This is the hardest part of the application process; and the most confusing for applicants. All things are NOT EQUAL. As Pima and Kinnem has pointed out, there are different aspects of the application process, and each is weighted differently. And within EACH of those facets, there are smaller parts which are also weighted.
The basic 3 sections are:
Academic Composite High School or College academic performance, SAT or ACT scores: This counts for 55% of your application total score.
Extracurricular Composite Athletic participation, leadership position (scouts, school clubs, class officer, etc public/community involvement and work experiences:
This counts for 25% of your application total score.
Admissions Panel Faculty and staff review, candidate fitness assessment, Admissions Liaison Officer interview, and writing sample:
This counts for 20% of your application total score.
As you can see, the CFA isn't a full 20%. That 20% also includes your ALO interview, writing sample, admissions review, etc... In other words, your CFA might only count for around 5% actually.
Here's the hard part. Even though the CFA might only count for about 5%, it's a "GO-NO GO" situation. In other words; if you fail the CFA, then you don't get an appointment. Basically; EVERYTHING in the application has a MINIMUM STANDARD. So the first thing to realize is: You must meet the MINIMUM STANDARD in ALL AREAS. Once you've done that, THEN, your score in EACH AREA is calculated and measured against your competition. Then the academy can choose who receives the appointment.
Think of the application like a NEW CAR/Automobile. There are SOME parts that are MORE IMPORTANT. E.g. Motor, Transmission, etc... vs horn or headlight. HOWEVER....... When a person goes to BUY that New Automobile, they WON'T BUY IT if the lights don't work. Or if there's some rust on the door. Or if the Window is cracked. So while academics is the MOST IMPORTANT; which includes GPA, Class Rank, Course Load, SAT/ACT scores, and it accounts for 55% of your total score, even a perfect score in this area WON'T make up for a broken tail light (Failing the CFA, DODMRB, etc.)
So while it's great that you MAXED out the CFA, more or less, if you have a 2.0 gpa, ranked in the bottom 50% of your class, have a high ACT score of 25, etc... the CFA most likely can't make up for that. Just like a 4.0gpa, 36ACT, and #1 in the class can't make up if you fail the CFA, have 0-Zero extra curricular/sports, or have a terrible ALO interview/review. Hope this helps some of the lurkers who have similar questions. mike....
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