2026 Candidate - Profile Recommendations

C

CF-USMA'26

New Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2021
Messages
7
Hi all, I've seen a few other candidates post their profile overviews for their applications, I figured it would be beneficial to try and do something similar. I am an incoming Senior in High School. I've always known that I wanted to serve, and have found that the academies provide the best opportunities to serve. If you guys can help me figure out what I need to improve in order to succeed, that would be amazing - thank you in advance!

Attended Virtual SLE
Academics-
GPA 3.98 (Unweighted)/4.42 (Weighted)
SAT - 1420 (720 Math, 700 English)
Class Rank - (18/519)
AP Course load - APUSH (2019-2020), AP Micro (2020-2021), AP Computer Science Principles (2020-2021), AP English Language (2020-2021)
Expected AP Courses (2021-2022) - AP Bio, AP English Literature, AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus AB

Athletics (Swimming) -
High School -​
Varsity Swim - Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Years
3 Time State Finalist,All-County Team (2 years), All Conference Team (1 year), 5 School Records,
Chosen as Captain for 2021 Season (Senior Year)
Club Athletics-​
Member of Club's National Team, Finalist in Florida's Club Championships, Competed in several High-Level Meets (Sectionals, NCSA Nationals, Futures)

School Organizations -
SGA - Junior Class President, (Incoming) Senior Class President, Chaired multiple committees (homecoming, Summer "Welcome back"), Assisted with School Recertification,
Yearbook Staff - (Incoming) Editor-In-Chief, Copy Editor (Junior Year), Section Editor (Sophomore Year), Recognized for Outstanding Pages and Photography by Publisher
Band (2 Years, sadly had to quit due to scheduling conflicts) - First Trumpet (Freshman/Sophomore Year), Prop Coordinator (Sophomore Year), Top Concert Band (Sophomore Year)
Science National Honors Society - (2019 - Current)
National Honors Society - (2020 - Current)

Scouting -
Eagle Scout (2019), 2 Palms
Troop Positions - Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Junior Assistant Scout Master, Instructor, Webmaster, Guide, Patrol Leader, OA Representative
Served as the only youth on the District Board
Order of the Arrow -
Vigil Honor (2020)
Chapter Chief, Ceremonialist
Beta Tested new National Induction (40 Inductees)

Work Experience -
Lifeguard (2019-2021),
Sailing Instructor (2017-2018)

CFA - While I have not done a complete run-through of the CFA, I have been doing some (slight) preparation by hitting "maxes" as a baseline.
Pushups (2 Minutes) - 78
Pull-ups (1 Minute) - 20
Situps (2 Minutes) - 94
Note For CFA - I have not yet attempted the Basketball Throw due to a lack of space. Instead of doing a straight mile run, I've been doing longer runs (4-5 miles). I've been able to hold about a 9 minute pace on these longer runs.

If you have any constructive criticism, it would be much appreciated! I am trying to be competitive for the ever-elusive LOAs. I'm currently waiting to take my CFA until the end of my summer vacation (beginning of August), and then should be done with my application. I have all of my Congressional Nomination forms submitted, though I have to wait until October for the next steps to begin. Thank you so much for reading through this!
 
connorswims said:
Hi all, I've seen a few other candidates post their profile overviews for their applications, I figured it would be beneficial to try and do something similar. I am an incoming Senior in High School. I've always known that I wanted to serve, and have found that the academies provide the best opportunities to serve. If you guys can help me figure out what I need to improve in order to succeed, that would be amazing - thank you in advance!

Attended Virtual SLE
Academics-
GPA 3.98 (Unweighted)/4.42 (Weighted)
SAT - 1420 (720 Math, 700 English)
Class Rank - (18/519)
AP Course load - APUSH (2019-2020), AP Micro (2020-2021), AP Computer Science Principles (2020-2021), AP English Language (2020-2021)
Expected AP Courses (2021-2022) - AP Bio, AP English Literature, AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus AB

Athletics (Swimming) -
High School -​
Varsity Swim - Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Years
3 Time State Finalist,All-County Team (2 years), All Conference Team (1 year), 5 School Records,
Chosen as Captain for 2021 Season (Senior Year)
Club Athletics-​
Member of Club's National Team, Finalist in Florida's Club Championships, Competed in several High-Level Meets (Sectionals, NCSA Nationals, Futures)

