All Applicants

The United States Air Force Academy is a challenging environment by design. We pursue our mission by inspiring and encouraging excellence in our applicants. Competition for an appointment to the Academy is fierce. In assessing the “whole person” we assess academic, athletic, character and leadership potential as demonstrated by the life experiences and achievements of each applicant. There are many ways you can prepare yourself to shine in our applicant pool.

How Competitive Is Academy Admissions?

To get a sense of the level of competition to get into the Academy, note that out of more than 12,000 applicants each year, we are able to admit just over 1,000 as cadets. As you can see, the best and the brightest compete for the limited number of appointments available.

Admissions Profile: Class of 2016

Applicants	12,274
Candidate Pool	8,043
Qualified Candidates	2,331
Offers of Admission	1,214
Total Admitted New Cadets  International Cadets  Turnbacks  Reappointee	1,035 1,003  20  11  1
Minorities	25.6%
Women	22.8%

Becoming A Competitive Applicant

If you are interested in pursuing an appointment to the Academy, you can take steps to ensure that your application is competitive by preparing academically, physically, through leadership activities and character. You can learn more about becoming a more competitive applicant in each of these areas:

Academic Preparation

Academic potential is assessed by reviewing your past academic performance and your test scores. Take steps to ensure you are taking a strategic approach to choosing high school courses and to college admissions testing. Get more information on Academic Preparation.

Academic Profile: Class of 2016

AVERAGE SAT SCORES
SAT Verbal	643
SAT Math	674
AVERAGE ACT SCORES
ACT English	30.2
ACT Reading	30.5
ACT Math	30.6
ACT Science Reasoning	29.9

Physical Preparation

At the Academy, cadets hit the ground running — literally. Fitness is a major part of the application process. Ensure that you understand the admissions fitness requirements and get suggested training routines and tips. Get more information on Physical Preparation.

Physical Profile: Class of 2016

EXERCISE	Average for Men	Average for Women
Basketball Throw	69′	41′
Pull-Ups	12	3
Flexed Arm Hang (women)		24 sec
Shuttle Run	8.9 sec	9.7 sec
Modified Sit-Ups (crunches)	81	78
Push-Ups	61	41
One Mile Run	6:36	7:35

Character Preparation

The activities you choose demonstrate your character and your leadership potential. Remember that quality is more important than quantity. Earning leadership positions in a few selected activities is more valuable than being a member of many. Get more information on Character Preparation.

Leadership Profile: Class of 2016

ACTIVITY	% OF CLASS
Athletic Letter Award	87
National Honor Society	66
Scouting	23
Class President or VP	19
Boys/Girls State or Nation	16
Valedictorian/Salutatorian	12

What Else Should I Consider?

All those who wish to compete for appointment to the United States Air Force Academy should take care to understand the admissions requirements and application steps required.

The majority of our applicants are high school and college students who attend public or private schools in the United States. Some applicants have different backgrounds which may require specific preparation or application steps. For more details, please see the advice to applicants regarding your situation:

• High School and College Students
• Home Schoolers
• Enlisted Airmen
• Former Cadets
• International Students

Note also that we are interested in applicants who have diverse backgrounds. For more details on how diversity is defined by the Academy, please see Outreach Events.

If you are a middle schooler, freshman or sophomore and would like to begin preparing to pursue admission to the Academy, please see 6th-10th Grade Students.

For any and all questions regarding the Academy, the admissions process or what it means to be an Officer in the Air Force, we encourage you to Find Your Admissions Liaison Officer.

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