Questions About SLE

grking

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2013
Messages
24
I'm off to SLE at the end of this week, and have a couple of last-minute questions:
Firstly, I heard that candidates are evaluated at SLE. Is this true? If so, are they evaluating for leadership, fitness, academic skill, "huah", or all of the above?
If they are grading for this "Huah" (Hooah?) attitude, should I just display the level that I naturally would? Should I tone it down/amp it up a bit?
Secondly, will the CFA that we take affect our physical score in Admissions any?
Is there anything not on the packing list that would be a good idea to bring?
Finally, any other last-minute advice?
 
SLE attendees are evaluated in two ways - Candidate Interview and CFA.

Candidate Fitness Assessment test is not a big deal as if you pass it great and if you fail it you should be allowed to retake it. It's 10% of your candidate evaluation. I don't know if you just get a passing grade regardless what you score on the retest or not - probably not.

Candidate Interview should be done by your squad leader. It's combination of you answering questions and what you did during SLE. Your behavior and performance during SLE will influence your squad leader.

I would say experienced evaluators can easily spot "false" motivation and your squad leader should be experienced enough to also spot "false" motivation. Your squad leader will be more close to you (two years ago they were in your shoes) than an Army officer (yet to graduate).

Have fun. Using the SLE experience to figure out who you are.

I believe (since I didn't attend SLE myself) SLE will expose you to only fraction of what happens at West Point and in the Army, but it should be something new that you didn't experience before.
 
Candidate Fitness Assessment test is not a big deal as if you pass it great and if you fail it you should be allowed to retake it. It's 10% of your candidate evaluation. I don't know if you just get a passing grade regardless what you score on the retest or not - probably not.

The CFA at SLE appears to be a no harm, no foul type situation. My understanding is that a passing one does go on record as your initial CFA. If you do well, it can be your CFA for submission. If you significantly improve it at another summer program or with permission to retest you can replace it. Not sure if a failing SLE CFA goes on record though, or if they leave it blank.

Likewise, local experience is that a better CFA done for another academy can replace the one on record at USMA. Just a email request from DS to USNA to fax over his CFA was all it took. USAFA appears to be less inclined to allow trading up, but based on candidate input it's common between USMA & USNA.

As to the scored aspect of the CFA, our RC recently reiterated: It's a scored test with minimum passing scores in each event. And a single point can make the difference in competitive districts and for sure on the NWL.

Used the example of one pushup making the difference in getting a slot.

Many candidates become confused into thinking it's pass/fail because all the candidate is told is "at risk" or "Not at risk". Also some recruited athletes & URM are told "you just need to pass" because they are not dependent on WCS to get an appointment. But for most.... every WCS point matters.

Candidate Interview should be done by your squad leader. It's combination of you answering questions and what you did during SLE. Your behavior and performance during SLE will influence your squad leader.

I would say experienced evaluators can easily spot "false" motivation and your squad leader should be experienced enough to also spot "false" motivation. Your squad leader will be more close to you (two years ago they were in your shoes) than an Army officer (yet to graduate).

Local experience has been "it won't get you in and won't keep you out... but can help or hurt".

A very positive one can get you on the RC radar. Same for a negative one.

I'm aware of case where appointments (some via LOA) were made without any FFR interview based on the SLS eval and subsequent interactions with the RC. And these were mainstream applicants, not athletes or URM.

Have fun. Using the SLE experience to figure out who you are.

I believe (since I didn't attend SLE myself) SLE will expose you to only fraction of what happens at West Point and in the Army, but it should be something new that you didn't experience before.

Very good advice. DS's experience was that it helped shape his decision and differentiate between USMA/USNA/USAFA.

And that while it's only a very limited exposure to USMA life, if you did not like SLE, you will most likely not like USMA.

And that awareness is high value in itself...
 
Local experience has been "it won't get you in and won't keep you out... but can help or hurt".

A very positive one can get you on the RC radar. Same for a negative one.

I'm aware of case where appointments (some via LOA) were made without any FFR interview based on the SLS eval and subsequent interactions with the RC. And these were mainstream applicants, not athletes or URM.

So the interview does in fact go towards our Class of 2019 applications?

I'm Session 1 too grking, see you there. Also looking for any last minute tips/packing suggestions/etc. Thanks in advance, these forums are always a big help.
 
So the interview does in fact go towards our Class of 2019 applications?

There are ongoing forum views on this question, but I'm aware of cases where for sure it has surfaced as part of the application process. As others have mentioned recently as well.

Stellar review can get you on RC radar, maybe even an followup contact/ interview.

Really bad review can apparently can trigger a closer look, but will not be taken at face value. SLE squad leaders are not that much older than the attendees, and early in their leadership development. Typically just finished their 2nd year at USMA. And young adults will be young adults.

So not a lock out, but based on reports would normally trigger a 2nd look or external validation. Memberlg recently mentioned a case where this happened as well.

I'm Session 1 too grking, see you there. Also looking for any last minute tips/packing suggestions/etc.

Most common input from cadets:
1) Don't try to be the big boss. Or be more focused on the opposite sex. Pay attention, follow instructions, keep track of expected tasks. Then execute.

2) Help the squad succeed. Rather than trying to impress people with yourself, just do a good job, be squared away, and help others if needed to do the same.

3) If you have JROTC experience don't bring it up. It will be obvious as you'll likely be more squared away. Same for being athlete or super fit, an academic star, etc. Being a know-it-all or bragging is never received well. You'd be surprised how often this comes up.

4) Learn the concept of a "Blue Falcon", then don't be one. Simple things like grabbing the last two cereals of a certain type before others get their chance, are noticed and not received well.

5) Pay attention to the packing list, no reason to bring more or less.

6) Have fun, enjoy the Post. Observe cadre & staff, see how the cadets behave and decide if that's something you'd be interested in doing.

I'd tell you to be reasonably fit, but either you already are or it's too late to impact it much. But you will have a CFA opportunity, and you'd want to be ready for it.
 
I would say to use your time at SLE to really think about if a service academy is right for you. My cadet's good friend was convinced that it was exactly what he should do (older brother graduated from USNA) so he attended the summer sessions at USNA and USMA and discovered he wasn't as thrilled with the idea as he thought. He ended up at the state university and was satisfied with his decision.
 
Thanks

Thanks very much for the advice, I'll keep that in mind.

I will see you there NewJersey2019, can't wait.
 
Does anyone know about how many people fail the CFA at SLE? I've been working out but the basketball throw and the push ups have been worrying me...
 
One thing for candidates coming to Session 2: pack lightly. The packing sheet says bring polos and t shirts, but you are given a polo and 3 PT shirts. Packing lightly will greatly benefit you on the first day.


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Just got back from the first session of SLE and I have to agree with LC. I never used the shirts that I brought except for the long sleeved shirt for military day and the one undershirt I thought to bring. The rest of the time you are either in the PT's they issue or the one Polo they give you. Bring undershirts to wear under the polo and lots of athletic shorts, socks, and underwear.
 
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