United States Air Force Academy
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To apply to the Academy you must be of good moral character and meet these basic eligibility requirements:
The Academy seeks individuals who possess an exceptional academic track record and strong leadership potential. Because we offer one of the most prestigious and respected academic programs, our standards are high. The Admissions process includes a review of two major academic performance indicators. Not sure you meet the requirements ? Apply anyway. There are other paths to the Academy.
Applying to the Academy is more involved than applying to a typical college or university. The process is split into two phases: pre-candidate and candidate. Many of the steps in each phase can and should be completed concurrently.
The Pre-candidate Questionnaire (PCQ) opens March 1 of a student’s junior year. This is the first step in the application process. The deadline to submit a PCQ is December 31 of the student’s senior year, but we recommend submitting much earlier.
No earlier than July 1, the full application becomes accessible once the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire is completed and candidate status is granted. This includes a detailed checklist of items you must complete, along with an exact deadline for finishing them. The Academy uses rolling deadlines, meaning each applicant has their own personalized due date posted in their online portal. It’s on you to track those deadlines carefully and make sure every checklist item is submitted on time. Think of it like a mission briefing: you’re given the tasks, the timeline, and the responsibility to execute with precision.
College Admissions tests (ACT, CLT, SAT) must be taken by early December for results to arrive at the Admissions Office by mid-February for current applicants. Test scores must be official and sent by the respective testing agencies (ACT, CLT, and College Board). Tests taken in March will not be considered.
February-April: Applications are reviewed and the majority of appointments are offered during this time.
Most candidates who completed an application will know their admissions status by April 21. All notifications will be made through a student’s application portal.
National Decision Day is the nationwide deadline for high school seniors to officially commit to the college or service academy they plan to attend. For those considering the U.S. Air Force Academy, this marks the moment to choose their path and take the next step toward becoming leaders of character.
If your self-reported qualifications meet our candidate guidelines, your application will be promoted to candidate status. At that time, your self-reported qualifications will be verified and expanded upon. It is important to provide accurate and complete information during this phase.
Pre-Candidate Questionnaires are officially due Dec. 31 each year, but we recommend you submit them as early as possible.
Remember that each nominating authority has its own application process and deadlines, many nominating authorities begin nominations March of your Junior year. Be sure to read and follow their instructions carefully. Your application will likely include:
To boost your chances of being selected, it’s smart to apply to more than one source.
The majority of applicants to the Academy obtain the following nominations:
The Academy also reserves a select number of cadet appointments for the following nominations:
If you’re thinking about applying, one of the key steps is taking the ACT, CLT, or SAT. These standardized tests help see how ready you are for the academic challenges of college-level work – especially in math, reading, and writing. They’re a big part of your overall application and can make a strong impact when it comes to standing out in a competitive applicant pool.
Pro Tip: You don’t need your scores before submitting your application; you can update them until the Jan. 31 deadline.
Optional test sections (like ACT Science Reasoning or the ACT Writing Test) are not required.
Target Curriculum
To be competitive for an Academy appointment, we recommend your curriculum includes the following courses:
Deadlines
Application deadlines are based on when you entered the candidate phase. Your specific deadline to complete your file is posted on your portal. You must complete the required items by the deadline posted. During this phase, previously self-reported information will be verified and expanded upon. There are many steps to the process, some of which—such as nominations and medical evaluations—may take four to six months to complete.
Teacher Evaluations
The School Official’s Evaluation is critical to your application. We use three evaluation to gain further insight into your academic performance and your personal character. If you are in high school, these evaluations MUST come from your 11th – or 12th-grade English teacher, Math teacher and Other (Science teacher, ROTC instructors, school official, etc…) If you are in college, you can have your college instructors complete the evaluations.
