Running into the hotel away from a Colorado Springs downpour, I tried shaking the water off my already drenched ponytail. But someone caught my eye. Dressed in the standard camouflage uniform was a woman boarding the hotel elevator. Stitched into the upper right hand corner were the words “Air Force.”
I remember thinking, “This is my chance.”
“Wait,” I yelled across the lobby.
Running up to her, she gave me a confused look, but luckily she refrained from stepping into the elevator.
“Hello,” I muttered while reaching to shake her hand. “My name is Caroline Smith, and I want to apply to the United States Air Force Academy.”
She introduced herself as Major Kimberly Garbett, a new teacher at the Academy, located in Colorado Springs. Offering some of her time to discuss the Academy, we sat down in the hotel dining room and talked for two hours. Her insight, especially as a female, encouraged me to make the decision to apply to the Academy.
When I first began my college search, I became quickly disappointed. Every school blended together. Dedicating my life to a variety of activities and interests in order to differentiate myself from my peers seemed pointless when I found myself applying to the same schools as them. Then, I came across the Academy.
According to Naviance, an American college and career readiness software provider, I am one of three people who have applied from Glenbrook North since 2011. No one from GBN has attended since then. The Academy has an unusually rigorous application progress, which may be one of the reasons students are deferred from applying.
Similar to most schools, the United States Air Force Academy’s application requires a high school transcript, list of activities, essays and recommendations. But unlike most schools, for the Academy, a candidate must also complete a physical assessment, including completing a number of push-ups, pull-ups and running exercises, an alcohol and drug abuse form, receive a nomination from a U.S. Congressman and take multiple medical exams. Thus, the process consumed my time from June until November, when my early action deadline was set.
Throughout the process, my enthusiasm to study at the Academy remained, even though many family members and friends did not understand why.
Being involved in athletics and leadership positions most of my life, I did not want to stop after high school. At the Academy, every cadet must participate in either an intramural or collegiate sport. In addition, a student at the Academy graduates as an officer for the Air Force, a very prestigious leadership opportunity many college graduates do not have. Also, my parents and I would not have to pay a college tuition, avoiding a prominent struggle many families encounter. Since only a couple of students applied this year, deviating from the norm was very appealing too.
Still, some friends criticized this life decision. For this reason, I kept my application to the Air Force Academy a secret until recently. To some, I would miss out on the “college experience” because of the Academy’s strict Code of Conduct and different social atmosphere. Also, the commitment to serving afterwards scares people off. Although eight years is a major part of one’s life, to me, it is more of an honor and challenge to be committed to my country for those years than any company.
When beginning the college process, the same colleges are constantly recommended. Yes, they may be great colleges, but do not limit yourself to “the norm.” Whether studying abroad, finding a small liberal arts school or joining a military Academy, options are available everywhere. At this point, I have yet to receive news about my application, but whether I am accepted or denied, I have learned at least one lesson about life: always say “Hello” to a soldier in uniform.