Can a "Skinny" Kid Get Accepted?

I am more than qualified mentally, I have no doubts that will hold me back, and neither will the interview.

I am a skinny kid, however I did used to do cross country and track and I am a very very dedicated athlete. It’s been two years, though, since I quit the sports since I wanted to focus on academics. If I am presented with s physical challenge I know I will have the dedication to overcome it but I am a skinny kid who hasn’t hit the weight machine in a while.

My strongest quality is my endurance potential: I ran the mile in 5:55. My biggest setback is my strength. My push-up max is 30. I can train but I don’t know how much I will improve.

Do you know any “weak” kids who have gotten in and have succeeded? Could I?

I’m sorry, but I don’t really see anything in your message that characterizes you as “weak”. Skinny, your weight, is certainly not a synonym of weakness, if that’s what you’re trying to get at. Muscle/fat index man!

My dream would be to attend one of the service academies, but alas, my lack of citizenship excludes me. What I do know about them, in no way do you need to have some Cpt. America body(as appealing as that is, I admit) to get into any of them.

Plus, 30 push ups and a mile in 5:55 is by no means “weak”. You’re probably comparing yourself to the wrong group to think so.

To answer your question, if you have the brains, and you’re fit(which you definitely infer), you have a great chance of getting in.
Have any weak kids been accepted? Nope, I’m positive they are all exceptionally strong but in many different ways.
Good luck!

Thank you, that really helps! I’m sorry you can’t get into the academies, but your advice really helps me out. I am 50/50 towards going into the academy and applying elsewhere, but I have another year to worry about that. Thanks again!

If you haven’t already, I’d suggest you look over the CFA. It’s a pretty rigorous test and a good portion of it (push ups, pull ups, and maybe basketball throw) measure upper body strength and endurance. If you’re running a sub six mile you obviously have good endurance, but you’ll have to get those pushups to at least the 45/50 range to be competitive. The max amount of pushups one can score on the CFA is 75. Shoot for the highest and you’ll end up high.

@mldt1435 Of course I looked into the CFA! I got 40 on the push up test when practicing and 7 on the pull ups, but didn’t have room to practice the basketball throw.

Do pyramids to get your push-up total higher.