Academy popularity grows

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

The number of applicants to the Air Force Academy is 301 students more so far this year than all of last year, the academy's admissions department officials said.

"As of Dec. 2, the total number of applicants to the academy is 11,081," noted Rollie Stoneman, admissions associate director. "By the end of the admissions cycle, Jan. 31, we could be close to 13,000 applicants," he said

By comparison, the academy received a total of 10,780 applications for the current freshman class.

"This institution has been pushed into the limelight from January through today," said Col. William Carpenter, admissions director. "People look at this school and see we have challenges, but they have a lot of faith that we will take on those challenges and correct them."

It appears that there is confidence by parents and students within the pool of current applicants that the Air Force is serious about changing policies and an environment that led to a series of sexual abuse complaints by female cadets in recent years.

The number of female applicants is also rising, according to Stoneman. As of Dec. 2, 2,817 women have applied to attend the academy. Last year at this time, that number was 2,009.

According to Air Force Academy officials, 87 Nevadans, including 27 women, have applied for admission into next fall's freshman class.

"From the comments we hear from visiting students, (women) feel strongly about what the academy stands for," Stoneman said. "They want to be part of the solution."

In fact, when students ask about the academy in college fairs and in other recruiting events, most of them ask about the institution itself. They typically do not know about the details of the Fowler Commission or the agenda for change, officials said.

While applicant numbers are up, the attrition rate also is holding steady when comparing males and females.

"In the classes now that potentially would have fallout over (the sexual assault scandal), especially in '05 and '06 classes, the female attrition rate is the same as males," Carpenter said. "In fact, in '04, it is better than their male counterparts.'

Officials here encouraged students to begin the application process in the spring of their junior year in high school.

Applicants need to have good grades and be involved in a college-preparation curriculum. They also need high scores on the ACT and SAT.

Students need to have demonstrated leadership on and off the athletic fields. They must pass a physical-fitness test and pass a medical examination. Finally, they need to have a nomination letter, typically from a congressman or senator, officials said.

In comparing notes with his counterparts in other service academies, Stoneman said they are finding that high school students are showing a genuine upturn in patriotism. They also know the reality of the economy and know that acceptance to the academy will mean a tuition-free education and a guaranteed job after graduation, Stoneman said.

The cost of an academy education is currently computed at $33,468 per year.

More information about the applications process is available online, at www.academyadmissions.com. The deadline for applications is Jan. 31.

In brief