How tough is it to get accepted to IACEA?

[xray328]

Our kids were looking into this and were very excited about the opportunity.  They were both wondering how difficult it is to get accepted for the program though.  Is there a published acceptance rate?

Thanks!

[lordmonar]

Not difficult really.   It helps to be older an officer.

[xray328]

Good to know, they thought it was super cool, just figured it was super competitive.

[Гугл переводчик]

This is a slideshow they made for the 2014 one, pretty good info in it.

http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/CP04__IACE_Presentation_2014_023C506B52FBA.pdf

[AdAstra]

FWIW, the activity is International Air Cadet Exchange. "IACEA" is the association that coordinates the 20 or so member nations' annual plans. The 2014 briefing covers both, and may be a bit confusing on the distinction.

There certainly aren't 23,000 applicants each year! The minimum requirements to apply --- 17-20 years old and the Earhart Award --- winnows the pool to a fraction of the overall cadet population. Plus, that age group is often concentrating on finishing high school, college applications, etc., and simply doesn't apply. The $1,000 activity fee is a roadblock for others.

I don't recall the acceptance rate, but it may be as low as 1 out of 10 applicants are accepted. Because of shrinking budgets and other priorities, all the member nations are cutting back the number of participants, so yes, there are fewer and fewer slots available. When I escorted to the UK ten years ago, we had 15 cadets and three escorts; this year there are 10 cadets and two escorts. CAP may be down to 100 or so participating cadets this year, a far cry from the 400 plus cadets we sent overseas in the 1950s and '60s!

The largest reason cadets don't get selected is because they failed to complete the multi-step application process, including non-traditional Cadet Program questions and short answers about etiquette, customs, diplomacy, etc. And after a cadet completes the application, all qualified applicants are ranked and the cadet's wing commander is given a chance to approve.

There are several Facebook groups: IACE, IACE 2015, IACE 2014, etc.. You might consider asking them what the application process was like, and suggestions to better your cadets' chances.

[xray328]

Ok thanks. And from what I understand you absolutely without question must have your Earhart before applying right? If things go according to plan our sons not going to have time. He'd get his Earhart July '17 as a Junior entering Senior year in the fall. Plan is to try for the USAFA and the report date is usually last weekend of June...exchange program is July/August.  I guess worst case is he could come back over the summer and participate, not sure how full their summers are though (I've heard very).

[Mitchell 1969]

There were more slots in the 50's-70's for a lot of reasons. For one thing, more countries participated. We used to send cadets to Europe, Asia, Central America, South America.

Everybody wanted in because USAF picked up the tab for a good chunk of it. Cadets were often flown on USAF transports flew to Rhein-Main in Germany, other countries sent their transports, dropped off their cadets and flew outs to their countries. USAF then flew the foreign cadets to the U.S. 

Central and South America dropped out in the late 60's. We added Australia and New Zealand.

When USAF airlift got tight during Vietnam, we started flying commercial - and USAF often picked up the tab for our cadets and foreign cadets. We started cutting back on slots.

When I went, there were so many slots that they sometimes went empty - and there was no cost, except for personal incidentals and souvenirs. It lasted 3-4 weeks, most countries expected cadets to be in uniform, except Austria and a couple of others. I went twice, each time spending about half the time in private host homes, half on military bases. 

Even with less time and with fewer slots, it's still a great deal.

[MSG Mac]

As stated minimum requirements for cadets are: 17 years old, Earhardt Award, and recommendation of the Wing Commander. For Seniors: 25 years old, Senior Level in Cadet Programs. Every form must be submitted by the deadline, including the payment. If not an alternate will be given your slot. Start your passport application as soon as you decide to go to IACE, unless you want to pay a fortune for expedited processing. THIS IS NOT A LEISURELY VISIT TO THE HOST COUNTRY! You will be on the run everyday. You should expect to bring about $300 spending money.

[xray328]

Are waivers ever given on the Earhart requirement?

[PA Guy]

Are waivers ever given on the Earhart requirement?

Nope

[MSG Mac]

Are waivers ever given on the Earhart requirement?

No need to, they have an excess of applicants every year.