What is a disqualifying CFA?

brewmeister

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Nov 6, 2019
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Hello,

First post here but believe me, I've spent a long time on these forums reading and searching (thanks!). But I just have a question that I can't seem to figure out.

My son received a principal nomination from his MOC. As I understand it, this means that USAFA will appoint him so long as he meets their qualifications. His application was submitted on time (November) and he is only awaiting his liaison officer evaluation/interview.

My question is regarding the CFA. Some of the scores could definitely have been better, and were he to take it again they likely would be as he continues to train. However since these are now submitted to the portal, the option to submit scores is closed. He has not been asked to retake the CFA by USAFA.

I guess we (parents!) have a lot of stress about this because we have no idea what disqualifying scores are, minimums, etc., as the academy does not publicize those for obvious reasons.

For reference, here's what he had:

BB throw - 72
Shuttle - 9:01
PUs - 7
Pushups - 67
Situps - 79
Mile - 6:47

Any thoughts/advice is welcome. Thanks.
 
I remember somebody saying on this forum that if the SA has not asked to retake it, then don’t.

As the saying goes “ if ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
 
Please remember the CFA only counts for 10% of your overall application. It would be much wiser to spend time on academics than to spend time on getting a better CFA score.
 
I have read that here as well.

Then I also read in big bold letters on the CFA info that a below average score in even one event may be disqualifying.
 
Please remember the CFA only counts for 10% of your overall application. It would be much wiser to spend time on academics than to spend time on getting a better CFA score.

He's done all he can there and the chips will fall where they may. I believe his application is very competitive. The only Q I have is about the CFA b/c he is kicking himself for not being able to squeeze out one or two more of this or that on test day. Just don't know if it's "qualifying."
 
I am not aware of a published minimum for any event, but based on what you listed - he did ok and IMO, would not be near a critically disqualifying number for any of those events. In several cases, he is near the goal/average for these categories. Nothing in his CFA stands out as being close to a concern. Could he retest and do better, certainly, but for what it is - this is likely sufficient and not a concern for DQ as currently submitted.

If you are concerned and want to retest - consider a week of intense/focused prep over Thanksgiving break and then retest at the end of the week. Focus on the technique and strategy for each event - seek out mountain tactical institute videos on the events for tips.

BB throw - 72 (EXCEEDS mean of 68)
Shuttle - 9:01 (below mean of 8.7)
PUs - 7 (below mean of 12)
Pushups - 67 (EXCEEDS mean of 65)
Situps - 79 (below mean of 84)
Mile - 6:47 (below mean of 6:43)
 
@brewmeister Judging by previous CFA results of other candidates I think he passed.

Please remember the CFA only counts for 10% of your overall application. It would be much wiser to spend time on academics than to spend time on getting a better CFA score.

I also remember hearing 10% in the past but now USAFA states that CFA is one of the factors making up the Selection Composite, which counts for 30% of the candidate's score.

The current breakdown:
Academic Composite = 50%
Extracurricular Composite = 20%
Selection Composite = 30%

The Selection Composite includes everything else - teacher evaluations, letters of recommendation, writing sample, ALO evaluation, and finally, the CFA. "This rating includes qualitative components and intangibles that may be present in a candidate's record." How much does the CFA count of the 30% is anyone's guess.
 
I think his CFA scores are fine, there is no harm in submitting better scores though. Also, search “principle nominations” in the forum, you will find that there are many who ended up not receiving appointments.
 
As mentioned, mins are not posted anywhere. If he is competitive, which I assume he is with a principal nom, USAFA will tell him to retake if he did not pass the CFA. If on his own, he thinks he can make significant (not just minimal) improvement, he can contact his Admissions counselor and ask them if he can submit new scores. This usually means they reset the portal and old scores are gone, so if he does worse the second time, he can't change his mind and decide to keep original scores. When my girls submitted new scores, it had to be done by 31 Jan, but that was 5+ years ago.
 
Very surprised he got by with those numbers. But if they didn't ask for a retake its all good..
 
If he has a green check mark by his scores then he passed. The scores that are below the average are just slightly low so he should be fine. Since he has a principal nomination, the family just needs to sit back and enjoy the rest of his Senior Year and make sure he doesn't get hurt.
 
If he has a green check mark by his scores then he passed. The scores that are below the average are just slightly low so he should be fine. Since he has a principal nomination, the family just needs to sit back and enjoy the rest of his Senior Year and make sure he doesn't get hurt.
Keep in mind that a principal nomination doesn't guarantee an appointment. Last year, there were at least 2 reports of people who were told they were the principal nominee and ended up getting the TWE in late April.
 
  • If he were asked to retake the CFA, would that have happened right away? They were uploaded Oct 27 and there is a check in his portal (black check as the others).
  • Could a retest request potentially happen out of the blue weeks down the road?
  • Could he be DQed for a CFA with some below-average parts w/o being asked first to re-test?
I feel based on all we have read and heard that his application is very competitive academically/activity-wise, which I won't go into detail here as it's not relevant to the CFA question.
 
@brewmeister To my recollection requests for retake typically happen quickly - a few days later, not weeks down the road. To your last question USAFA states in the candidate instructions that they will automatically request a retake if the CFA isn't passed the first time.
 
I can tell you precisely how to check.

Open his candidate portal. Scroll down until you get to the section with all the big black check marks. Look on the far right of the CFA line: is there a big black check mark? If so...he's good.

With the numbers you posted...IMHO...he's fine.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Ok thanks everyone. Yes there is a black checkmark. I also did read in the candidate guide and saw that if his scores were not passing he would be asked to take a retest. So, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
 
Keep in mind that a principal nomination doesn't guarantee an appointment. Last year, there were at least 2 reports of people who were told they were the principal nominee and ended up getting the TWE in late April.

He had his LOA today and the officer told him that a principal nomination doesn't mean anything different than any other congressional nomination.

That doesn't jive with what I've found or has been said here.

He also told him that multiple nominations would give him multiple "looks" by different admissions panels. That also doesn't seem to jive and runs counter to our state's practice of coordinating nominations between MOCs.

???
 
He had his LOA today and the officer told him that a principal nomination doesn't mean anything different than any other congressional nomination.

That doesn't jive with what I've found or has been said here.

He also told him that multiple nominations would give him multiple "looks" by different admissions panels. That also doesn't seem to jive and runs counter to our state's practice of coordinating nominations between MOCs.

???

What do you mean he had his LOA today?
 
What do you mean he had his LOA today?
The candidate completed his Liaison Officer Interview.

Multiple NOMs is the equivalent of Bonus Points, but you only need 1 to meet the requirement. Principal can have higher meaning - provided the candidate is fully qualified.
 
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