PFE/Early Application Questions

KiwiBird

USAFA Cadet, Co 2025
Joined
Oct 8, 2020
Messages
286
I am currently completing my early action USCGA application. I took the PFE today, and I think that I scored a 200. Should I retest again before October 15th? Also, can I submit better scores after that date? Will the following help to make up for my somewhat low PFE score?

I have a 1500 SAT score (790 English and 710 math)
3.8 and 2.54 unweighted and weighted GPA respectively
I am in the top 5% of my class
I am a co-editor of a blog for a non-profit organization I volunteered with since 8th grade
-I also write blogs for them
-I helped to plan a large community event
--I was on an interview panel there
-I won an award from them
-I've been involved with them since 8th grade
I am a volunteer at a girl's summer camp and have been for 6+ years
I am a volunteer at a local dog rescue
I am the class historian this year and was 9th grade year too
I am a co-captain of the cross country team as well as a varsity runner on it and was awarded my letter in 9th grade
I am on the Mini-THON committee at my school
I am in student council, and have been all four years of HS
I have been in orchestra since 8th grade
I joined Model UN in 10th grade and have won multiple awards
I am in Science Olympiad and have been since 9th grade
-My team took 1st in our bracket last year
I am on the track team, and have been since 7th grade, in 9th grade we were the top in the county, and I earned my letter that year
I have a geology internship that I started this past summer
I read my poetry at a local arts fest
I am in NHS

Do you guys think that I'll be able to get an appointment? Please let me know if you need any more information about me. Thanks for your help!
 
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That PFE score is pretty low, but I doubt it will move much in the next 6 days. If you genuinely think you can train for it and get the score up more, you might want to hold off on applying early action, but that's just my advice, nobody really knows.

Likewise, in a hundred different threads across this forum, people will tell you there's no way to chance someone because nobody knows what's being looked for except admissions. It's an impressive and unique resume, so that certainly helps.

How is your weighted GPA lower than your unweighted?
 
That PFE score is pretty low, but I doubt it will move much in the next 6 days. If you genuinely think you can train for it and get the score up more, you might want to hold off on applying early action, but that's just my advice, nobody really knows.

Likewise, in a hundred different threads across this forum, people will tell you there's no way to chance someone because nobody knows what's being looked for except admissions. It's an impressive and unique resume, so that certainly helps.

How is your weighted GPA lower than your unweighted?

I think that I'm taking it again on Monday to see if I can improve. I also forgot to mention that I've done judo for 6 years, jiu jitsu for more than a year, and have won a BJJ tournament. I just really hope that some of my stronger points will help to compensate for that lower score, which is what I was mostly asking. And my weighted is the higher one.
 
Is there a bell curve available for PFE scores?
I do not believe there is any type of "Bell Curve" for ANY fitness tests. There are separate male/female scores, but no curving. If anything the services are going to place more and more emphasis on fitness to prevent the high % of injuries soldiers/sailors/airmen are incurring. This is what the Army ACFT was designed to do, prevent injuries and insure fitness.

For @KiwiBird, a 200 on the CGA PFE is "passing" by the manual, but in reality if you want a spot shoot for above a 230. For the Class of 2023 the "average" was 230 or so our son was told. I am sure if you either are female, or you punch the ticket for some other need the CGA has, then a 200 may be OK, but I wouldn't count on it. I would want the strongest possible application to be considered, and with EA, there are times they just decline and not consider you for RA. The best thing to do is speak with you AO and see what they say in regards to how you look for EA.
 
I do not believe there is any type of "Bell Curve" for ANY fitness tests. There are separate male/female scores, but no curving. If anything the services are going to place more and more emphasis on fitness to prevent the high % of injuries soldiers/sailors/airmen are incurring. This is what the Army ACFT was designed to do, prevent injuries and insure fitness.

For @KiwiBird, a 200 on the CGA PFE is "passing" by the manual, but in reality if you want a spot shoot for above a 230. For the Class of 2023 the "average" was 230 or so our son was told. I am sure if you either are female, or you punch the ticket for some other need the CGA has, then a 200 may be OK, but I wouldn't count on it. I would want the strongest possible application to be considered, and with EA, there are times they just decline and not consider you for RA. The best thing to do is speak with you AO and see what they say in regards to how you look for EA.

I retook it again today and scored a 213.
 
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Not sure why the rush to put in an application with a non-competitive PFE score. IMO you should hold off until you can put in your best application. I think guidance is clear about not rushing to put in application by the 10/15 deadline. Good luck.
I retook it again today and scored a 213. Does your opinion change with that?
 
That PFE score is pretty low, but I doubt it will move much in the next 6 days. If you genuinely think you can train for it and get the score up more, you might want to hold off on applying early action, but that's just my advice, nobody really knows.
I retook it today and scored a 213. Does your opinion change with that information? Thanks for your help.
 
An

And yes, I am a female.
Then you punch one of those "good" tickets..:) And your score is pretty good, I would think CGA would give you consideration EA, and if not selected, roll you into RA where you can improve whatever weakness your AO highlights with you...:)
 
Then you punch one of those "good" tickets..:) And your score is pretty good, I would think CGA would give you consideration EA, and if not selected, roll you into RA where you can improve whatever weakness your AO highlights with you...:)
Thanks so much for your input. I plan on submitting my application tonight. Wish me luck!
 
I also would suggest you apply EA. Last year a large number of spots were offered to those applying EA. There were some outright rejections and some rolled over to RA, but I think statistically it is best to apply EA if you are a strong candidate. I think that any PFE score over 200 is acceptable, although higher is obviously better. Also, you can continue to work on your PFE and can submit an updated score after you apply.
 
I also would suggest you apply EA. Last year a large number of spots were offered to those applying EA. There were some outright rejections and some rolled over to RA, but I think statistically it is best to apply EA if you are a strong candidate. I think that any PFE score over 200 is acceptable, although higher is obviously better. Also, you can continue to work on your PFE and can submit an updated score after you apply.
I submitted my application earlier today. I guess that it's now time to play the waiting game. Thanks for your input!
 
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