Prospect/Applicant/PreCandidate/Candidate Confusion

CA_hopeful

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2015
Messages
80
I just checked back into my USAFA portal and am slightly confused. I applied to the Summer Seminar and selected the option to have that application open my application to the academy. Here are two screenshots of what I saw. Am I an applicant or a candidate? I know the status says applicant, but below it says when I am deemed "competitive" I can become a Candidate. Also looking through the information packet linked on the portal it mentions the "Pre-Candidate" phase. I guess I am just wondering what are the definitions of these terms and when will I be able to start sending in LORs, transcripts, and other paperwork.Screen Shot 2016-03-02 at 10.50.04 AM.png Screen Shot 2016-03-02 at 10.50.17 AM.png
 
Your second screenshot says it all and explains the process. I was "promoted" to a Candidate I believe in early July 2015. My application was finished in July pending a nomination, which I didn't get until the end of January of this year. USAFA will tell you when to send in your LOR's and other paperwork. Your ALO will be a big help. Good luck.
 
You are an applicant (as shown). Your file has probably been marked competitive based on scores you submitted to Summer Seminar. In mid-summer it should switch you to Candidate and open up the application to upload/complete all those documents (at least that's how it worked for me). Pre-candidate refers to anyone who is not yet a Candidate. Be patient, keep relationships with your LoR writers good, keep working on CFA.
 
My sons says competitive now as well with access to the application. We were confused about that as well.
 
Is it accurate that the academies look at English and Math scores of ACT? My DD has 32 English, 29 Math, 28 Reading, but a 24 in Science. She cannot take the April and June test. Will try the SAT in June though. But she is very concerned that her scores are not strong enough for USAFA. Any thoughts?
 
Is it accurate that the academies look at English and Math scores of ACT? My DD has 32 English, 29 Math, 28 Reading, but a 24 in Science. She cannot take the April and June test. Will try the SAT in June though. But she is very concerned that her scores are not strong enough for USAFA. Any thoughts?
USNA only has my English and Math scores listed. USAFA has all scores listed. I don't know the recommended scores, but I do know they all superscore - they take the highest section scores from all your submitted scores. So you can focus on weaker sections. Also, you can take the tests in the fall as well - just plan for the earlier ones so they can get sent to SAs. Last thing, if your DD did pretty good on PSAT (if she took it) that was the qualifier for USMA, I don't remember if you can submit that to USAFA.
 
You are an applicant (as shown). Your file has probably been marked competitive based on scores you submitted to Summer Seminar. In mid-summer it should switch you to Candidate and open up the application to upload/complete all those documents (at least that's how it worked for me). Pre-candidate refers to anyone who is not yet a Candidate. Be patient, keep relationships with your LoR writers good, keep working on CFA.

Can I do the CFA before that stuff becomes available and then input my scores later, or do I have to wait until the score card becomes available in the portal?
 
The CFA has to be uploaded by your administrator, not you, within 48 hours (I think) of completion in an online portal they get a link to. So no, you wouldn't be able to get it put in officially by them. However, don't stop practicing, take mock CFAs once or twice a week and keep improving so you can max it when you do take it. That way, when your portal opens, bam! you can finish it and get it uploaded. Same thing goes for your recommenders/LoR writers...groom those relationships now so you can be on top of the game the minute your portal opens.
 
Back
Top