9,000 applicants vie for Class of 2011

By Butch Wehry
Academy Spirit staff

Half-way through the selections process, the Academy Class of 2011 looks similar to the Class of 2010 at a comparable point in time a year ago, Academy Admissions officials said Tuesday.

"I can tell you in a nutshell that we have about 9,000 applications -- virtually identical as last year," said Mr. Rollie Stoneman, associate director of Admissions. "The process is actually easier this year with everything being online."

Col. William Carpenter, director of Admissions, said the Academy continues to be encouraged by the nationwide interest in the Academy.

"Admissions directors at Annapolis and West Point are seeing the same," said Colonel Carpenter. "We are approximately at the half-way point with the class of 201l. The class looks like it will be very strong overall. Our goal is a class size of 1,300, including 15 to 20 international cadets."

The young men and women of the incoming class continue to be the nation's best and brightest, the colonel said.

"They excel in the classroom, in extracurricular activities and both athletically and outside of sports in community service and in leadership roles," said Colonel Carpenter. "They also embrace the values that our Air Force and the Academy hold at our core."

Candidates must still take a medical examination and the Candidate Fitness Assessment. The CFA consists of pull-ups (women may do the flexed-arm hang), push-ups, crunches, a four by 10 yard shuttle run, a one-mile run and a kneeling basketball throw.

"In addition, all candidates meet with an admissions liaison officer who provides counsel for them and an evaluation for us," said Mr. Stoneman. "This year's applicants look like every class for the past five years: bright, active, involved and motivated."

The admissions cycle won't be completed until late May, the associate director said.

Class of 2011 snapshot

• There are nearly 9,000 applicants, including approximately 2,400 minority applicants, for the Class of 2011. Expected is a final number of about 9,100.
  
• The hope is to bring in a Class of 1,300; including 15 to 20 international cadets. The Academy is authorized by Congress to have 60 International cadets across all four classes. Currently there are 58 international cadets.
  
• The Admissions Directorate has made 600 offers for the class thus far. It expects to make 1,600 offers - and typically gets an 80 percent acceptance rate.
• Approximately 56 percent (730) will be potentially pilot qualified, from a medical viewpoint, to enter the class. When they graduate in 2011 there should be about 520 undergraduate pilot training slots for the class.
  
• Recruited athletes typically make up 22 to 25 percent of the class to support the Academy's 27 Division I intercollegiate teams. Expectations are for 190 to 200 Academy Preparatory School cadet candidates to enter with the class.
• Eighty to 85 Falcon Foundation Scholars are expected enter with the class.
  
• By law, each entering member of the class must have a nomination. There are both military and congressional affiliated nominations, with around 75 percent being congressional. This time of year is particularly busy with the members of congress and their offices working nominations.
  
• The Class of 2011 in-processes June 28.