Extracurricular Activities
This score measures your activities in high school, college, your community service and work. Low participation in sanctioned or high school athletic and nonathletic activities may result in a noncompetitive extracurricular composite score. Consideration will be given to candidates from schools that do not offer typical athletic and extracurricular activities, as well as to candidates who work after school or who have notable accomplishments either in or out of school.
Learn more about extracurricular activities .
Writing Sample and Personal Interview
As part of the admissions process, you are required to submit a writing sample and conduct a personal interview with an admissions representative. Both of these steps allow you to speak to the selection panel in your own words. For more on these admissions requirements, see Character Requirements.
Your Admissions Liaison Officer (ALO) will be assigned you through your applicant portal. Connect with them to schedule your personal interview. Treat this like you would a job interview, as it is an important factor in our overall review.
As for your writing sample, you will have the choice of providing a written response to two out of three questions provided in your online application. Responses should reflect who you are, using specific, concrete details while demonstrating critical thinking, organizational and grammatical abilities.
Candidate Fitness Assessment
In order to qualify for admission to any of the service academies, you must take the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) . Become familiar with the six events in this fitness test and practice them to score well.
You are responsible for finding your own examiner and providing them with official instructions on how to set up and administer the test. Your physical education instructor or a coach are good options.
| Exercise | Men’s Average | Women’s Average |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball Throw | 69′ | 42′ |
| Pull-ups/Flexed Arm Hang | 12 | 2 |
| Shuttle Run | 8.1 seconds | 9.4 seconds |
| Modified Sit-ups (crunches) | 81 | 78 |
| Push-ups | 62 | 41 |
| One-mile Run | 6:29 | 7:30 |
Medical Evaluation
All candidates admitted to the Academy must meet the medical and weight standards for a commission in the Air Force. The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) is responsible for determining your medical qualification.
It can take up to 30 days to schedule your initial medical evaluation, 60 days for completion and possibly another 30 days for a medical waiver if required. This can result in up to a four-month process for candidates.
Become familiar with examination requirements and medical standards to ensure a complete and competitive application to the Academy. For more details on this admissions requirement, see the Medical Examinations admissions factor.
You must complete three of the following five application steps BEFORE your name will be forwarded to the DoDMERB to schedule your examination:
Finalize Tests and Transcripts
Now is the time to request official transcripts from your school to verify your past academic record. You will be provided with a Request for Secondary School Transcript (USAFA Form 148) to give to your high school counselor. Ensure that your counselor completes and uploads it to us. School documents should include your high school’s profile and senior class schedule. For more details, see the Academic Requirements admissions factor.
To attend the Academy, we ask for something more valuable than tuition: your commitment. Because the Air Force values your service to this country, covering your expenses is an investment we’re willing to make. Learn more about your service commitment.
Are you a first semester high school junior looking for an opportunity to experience life at the Academy? Summer Seminar is a week-long immersive experience for rising high school seniors, with applications open between Dec. 1 and Jan. 15 of a student’s junior year. Students can “opt in” and allow their Summer Seminar application to be submitted on their behalf as their Pre-Candidate Questionnaire (PCQ).
U.S. students living abroad can still apply to the Academy like any other high school or college student living stateside. The steps to admission are still the same, however, you’ll need to consider how distance may affect the timing of certain communications and ensure you meet all the requirements and deadlines, especially in regard to domicile, transcripts, and nominations.
Normally your U.S. domicile is determined by where your parents pay taxes and are registered to vote. If that domicile is abroad, it is important to provide us with your physical address abroad to ensure your medical exam and interview with an Academy Admissions Liaison Officer can be scheduled in a timely manner.
Transcripts
We will need your official high school transcript that lists courses taken and grades received from ninth grade on. This transcript needs to be in English and should include information on the high school and its grading system if different from the standard system in the United States.
Nominations
The main concern for U.S. students living abroad is obtaining a nomination. If your family maintains domicile in the United States, you can request a nomination from both of your senators, your representatives and the vice president. If your parents do not maintain domicile in the United States, then you must request a nomination from the vice president .