Senior Year Applicant/CFA/Sports Questions

D

DeterminedPatriot

5-Year Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Messages
11
Good Afternoon, Everyone :smile:

I am currently applying for USNA during the summer before my Senior year, and I have a few questions/concerns.

First of all, academics are definitely the strongpoint of my high school career, so I'm concerned that not participating in many sports will negatively affect me. So far, I have done Varsity Cheer (next year I will be doing Varsity Track), but most of the time I have dedicated to the sports has been in the gym tumbling. This leads to my next question--

For the CFA, my upper-body strength is not where it needs to be. The role I play in my sport concentrates on core and lower-body strength, so, really, I can do no pull-ups at all. This leads to two inquiries--

1) How important are CFA scores in being admitted to the Academy?

2) I have been working on developing upper-body strength, but will definitely need more time to reach max CFA limits. I was told that I optimally have until the end of August to get my scores in, so I fear that I do not have enough time to build up my muscular strength. Is this information factual? Can I take the CFA now and resubmit possible re-test scores later?

Finally, over all, what is it that I need to do to gain an appointment to USNA, considering my impediments? I think that it might be too late to get many more sports in, so what can I do to make myself of valid competition?

Thank You so much for taking the time to read this. I appreciate all help, and am more than happy to answer any questions.

Once Again, thank you SO much--

PS
Just for further clarification, my grades really are what I have focused on--
I am first in my class, my current GPA is a 5.0, and all of my classes since Junior year have/will be AP's (of the ones I took last year, all I received "A's" in, with only one falling below a 97 [a 95, I believe]). Also, I am not sure if it helps any, but my father is a Navy Vet (serving during Vietnam), and my mother is a Gulf War Vet of the Army.

-- Thanks So Much :smile:
 
Also, I guess I should say that I have switched high schools three times, and that, at the first I went to, no sports were offered (it was an early college school). But, like I said, during that time I trained at the gym outside of school (I just don't know if it counts).
-- Thanks! : )
 
I will be an applicant myself

but heres some stuff from usna1985 (grad, BGO, and mod- GREAT INFO GIVEN):
(this info is from the long sticky posts near the top, but to get to ur ques)


Do I have to participate in high school sports to be accepted to USNA?

No. However, ~90% of each entering class participates in varsity sports. Sports and physical fitness are very important at USNA. Thus, you should like to be physically active and to participate in organized sports. The best way to demonstrate this is to participate in sports during your high school years.


What is the max score? What is the average score? What score do I need to pass?

The usna.edu website give the maximum repetitions or time for each event (after which you get no additional credit). If you “max out” each event, you will have the max score. USNA told BGO that they focus on 3 events: pushups, crunches and the mile run. Average scores as of 3 years ago for males were: 6:40 run; 80 crunches; 58 pushups; 11 pullups; 67 Bball throw; 8.9 shuttle run. For females: 7:45 run; 75 crunches; 37 pushups; 1 pullup or 54 sec hang; 34 Bball; 9.8 shuttle. Anecdotally, I have heard that these averages may be more stringent today. In terms of what you need to get in, the test is pass/fail – you will be told by CGO if you have failed. FYI, your BGO does NOT know your scores or whether you have passed or failed.

How do I know if I've failed the CFA (at NASS or otherwise) New

USNA will notify you if you have failed. Your BGO does NOT know. He/she only knows if you have taken your CFA but does not get your scores or whether you have passed/failed. Thus, if you haven't heard from USNA that you failed, you passed. However, please note that "passing" may not be good enough if you did poorly. Use the scores above as a guide.

Can I get “bonus points” for doing really well on the CFA?

Yes. Doing extremely well overall or on certain sections (run and pull-ups are two) will give you a slight “bump” in the admissions process. However, it will not make up for an otherwise sub-par package. Being a great athlete isn’t enough to succeed at USNA.

I’m female and I can’t do any pullups. Is this a problem?