School Organizations -
SGA - Junior Class President, (Incoming) Senior Class President, Chaired multiple committees (homecoming, Summer "Welcome back"), Assisted with School Recertification,
Yearbook Staff - (Incoming) Editor-In-Chief, Copy Editor (Junior Year), Section Editor (Sophomore Year), Recognized for Outstanding Pages and Photography by Publisher
Band (2 Years, sadly had to quit due to scheduling conflicts) - First Trumpet (Freshman/Sophomore Year), Prop Coordinator (Sophomore Year), Top Concert Band (Sophomore Year)
Science National Honors Society - (2019 - Current)
National Honors Society - (2020 - Current)

Scouting -
Eagle Scout (2019), 2 Palms
Troop Positions - Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Junior Assistant Scout Master, Instructor, Webmaster, Guide, Patrol Leader, OA Representative
Served as the only youth on the District Board
Order of the Arrow -
Vigil Honor (2020)
Chapter Chief, Ceremonialist
Beta Tested new National Induction (40 Inductees)

Work Experience -
Lifeguard (2019-2021),
Sailing Instructor (2017-2018)

CFA - While I have not done a complete run-through of the CFA, I have been doing some (slight) preparation by hitting "maxes" as a baseline.
Pushups (2 Minutes) - 78
Pull-ups (1 Minute) - 20
Situps (2 Minutes) - 94
Note For CFA - I have not yet attempted the Basketball Throw due to a lack of space. Instead of doing a straight mile run, I've been doing longer runs (4-5 miles). I've been able to hold about a 9 minute pace on these longer runs.

If you have any constructive criticism, it would be much appreciated! I am trying to be competitive for the ever-elusive LOAs. I'm currently waiting to take my CFA until the end of my summer vacation (beginning of August), and then should be done with my application. I have all of my Congressional Nomination forms submitted, though I have to wait until October for the next steps to begin. Thank you so much for reading through this!
Click to expand...
You seem to be well-organized with a good timeline, and the understanding an LOA is indeed “elusive,” but of course, is not the goal. The goal is an appointment. Most incoming cadets and midshipmen at SAs do not have an LOA; the SAs can use those as they see fit to build a class. A Letter of Assurance requires you must still be fully qualified, academically, medically, physically.

Assume you are applying for VP nom.

WRT CFA, don’t wait too long to do a baseline CFA to assess weaknesses. Use the USMA video and written instructions, plus a committed helper, to guide your baseline practices. Form is all-important. USMA requires a video of your submitted CFA which follows the guidance; reps that do not conform will not be counted. Maxes can quickly erode due to the progressive nature of the CFA, which is designed to test endurance and stamina as well. Every year we see posts from candidates who have to re-do their CFA because they did not follow video guidance, or who want to re-submit due to form errors and lower good rep count.

As for the basketball throw, your competition will be using their ingenuity, initiative and drive to figure out where to practice the basketball throw. The basketball throw is both strength and technique. There are good YouTube videos on technique (look for Stew Smith). An empty field with creative temporary distance markers or borrow a distance marker from a coach, ask a coach for suggestions on locations, a strip mall or mall parking lot at oh-dark-thirty before the stores open, your HS parking lot, a community college or other school athletic field, a neighbor or friend with a long driveway plus a good friend as retriever…use your future junior officer brain to figure it out.

When enough of your application is complete in accordance with any other USMA criteria, you will be prompted to start the DoDMERB medical qualification process. If you haven’t yet gone to the DoDMERB home page and worked your way through every link on the left-hand side, I recommend it, to understand the process. That is one area I recommend consulting with parents on medical history from early childhood, and thoughtfully and carefully reading every question on the medical history and answering just what is asked. Get started on that as soon as it opens, in case you have to submit any additional medical information (AMI).
 
Last edited:
p.s.
I agree with the previous post about researching USMA’s required technique for the push-ups and pull-ups. Also research how they require the video to be recorded (from the front, at the proper angle, including the feet, etc—stuff like that). So many candidates have their pull-ups and push-ups videos rejected and have to repeat and resubmit them.
 
p.p.s.
Throw the basketball at 45-degree angle to get more distance. I used to throw shot put and discuss. A simple way to increase your distance is to have someone watch you to help you learn how to release the ball at 45 degrees. (Think of physics.). Most kids throw straight out ahead of them at a lesser angle and sacrifice a lot of distance for this reason.
 
