Preparing for the Academy

The U.S. Air Force Academy is one of the most selective colleges in the country, so you’ll need to start preparing well before your consideration for admission to meet the high admission requirements, intense competition for appointments and the demands you’ll face at the Academy.

A well-rounded program of academic, leadership and athletic preparation is important so make sure you participate in as many of these activities as possible every step of the way.

Junior High

Start planning your high school academic courses and begin physical fitness training. It may put you a step or two ahead of other applicants.

The decision to attend the Academy should be your own. Don’t let parents or friends make it for you – you will be the one facing the challenges!

If you enjoy responsibility, welcome new experiences and opportunities and like to excel and lead others, you have the attributes to become a successful cadet and Air Force officer.

Pick a Few Schools and Study Them

While preparing for the Academy, we also recommend that you select an additional top three to five college or university choices and get all the detailed information you can about their admissions requirements.

• Make a list of the requirements and decide what are the most important things to do to become competitive for admission.
• Visit all the schools if possible. Apply to all of your top choices and make your final decision about which school to attend after all the offers (or rejections) are available.

By concentrating on your top choices, you'll have the best chance of getting into one or more of them. Pick too many schools and there might be too much to do and not enough time to give your best effort. Pick too few schools and you may not have any options if you're not accepted for admission/appointment.

Keep Things in Perspective

• We very strongly recommend that you pick classes and extracurricular activities that interest you – but don't take on more than you can handle.
• Push yourself a bit to excel in academics, sports and activities, but don’t burn yourself out.
• The core subjects of English, math and science are very important and you must do well in them.
• Participate in at least one sport and at least one nonathletic after-school activity. Pick what you enjoy doing and don't worry about whether or not a particular school would rather you do something else. Getting involved and having fun are the rules to follow.

Bottom Line

Know the school's requirements. Work hard to meet or exceed those requirements. Have fun.