<p>I really would like to know how "weighted" the CFA score is in determining whether or not someone is admitted. Is there equal weight placed on academics/leadership and your overall physical condition? Or, is the CFA used just to determine that someone can handle the physical requirements, but not as important as the academics? Anyone know?</p>
<p>I would guess that they'd take someone with stellar academics and average CFA over someone with an olympic CFA and average grades. BGOs on here probably know a lot more about this.</p>
<p>there is basically a pass/fail grading to the CFA, although maxing out the scores may get you some extra points assigned to your whole person score.</p>
<p>Class rank and sats are important, but so is passing the CFA. It all counts.</p>
<p>Yes, it all counts, but Zoobernerf has it essentially "right." You must pass the CFA, but you need to do way more than "pass" on your academics, ECs. If you might be wondering because your pullups are drooping, well, work on those. And make sure you get 650+ on math SAT/ACT, good grades, and stellar class rankiing. Do all those and you've got a good shot. Do 50 pullups and get 550 on your math, and a C in senior English, well you'd better be the reincarnation of Belino or Staubach on the gridiron ... </p>
<p>In short, they're not equal, but they're all important.</p>
<p>The CFA is generally pass/fail, although you do get points for each element. If you do particularly well on certain elements (run, pullups), you can get a small "bump" from the admissions board. However, maxing out on the CFA won't make up for poor grades, weak classes, and lousy SAT/ACT scores. </p>
<p>Also, please understand that passing the CFA does NOT mean that you're in great shape for plebe summer. If you can max out every element of the CFA, you're ready. If not, you have work to do.:) Seriously, passing the CFA demonstrates that you are in decent shape, not that you're a great athlete. Surviving plebe summer from a physical standpoint -- let alone excelling -- will require most candidates to dedicate themselves to working out, especially April-June before I-Day.</p>
<p>1985 has made a most valuable point to guide candidates re: the CFA. And that said, it can be very important, valuable to arrive at plebe summer in good shape. Why, beyond the obvious? Because that is the one and only thing that plebes can control as they approach this challenge. And furthermore, when one is in less than top condition, one risks conveying a potentially, probable negative message that might be ...they didn't take counsel, advice seriously; this plebe sees himself/herself above his/her peers and therefore the directives don't apply to him/her, only "others"'; or more. And lastly, being in poor or even mediocre physical shape risks drawing attention and substantially increases the likelihood of being identified on the cadre "radar" as one who at the very least needs more "attention" and "care." :eek: And that is the LAST thing you'd want. So ...work at being healthy and in excellent condition upon arriving in late June/early July. As usual, 1985 lends great counsel here, that is profound because it's simple, genuinely insigtful based on 1st hand experience (not just what we've heard, learned from others), and so solid and valuable.</p>
<p>A couple of other thoughts about the great points made by USNA1985 and WhistlePig:</p>
<p>If you arrive at I-day in the best possible condition, you are much less likely to be injured during Plebe Summer. </p>
<p>Also, for those of you who think that a "good" CFA score means you're in good shape, here's some food for thought. I've plugged a couple of CFA scores listed in this forum into the USNA PRT calculator, using the same number of crunches and pushups, and after multiplying the run time by 1.5 (1.5 miles versus 1 mile CFA).</p>
<p>high B: 68 pushups, 95 crunches, 8:40 for 1.5 miles
low B: 72 pushups, 77 crunches, 9 min for 1.5 miles</p>
<p>I don't remember seeing any scores here that would get an A on the PRT, but I have seen several that, while they made be a "pass" on the CFA, would be F's on the PRT. So, for those of you who are serious about USNA, keep working!</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you for the good advice...especially about being in the best possible condition on I-Day! I appreciate everyone taking the time to address my questions. Thanks again.
Now if I could just hear something positive from the Academy.......Hey, what can I say, I am anxious to hear. My application is in, I have two nominations, and I am qualified medically according to DODMERB. The waiting game has begun!!!</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Most (by no means all) candidates won't hear anything until February or March and some not until April. One of the reasons is that many MOC noms are not submitted until sometime in January. Thus, that's when USNA really starts putting together the class. As noted, some people will hear earlier but, if you don't, it should not be read as a bad sign.</p>