The above advice looks spot on. I would echo:

1. Do the CFA in order as it's timed out, it will make a difference, max is not the assessment. Look up the max, there's zero need to do 20 pull ups, I believe max is 18, don't do more. On the run, it's a 1 mile run, you're a swimmer so I have no doubt you understand segments/laps and sprints/distance etc, you need to run the pace and know what your 1 mile is, that's the test.

2. Our local congressional WP liaison ran Saturday morning CFA tests starting in August here in Texas, that is where they told my son to stop when he hit max.

3. You're in a HS of 500+ in Florida, I cannot imagine there isn't a Football team, that means there's room to practice. You're also a competitive swimmer, the pool you use daily is most likely 50 meters, take a knee and throw the lane. Sounds harsh, but saying you can't find a spot to throw a basketball 70 feet doesn't sound very "Get It Done".

I have spoken to the nominations folks, and timing does matter. Having everything you can do complete, is impressive and shows your commitment. I'd have that done as you stated and you have a strong application.
 
I will try to add comments not already mentioned, but yes agree with all GREAT CFA advice above!

So other than the CFA...
1. Are you a recruited athlete? At futures level how close are you to national level cuts - jr/sr, Pro Series, NCAA/Oly in 3 years? What are the needs of USMA and do you slot in on any A relays? How competitive are you at their college division championships?
2. I really like that you'll have many double+ bubbles (activity + leadership + letter, etc) on your applications. You Did and Do.
4. Hope you have some good essays. Your club engagement has excellent beginning-middle-end - actually accomplishing defined activities such as a real yearbook, and at 518 in your class, that puts your total HS at around 2,000, and so that's a very decent size and lots of project management. Ditto with homecoming and the welcome back to school function. A big pet peeve of mine are Presidents of a club of 10 people who sit around after school playing cards and the biggest deliverable is making posters.

and back to the CFA....
Long runs are good for overall training, but the CFA is shuttle run plus 1 mile. Make sure to practice the shuttle run. Don't "circle swim!" @JasonM has GREAT advice on b-ball location - so around the pool deck, you can actually do pushups/situps/shuttle - and you could probably run around the pool parking lot or down the street and set up a chin up bar somewhere. Be resourceful, and have fun with it. Let's say you still have trouble. Well, as Meatloaf says, 2/3 aint bad, so neither is 4/6. In place of pullups, do them from the backstroke bar with a buddy weighing you down. If you really can't run from the pool, use a placeholder and do an all out 100 kick to "simulate" the tiredness. But I would think you can do some sort of Forrest Gump run-out-the-pool-building and get in that mile under test conditions. Today is July 8th, work backwards from your testing date and pen, not pencil in, those full mock CFAs without substitutions!

Keep up the good work!
 
Capt MJ said:
You seem to be well-organized with a good timeline, and the understanding an LOA is indeed “elusive,” but of course, is not the goal. The goal is an appointment. Most incoming cadets and midshipmen at SAs do not have an LOA; the SAs can use those as they see fit to build a class. A Letter of Assurance requires you must still be fully qualified, academically, medically, physically.

Assume you are applying for VP nom.

WRT CFA, don’t wait too long to do a baseline CFA to assess weaknesses. Use the USMA video and written instructions, plus a committed helper, to guide your baseline practices. Form is all-important. USMA requires a video of your submitted CFA which follows the guidance; reps that do not conform will not be counted. Maxes can quickly erode due to the progressive nature of the CFA, which is designed to test endurance and stamina as well. Every year we see posts from candidates who have to re-do their CFA because they did not follow video guidance, or who want to re-submit due to form errors and lower good rep count.

As for the basketball throw, your competition will be using their ingenuity, initiative and drive to figure out where to practice the basketball throw. The basketball throw is both strength and technique. There are good YouTube videos on technique (look for Stew Smith). An empty field with creative temporary distance markers or borrow a distance marker from a coach, ask a coach for suggestions on locations, a strip mall or mall parking lot at oh-dark-thirty before the stores open, your HS parking lot, a community college or other school athletic field, a neighbor or friend with a long driveway plus a good friend as retriever…use your future junior officer brain to figure it out.