Technically, no. Realistically, maybe. Females who cannot do a single pull-up may do the flexed arm hang instead. However, the max score for the hang is lower than the score for a single pull-up. So start now and try to squeeze out at least one!


heres a very good post on the b ball throw http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=14158
 
You have until March 1 to complete your CFA. You do NOT need to submit it by the end of August. See the average and max scores posted above. If you're below average -- especially in pushups, crunches and/or the mile, I suggest waiting until you can score at least average and preferably better. Do practice tests under test conditions to measure your score.

You can't be offered an appointment until the CFA is complete. As a general rule, USNA won't evaluate your packet until it's complete. However, because a poor CFA score can hurt you, you need to balance timing of submission vs. better score.

Cheerleading can be a very tough sport -- it depends on how physical your program is. Doing track this year will definitely help.
 
usna1985 said:
You can't be offered an appointment until the CFA is complete. As a general rule, USNA won't evaluate your packet until it's complete. However, because a poor CFA score can hurt you, you need to balance timing of submission vs. better score.
Click to expand...

When you say "complete," does that mean everything minus nominations? So if I have everything done, including my BGO interview, they'll start evaluating?

I took the CFA at NASS and my scores were honestly pathetic. I couldn't do a pull-up, I did about 18 pushups, and I ran a 8:30 mile. I've run a 7 minute mile flat during track season, so it was quite disappointing. Anyway, I definitely want to re-take the CFA before they evaluate it. I don't want to postpone the interview though, which is the thing. I'm running out of time, haha.
 
FutureNavyPilot said:
When you say "complete," does that mean everything minus nominations? So if I have everything done, including my BGO interview, they'll start evaluating?
Click to expand...

Yes. However, it may not be immediate as others may also have everything complete.

I took the CFA at NASS and my scores were honestly pathetic. I couldn't do a pull-up, I did about 18 pushups, and I ran a 8:30 mile. I've run a 7 minute mile flat during track season, so it was quite disappointing. Anyway, I definitely want to re-take the CFA before they evaluate it. I don't want to postpone the interview though, which is the thing. I'm running out of time, haha.
Click to expand...

If you're a male, you really need to improve your scores. If you're female, they are still below average. I suggest you start a workout program right away.

I'm not sure why you think you're "running out of time." You have until Jan 31 to complete your application (other than your CFA). While there are benefits to getting your packet in early, you don't have to do it. Many successful candidates complete their applications during the fall.

Also, if your BGO interview is the only thing missing, USNA may well review your packet without it. They usually give BGOs a few weeks to get it done (assuming all else is completed). If it's still not done, they may move forward without it.

I suggest you discuss your situation with your BGO. He/she is the best person to advise you.
 
I'm female. And I know I was below the average. :frown: I HAVE been working out all summer, and it's cross country season again so I know my time has already gone down and everything else increased as well. I'm most nervous about still not being able to complete a pull-up. But thanks, I will talk to my BGO and see what he thinks. I just like to get everything done early because my senior year will be busy as it is!
 
Any girl can do AT LEAST one pullup if she's wiling to work at it consistently. In late March/ early April I could do 0 pullups. I play soccer and run, so I didn't exactly have much upper-body strength. I bought a pullup bar and worked on them twice a day, every day. I did 6 pullups on my CFA at West Point SLS at the end of May. If you want it bad enough, you can do it :thumb:
 
i actually know more girls that can do over 15 pull-ups than guys
this is a guy saying this


if u need to do negatives- lower bar without having to jump- do them until u can do one pull-up.
when u can do one pull-up, don't stop- keep trying to get as many as possible.

25pull-up challenge is a good website with a routine.
100 push-ups is another good one

google both of them

as for running use this website http://www.walkjogrun.net/ to measure ur distance

I have cut down my mile run time by 49 seconds this summer- spending only 4 weeks on an active routine.

With everything, practice by doing them.

Weight training is NOT necessary.
 
I completel agree with the previous post..if you want to do it bad enough, then you can.

I used to be a tiny weak kid. Couldnt even lift 100lbs. But I started working out, and it paid off. Now I can Bench Press 235lbs. and I only weigh 150.

