Athletics for Admission (or lack thereof)

[ElectricStingray]

I was wondering how much of an impact a low athletics record would have on my admissions chances.

Some information about me: I have not played sports since elementary school really, not that I wasn’t really interested it’s just that I never had the chance because I was heavily involved with the orchestra and jazz band. However, I have started a fairly rigorous exercise program in order to prepare even though I have only submitted the questionnaire so far. I was wondering if this is going to have a huge hit on my application or not, as I am hoping it is offset by my other achievements below.

So I was wondering if they are looking for leadership and character in sports as opposed to pure athleticism, as I have plenty of things to substitute that for. I am an Eagle Scout, tutor in NHS and Math Honors Society, and have been a strong leader in the orchestra for a while now.

I have a very nice academic record, a few AP courses (taking more this year), which I took the tests for and did excellent on, advanced courses in things like mathematics, physics, chemistry, and even three engineering courses one of which being aerospace engineering (my intended major). I also am taking a ground school at a local college. I haven’t taken the SAT yet but I expect to get in the high 700s if not 800s on both reading/writing and math. I also have a 4.31 GPA

So while I am lacking in athletic history, do my other qualities make up for it? Although I am not dead set on the academy or even the military yet, prep school and ROTC are not off the table.

Not sure if it matters at all, but I also have several family members in the generation before me who went through the academy

Is there anything I could improve on in time besides shooting for a decent score on the CFA? Also, is the CFA a pass/fail or do they really look at your score? I’m shooting for the best I can get but do I need to score above 50th percentile to make up for having no sports?

Thank you for your time.

 

[shiner]

Your complete body of work will be evaluated. No one here can tell you the point impact of not having organized sports on the student resume. There are a number of threads here at SAF on the topic. In short - there are skills, character traits, and practical leadership application that can come from being a member of organized sports. These attributes are not exclusive to sports, but are more common with athletes.

If your resume allows you to achieve these attributes outside of sports, this is really a non-issue and nothing to worry about. Focus on what you control and the total body of work that comprises your application package. Not having sports on the resume will NOT be the reason an applicant is not selected through this process.

Each year, we see applicants of all shapes and backgrounds get accepted to Service Academies. Athlete, mathlete, band guy/girl.... all kinds. I have seen 5 students in ONE year from ONE high school go to USAFA - all with different backgrounds and it reiterated to me that the athletics is only part of the equation but not the entire equation.

I'm a band kid Eagle Scout who got in and did very well in my class to graduate and go on to do good things. It is not a deal breaker PROVIDED you fill out the resume with other redeeming qualities in academics and leadership all while scoring well on the CFA.

 

[AF Roots]

Is there anything I could improve on in time besides shooting for a decent score on the CFA? Also, is the CFA a pass/fail or do they really look at your score? I’m shooting for the best I can get but do I need to score above 50th percentile to make up for having no sports?

Thank you for your time.

I would recommend shooting for a max score on the CFA or as close as possible to it as opposed to just above 50th percentile. Spend lots of time on each event. The basketball throw requires a good amount practice. My DS was in a similar situation as you, not having athletics (his HS didn't offer). Recognizing this he trained hard for the CFA and we believe that helped. Best of luck.

 

[ElectricStingray]

I would recommend shooting for a max score on the CFA or as close as possible to it as opposed to just above 50th percentile. Spend lots of time on each event. The basketball throw requires a good amount practice. My DS was in a similar situation as you, not having athletics (his HS didn't offer). Recognizing this he trained hard for the CFA and we believe that helped. Best of luck.

Thanks, I hope to do good on the CFA, I'm spending a good amount of time in the gym almost every day now, we'll see though.

 

[ElectricStingray]

Your complete body of work will be evaluated. No one here can tell you the point impact of not having organized sports on the student resume. There are a number of threads here at SAF on the topic. In short - there are skills, character traits, and practical leadership application that can come from being a member of organized sports. These attributes are not exclusive to sports, but are more common with athletes.

If your resume allows you to achieve these attributes outside of sports, this is really a non-issue and nothing to worry about. Focus on what you control and the total body of work that comprises your application package. Not having sports on the resume will NOT be the reason an applicant is not selected through this process.

