<p>What are the chances for:</p>
<p>Rising senior
4 years student council
2 years class president
football and wrestling captain
4 years varsity wrestler
3 years varsity football
7 varisty letters
club president
church leader
employed throughout high school
organized outside activites, sports coaching etc..
a few more ECs....
athlete in excellent condition</p>
<p>The problem:
2.99 gpa
1170 SAT (does not include writing)</p>
<p>Did you complete the pre-candidate questionairre?
Seriously, it is impossible to tell. There are many factors at work. USMA will NOT appoint you unless they feel you can handle the academic load. If you are an excellent candidate other than academics and you have potential you may be offered an opportunity for prep.
If you really, really really want to go then it may not be easy but you will never know unless you give it a go.</p>
<p>Yes the pre-candidate questionairre has been completed--also working on improving the SAT. How much higher does that need to be?</p>
<p>You may also want to try the ACT. Some students do better on one exam rather than the other. Also, make sure you take both tests at least twice. West Point will take the individual subscores to give you a new composite.</p>
<p>Another major consideration is the competition within your state and congressional district. In some areas you would be a slam dunk and in others you will be competing against other applicants with the same leadership and sports credentials, but stronger on the academic side. Do everything you can to improve your gpa during the 1st semester, spend the rest of the summer with some time each day prepping for the exams, reach out to your MALO, and make sure you complete the nomination applications from each available source before school starts.</p>
<p>Good luck!!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice momoftwins. What states are "slam dunks" and where is the competition tougher? Do they consider the rigor of your courses in high school? And, how high does that SAT have to be? Queenbee89, do they automatically send strong leadership and athletic candidates to the prep school if they have borderline academics, or is it possible to get in if the SAT score improves? Thanks for the replies.</p>
<p>I believe mom of twins was referring to "slam dunk" states as states with low populations/interest in the academies(i.e MT,ND). Competitive states are states with high populations (ie VA,MD,NY,CA). Yes they do consider the rigor of you high school courses depending on what classes your HS offers. No definitive SAT minimum, but there is always rumbling of at least 1200 helps. Strong leader (especially recruited athletes) are frequently admitted to prep school on a case by case basis. Improving your SAT score would definatly improve your chances of getting in. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but admissions consists of 60% academics, (30% SAT 30% GPA/class rank) 20% leadership, 10% cfa
It sounds to me you have the last two down, just work on academics.</p>
<p>The average SAT composite for this year's entering class was 1277. That includes the Math and Verbal portions but not the Writing. I know that I don't have to tell you that 'average' isn't a guarantee. You have a great profile, so putting the effort into these tests should be a primary goal.</p>
<p>In terms of the competitiveness of your district, your MALO should be able to give you some pretty good information. Keep in mind, that it can change from year to year.</p>
<p>Yep, contact your MALO.
Receiving a nomination is key. Competition can vary greatly from year to year in congressional districts. You have no control over that. Work on what you have control over - your senior schedule, continuing your activities and raising your SAT/ACT scores.
You have time to take the SAT's 2 or 3 more times.
Admissions will consider EVERYTHING in your package. Class rank and the strength of your schedule (esp in Math and Science) is more important than gpa.
You also need to pass the CFA - which can be a challenge even for athletes.</p>
<p>Admissions is 60% academics - SAT's, grades and courses taken are all a part of that. SAT's need to be as high as you can get them.</p>
<p>So what is the breakdown of your SAT's? CR vs M
What is your senior schedule like? taking calculus? AP Courses?</p>
<p>SAT scores are pretty even: CR 590 and Math 580. There is room to improve. Senior schedule is tough. School does not rank. Can you take the SATs again after October? How many times?</p>
<p>I think you can take SAT's (and definately take the ACT twice) through December. I know for the ACT(I'm in an ACT area), there is a test at the end of October and the beginning of December, so it would only benefit you to take it both times. If you want to keep trying the SAT too, and you should, I just saw(because I'm taking it this fall too) where it is administered in October, November and December, so definately do as much testing as possible in those months. If they deem you "not academically qualified", I'd say based on your leadership, there is a VERY good chance for prep school. I wish you the best of luck!</p>
<p>Does anyone have advice for preparing for the ACT? Do you think it is best to concentrate on the SAT and take it in October and December? Thanks.</p>
<p>Rocky,</p>
<p>Try a practice ACT and SAT. Take a look at the test prep threads here on cc. Look at the xiggi SAT prep methodology. If you can do your own prep - great. If not, consider a class or tutor. </p>
<p>If this is something you want very badly, then sign up for both tests the next 2 times they are offered. Again, WP will look at your highest subscores from each exam. It is only to your advantage to retake the tests.</p>
<p>Rocky,</p>
<p>You have great credentials but you need to raise your SAT scores to improve your chances of gaining admission to USMA. Believe me, strong SAT scores will mitigate an average GPA.</p>
<p>Here're some comments about SAT/ACT score improvement. </p>
<p>This topic is important since I am convinced that the candidate's SAT/ACT score is the biggest currently controllable component used by the academies in assessing a candidate's academic aptitude. By this I mean that, although the other criteria are important, GPA and class rank are pretty much established by the time a candidate applies. SAT/ACT scores, in contrast, can still be dramatically improved. As an aside, if you already have a 1400+ score then improvement is a pretty moot issue. This commentary is for the non-recruited athlete, 1100-1300 score candidates whose candidate assessment will greatly improve with higher test scores.</p>
<p>Here's the program I recommend.
