I'm starting to have my doubts

MicroCommando

MicroCommando

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2020
Messages
19
Hey everybody. I just wanted to come on here and vent out my internal frustration with myself. I no longer really see myself suitable to the academy after seeing the accomplishments of better men/women.

Through my junior year, I had received a 3.6 GPA with a 4.0 weighted, I have participated in at least two leadership opportunities, participated in JV wrestling, and have never had a job.

Early in the application process, I thought I was pretty competitive for USAFA, however I have hit rock bottom now after attempting to do some of the CFA exams.

Would any of you possibly consider me for the USAFA preparatory school or
 
TheRightStuff said:
First thing first: what was your CFA result and what were the issues?
Click to expand...
I'm taking the CFA for the first time tomorrow. I am anticipating 9 pullups, an 8.4 shuttle run, an 8:20 mile, 40 pushups, maximum sit-ups, and a 50ft basketball throw (Although I have a strained finger after trying it today). From this, you can make the determination that I am totally ineligible to pass the CFA. This is one of my grievances. I am also fairly disappointed with my academics. It almost feels like I am not good at anything.
 
OK, that's a start.

Your CFA needs to be better, specifically the mile and basketball throw for sure. The others are likely fine but could always be better (except of course for sit ups). That said, until you have done the ENTIRE CFA within the time limits/rules you really don't know what you can get.

What is your app deadline? You should be fine on the CFA with time to improve as long as the deadline isn't 11/1/20.

As far as the rest of your qualifications, you haven't listed everything but it does not matter as your listed raw "stats" are not dealbreakers. Without seeing more, it is hard for anyone to give an OPINION on what you could improve on (nobody on SAF can tell you what your "chances" are). DO NOT beat yourself up comparing yourself to the others on here with their "hero sheet" as part of the beauty pageant where everyone is trying to outdo each other on everything.

Every year there are people that get into all the academies that are not the top in everything they do or as to every stat. You could be one of those as well, but saying "It almost feels like I am not good at anything" will not help.
 
MicroCommondo, don't ever believe you're "not good at anything"! Do you need to improve your CFA scores? Maybe so. But never focus on where you are...always set your sights on where you are HEADED and who you are BECOMING! You sound like you have great gifts and talents that will be useful in serving others for years to come! If USAFA is the road to get you there, great; if there's a different road to get you there, that's great too. The main thing is that you use the gifts and talents you have to the best of your ability and use them for the benefits of others.
 
MicroCommando said:
I'm taking the CFA for the first time tomorrow. I am anticipating 9 pullups, an 8.4 shuttle run, an 8:20 mile, 40 pushups, maximum sit-ups, and a 50ft basketball throw (Although I have a strained finger after trying it today). From this, you can make the determination that I am totally ineligible to pass the CFA. This is one of my grievances. I am also fairly disappointed with my academics. It almost feels like I am not good at anything.
Click to expand...
Agree with, @TheRightStuff

Keep training and keep working hard, there’s only one way to get better. Use your current doubts for motivation, train harder than your peers. Continue to exercise and push past your comfort zone after your CFA. Research workout plans and Whole Foods; if weight happens to be a problem (underweight or overweight).

It seems you have worked hard to achieve the grades you currently have, continue what you’re doing, it will pay off.

Don’t focus on the statistics and achievements of others, focus on what you can improve upon/control and how you can become a better leader. My very first PFT was 267, currently I am at 292 - Continuous training makes a big difference. Again, don’t doubt yourself or sell yourself short. Continue your path and strive for more leadership opportunities.

Good luck!
 
TheRightStuff said:
OK, that's a start.

Your CFA needs to be better, specifically the mile and basketball throw for sure. The others are likely fine but could always be better (except of course for sit ups). That said, until you have done the ENTIRE CFA within the time limits/rules you really don't know what you can get.

What is your app deadline? You should be fine on the CFA with time to improve as long as the deadline isn't 11/1/20.

As far as the rest of your qualifications, you haven't listed everything but it does not matter as your listed raw "stats" are not dealbreakers. Without seeing more, it is hard for anyone to give an OPINION on what you could improve on (nobody on SAF can tell you what your "chances" are). DO NOT beat yourself up comparing yourself to the others on here with their "hero sheet" as part of the beauty pageant where everyone is trying to outdo each other on everything.

Every year there are people that get into all the academies that are not the top in everything they do or as to every stat. You could be one of those as well, but saying "It almost feels like I am not good at anything" will not help.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I submitted my pre-candidate questionnaire in February earlier this year, and that ultimately placed me under the November 1st deadline. I'm going to power through like I have never powered through before. Our bodies have unforeseen limits meaning our capabilities can be pushed beyond the boundaries of our imaginations. I will give it my all. That's all that I ask of myself. The rest of the application will do the rest of the personal assessment. At this point, all that I am asking for is a passing score for the CFA. Thank you so much for this.

With that being said, would you say that there are numerous applicants with my stats being accepted into the falcon preparatory school? This is the alternative to help me transfer into my dream school (or AFROTC ofc). I also have UCs as secondary options, but for the past 4 years I have focused my tunnel vision on my dream of entering the academy and becoming a fighter pilot. I pray that I am able to do so.
 
Nobody knows what will pass for stats going to a prep program, other than anecdotal stories of people on SAF that were sent to a prep year.

You need to grind this out over the next 72 hours and make it happen. As you noted - it IS possible. @tpaine7 is right on with his advice, even if pared down to apply to those next 72 hours.

