Academy Dreams
The Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel with the Rampart Range behind it

USAFA · High school roadmap

Freshman year: U.S. Air Force Academy9th grade · Build the habits

Your 9th grade checklist for USAFA, built from the official pages we track.

USAFA Cadet Chapel, August 2019. Photo: Anthony Quintano via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Why this year matters

You don't need to apply yet, but the habits you build now matter.

Checklist for freshman year

Start here

  • Take challenging college-prep classes and earn strong grades. The Naval Academy says the key is "good grades in challenging college prep courses," plus athletics and leadership in clubs and community service1. The Air Force Academy says the same for grades 8–10: strong grades "especially English, math and science," and AP, IB, or Honors courses where you can2.
  • Get moving. Join a sports team, or a local program if your school doesn't have one2.
  • Look for leadership programs such as JROTC, Scouts, or Civil Air Patrol2.

Key deadlines

The official pages we track list no dated USAFA deadlines for freshman year. Dated steps start in junior year. See junior year or the full deadline list.

Dates change. Always confirm on the official USAFA admissions site and your congressional offices’ pages.

USAFA-specific notes

Eligibility basics3

  • Age: 17 to not past 23rd birthday on July 1
  • Other basics: U.S. citizen; unmarried; no dependents

Sources

  1. USNA Advice for Grades 9–12 (usna.edu)
  2. USAFA Grades 8–10 (usafa.edu)
  3. USAFA Requirements (usafa.edu)

Keep every USAFA date on your calendar.

Coming soon: reminder emails before applications open, nomination deadlines close and summer program windows shut.

Reminders coming soonAll deadlines