I just got my Earhart and I will be turning 17 in January 2014. I'm finally eligible for IACE and I really want to go. One of my friends told me she heard at COS that the slots for IACE will be cut in half next year. I'm questioning if I should even apply. I'm at the bare minimums for the requirements right now. I don't have a passport yet, but I am working on it. Does anyone have any tips for how I can be a better candidate? Should I pick certain countries as preferences? What really matters in the selection process?
Thanks,
C/Capt Cydney Puckett
If you don't apply, then you get to go where I went: nowhere.
Apply, and do your best. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Yes, they're cutting IACE in half and doubling PJOC.
::)
If your wing does review boards for IACE, then rock then house. Otherwise, do the NCSA application and hope you get picked.
Hey, they send 24 only, each year, to CLA.
We've had three cadets in the last 5 years apply, and three cadets went.
If you don't apply, you won't know. If no one applied because everyone thought they'd never get selected. They were right about something, at least.
I've heard that if you apply for an NCSA that runs simultaneously with IACE, you will automatically not be slotted for IACE. Is that true? I haven't gone to COS yet and they always run at the same time, but I'd eventually like to have attended both COS and IACE.
http://www.ncsas.com/frequently-asked-questions/?understanding_the_slotting_process&show=entry&blogID=89 (http://www.ncsas.com/frequently-asked-questions/?understanding_the_slotting_process&show=entry&blogID=89)
"I've heard.." means nada if it's not documented. Otherwise the reason that "you heard" would have been because someone fell into any number of other reasons why they may have been bumped, denied, not selected, etc.
All of the people who told me that were selected for IACE. Because IACE is not subject to the normal slotting system, I'm not sure you're completely correct.
The IACE supplemental application is a very important part of being selected for IACE. Many cadets often give this little attention and suffer the consequences.
What I read there does not indicate any such automatic exclusions, but rather exclusions that are fluid.
Furthermore, it does say that IACE is largely done manually. Therefore..
Ask the question directly of those in charge.
Granted, this was a long time ago and for a different activity, but I applied for a NCSA in 1970 when I barely squeezed by on both grade and age requirements. Slots were by Wing then and I was in a big Wing (CA). I came in as "second alternate." Yet, I got to go. The first alternate got a summer job and one of the selectees had a medical issue. If I had simply said "no point in trying" I wouldn't have been a 17 year old licensed pilot by the end of that summer.
Look at the odds and realities. IACE is targeted at Earhart level cadets, so you are already in a small competition pool. Consider that some may want another activity first, for various reasons. Others may have jobs, ROTC, encampment or school during the summer. All of that eliminates competitors. A few aren't interested. And, face it, some simply wont be selected for one reason or another.
Apply. Put some real effort into the supplemental application. And look forward to going.
The requirements for IACE are:
1. 17-21 years of age
2. Earnhardt Award
3. Passport
4. APPLY, APPLY, APPLY
5. Make sure all the supplemental forms are filled out and payment made by the deadline. (Selections are released Mar 15' forms and payments due Apr 15) if not received by deadlines, alternates are asked if they're still willing to go.
Most of your questions can be answered in the FAQs on the NCSAs.com web page.
Slotting Process (http://www.ncsas.com/frequently-asked-questions/?understanding_the_slotting_process&show=entry&blogID=89) This page includes a memo the describes the IACE slotting process. You should notice that they look at the supplemental once you've met the requirements (i.e., you don't have to be a Spaatz cadet to go.) It also mentions why cadets receive lower scores.
IACE and other NCSAs (http://www.ncsas.com/frequently-asked-questions/?how_do_members_apply_for_an_ncsa&show=entry&blogID=87) This tells you to enter IACE last in the preferences. They wouldn't tell you to do that if they wouldn't take you if you listed other activities. As IACE is one of the premiere activities that CAP offers, I'm sure they wouldn't exclude a cadet simply because they wanted to go to an NCSA if they don't get into IACE. I know cadets that had multiple activities listed, but they got into IACE.
To be the best candidate, read the slotting memo (and the directions on the supplemental), paying close attention to the reasons for the lower scores and take your time in writing your responses to the questions on the supplemental. Maybe have someone else review your answers to ensure that they make sense. And as the memo states, slotting "is based primarily on the responses to the IACE Supplemental Questionnaire."
As for the number of slots available, I wouldn't trust something that someone might have heard... In the past, national has posted the countries and the number of slots available before December. I would just look on the IACE web site in mid-November for the new supplemental and the countries that are available.
Good luck in applying (and make sure you take the time to apply)!