1. Begin now to prepare for the October SAT exam. Buy the review books with the previous years' tests and start doing sections of the exams each day. Yes, each day do 20-40 questions. Expect to spend an hour a day on study. At first don't worry about the time element. Just take the tests, review the answers and identify the types of questions you tend to miss. If you can't figure out how to do certain types of questions, hire a tudor to work with you. As you get closer to test time, start timing your practice sessions.
2. Take the October Test. After the test continue to study each day. Sign up for the November and December SAT exams (you will need to sign up for the November SAT exam before taking the October SAT). Keep studying and taking the exams until you hit your targeted scores in Math and CR. Once you get the score you want in one of the areas, focus all your practice on the other area. Don't worry about the "conquered" area when you take the formal test. Save your brain power on test days for the "targeted" area. I assure you that the academies will understand why your great 700+ verbal score dropped to 500 on later tests.</p>
<p>Sound too intense? Maybe. But it depends on how important you feel a high SAT/ACT test score is to your success in getting an appointment. If you want to get a "letter of assurance", high test scores are vital.</p>
<p>Again I use the sports analogy. Suppose I told you I wanted to be one of the star players on the school's varsity football team but was only willing to spend a few hours practicing before the season began and then only an hour or two before each game. You would laugh in my face. </p>
<p>I contend that, in the candidate evaluation by academies, the SAT/ACT scores are more important(for the non-recruited athlete) than varsity sports participation. I suggest candidates allocate their time and resouces accordingly. Candidates routinely spend 15-20 hours or more a week on their varsity sport. I'm suggesting spending less than half that much time on your SAT scores which, I believe, carry more weight in the admission process than the varsity sport (except for recruited athletes.)</p>
<p>Certainly candidates with relatively low test scores have received appointments. However, if you are in a competitive district and do not qualify for one of the academies' targeted candidate categories, I highly recommend you reconsidered how you are preparing for your SAT/ACT tests.</p>
<p>Is this approach guaranteed to work? No. However, I had 100% success with our two sons. One applied to USMA, received a letter of assurance and is currently a Cow. The other also improved his scores but has no interest in an academy. Both reluctantly admitted that practice, practice and more practice is boring but effective.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies on how to improve the SAT score. The sports analogy is a good one. Congrats on your son. There was a plebe at the annual by-invite meeting who did just what your sons did, and improved his score from 1100 to 1400. It is worth a try. One question for both aspen and momoftwins: I am wondering if the study of the ACT and SAT would be confusing and the focus should be on improving the SAT as much as possible?</p>
<p>I think studying for the ACT and SAT compliment each other pretty well. However, if I had to choose, I would focus on the SAT since it is offered more frequently in most states.</p>
<p>Yes, focus your study on the SAT, but take the ACT once or twice. You only have 2 shots at it before the testing deadline, so I'd recommend taking both so if you do well on math or english, it can be used in place of a lower SAT score.</p>
<p>Rocky,</p>
<p>Aspen makes a lot of good points, as usual. I don't think you'll be confused by prepping for both exams. You have a window between now and December and as aspen said, this should be your priority.</p>
<p>take the SAT again, because you can show improvement and consistency that way. there are also more SAT test dates. </p>
<p>As i was reading your list of qualifications, i was thinking "shoe-in, shoe-in, shoe-in" until i saw your grade and SAT score. It's pretty hard to say. Do you live in a competitive district? Are there a lot of potential military academy kids around your area that can compete against you for a nom?</p>
<p>RobotHenry: Not too many people from my high school compete for the service academies, usually about one a year, and they ususally get in. It is not always army, sometimes it is merchant marine, coast guard, navy or air force. It is usually just one person and one academy, though. I really can't say how many. I have attended the "West Point by invite" event in my state every year and it seems that the number in attendence this year dropped off considerably. There were maybe 100 people there including parents, speakers, congressman and newly appointed plebes. My plan is to beef up my SAT scores by practicing every day, and work really hard first semester, have grades sent and keep up with my current activities. I did have my medical exams already. The forms came in late June. I think this is a good sign. Still hoping and trying.</p>