Dont worry about special training programs etc... Just do it. Practice the CFA a few times a week. People often ask how to get their pushups or mile run up or pullups...well this is how: you DO them. Theres no top secret special way. If you wanna get better at pull-ups, you do them more.

And I am somewhat in the same boat as you, because I am training for the CFA. And I know I should get it done So my application is complete, but I want more time to train so I may do better.
 
navy2016 said:
i actually know more girls that can do over 15 pull-ups than guys
this is a guy saying this


if u need to do negatives- lower bar without having to jump- do them until u can do one pull-up.
when u can do one pull-up, don't stop- keep trying to get as many as possible.

25pull-up challenge is a good website with a routine.
100 push-ups is another good one

google both of them

as for running use this website http://www.walkjogrun.net/ to measure ur distance

I have cut down my mile run time by 49 seconds this summer- spending only 4 weeks on an active routine.

With everything, practice by doing them.

Weight training is NOT necessary.
Click to expand...

Weight training isn't necessary, but done properly it will do nothing but help you. Find a program that fits your goals and follow it. And I recommend weights.
 
mademu said:
Weight training isn't necessary, but done properly it will do nothing but help you. Find a program that fits your goals and follow it. And I recommend weights.
Click to expand...

i do weights myself

BUT

i feel like practicing the actual events helps more

at least for me
 
Thanks for all the advice/encouragement, guys. I definitely practice the CFA a few times a week. I haven't raced the mile lately though; just running long distance with the team. I'll definitely put more effort into trying to do a pull-up. It'll happen!! Good luck to all of you as well :)
 
Thanks!!

Wow, everyone, thank you so much!! :biggrin:

I have one concern now, though--

Do we need to have our entire packet complete before our DoDMerb can be scheduled? I was thinking of submitting the "scores" I have now so that that could go ahead and happen (later resubmitting better CFA scores), but I don't want to do that if it'll hurt my application.

Once Again, Thank You SO Much!!
 
DoDMERB will go ahead and send you instructions on schelduling your medical exams after around 5 documents are complete on your online application. So you don't have to have the entire thing complete and can hold off on your CFA scores until you think they are good enough.
 
Thanks! : D

navy2016 said:
i actually know more girls that can do over 15 pull-ups than guys
this is a guy saying this


if u need to do negatives- lower bar without having to jump- do them until u can do one pull-up.
when u can do one pull-up, don't stop- keep trying to get as many as possible.

25pull-up challenge is a good website with a routine.
100 push-ups is another good one

google both of them

as for running use this website http://www.walkjogrun.net/ to measure ur distance

I have cut down my mile run time by 49 seconds this summer- spending only 4 weeks on an active routine.

With everything, practice by doing them.

Weight training is NOT necessary.
Click to expand...


Thank you, Navy2016; you give amazing advice-- Haha, I appreciate you replying more than once :biggrin:

And, thank you to everyone else-- I really appreciate the support and your willingness to help :smile:
 
DeterminedPatriot said:
Thank you, Navy2016; you give amazing advice-- Haha, I appreciate you replying more than once :biggrin:

And, thank you to everyone else-- I really appreciate the support and your willingness to help :smile:
Click to expand...

usna forums might as well be facebook

always on it

i run almost everyday to chase a dream- appointment to usna
 
usna1985 said:
You have until March 1 to complete your CFA. You do NOT need to submit it by the end of August. See the average and max scores posted above. If you're below average -- especially in pushups, crunches and/or the mile, I suggest waiting until you can score at least average and preferably better. Do practice tests under test conditions to measure your score.

You can't be offered an appointment until the CFA is complete. As a general rule, USNA won't evaluate your packet until it's complete. However, because a poor CFA score can hurt you, you need to balance timing of submission vs. better score.

Cheerleading can be a very tough sport -- it depends on how physical your program is. Doing track this year will definitely help.
Click to expand...

Thank you, very much : )

I believe that I will be following that advice--
When it comes to cheer, it is definitely tough, but the position I played (flyer and front) stressed my core and leg muscles more than upper body.

Thank You for Your Input!

:biggrin:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top