Prep School FAQ
Can I apply directly to the Prep School?
No. However, everyone who applies to the Academy is considered for a Prep School appointment.
What are the completion requirements of the Prep School?
To complete the Preparatory School successfully, each cadet candidate must have demonstrated an aptitude for commissioned service and leadership, been satisfactory in conduct and personal integrity, and have successfully met the physical, academic and military requirements.
If I complete the Prep School, will I automatically receive an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy?
Successful completion of the Prep School usually, but not always, results in an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Prep School commander will provide a recommendation to the Academy Board, which is the final authority concerning appointments to the Academy.
What are the living arrangements like?
You will live in the Prep School dorms from arrival to graduation at no cost. This lodging is available to only you, not to friends and family. To learn more about attending the Prep School, visit the Prep School page at USAFA.edu to learn more.
Will I be able to wear civilian clothes?
Cadet candidates are not authorized to wear any civilian clothing for the first several months at the Prep School. Privileges, such as civilian clothing, are earned and will be awarded as the year progresses based on cadet candidate performance.
How physically demanding is Basic Military Training (BMT)?
BMT requires physical exercise and training to get cadet candidates into the shape they need to be as members of the military. This includes calisthenics and long runs. You should arrive in the best shape possible and not wait until you get here to start. You will be at or above 7,000 feet in elevation and will likely notice a change in physical performance.
Can I have a vehicle while at the Prep School?
Motorcycles, motorbikes and scooters are not authorized for students. Students may, however, own an automobile while at the Prep School. The privileges of vehicle use are earned and will be awarded as the year progresses based on cadet candidate performance.
Fourth-class cadets (freshmen) at the U.S. Air Force Academy are not authorized to have automobiles, so it will be the graduated cadet candidate’s responsibility to dispose of the vehicle before starting at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Will I be able to attend religious services weekly?
Religious accommodations are a high priority, but they also depend on mission requirements. Every effort will be made to accommodate your religious requests.
If I decide the military is not for me, am I allowed to quit on my own free will?
Yes. If you were a civilian when you entered the Prep School, you will be discharged from the Air Force with no further obligation. If you were on active duty when you were assigned to the Prep School, you will be removed from cadet candidate status and returned to your current Air Force or Space Force rank. The Prep School will work with the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) to coordinate your next Permanent Change of Station (PCS) in your career field as soon as possible.
Do students wear uniforms and work like the active-duty military?
Students will wear Air Force uniforms and are under the same rules and regulations as other active-duty military. The only difference is that instead of performing a specific job in the Air Force or Space Force, your job is to be a student. You will be expected to maintain standards and are subject to the provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).