CFA score

[beat navy]

Look, don't make the CFA any bigger than it is. Yes it is a pass/fail test and yes it is 10% of your WCS. Do your best on it and retake if you aren't happy, but the truth is that there is so much more to your file that is even more important. Spend your time making yourself a well rounded candidate instead of worrying so much about a few extra pushups or that one pullup as has been said before. Train hard for the CFA, know your weak area, take it seriously, pass it strong, and move on with your file. That's all there is to it.

Good luck

 

[hawk]

The other thing to consider is that the CFA is not worth that much compared to other items in your Whole Candidate Score. Don't hold off on submitting it just to improve by 5 pushups or 1 pull up if you have done enough to pass

I believe you are all trying to oversimplify..... beyond pass/fail, a strong & balanced CFA can help offset lack of varsity athletics, etc.

The way I heard it described: "You may be a 4.5 gpa, eagle scout, president of the Nat Honor Society, captain of the softball team..... but can you keep up with the troops you will be expected to lead carrying a full ruck in the mud" (Slightly paraphrased) As wonderful as all those attributes are, the CFA is how they answer that question.

We've heard this over and over from field reps, congressional committee members, and occasionally from the various academy reps (not just West Point).

The CFA *is* important, you should not give up, and a weak one will keep you out. And trying to improve can be more important that a strong first time performance.

And it's not just your academy app you need to worry about, in our state all the nom sources required submission of the CFA and it's part of their process as well.

The same is true of the SAT. You keep trying to improve, they are looking for people with the will and desire to improve.

There is merit in getting SAT, CFA, and your basic app completed early if you think there might be a LOA opportunity. But even then, you can keep training for the CFA, take practice tests, and if you feel you can bring up a weak area, submit it!

A few seconds off the running time probably will not matter. Maxing pushups or situps vs an average score likely will make an impact.

The recommendation I've heard is shoot for at least halfway between average and max at the minimum. Not everyone can do that on all, so if you are below that, you need to max other areas, especially the PFT items.

I've recently heard the core stats (GPA, SAT, EC's) for the appointees from our state for 2015, and it's just stunning. And the average of all the applicants was as well. With applications up 15% over last year, and 30% over the year before.

If you think that "good enuf" is good enough.... then you are taking a very large chance! Someone who wants it more will likely beat you!

 

[filiberto2]

You are fine on every matter, but I am not sure about the mile run.

You SHOULD be okay... I don't think 30 seconds between your score and average is THAT big of a deal.

He should be fine on the mile. I got a 7:20 on the mile at SLS and I still passed, and I know some people that got 7:30+ and still passed. Luckily, I was able to take the CFA again at NASS and I did so much better (6:40) because I was adjusted to the time zone difference. I would suggest trying the CFA again in your home state if you can, as the weather and timing makes a huge difference.

 

[BigBear]

If you think that "good enuf" is good enough.... then you are taking a very large chance! Someone who wants it more will likely beat you!

The first time I applied, I did not complete my application until late in the game because I wanted to improve my CFA scores. I believe this was a big factor in why I was not admitted. The second time, I finished my application earlier, with a CFA that was not as strong as the OP in most areas and did get an appointment. The point I'm trying to make is that the OP has very good scores, and waiting another two months to submit his application with a slightly better CFA will be counterproductive. This is not the case for those with weak CFA scores, but I was replying to the OP in this case

 

[hawk]

The first time I applied, I did not complete my application until late in the game because I wanted to improve my CFA scores.

Remember, the OP already has scores in from SLS. The question is should he continue to try to improve it.

To which is is responded by a bunch of 2016 *applicants* that it is pass/fail, he should be OK, I know someone who got in with lower, etc.

Even if they, you, or I have a unique experience with a particular CFA score, it does not invalidate the fact that the CFA is one of your few areas that can improve your competitiveness this summer. And unless admissions or your MALO say's "that's a solid score, you can sit tight with that", an applicant should keep trying to improve.

Note: that does not mean hold off on submitting, it means don't rely on internet postings from a competitor that it's "good enuf". Get that read from your MALO or admissions, not from someone competing with you for a slot!

I know what our local MALO/BG officers & congressional types would say about the OP's scores.... none are maxed, only one is above the midpoint between average & max. Several are just barely above average, barely.

Not to pick on the OP, I think they knew the answer already. It's a good starting point. But we know there is no reason situps, pushups, and mile could not be improved with some work. And even max the situps & pushups. He has 2+ months to try to improve his score above the one already in.

Could he get interest with the original score? Maybe, if he was desirable for other reasons. Only admissions knows those things. Is that competitive enough for his congressional reps to get a nom without an LOA? Yet another unknown. (In our state, most likely no)

But what many are missing, is that the CFA is not a "good enuf" exercise, it's a "is this the best I can do" exercise. Same for SAT's. And you'll know when you have reached that point.