Each year, we see applicants of all shapes and backgrounds get accepted to Service Academies. Athlete, mathlete, band guy/girl.... all kinds. I have seen 5 students in ONE year from ONE high school go to USAFA - all with different backgrounds and it reiterated to me that the athletics is only part of the equation but not the entire equation.

I'm a band kid Eagle Scout who got in and did very well in my class to graduate and go on to do good things. It is not a deal breaker PROVIDED you fill out the resume with other redeeming qualities in academics and leadership all while scoring well on the CFA.

Ok that is good to hear, I feel I can adequately substitute everything but the actual physical ability part with other things. I hope I do well on the CFA but I honestly have no predictions for that, I have a decent way to go.

 

[justdoit19]

Get a plan, and train for it. Google it, YouTube it, but set a plan in action. Don’t haphazardly exercise. Maybe even speaking with a Coach at your school to form an action plan. Track coach for the running part.

Also know that the way to perform your best, is to practice the CFA in order, outside of your fitness training. Be familiar with it. IMO, it’s a good idea to get a CFA recoded as soon as you have a handle on your fitness. Bc injuries, winter, illness, COVID, etc can pop up and mess with your plans. You can keep training and record a better CFA.

Good luck!!

 

[USAFA10s]

Just a couple recommendations/questions for you to think about:

1. Is your SAT estimate based on an actual practice test? If it is then great - you are somewhat likely to do well, but be sure you plan to take the SAT as soon as you can and leave room for 2 or even 3 tries. Don't count that as remotely in the bag until you have an actual score submitted. You never know what might happen - you feel sick, the room is distracting (hot, cold, loud, smelly, who knows), have to go to the bathroom during a section and can't focus....the best laid plans...
2. Justdoit19 beat me to it - you need to be sure you are doing the RIGHT stuff for the CFA. There is overall fitness and there is training for the test. You want both, but you DEFINITELY want to train for the test. There are plenty of plans out there for how to train for fitness tests. Pick one, stick to it for a while and see how you improve. If it isn't working, talk to a coach or friend that is knowledgeable. I have found that a lot of plans just don't work well for me (training for the AF fitness test but also as a high level tennis player) for a variety of reasons but primarily because I have trouble getting to the level of intensity needed with certain types of exercise. I need a buddy/competitor/other goal to motivate myself to push hard enough to actually make progress. Once I figured that out it was easy to build the right workouts.

Good luck!

-(A fellow band (jazz, concert and marching!) nerd - I spent as much time in band/practice rooms as I did on the tennis court - good times)

 

[ElectricStingray]

Get a plan, and train for it. Google it, YouTube it, but set a plan in action. Don’t haphazardly exercise. Maybe even speaking with a Coach at your school to form an action plan. Track coach for the running part.

Also know that the way to perform your best, is to practice the CFA in order, outside of your fitness training. Be familiar with it. IMO, it’s a good idea to get a CFA recoded as soon as you have a handle on your fitness. Bc injuries, winter, illness, COVID, etc can pop up and mess with your plans. You can keep training and record a better CFA.

Good luck!!

Thanks! I have talked with a trainer at my gym who has designed a program to meet my goal of the CFA. Good idea to get a CFA on record, I’ll keep that in mind.

 

[ElectricStingray]

Just a couple recommendations/questions for you to think about:

1. Is your SAT estimate based on an actual practice test? If it is then great - you are somewhat likely to do well, but be sure you plan to take the SAT as soon as you can and leave room for 2 or even 3 tries. Don't count that as remotely in the bag until you have an actual score submitted. You never know what might happen - you feel sick, the room is distracting (hot, cold, loud, smelly, who knows), have to go to the bathroom during a section and can't focus....the best laid plans...
2. Justdoit19 beat me to it - you need to be sure you are doing the RIGHT stuff for the CFA. There is overall fitness and there is training for the test. You want both, but you DEFINITELY want to train for the test. There are plenty of plans out there for how to train for fitness tests. Pick one, stick to it for a while and see how you improve. If it isn't working, talk to a coach or friend that is knowledgeable. I have found that a lot of plans just don't work well for me (training for the AF fitness test but also as a high level tennis player) for a variety of reasons but primarily because I have trouble getting to the level of intensity needed with certain types of exercise. I need a buddy/competitor/other goal to motivate myself to push hard enough to actually make progress. Once I figured that out it was easy to build the right workouts.

