Thanks for the information, both you and @FormerRecruitingGuru. In regards to GPA, mine is pretty bad. However, everything else in my package well made up for it (aerospace engineering degree, 5 work experiences, 4 LoRs from high-ranking school/military figures, OAR, etc). With SWO right now being well in demand, is the board more lenient about everything not being perfect?
-
Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?
Go here:
Edit Account Details and Profile
03SEP2024 SWO BOARD
- Thread starter pacific
- Start date
exNavyOffRec
Well-Known Member
A bad GPA can't really be overcome by all the things you listed, but if it isn't too bad you are probably going to be ok given the high selection rate from the last 2 boards, if it continues.
FormerRecruitingGuru
Making Recruiting Great Again
A good OAR score can help overcome a low GPA. Everything else you’ve mentioned will offer very little to nothing in terms of boosting selection odds.
Very interesting...so then why was I told that I need multiple documents, listing everything (personal statement, LoRs, etc) I want the board to know about if all that mattered was OAR and/or GPA?
FormerRecruitingGuru
Making Recruiting Great Again
Some of those items are required in order to apply for OCS programs, regardless of the program.
There are also some recruiters who aren’t familiar or aware of the actual process. Many are taught from the recruiting school house that LORs, extracurriculars, motivational statement, etc. can impact OCS board selection - as if someone was applying for college. While I do agree that that sort of stuff matters for more competitive programs, programs like aviation and SWO rely on ASTB/OAR and GPA (a bigger weight for SWO).
I used to feel the same way when I started recruiting: Get LORs, make your motivational statement the next Gettysburg address, etc. for SWO and aviation. It took seeing the board process and realizing I was neglecting the key metrics of the board process. I felt like Buzz Lightgear during Toy Story when I truly learned the process.
Don’t take it from me, check out the previous SWO boards - particularly where successful applicants post stats.
Last edited:
connorseth
Member
Hello all I also applied for this board long time lurker just the anticipation of waiting is getting to me I’m embarrassed of my stats mainly OAR
I’m 20
Degree BS in Psychological Science
OAR 42
GPA. 3.65
LORs 03 army ,and previous bosses that I held management positions at
Manager for 3 years for a restaurant, trainer and head of night operations for PepsiCo in my area for a year. Competed in robotics and held an officer position for 4 years in high school and 2 years in college competing at the national level. I am also doing research for a year for a MA but dropping it if I get accepted.
I’m 20
Degree BS in Psychological Science
OAR 42
GPA. 3.65
LORs 03 army ,and previous bosses that I held management positions at
Manager for 3 years for a restaurant, trainer and head of night operations for PepsiCo in my area for a year. Competed in robotics and held an officer position for 4 years in high school and 2 years in college competing at the national level. I am also doing research for a year for a MA but dropping it if I get accepted.
derludwig
Member
Hello all. Another long-time lurker here making himself known.
Age: 27
Degrees: BS Criminal Justice, MS Criminal Justice, currently doing coursework in Terrorism Studies.
OAR: 46
GPA: 3.89 cumulative undergrad, 3.85 on the Masters, 4.0 in my current program.
LoRs: 1 from a retired Army O6 turned academia bigwig.
Not a whole lot in the way of work experience. I worked for a year as a Research Assistant at the university, was the Bookkeeper for my church for a few years. Also a few years of volunteer experience for the same church.
Miscellaneous stuff: Speak some Russian and I'm set to have some research published this December. Although it sounds like this is mostly an OAR/GPA game.
Age: 27
Degrees: BS Criminal Justice, MS Criminal Justice, currently doing coursework in Terrorism Studies.
OAR: 46
GPA: 3.89 cumulative undergrad, 3.85 on the Masters, 4.0 in my current program.
LoRs: 1 from a retired Army O6 turned academia bigwig.
Not a whole lot in the way of work experience. I worked for a year as a Research Assistant at the university, was the Bookkeeper for my church for a few years. Also a few years of volunteer experience for the same church.
Miscellaneous stuff: Speak some Russian and I'm set to have some research published this December. Although it sounds like this is mostly an OAR/GPA game.
PepperPerry
Current Teacher, Aspiring SWO
Is this the board that had its deadline for submission moved back to August like 10th?
If so, when does it convene now?
If so, when does it convene now?
In exactly a week (Sep 3).
PepperPerry
Current Teacher, Aspiring SWO
Thank you - so is this the one that had the submission pushed back?
When should we expect results?
Last edited:
connorseth
Member
The 3rd
connorseth
Member
This is false we won’t know till after the board the average I’ve seen from the last boards was around a week and a half to two weeks. But could be longer though that’s what my OR said
Does timing also depend on the needs of each community? Like Intel (super competitive) v. SWO (not so much)
connorseth
Member
I would think so since they probably have less spots in intel.So it would take longer to find out which are the best candidates and probably spend more time reviewing each application