When enough of your application is complete in accordance with any other USMA criteria, you will be prompted to start the DoDMERB medical qualification process. If you haven’t yet gone to the DoDMERB home page and worked your way through every link on the left-hand side, I recommend it, to understand the process. That is one area I recommend consulting with parents on medical history from early childhood, and thoughtfully and carefully reading every question on the medical history and answering just what is asked. Get started on that as soon as it opens, in case you have to submit any additional medical information (AMI).
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the advice!
 
connorswims said:
If you guys can help me figure out what I need to improve in order to succeed, that would be amazing - thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Your academics, athletics, scouting, and work experience are similar to my Class of 2025 new cadet (NC). A temporary obstacle for my NC was the basketball throw. He submitted his first CFA at ~48 feet, although he ~maxed all the other events. He soon caught rumor that less than 50" failed the basketball throw. He learned the "party trick" of the basketball throw, 45 degree angle, etc, and added another 20 feet to his throw in a couple days. Buy yourself a 100' tape measure and go to a park. If your basketball throw is less than 50', google the trick before you take your CFA.
 
connorswims said:
Hi all, I've seen a few other candidates post their profile overviews for their applications, I figured it would be beneficial to try and do something similar. I am an incoming Senior in High School. I've always known that I wanted to serve, and have found that the academies provide the best opportunities to serve. If you guys can help me figure out what I need to improve in order to succeed, that would be amazing - thank you in advance!

Attended Virtual SLE
Academics-
GPA 3.98 (Unweighted)/4.42 (Weighted)
SAT - 1420 (720 Math, 700 English)
Class Rank - (18/519)
AP Course load - APUSH (2019-2020), AP Micro (2020-2021), AP Computer Science Principles (2020-2021), AP English Language (2020-2021)
Expected AP Courses (2021-2022) - AP Bio, AP English Literature, AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus AB

Athletics (Swimming) -
High School -​
Varsity Swim - Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Years
3 Time State Finalist,All-County Team (2 years), All Conference Team (1 year), 5 School Records,
Chosen as Captain for 2021 Season (Senior Year)
Club Athletics-​
Member of Club's National Team, Finalist in Florida's Club Championships, Competed in several High-Level Meets (Sectionals, NCSA Nationals, Futures)

School Organizations -
SGA - Junior Class President, (Incoming) Senior Class President, Chaired multiple committees (homecoming, Summer "Welcome back"), Assisted with School Recertification,
Yearbook Staff - (Incoming) Editor-In-Chief, Copy Editor (Junior Year), Section Editor (Sophomore Year), Recognized for Outstanding Pages and Photography by Publisher
Band (2 Years, sadly had to quit due to scheduling conflicts) - First Trumpet (Freshman/Sophomore Year), Prop Coordinator (Sophomore Year), Top Concert Band (Sophomore Year)
Science National Honors Society - (2019 - Current)
National Honors Society - (2020 - Current)

Scouting -
Eagle Scout (2019), 2 Palms
Troop Positions - Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Junior Assistant Scout Master, Instructor, Webmaster, Guide, Patrol Leader, OA Representative
Served as the only youth on the District Board
Order of the Arrow -
Vigil Honor (2020)
Chapter Chief, Ceremonialist
Beta Tested new National Induction (40 Inductees)

Work Experience -
Lifeguard (2019-2021),
Sailing Instructor (2017-2018)

CFA - While I have not done a complete run-through of the CFA, I have been doing some (slight) preparation by hitting "maxes" as a baseline.
Pushups (2 Minutes) - 78
Pull-ups (1 Minute) - 20
Situps (2 Minutes) - 94
Note For CFA - I have not yet attempted the Basketball Throw due to a lack of space. Instead of doing a straight mile run, I've been doing longer runs (4-5 miles). I've been able to hold about a 9 minute pace on these longer runs.

If you have any constructive criticism, it would be much appreciated! I am trying to be competitive for the ever-elusive LOAs. I'm currently waiting to take my CFA until the end of my summer vacation (beginning of August), and then should be done with my application. I have all of my Congressional Nomination forms submitted, though I have to wait until October for the next steps to begin. Thank you so much for reading through this!
Click to expand...
You are doing well. One point of suggestion. A LOA is nice, but all that it does is take the pressure off as presume that you will be accepted and attend. However, the real goal is to put your boots on the ground on R-Day.
From the moment that you are standing in that line, it no longer matters. Going forward from that point in time, a LOA doesn’t matter, isn’t tracked…. If you get one, great. If you don’t just keep your head down and keep moving forward.
Good luck to you, you have a fine record.
 
