600/600 SAT needed to get past the preliminary application?

<p>I filled out a preliminary application about 2 months ago, before I got my SAT scores back. I am a rising senior. When I got my sat scores back, they were 670/560. I did not provide enough information on my first application. I talked on the phone with an admissions rep and they said I needed a 600/600 to even get past the preliminary process. Is this true? I have never heard about this. Since I won't be taking the SAT's until Oct and getting my score back in Nov, I feel this is a big waste of my time and in getting a congressional/senator nomination. What can I do about this?</p>

<p>^^^^^
The minimum SAT scores required to obtain a candidate number are 530/V and 570/M. The statement that the minimum requirement is scores of 600/V and 600/M is the party line; however, if you look at the profiles you will see that it is possible to obtain an appointment with lower scores, although it will be difficult.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usna.edu/admissions/documents/PlebeClassProfileClass2010.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usna.edu/admissions/documents/PlebeClassProfileClass2010.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>USNA69 and Bill0510 should be able to shed more light on this issue.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I feel this is a big waste of my time and in getting a congressional /senator nomination.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Nothing about this process is going to be easy, nor is anything guaranteed in terms of your efforts and the future outcome. You are going to be doing a lot of things, before, during and after that may be frustrating and tedious. Lot's of paperwork, forms, interviews, requests for letters of rec, the list goes on and on. If you want to get into a service academy you're going to have to decide real soon if it's worth it to you. </p>

<p>As GA pointed out don't let the SAT scores dissuade you from moving ahead if this is what you really want. I would also add to that you should use every opportunity you possibly have to re take the tests, even if it means traveling some distance, take the ACTs if you can and enroll in a test prep class; they type that helps you with testing taking strategies. Future scores will be considered up to a point that the BGOs here can speak to. </p>

<p>I'm sure there are a lot of people on this site that can relate stories of kids that pulled out all the stops with the deadlines closing in and got everything submitted just in time. You can't know for sure unless you try, Good luck in whatever path you choose.</p>

<p>leetx-
would agree with what has been posted above.</p>

<p>First and foremost, decide what it is you want to do. If becoming a naval officer is the end goal, then decide on the best way for you to get there. If that is the USNA, then so be it- but be prepared for a lot of work, with no guarentees at the end of it other than seeing how motivated and determined you are in achieving this goal- for many, that is the end point.</p>

<p>In any event, no matter which school you decide to go to, SAT scores will figure in (substitute ACT if you like)- so getting those scores the highest you can is in your own best interest, USNA or not. </p>

<p>The good news is that you still have time, if you put your mind to it. If you have not already done so, register for the next exam date....you should be able to sit in Oct, Nov and even Dec if you have to. The second thing is to hit the SAT review books now.... and several days each week- take a prep course if you have the resources to do so.... if not, at least get the book and take the exams in the back. </p>

<p>Get going on the rest of the paperwork when it arrives- do not delay. Start following the list that was previously posed on "Class of 2012- 10 ways to spend your summer".... (I think that is how i titled it).... but don't waste time in getting going.</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=364821%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=364821&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Lastly, don't give up. If this is your "dream," you are the only one that can make it happen- one thing if for sure, if you don't try, then there is a 100% chance you won't make it....</p>

<p>so start shifting those odds in your favor- and best of luck! Keep the faith!</p>

<p>I got my candidate number with 660M and 550V. I also had to convince one of the LT's to send me it though. I did everything including copying my report cards from all 6 semesters through Junior year and sent them to her in an email. 2 days later I got my candidate number.</p>

<p>Trust me, if you show the USNA that you not only have what it takes to be an officer, but also that this is your true desire, they will do everything within reason to give you a fair shot at admission. I received my appointment with these same scores before I retook the SAT in November. Getting in with low scores can be done. I managed to get both scores up to 710M and 700V, but it shows that you can get in w/ lower scores beforehand.</p>

<p>how do I convince the USNA to let me get a candidate number with a 670M and 560V, so I can keep going through the admissions process? I feel that waiting till I get my retake scores back in November will scar my chances for admission.</p>

