Help!? my CFA

jgravz33

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2007
Messages
14
Ok so i recently took my CFA i have been complete on my file for everything except CFA for quite a while. Pullups have always been my weakness and so i was training to get a reasonable amount. It did not occur in a timely fashion but i took the test the day i scheduled anyways. Here are my scores.
BB throw- 63 feet
Pullups- 6
shuttle run 9.3
situps -95
pushups-65
Mile Run- 6:45

What do you think should i turn them in now to let them have a chance to review the scores. Or should I train for another month and try to get my pullups higher and mile lower?
I am pretty competetive in all other areas
ACT 30
leadership almost maxed out
is this something that could hold me back if i had scores like this?
Any help would be appreciated thanks ;)
 
I'd submit those scores. There's nothing really wrong with them. Yea, you could get better, but those are acceptable. And that's what really matters when you have good gpa, act/sat, leadership, and all the other areas. The CFA becomes more important when you're a 3.5 gpa; 25-26 ACT, etc... You mentioned your ACT, but didn't mention GPA, Class Rank, etc... You need to determine for yourself. But remember something; they can't review your package if it isn't 100%. They don't even look at it until it's 100% complete. Just my opinion. Best of luck. Mike....
 
Ok so i recently took my CFA i have been complete on my file for everything except CFA for quite a while. Pullups have always been my weakness and so i was training to get a reasonable amount. It did not occur in a timely fashion but i took the test the day i scheduled anyways. Here are my scores.
BB throw- 63 feet
Pullups- 6
shuttle run 9.3
situps -95
pushups-65
Mile Run- 6:45

What do you think should i turn them in now to let them have a chance to review the scores. Or should I train for another month and try to get my pullups higher and mile lower?
I am pretty competetive in all other areas
ACT 30
leadership almost maxed out
is this something that could hold me back if i had scores like this?
Any help would be appreciated thanks ;)
Hi!

I've been working this with a candidate of mine and have been VERY involved in learning "what we're looking for" with USAFA...that being the case...let me go over your scores:

BB throw- 63 feet **Ideally around 70'** NOT A BAD THROW
Pullups- 6 **Ideally 7-11** NOT BAD, could be better
shuttle run 9.3 **Ideally under 9.0**
situps -95 **YOU'RE FINE HERE!!!** :thumb:
pushups-65 **YOU'RE FINE HERE!!!"" :thumb:
Mile Run- 6:45 **YOU'RE FINE HERE!!!" :thumb:

I think if you submit these scores you'll fall into the "middle of the pack" ranking. Is that bad? NO! Is it great; NO.

My questions to you would be:

a. Can you ON ANY DAY at ANY TIME do the same or better in pushups, situps, and mile run?
b. Can you knock 0.3 off the shuttle?
c. Can you get 1-3 more pullups?
d. Can you add 7' to your throw?

If the answer is YES to all four questions, then you know the answer! If the answer is YES to only "A" then ask yourself: when is this DUE NLT to USAFA? If it's around the 15th of February in 2010...what's the rush??? Why not work for 30-45 more days to knock off that 0.3 seconds, or pick up a couple of feet in the throw, another pullup or two? Again, the due date comes to play here. But NEVER rush into something.

I know you want to submit and get yourself before all the reviews you can but...and this is a HUGE BUT...it is your WCS that will decide whether or not you're offered an appointment. That score will be computed WHEN you have all the information submitted. So give them YOUR VERY BEST to compute the WCS with.

Just my opinion...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Excellent description Steve. The one thing that you mentioned; that I was eluding to; which makes giving an opinion difficult is: The rest of his application. A 30 ACT is pretty good. Not the greatest, but definitely pretty good. But if he is sitting on a 4.0 gpa; #1-#3 class rank; president, VP, and other offices held in clubs and activities; plays and has multi-year letters in multiple sports; has numerous hours of volunteer time; Boy's State; etc... Then I'd say to submit the scores. What are you waiting for?

However; if he has the 3.5-3.7 gpa; top 30% of class instead of top 1%; plays "Community/City League" sports; a few clubs with no real leadership experience; etc...; then the suggestion would be the total opposite. Max out as many things as possible. Including the CFA.

The problem with many of the posts asking for advice, assistance, opinions, etc... is that they don't give us enough information. Or, they overload a resume with a lot of fluff. The reason I've posted numerous times, the class profile of the last 3 years of cadets, is so that applicants can see what the "AVERAGE" cadet's background looks like. Then you can compare your resume to that. Obviously, you hope to be above the academy average. But at least you'll have a better understanding. Please, provide more information when you can. It will help us help you. Best of luck.... Mike.....
 
cfa doesnt matter that much. submit

I VERY MUCH beg to differ.

A "in the middle of the pack" CFA is "acceptable" and will give the candidate "in the middle" points while a LOW scoring one can and OFTEN is the kiss of death. Take that from one that has been "in the know/process" for 15 of my 26 1/2 years of service.

And what you probably do NOT know...the CFA counts for "...more than 100 and less than 601" points in the computation for the Weighted Composite Score (WCS). So the higher you score, the more points you receive and the more are input into the final computation that gives you your WCS.

And whether or not you are offered an appointment is completely based upon your WCS.

So I tell candidates to look long and hard at their performance on the CFA...and if they didn't give/get their best and KNOW they can do better, or they have time to improve, then take that time to improve.

In the end, the more points, the better.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Well from what i've seen at the 3 years I've been at the Academy, CFA doesn't matter much :p

Anyways, yes always try your best. (I wish theyd put more emphasis on the cfa.)
 
Last edited:
Ok thanks so much Mike I appreciate all of your posts you are so helpful
I am indeed the Student Government President
I went to Boys State
Billy Mitchell Award-Civil Air Patrol
AFA Summer Seminar
3.9
top 10-15% of class
varsity letters in Golf and Track
Volunteer at church over 500 hours
So yes i think everything else is pretty decent in my file so thanks i think I will submit
Question: i know when i submit it locks up the form online and makes my app complete. I also know if the board likes my package and not my scores they can ask me to retake it. What if I submit these now so they have a chance to look at me and i take it again in 45 days? Can i send new scores in via mail and have my package updated?
 
Question: i know when i submit it locks up the form online and makes my app complete. I also know if the board likes my package and not my scores they can ask me to retake it. What if I submit these now so they have a chance to look at me and i take it again in 45 days? Can i send new scores in via mail and have my package updated?

Well you can only update the application with a new CFA if they ask you to retake it. If not, you would not be able to take it 45 days from now and update. Since nothing is terrible on your CFA, I doubt they'll ask you to retake it though. I'd say you're probably safe with your scores though.
 
Back
Top