I got my candidate kit today and I was planning to get most of the forms done this week. The thing is, is that I can't do my CFA until I get back from spain which will be in the beginning of November. I was wondering how much will that affect my chances?
Application question
- Thread starter btosm14
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Not a bit.
The majority of candidates won't even be "notified" they're candidates until they receive nominations from their MoC's...so CFA's will be done in January...
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
Christcorp
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The only thing that it affects, is your chance for early consideration. The review board that will review your application, will not even touch your application until you are 100% complete with it. The only 2 things that can be PENDING is your NOMINATION, which usually isn't done until December/January, and your DODMRB physical. If everything else is complete, they will look at your application and score you. If even one thing is missing; e.g. CFA, it will sit in limbo until it is completed.
Obviously, you want to speak with your ALO. Most ALO's are being directed, with such a large increase in applications, to not complete the applicant's form 4060 and give the ALO's interview, until the individual has demonstrated that they have COMPLETED the rest of their application. This saves the academy admissions a LOT OF TIME AND PAPERWORK on individuals who don't finish the application process.
However, if an applicant told me that they were going to have their application 100% complete, EXCEPT for their CFA and the ALO interview, because they were going to be gone for 3-4 months, I'd try to work it out to help them. If they were an athlete and in shape, I'd see about having them do the CFA earlier. This is what we did last year. I did a CFA for an applicant in August, because they were going to be involved for the next 3 months out of the country. Even my son, when he applied, knew that once the school year started, between football practice/games, ACT/SAT tests, and all the CAS volunteer hours needed in the IB program; there was no way he was going to have time to do the CFA. He did the CFA right after summer seminar. As an athlete, he knew he might not ACE the CFA, but that he'd do much better than average. He accepted those scores. Then again; you have to balance that with the rest of your application. If you're the 4.0, #1 ranked, 30+ACT/2100+SAT, hardest classes, hundreds of hours of volunteering, lots of leadership, etc... you can get away with some not perfect scores. That's an individual choice.
I bring all this up because there are always options. You say you won't be back from spain until November. First question is: When are you leaving for spain. If you've got 2 weeks before you leave, and you consider yourself in good shape, you could probably arrange to do your CFA before you leave. Is your ALO local? They can do it. Can you contact your P.E. teacher. We have a small town. Our teachers are willing to help out during the summer and holidays. I have a school in town that I could help in such a case, but I have other schools that are 200-300 miles away.
So no, not doing the CFA until November isn't going to hurt your ultimate application. Just realize that you're application won't even be looked at until the CFA and 100% of the rest of it is completed. This includes your ALO's interview and filling out their 4060 paperwork. And many ALO's aren't going to do the interview or paperwork until you're done with the rest of the application. Including the CFA. Best of luck to you. Mike....
Thanks. I'm leaving on Tuesday for Spain. I'll be going home tomorrow (I've been on a job for the summer 4 hours away). So I don't really have the time, to do it before I leave! and I can max the push ups (i'm a female) but I can't do a pull-up and my mile run is really slow (I haven't been able to run much because I injured my ankle in my last soccer season) so I guess I'll just work on that and try and get those scores to stand out to make up for how late it will be!!! thanks again!
fly boy
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I'd give it a couple of days, or maybe a week. Then, you can call your admissions counselor.
fly boy
5-Year Member
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Have fun in Spain, and yeah, work on your CFA stuff. I've been told that for females, one pullup gives you a higher score than any amount of time for the flexed arm hang.
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True statement.
The best advice I can give ANY female is this: you CAN improve this by simply doing it every day...every day...every day. Yes, I repeated myself intentionally.
About 18 months ago I "met" a young lady here on the forums. She's the daughter of a classmate of mine. She was very proud in that she could do a monster arm hang!! I told her that ONE pullup would beat her.
That upset her.
So she went after it with a vengeance! Daily pull-up practice, drills, as well as sit-ups and push-ups.
LONG story short...she got her shoulder boards yesterday...and how does she do on the pull-ups?
She does 7-9 at a time, depending upon what else she's doing!!!
IT CAN BE DONE!!
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
My son's candidate kit opened today as well, he's actually very well prepared for it. He's completed 2 sections, has delivered the transcript, grades, and profile questionnaire to his counselor this afternoon (both USAFA and AFROTC), has scheduled the CFA and AFROTC Physical Assessment with his coach tomorrow and Monday (he's been practicing). Also has completed the email addresses for his 3 teacher assessment, filled out and downloaded the DODMERB forms and is currently at our doctor's office getting the first of his BP checks done since school starts Tuesday and with football he won't be able to get it done anytime soon if he waits. He's also collected his three letters of rec and is going to fax them tomorrow and do the essays this weekend. He's requested his Presidential and two of three MOC noms already with the last about to hit the mail.
WHEW!!!! That's organization!
Actually, this is in large part due to the fantastic advice of the the folks here, CC, Flieger, and Pima especially. Thanks folks!
Best Regards
Romad
WHEW!!!! That's organization!
Actually, this is in large part due to the fantastic advice of the the folks here, CC, Flieger, and Pima especially. Thanks folks!
Best Regards
Romad
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matt123456
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Well for me I am in AFJROTC so my instructors hold this big group CFA thing where all academy applicants for academies and ROTC do it in 1 big group. Its gonna be a big motivator since we will compete against each other.
Ask your JROTC instructor if you have one if your in the program. If not, I would ask your coach for your sport that you are doing.
Download the candidate's instructions to find out what it entails and get together with your coach. Practice to get the best scores and then when your application kit opens, download the forms and schedule it with whomever is going to be the one giving it to you.