<p>Have you spoken to your BGO?</p>

<p>He/she might be able to provide you some guidance in this regard.</p>

<p>


</p>

<p>You might want to consider calling the admissions office and asking to speak to the Director of Candidate Guidance. If you show some persistence, and don't take no for an answer, they will most likely issue a candidate number.</p>

<p>what's a BGO? what kind of stuff do I say to show persistence? I know deep down what you're saying is true, but I don't know how to approach it. I went to Boys State btw, if that helps. I want to get in USNA</p>

<p>^^^^^
BGO = Blue & Gold Officer = liaison between USNA and candidates</p>

<p>where do you find them? the BGO's
would it be rude if I kept calling the admissions office and asked for a candidate number?
the lady (receptionist) I called earlier today told me curtly "NO" that there was any possible way I get a candidate number because I did not break 600/600.</p>

<p>I could refer you to an actual admissions dept. slide that states otherwise ["Desire 600/600 but not an absolute] but some participants on these threads complained enough to CC administrators that a decision was made to remove the thread.</p>

<p>Such scores are not an absolute. See the class of 2011 statistics to verify that statement.</p>

<p>The real issue, however, is what distinguishes you enough to justify admission DESPITE your low scores. That is, there are PLENTY of applicants with better scores who have demonstrated leadership capabilities or have otherwise overcome substantial hurdlesy.</p>

<p>WHY should USNA admit YOU?
What makes you, somehow, better than every other low-scoring person who is applying?</p>

<p>Would you care to take a stab at answering that question in these forums? You may--or may not--get some interesting feedback. I would be interested in reading your answer.</p>

<p>In any event, the standard advice applies: Take the SAT again and take the ACT. But the underlying answer is that your scores are low and you will have to work HARDER to gain admission. That is, if you really WANT to be admitted.</p>

<p>


</p>

<p>You've gotta be kidding. Those three threads had some of the best info that's ever been posted on this forum. It wasn't like you were posting classified information. :eek:</p>

<p>I've been in our schools military introduction program for a year. I was really inspired to go to the USNA after this summer at boys state, where everybody was so patriotic and brave, and I wanted to be like them. And a lot of people there were applying to service academies.</p>

<p>Honestly, I believe that the USNA will be like an adventure and transformation for me that colleges can not give. And also I want to serve.</p>

<p>So do you think I should make the phone call tommorrow to plead for a candidate number?
I'm not that far from 600/600; Im 670/560. Could'nt they take the points from my math section? Isn't math more important anyways?</p>

<p>^^^^^
Go for it!!!!</p>

<p>"I could refer you to an actual admissions dept. slide that states otherwise ["Desire 600/600 but not an absolute] but some participants on these threads complained enough to CC administrators that a decision was made to remove the thread."</p>

<p>I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but on what grounds could anyone possibly object to your terrific summary of admissions information coming straight from the Academy? And of course, never imagining that anyone would every delete such an informative thread, I neglected to copy the information on my admissions hints sheet for future reference.</p>

<p>Is there anywhere or anyway I could get a hold of that information Bill? Have you considered posting it at United States Service Academy Forum?</p>

<p><a href="http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>They are afraid of big bad BGO who tells them they might be liable. that the info is private. they even pulled my bring back the thread post.</p>

<p>im the OP. What should I say to the admissions officer when I call them tommorrow and whom should I ask to speak to?</p>

<p>Take the ACT as well. See which you do better on then concentrate your effort there.</p>

<p>Leetx</p>

<p>You can pull the class profile move saying that almost 30% of the previous class had a score lower than 600 on CR first off.</p>

<p>Next, give them a reason why they should give you a candidate number. You could even tell them you heard that that there is a 600/600 notion in a forum that YOU KNOW is not true...</p>

<p>But convince them that since 30% of the class GETS AN APPOINTMENT w/o 600CR that you should at least get a shot to compete for a candidate #, especially with a median math score...</p>

<p>Bill0510, if you could be so kind, I would LOVE to see the info that was pulled... My BGO had those papers on our kitchen table when he came to my house nearly a year and a half ago, and before my eyes could focus in, he swiped the papers off the table and put them back in his briefcase. If not classified info, it must be pretty close.</p>