an interview by the Congressman's military appointment panel. Students must apply to their Congressman or Senator for a nomination and to the Air Force Academy for an appointment - neither step replaces the other. Students should contact their Congressmen as early as possible to learn specific requirements. Congressional deadlines for completing their nomination packet are as early as 15 October!

NOMINEE
A candidate who has received a nomination from an approved nomination source (usually a senator or representative). A nominee is not guaranteed an appointment, but a student cannot obtain an appointment without a nomination.

APPOINTEE
A student who has obtained an offer of appointment to the Air Force Academy and has received a nomination. CONGRATULATIONS!

For more information, contact the Air Force Academy or your Admissions Liaison Officer.

1. IMPROVE SAT/ACT SCORES

   a. Practice with the PSAT or PACT. Take the ACT or SAT at least once in your junior year.

   b. Consider using a good prep book, computer program, etc. to prepare for the SAT/ACT.
   c. Take the SAT and ACT tests on every test date until you are comfortable with your scores.

2. ENROLL IN SOLID COLLEGE PREP CLASSES throughout junior and senior high school (and if necessary, college), especially English composition and literature, all math to include calculus, science, trigonometry, engineering, and a modern foreign language. Work hard to get the best possible grades (ideally, at least a 3.65 and be in the top 3-5 percent of your high school class).
   
   

3. BECOME INVOLVED IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS in extracurricular activities, including varsity sports and community service.
   
   

4. START EARLY. The application process places a considerable workload not only on you but on your counselors, nominating sources, selections staff and referrals. The more time you give yourself and others to complete the requirements, the more likely you are to succeed. Nomination deadlines for U.S. Representatives and Senators are usually in October of your senior year.
   
   

5. COMPLETE ALL ACTIONS PROMPTLY. Take a personal interest in the status of your selection folder and insure all required documents are on file. Take the physical as early as possible.
   
   

6. GET INTO AND MAINTAIN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION.
   
   

7. IMPROVE PULL-UPS. In the Physical Aptitude Exam (PAE), pull-ups are the main cause for failure for men! New for this year, women do not do pull-ups, but are required to do a flexed-arm hang of at least 21 seconds.
   
   

8. CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES. Apply for an AFROTC scholarship at a civilian institution.
   
   

9. PARTICIPATE IN THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY'S SUMMER PROGRAMS. The Air Force Academy has a variety of summer programs, including the Summer Seminar, sports camps and, in some years, language camps. Ask your Air Force Liaison Officer about these programs.

KEEP YOUR ADMISSIONS LIAISON OFFICER (ALO) INFORMED of significant milestones. Show an interest.