<p>I agree with Ann that the score from the CFA is the smallest component of an applicant’s total score. I think however it would be extremely poor judgment to downplay the importance of the CFA in the overall admissions process. First, the number of “qualified” applications that are received by the Admissions Office at West Pont is in the thousands. The difference between the “total candidate score” of many of those applicants is extremely small. Some applicants get into West Point, while others do not. Some applicants get LOAs and some do not. There may be one or two points in the “total candidate score” that separates the candidate that got in and the one that didn’t. So, get every point you can possibly get on the CFA and every other component of the “total candidate score.” Why would any applicant not want to get as many “total candidate score” points as humanly possible?</p>
<p>I would also add that I think the CFA is one of the areas that a truly dedicated applicant can make up some lost ground in other areas of the “total candidate score.” Finally, remember that one of the things that separates West Point from the Ivy League schools is the physical component of West Point. If a candidate is number one is his or her high school class and a national merit finalist but can’t pass the CFA, he or she isn’t going to West Point.</p>
<p>Go out there and get every point you can on the CFA…and every other part of the “total candiadte score!”</p>