Also keep in mind if you want to be a "fighter pilot" you can still do so by going AF or Navy ROTC or OCS with flight school after either. Many paths to follow for you to be successful in that goal, but start with the next 72 hours.

Kick some a**, keep your head up and let us know how it goes.
 
I was in a similar situation last year. I had sub par grades, mediocre test scores, I was not an athletic superstar, nor did I have a bunch of fancy stuff on my resume to check a bunch of boxes. I also had that defeatist attitude that really got the better of me. Long story short I got rejected from USMA and USNA. I came back with a vengeance this year determined to get into my dream school of West Point, a dream for as long as I can remember. I have an LOA this year, something I never thought I was competitive enough for in any aspects (in my mind I still honestly do not think I am competitive enough for one when compared to others).
If you are determined to get into USAFA, and you get rejected this year and are not admitted to the prep school, go to a civilian college (I am currently at UC Santa Cruz) or a junior military college (Marion Military, New Mexico Military, etc.) get good grades, and reapply. If there is a will, there is a way.
Ultimately, don't sell yourself short, you will only go as far as you believe you can go.
Good luck, I truly hope you achieve your goals.
 
Great pointes above. I’ll add, that you are looked at in totality. YOU don’t know what your competition is. YOU don’t know who your MOC’s will slate. And YOU don’t know where (if) you may fit in the big USAFA puzzle called the class of ‘25. No matter how exceptional, or not you may think you are. There simply isn’t any way to know all the unknowns.

One of the big pitfalls/mistakes candidates make is comparing themselves to others. Especially visitors to this forum. Amazing resumes here! But not even all these exceptional resumes will receive appointments.

I have two direct appointments to USNA. Neither one had top stats in every category. They put their eyes on their applications and worked their own process. My point, is if they would have compared themselves to others, could they have felt defeated? Perhaps (although knowing them, they still wouldn’t have cared...nor would they had compared themselves in the first place). But, it still doesnt change any outcome.

Don’t give up. That’s not an attitude that will bode well for the challenges of a SA. Eyes forward and do YOUR best. Good luck!!
 
You gotta complete to compete! If you've come this far just power through and hope for the best. If it's something you really want then train as much as you can for the CFA and making your application unique, even if you are not the most competitive applicant. I think people (myself included) get caught up in thinking that you have to superhuman or valedictorian, starting QB, etc. to go to a Service Academy. Are they tough schools to get into, yeah, but you never know what could happen and if it's something you're ambitious about definitely don't give up now

Best of luck!
 
MicroCommando said:
Thanks, I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I submitted my pre-candidate questionnaire in February earlier this year, and that ultimately placed me under the November 1st deadline. I'm going to power through like I have never powered through before. Our bodies have unforeseen limits meaning our capabilities can be pushed beyond the boundaries of our imaginations. I will give it my all. That's all that I ask of myself. The rest of the application will do the rest of the personal assessment. At this point, all that I am asking for is a passing score for the CFA. Thank you so much for this.

With that being said, would you say that there are numerous applicants with my stats being accepted into the falcon preparatory school? This is the alternative to help me transfer into my dream school (or AFROTC ofc). I also have UCs as secondary options, but for the past 4 years I have focused my tunnel vision on my dream of entering the academy and becoming a fighter pilot. I pray that I am able to do so.
Click to expand...
Hi, im also a 2025 applicant and feel about the same way at this point. Even though I have all the parts of my application coming together I feel this indescribable nervousness that doesn't seem to leave no matter what I do. At so many different parts of this application, I have counted myself out time and time again. The only reason why I seem to keep pushing through is that I want this more than anything, I keep telling myself I might not be worthy of a spot yet but I will at some point. I have a 3.4 unweighted and have always thought of that as not good enough, but I also have taken 8 AP classes and 15 Honors classes. I never realized how far I ended up pushing myself to take these high-level classes compared to what the avg person might be doing. At some point, people here really can't do anything but encourage you to send the application in and hope for the best. REMEMBER!! 45% of people who turn in the application complete get into USAFA and 10% of people get a spot at the prep school. Not only that but I think it could be safe to assume that there might be fewer applicants this year. Don't look back and instead look forward on how you can get that spot as a fighter pilot!
 
PositiveEnergy said:
REMEMBER!! 45% of people who turn in the application complete get into USAFA and 10% of people get a spot at the prep school. Not only that but I think it could be safe to assume that there might be fewer applicants this year.
Click to expand...

What is your data for this statement? I am all for positive support to applicants, but these numbers seem to be much higher than conventional wisdom would suggest.

Stealth_81
 
Stealth_81 said:
What is your data for this statement? I am all for positive support to applicants, but these numbers seem to be much higher than conventional wisdom would suggest.

Stealth_81
Click to expand...
class of 2021 had 2608 qualified candidates (I'm assuming that is people who completed application) and 1508 appointments given out. that would be even higher than what I said if I'm reading that correctly.
 
However, I don't believe "qualified" is just "completing the application" so to speak.....
 
TheRightStuff said:
However, I don't believe "qualified" is just "completing the application" so to speak.....
Click to expand...
could be true but I know that the candidate pool is anyone who gets pasted the pre-candidate application and is able to fill out the primary application.
 
My advice would be to avoid comparing yourself to other people, ESPECIALLY on these forums. I learned super early that these forums are where the crazy overachievers like to hang out. Remember, the fact that you are even on the SA forums shows that you have looked deeper into this process the most candidates ever will. A lot of stuff is out of your control, so don't worry about it! Instead take things one at a time and pretty soon the process will be over and the waiting will begin. Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top