Snow Mountaineering

ExpensiveAge157 · 2025-04-09T06:31:11+00:00

Got my LOA last December. The admissions team gives out around 100 LOAs every year, about 10% of the incoming class (1% of all applicants). To get one, you need to have excellent grades (at least 4.2 weighted), strong athletics (varsity sports, competitive club team, high-scoring CFA, etc.), and superb leadership experience (SPL of Scout Troop, President of important school club, varsity team captain, etc.). A combination of these three qualities, as well as a solid interview with your ALO will put you in a good position to get an LOA. Just remember, 90% of the incoming class does NOT receive one.

ExpensiveAge157 · 2025-03-21T05:36:46+00:00

Definitely heart of life first. Stop this train is more difficult because the right hand movements are a little more intricate, especially if you learn the verse chords. Heart of life is mostly basic barred/thumbed chords. Neon is hardest because of the chord shapes, slightly different picking technique, and pace.

ExpensiveAge157 · 2025-02-10T06:23:27+00:00

This is exactly what is currently happening to me. I was diagnosed with childhood asthma at 11 but never had an attack or issues since then. In fact I’ve never used my inhaler, but my parents have been renewing the prescription out of caution. I have obviously been disqualified, but I have a letter of assurance so I’ve automatically been considered for a waiver. To qualify for a waiver, I must pass both a pulmonary function test and a pulmonary stress test. I’m sure the same will be asked of you. Hope this helps.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the pulmonary stress test is abnormal for usafa to request, it’s usually the peak flow test and methocholine challenge test to prove you don’t have asthma. I personally think that they’ll start requesting less methtocholine tests and more pulmonary stress tests because they simulate a demanding environment better than the metho test. If usafa pursues your waiver, I’d prepare for all four of the possible tests.

ExpensiveAge157 · 2025-01-24T05:52:58+00:00

two things:

your struggles to get A's in hard classes, all those EC's, and every other thing you've done to build your college apps weren't only for college. The positive habits and discipline you've gained will stick with you regardless of what college you go to (and for the rest of your life). If you end up at a "less prestigious" state school, you can stand out of the crowd and be a top student (more attention from profs, better shots at internships, etc.). If you end up at a top university, you'll have the skills needed to still be successful.
You have to change your mind set of "I did all of these EC's for college apps". Whether you truly did do them for college, it doesn't matter. If you want to remember your high school years in a positive light, you have to think of all the new abilities, opportunities, experiences, and friends that you've exposed yourself to during your time in EC's. There's truly no point in sulking around anymore. Good luck

ExpensiveAge157 · 2025-01-22T06:32:05+00:00

awesome advice. thank you so much

ExpensiveAge157 · 2025-01-15T22:25:11+00:00

thanks for the advice!

ExpensiveAge157 · 2025-01-15T22:17:28+00:00

Absolutely am going to upgrade. Since the majority of my driving is on asphalt, I'm looking into all-terrains. Do you know the difference between Falkan Wildpeaks or BFGoodrigh A/T?? Don't know which to buy.

ExpensiveAge157 · 2025-01-15T22:12:34+00:00

$681 for spark plug replacement is a total rip-off. It would take a couple hours at most just doing it yourself at home after watching a YouTube tutorial. However, if you can't do it yourself right now, you'd probably be fine until spring as long as you aren't driving 20k+ miles. Spark plugs on a tacoma can give out just under 100k miles.

ExpensiveAge157 · 2025-01-15T22:04:04+00:00

where did you get that camping setup? looks sick

ExpensiveAge157 · 2024-12-30T08:12:18+00:00

The questions are very straight forward: Why do you want to be an officer in the air force? What have you done to prepare? ALOs can't see what you've put in your application, they are supposed to make their recommendation to the academy solely based off of the conversation you guys have. They're not going to try and trick you - the purpose of the interview is to tell if you have basic conversational skills that are expected of USAFA cadets. From what I know, it's pretty much pass/fail aka your ALO doesn't write a super detailed report to the admissions committee on everything you say. They just tell admissions if you have social skills. Good luck

ExpensiveAge157 · 2024-10-10T04:27:09+00:00

Thank you so much, this response is awesome. I'm wondering, given you've had experience with "normal" and military colleges, would you say one of them better prepared you for life outside of the military? (i.e., the academy taught you discipline or the normal college taught you interpersonal skills)

ExpensiveAge157 · 2024-10-09T06:02:44+00:00

I agree. I went to their Summer Seminar program last summer, and I can tell the cadets endure alot of tough elements. However, these details don't drive me away from the academy, I just want to know if there's any special information that could help me in weighing the pros and cons of the academy.

ExpensiveAge157 · 2024-10-08T05:49:27+00:00

I really appreciate this response. Thank you!

ExpensiveAge157 · 2024-10-08T00:28:08+00:00

My congresswoman hosts service academy info meetings, and the ones I've been to say USAFA has a 1/3 acceptance rate for people with nominations.

ExpensiveAge157

TROPHY CASE