USAFA Acceptance Rate 2023 & Admission Requirements

What are the acceptance rate and admissions requirements for the famous Air Force Academy? That’s a tricky one to answer even with a bunch of data online, but this institution, also known as AFA or USAFA, isn’t your typical university or higher institution.

Located in Colorado Springs, the USAFA has existed since 1954 and started graduating students in 1959. The USAFA runs a highly selective, prestigious four-year university that accepts about 10% of applicants.

Further, this school doesn’t run a typical admissions process where high school students seek entry into Ivies and other top-ranking universities. No, it’s a different ball game, so students must be prepared to go the long haul, even if they get rejected.

To help you understand what lies in wait, this article will cover the United States Air Force Academy acceptance rate, admission prerequisites, and tips.

USAFA Acceptance Rate 2023

According to the IPEDS, the USAFA acceptance rate currently stands at 12.4%. In context, only 12 students will be admitted into this school for every 100 applicants.

For the 2024 Class, the acceptance rate stood at 11.4%, meaning for every 100 applicants, only 11 are admitted. Still on the Class of 2024, out of 10,747 applicants, 9,197 made it into the candidate pool, while a further 2,588 made it to “Qualified Candidate” status.

However, 1,416 were ultimately admitted into the USAFA. This translates to a 10.7% acceptance rate, much like the previous Class of 2023, with slight differences.

Below is the admission stats for the USAFA class of 2023.

	Total
Men and women received appointments	1,430
Men and women inducted	1,155
Racial and ethnic minorities	31%
Potentially qualified to become pilots	63.6%
Average high school GPA	3.149
Average SAT score (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing)	671
Average SAT score (Mathematics)	696
Average ACT score (English)	31.5
Average ACT score (Reading)	31.6
Average ACT score (Mathematics)	30.3
Average ACT score (Science Reasoning)	30.7

All these show that the school is extremely selective. However, it’s important to meet their GPA and SAT/ACT requirements on the academic front.

United States Air Force Academy GPA Requirements

The average high school GPA at the UAFA is 3.87. While many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, the AFA has this figure as the bare minimum to apply without being rejected immediately. The GPA requirement matters greatly from available data because you need it to get in. For the AFA, a weighted GPA out of 4.0 applies to the best studying in the institution.

The average GPA of 3.87 requires you to be near the top of your high school class and many steps ahead of the average. Your transcript must show mostly A’s alongside some AP or IB classes to show that you can handle college-level academics.

Perhaps you are a junior or senior looking to change your GPA in time for college applications. That won’t be easy, but you can compensate for a GPA average below 3.87 using a higher SAT or ACT score.

SAT Score Requirements

Many schools do not reveal their SAT score cutoff but usually have a hidden SAT requirement. In most cases, it is based on the school’s average score. The average SAT score for the Academy is 1320 on the 1600 SAT scale. With these scores, the USAFA is moderately competitive for SAT scores.

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1230, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1410, so getting 1230 on the SAT places you below average. But with a 1410 score, you will move up to above average.

The USAFA has an SAT Score Choice Policy, which forms an important part of the testing strategy. In line with that, the Academy uses a Score Choice policy of “Highest Section.”

The Highest Section is also called “superscoring” meaning you can select the SATs you want to send to the school. Out of every score USAFA receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT dates you submit. So, if your current test score is below 1410, consider taking another SAT exam to superscore your application.

ACT Score Requirements

Compared to the SAT requirements, the USAFA ACT requirements do not have a hard cutoff requirement, but if you score too low, your application won’t deserve a second look. The average ACT score at the Air Force Academy is 31.

With such a score, the USAFA is strongly competitive for this test, especially if you’re banking on the ACT. While the USAFA is likely to deny having a minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 28 or below, you may need a miracle to get in unless there’s something extraordinary in your application.

Since many applicants will likely score 31 and above than under, a 28 does look academically weak. Thankfully, USAFA runs an ACT Score Sending Policy, offering a better advantage than the SAT.

For example, when you send ACT scores to colleges, you can control which tests you send. That means you could take ten tests and send the highest or best one; schools that accept SAT require you to send all the tests you’ve ever taken.

Since 33 and above is required to get into USAFA, if you fall short of that, take as many ACTs as possible. When satisfied with your final score, send that test result to the Air Force Academy.

Note that there’s hardly any clear-cut Superscore Policy from the USAFA, but you can always choose your best ACT score to send to the Academy. Make sure it’s not short of the target ACT score of 33.

Air Force Academy Nomination

Some schools need you to seek formal endorsement from several societal figures. The Air Force Academy makes it mandatory to seek a formal nomination from some sources when applying. You can get endorsements through these individuals/groups:

• A member of the U.S. Senate
• A member of the U.S. House of Representatives
• The President of the United States (only for children of active duty, reserve, or retired military parents)
• Your AFROTC or AFJROTC Unit
• Your commander (for active service members)
• Through being a child of a deceased/disabled veteran

Multiple congressional nominations won’t do you any good, but it makes sense to apply to their Senators and local House of Representatives members. This way, their chances of obtaining a single nomination increase.

However, each House member and Senator can endorse five constituents to attend the Air Force Academy anytime. That averages out to just over one per year.

US Air Force Academy Admissions Requirements

If you are ambitious enough to join over 11,000 applicants in their bid to take part in the next admissions cycle, here are some tips to get into the Air Force Academy:

• The USAFA holds eleven factors in consideration of each application before them. They are rigors of coursework, GPA, class rank, standardized test scores, application essays, recommendations, the interview process, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, geographical residence, and the level of demonstrated interest.
• When evaluating each application, talent/ability and volunteer work are also important to the admissions committee.
• Interviews are mandatory and are often conducted with an Air Force Academy Liaison Officer (AL0), so you should prepare for this critical component.
• During the interview, the ALO assesses each applicant’s level of interest, leadership potential, core values, demonstrated interest in the Air Force, communication skills, self-confidence, and others. Come prepared to discuss the institutional honor code and show considerable knowledge about the Academy and why it is perfect for you.
• Demonstrated interest is essential and judged by the Academy. So keep those contacts with your ALO, member of Congress, etc., handy.
• You should start the Preliminary Application as early as mid-March of your junior year. You can submit it until December 31 at the latest.
• The USAFA recommends applicants apply for the Summer Seminar after their junior year of high school. This should be done on or before January 15.
• Applicants must pass a Candidate Fitness Assessment, which a gym teacher, JROTC instructor, or Service Academy Liaison Officer can administer. Students must perform basic exercises, including push-ups, a one-mile run, abdominal crunches, and a 40-yard shuttle run. Pull-ups and a basketball throw from a kneeling position
• Basic medical requirements are part of the process and must be passed by the applicant.

Conclusion

You’d want to be a USAFA student for many valid reasons. One of them is that the AFA boasts an outstanding 6:1 cadet-to-faculty ratio and a collection of some of the best professors in the country.

Further, students get 32 majors to choose from, covering many subjects. The AFA leads, and a large number of schools follow.

Now that you know the USAFA acceptance rate and other important academic factors, put in the hard yards in high school to get in. Remember, you need the best combination of GPA and standardized test scores to stand a chance. Your personality and life experiences also count.