Academy Endeavors

Academy Endeavors provides tips on every Service Academy essay question... USAFA Essay #1 question: Describe a setback or ethical dilemma that you have faced. How did you resolve it? How did the outcome affect you? Most importantly, what did you learn about yourself and how would you handle a similar situation in the future? (500 words max) AE Guidance: Admissions wants to learn about how you respond to adversity, make choices under pressure, and bounce back and grow from it. Choose a topic that was difficult for you. This is an invitation to tell a story. Use the STAR framework (Situation-Task-Action-Result) to explain the the steps you took to address the challenge, the lessons you learned along the way, and how you would handle a similar situation in the future. Oftentimes, its the topic that gets people stuck. What should I write about? How my girlfriend broke up with me? How I was injured playing basketball? Here's our take: first, brainstorm 3 examples of times when you were at your lowest or most challenged spot. Write those down. Next, think about the attributes you want to communicate about yourself. When you read them, which one most communicate "fit" as a future leader of character in a 50-year old Colonel's eyes? When you have the right topic, and stick to the STAR framework, this one will be a home run. #academyendeavors

This is usually the last question, and you want to be ready. If it's your ALO/BGO/Field Force rep, try to search for their bio beforehand, not to be creepy but to be prepared. If it's your ROTC interview, interviewer bio is on the ROTC detachment website. Have 2-3 questions ready. Choose questions that are open-ended and encourage conversation. One key to interviewing is building rapport, and let's face it, most people like to talk about themselves. So have interesting questions in your back pocket. It will build rapport and make for a more natural, enjoyable interview, which in turn will give you a better score.

There's no better way to self-assess than making a resume. And it doesn't have to be complicated. Put your accomplishment on paper. Categorize them into: 1) academics 2) athletics 3) non-athletics 4) work/volunteer 5) awards/other Write a brief sub-bullet under each that explains what you did. Once it's on paper, you can see your strengths & weaknesses. Download the FREE Academy Endeavors Resume Template Here: https://lnkd.in/ejNvC6EX

This question gets to the heart - your character. The military is a team sport. And the team comes first. Interviewers want to know, "Will this young person put the team first? Do he/she 'get it'? Here's an invitation to tell a story that removes all doubt.

Most Academy applications ask for 3 required recommenders (math, English, and science/other) and 2 optional recommenders. The rule of thumb for letters of recommendation is this: identify recommenders based on relationship, not just position. Most applicants don't put much thought into recommendation letters. "Oh, the Academy wants a math teacher. Okay, I will ask my teacher." But if you have a choice between two math teachers, who should you choose? Even more, many applicants don't use the optional recommenders strategically, or they think a General who doesn't even know them will be a good recommendation. Choose recommenders based on relationship, not just position. You need to trust that these 3-5 letters will bolster your chances significantly. Do not underestimate the power of the recommendation letters. They help give Admissions a 360 degree view of who you are. After all, outside of the liaison officer interview, who else can Admissions hear from that actually knows you well? Insert the recommendation letters. #academyendeavors

Academy Endeavors are experts at getting young people into Academies. But the story of becoming an expert isn't pretty. The truth is, when I was an applicant, I didn't get a Congressional nomination successfully. In fact, the day before my Congressional interview, I was rude to my ALO, and it backfired - my ALO's spouse was on the interview panel! I didn't seek help with essays. I procrastinated like I did in my English AP class, and submitted the best product at the last minute. I didn't know what "good" could look like. I didn't seek leadership positions outside of sports. Luckily, my high school had a great football team, so late in the process, I was given a Superintendent's nomination as a blue chip athlete. This experience opened my eyes to the preferential treatment of athletes, which is why we work with clients that have athletic skill to see if they can get recruited. I didn't submit my application early so that I'd have plenty of time for DODMERB. In fact, I was put on a medical waiver 1 month before Basic because I didn't have my medical records in order. When I saw an orthopedist for my wrist evaluation, the doctor cleared me; otherwise, I would've been medically disqualfied and forced to re-apply. I didn't write down my interview answers and practice them beforehand. Instead, I winged it and thought my charisma would be good enough. Almost everything we tell young people today is because we made mistakes 15 years ago, learned from it, and want to give away what we've learned. We learned the hard way, benefited greatly from our Academy experience, and now want to ensure young people are given the best chance to do it the right way. This definition of "expert" is so true: "Expert: A person who made all the mistakes possible in a very narrow field." Niels Bohr, Danish physicist and Nobel Prize winner

Bottom line: pick two characteristics and give supporting examples for each. Choose characteristics that align with what the military values. Give supporting examples that illustrate why those characteristics are so important. If you're stuck, here's a brainstorm activity: think of your favorite leader. What characteristics does this person have? Let this feed into your answer. What are the most important characteristics of a leader?

Applying to the Academy sounds simple. Fill out the applications and be done with it, right? Nope. One of the most challenging parts is managing important steps occurring in parallel. Your Senators and Congressman applications are going on at the same time. Your Academy applications, and college applications are also during that time. Meanwhile, you have sports, school work, and club involvement. If you are an Academy applicant, you are probably President and Team Captain of those clubs and teams. How do you keep it all straight? You need a roadmap, and you need to execute it to perfection. The key is one word: discipline. Now, lets go!!!!!

This is the most important question. Almost 100% chance it will be asked. First, explain what led to your initial desire, and your next steps until present day. Second, clearly state your reasons and give supporting examples. "I want to attend a Service Academy because..." Lastly, state your career preference as your final reason. "Lastly, my dream is to become a SEAL and the Academy is the perfect..." Your answer can be up to 3 minutes long on this one. A+ answers are 1) personal, 2) specific, and 3) passionate.

Freshmen, stay focused on your grades. We can't tell you how many applicants don't have qualifying GPA because they messed around freshman year. As soon as you enter HS, A's matter. An Academy-competitive transcript has mostly A's, 4-6 B's at most, 1 C at most, and is comprised of mostly AP/Honors classes. You screw yourself when you don't take grades seriously.