AF Academy Summer Seminar Essays
- LTC Brechin, USAF, Ret.
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Re-added in December 2025 and quite short!
Surprise! The Air Force Academy decided to include 'new' essays for the 2025-26 summer seminar application. For the last two cycles, the applications did not include any personal statements. However, prior to 2023-24, the AFASS applications included two extensive essays. But, that is history.
Let's discuss your approach for 'this' year, especially since the past applications do not impact you. Your concern is the summer of 2026 and the Class of '31!
As you see below, there are two summer seminar essays, limited to 500 characters, which includes spaces and punctuation. That count is about 100 words for your response, which is quite short. Thus, the first point I make to my students is to be direct and concise with your prose.
The two essays (as noted above) are:
"Why do you want to attend the Academy?"
"What do you hope to gain by attending the Summer Seminar?"
One important point is not to be redundant. You will note that the application asks you to list your activities, sports, and awards. In fact, the Academy provides 1000 characters for you to explain each entry, your impact and any leadership lessons you have learned. Keep this point in mind as you write your personal statements. There is no need to repeat those simple facts. In other words, you listed earning the Civil Air Patrol's Mitchell Award, so no need to include this particular detail in the essays.
To author and edit your essays, I recommend typing each response into a separate document (like a Google document) to allow some time to contemplate and edit your statements. Each will have to be concise so that takes some effort and time to create an effective written statement. By the way, the Google tool kit provides an accurate word and character counter, too.
Why do you want to attend the Academy?
To address 'why,' you could mention your motivations to be an AF officer and the career you seek. In short, what inspires you? The word count is short so you will have to be direct and brief. Your inspiration, your motivations and the actions you have taken to 'learn' about this chosen path are interesting topics to cover. I recommend providing concrete details in your essay. For example:
"I knew with my first orientation flights in Civil Air Patrol that I wanted to be an Air Force pilot. My experiences as a CAP officer have informed me . . ."
The short set of words in the example above constitutes 150 characters — essentially 30% of the character limit! If you edit the first sentence to include "my first CAP orientation flights," the substitution saves 16 characters. This quick example demonstrates why I recommend starting early to allow you time to make your essays more concise.
What do you hope to gain by attending the Summer Seminar?
For the 2nd prompt, you may address 'gaining' an understanding of the Academy itself, meeting staff and cadets, and learning more about the path you're considering; that is, your desire to become an Air Force cadet and officer. Again, it will have to be short and to the point. For example:
"The summer seminar will be my first trip to USAFA. I hope to learn more about the AIr Force and the Academy by meeting cadets as well as touring the campus. I look forward to . . . "
The prior example contains 174 characters, which illustrates the brevity required of each personal statement. Take your time to make thoughtful statements and then re-work the prose to make it crisp and clear.
I have other blogs about the summer seminar at the Air Force Academy as well as the other service academies. I also discuss composing the other seminar essays. They are:
I hope you found this information to be helpful. Also, remember that the entire AFASS application is due on January 15th so I suggest completing everything, including the essays, over your winter break from school. Take your time to write impactful, but concise, essays, and you too will join my students that attend the AF Academy Summer Seminars every summer.
Best of luck with your writing and application!
[I have many more ideas for your personal statements and essays! I would welcome a chance to discuss the details with you. I offer coaching services to pace and prepare you (and your parents!) for the entire Academy application process. Contact me at chris@cbbrechin.com, 503.515.7406 or complete my contact form on the home page.]
Comments