Good luck!

-(A fellow band (jazz, concert and marching!) nerd - I spent as much time in band/practice rooms as I did on the tennis court - good times)

Thanks! My estimate is based off of practice tests, I am taking the test Saturday so plenty of room for more tests for the application however this is the only one I can get in time for appointments. I’m not expecting anything horrible, I’ve taken plenty of tests of this nature in the past but you’re right anything can happen.
Also, as I just said to the other guy, I talked to a trainer and he designed a plan for me based on my goal which is the CFA, and I am eating/drinking a bunch of protein. I agree with the motivation part although now I have a pretty big one lol!

 

[crymsonwynters]

Your story sounds a lot like mine - great leadership experience, high GPA, AP courses, lots of community service, two jobs, but no sports. Still got rejected first time around. My CFA was garbage, and without athletics, I my athletics composite was trash.

My sincerest advice is to do what you can to play a sport that you can be committed to. And if you can't do that, ace the CFA. If you can't reasonably turn in your packet early without submitting a bad CFA score, don't turn it in early. Basic/4-deg year takes a lot of physical capability, and if you don't show admissions that you can handle it, it'll be hard for you. Prove to USAFA that you can handle the physicality.

 

[ElectricStingray]

Your story sounds a lot like mine - great leadership experience, high GPA, AP courses, lots of community service, two jobs, but no sports. Still got rejected first time around. My CFA was garbage, and without athletics, I my athletics composite was trash.

My sincerest advice is to do what you can to play a sport that you can be committed to. And if you can't do that, ace the CFA. If you can't reasonably turn in your packet early without submitting a bad CFA score, don't turn it in early. Basic/4-deg year takes a lot of physical capability, and if you don't show admissions that you can handle it, it'll be hard for you. Prove to USAFA that you can handle the physicality.

Thanks. Really hope I make it, what did you get on your CFA first time (don’t have to share if you don’t want to). I’m working really hard from now until as long as I can to basically straight up bodybuild but we will see.

 

[shiner]

Thanks. Really hope I make it, what did you get on your CFA first time (don’t have to share if you don’t want to). I’m working really hard from now until as long as I can to basically straight up bodybuild but we will see.

You have gone to school for 11 years. Did it prepare you to take the ACT and SAT or did you have specialized practice for that exam? It may have prepared you, but most top-tier students opt for specialized test prep courses/books/practice exams. There are gifted athletes who do not need to prep for the CFA, but most candidates SHOULD prep. My point is do not go to the gym and simply "work out" because that is unfocused effort. Although well intended, walking around the gym trying everything will not go far on this exam.

There are youtube training videos for each CFA event. Practicing with these tools will go much further than weight lifting. If you are completely lost and need someone to hand you a written plan - take a look at Mountain Tactical. They sell a training plan specifically designed for the CFA. Optional, but for those who do not know where to start and simply want to follow a program, it is ~$50 well spent.

 

[ElectricStingray]

You have gone to school for 11 years. Did it prepare you to take the ACT and SAT or did you have specialized practice for that exam? It may have prepared you, but most top-tier students opt for specialized test prep courses/books/practice exams. There are gifted athletes who do not need to prep for the CFA, but most candidates SHOULD prep. My point is do not go to the gym and simply "work out" because that is unfocused effort. Although well intended, walking around the gym trying everything will not go far on this exam.

There are youtube training videos for each CFA event. Practicing with these tools will go much further than weight lifting. If you are completely lost and need someone to hand you a written plan - take a look at Mountain Tactical. They sell a training plan specifically designed for the CFA. Optional, but for those who do not know where to start and simply want to follow a program, it is ~$50 well spent.

Yep I got specialized training for the SAT, and I talked with a trainer about a program, and he specially designed it around doing well on the CFA. Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely focus on the events specifically.