I would add to all of the great counsel provided by other posters; practice interviewing. See if there are local service academy parent groups who provide mock interviews (our local USMA did, it was a game-changer according to our DS).
Or, see if some of your teachers or coaches or local American Legion would be willing to set up a mock interview. It should be tough, brief,
and make you uncomfortable. That's what the nomination interviews are.

And, the things no one here can see. Your essays, your teacher evaluations, and ultimately how you carry and present yourself. Those are the intangibles.

Good luck to you and BZ for being organized and ahead of the game.
 
connorswims said:
Hi all, I've seen a few other candidates post their profile overviews for their applications, I figured it would be beneficial to try and do something similar. I am an incoming Senior in High School. I've always known that I wanted to serve, and have found that the academies provide the best opportunities to serve. If you guys can help me figure out what I need to improve in order to succeed, that would be amazing - thank you in advance!

Attended Virtual SLE
Academics-
GPA 3.98 (Unweighted)/4.42 (Weighted)
SAT - 1420 (720 Math, 700 English)
Class Rank - (18/519)
AP Course load - APUSH (2019-2020), AP Micro (2020-2021), AP Computer Science Principles (2020-2021), AP English Language (2020-2021)
Expected AP Courses (2021-2022) - AP Bio, AP English Literature, AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus AB

Athletics (Swimming) -
High School -​
Varsity Swim - Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Years
3 Time State Finalist,All-County Team (2 years), All Conference Team (1 year), 5 School Records,
Chosen as Captain for 2021 Season (Senior Year)
Club Athletics-​
Member of Club's National Team, Finalist in Florida's Club Championships, Competed in several High-Level Meets (Sectionals, NCSA Nationals, Futures)

School Organizations -
SGA - Junior Class President, (Incoming) Senior Class President, Chaired multiple committees (homecoming, Summer "Welcome back"), Assisted with School Recertification,
Yearbook Staff - (Incoming) Editor-In-Chief, Copy Editor (Junior Year), Section Editor (Sophomore Year), Recognized for Outstanding Pages and Photography by Publisher
Band (2 Years, sadly had to quit due to scheduling conflicts) - First Trumpet (Freshman/Sophomore Year), Prop Coordinator (Sophomore Year), Top Concert Band (Sophomore Year)
Science National Honors Society - (2019 - Current)
National Honors Society - (2020 - Current)

Scouting -
Eagle Scout (2019), 2 Palms
Troop Positions - Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Junior Assistant Scout Master, Instructor, Webmaster, Guide, Patrol Leader, OA Representative
Served as the only youth on the District Board
Order of the Arrow -
Vigil Honor (2020)
Chapter Chief, Ceremonialist
Beta Tested new National Induction (40 Inductees)

Work Experience -
Lifeguard (2019-2021),
Sailing Instructor (2017-2018)

CFA - While I have not done a complete run-through of the CFA, I have been doing some (slight) preparation by hitting "maxes" as a baseline.
Pushups (2 Minutes) - 78
Pull-ups (1 Minute) - 20
Situps (2 Minutes) - 94
Note For CFA - I have not yet attempted the Basketball Throw due to a lack of space. Instead of doing a straight mile run, I've been doing longer runs (4-5 miles). I've been able to hold about a 9 minute pace on these longer runs.

If you have any constructive criticism, it would be much appreciated! I am trying to be competitive for the ever-elusive LOAs. I'm currently waiting to take my CFA until the end of my summer vacation (beginning of August), and then should be done with my application. I have all of my Congressional Nomination forms submitted, though I have to wait until October for the next steps to begin. Thank you so much for reading through this!
Click to expand...
Make sure your push-ups and pull-ups have GOOD FORM. The Department of Physical Education will decide how many really count that is why they are video taped.
 
If you're just looking to become an officer then make sure you look in all directions for plans B thru Z. That means other academies (there are five) and the various tribes of ROTC as well. Your swimming may just be a bullet point at one academy but really be appealing to another. You may get in a bind with nominations only coming through for one school, or a medical condition that closes off some choices but leaves others on the table. Be ready to change course as things unfold so that an obstacle is just something you go around instead of crash into.
 
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