™Air Force & Space Force · APPLICATION STARTER GUIDE
U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Check your eligibility
U.S. citizen; at least 17 and not past your 23rd birthday on July 1 of entry year; unmarried with no dependents; good moral character.
Standard U.S. applicant route. Check official instructions for special applicant categories.
Nomination routes
A congressional nomination is one route. Other authorized sources may include the Vice President, presidential or service-connected categories, depending on eligibility. Apply to every source for which you qualify. Official nomination guidance ↗
Your application checklist
- Begin the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire, available March 1; the published PCQ cutoff is December 31.
- Seek a nomination alongside your academy application.
- Once promoted to candidate, follow the portal checklist for school records, evaluations and activities.
- Complete required fitness and medical steps and submit official test scores.
What stands out in this application
Technical preparation, with attention to opportunity and context
USAFA recommends substantial math and lab science, plus foreign language and computer science. Its application guidance explicitly considers students who work after school or attend schools with limited athletic and extracurricular offerings. Official guidance ↗
CadetScope preparation tip: Explain the opportunities available to you and what you did with them. Include meaningful employment and achievements beyond school clubs.
SAT & ACT snapshot
Composite averages · Class of 2030
SAT: 1370 composite
ACT: 29.6 composite
Historical statistics, not minimums or admission guarantees. Section figures are not composite scores.
Dates to put on your calendar
Candidate deadlines are personalized. Use the date in your portal. The grades 11–12 admissions page lists January 31 of senior year for official test scores.
Official sources reviewed September 17, 2026. This CadetScope summary is a starting point; the academy’s current application instructions control. Admission is competitive and meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee an appointment.
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