Do I need the ACT or SAT IIs?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>I am in the process of applying to the Naval and Air Force academies, and have a 3.868 GPA with two AP classes in my junior year and three this year. I got a 710 on the SAT math and a 650 on Reading. I've heard from past applicants that it is important to take the SAT multiple times and to take the ACT as well. I haven't take the ACT, SAT subject tests, and have taken the SAT Reasoning only once. Do I need to take the any of these, or is my current SAT Reasoning at a good enough level that the others aren't necessary.</p>

<p>Thanks for your insight!</p>

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<p>Your information is not accurate. It MAY be helpful to take SAT and/or ACT multiple times. But it’s important to realize that the sole reason is if you believe you can do better, recognizing that there is no penalty in the event you do worse. (Statistically, it’s nearly as likely scores will decline as go up.) It’s your call and privilege if you believe you can improve your scores, thus making yourself increasingly attractive candidate. </p>

<p>You do not need to take the ACT altho many candidates …make that MANY…find they do better on that test than the SAT. Again, no guarantee, no penalty, only cost of $$ and time to you in the event you take the ACT and re-take the SAT.</p>

<p>As you can see from the 2014 profile, your scores are fine. Can you improve? Theoretically, yes. Only retaking would answer the question. Is there need? That’s your call, but generally not necessary to achieve the entry-level of consideration, at least on that measure.</p>

<p>As for the SAT IIs …no credit, and they are not given consideration. They won’t enhance nor diminish your application to USNA. Cannot speak to USAFA.</p>

<p>Sounds like you’re on a very good track. Best wishes for victory. You’ll not be a candidate for NAPS nor foundation programs. What state? Are you pursuing ROTC also? What’s your preference between the fly boys and canoe u?</p>

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<p>I’m in Washington and in a fairly heavily populated congressional district. I am also applying for NROTC and AFROTC. I’d love to fly, but there are a lot of other ways I can be of service to the country in the Navy or Air Force.</p>

<p>NAPS is the prep school, right? I wasn’t really planning on applying to that; the thought never really crossed my mind.</p>

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<p>While it’s a moot pt. for you, for others as pt. of information, none can “apply” to NAPS or foundation programs. Those are determined as options for appropriate candidates, but there is nothing any candidate can do to receive that consideration. Only say “yes” (or not) if it is offered.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the info!</p>

<p>Also, I have a rather silly question regarding the flexibility of the USNA application process. I know they specifically request letters of recommendation from 11th or 12th grade math teachers. I knew my 10th grade math teacher very well and from my understanding we shared a strong mutual respect for each other. Meanwhile, I did not know my 11th grade math teacher quite as well–simply enough for her to remember me and that I did okay in her class. If I inquired to the USNA that they allow me to use a recommendation from my 10th grade math teacher (he’s already written one for my NROTC application) simply because he could give a more insightful and possibly more accurate description of my character and abilities, would they consider making an exception and allow him to complete the math teacher evaluation?</p>

<p>Thanks for all the help you’ve provided already!</p>

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<p>Barring exceptional circumstances (a death, disappearance, Alsheimers onset, comatose, etc.) candidates are not provided that opporunity to self-determine who should provide the recommendations. USNA desires a common-progress snapshot.</p>

<p>My sense is that these letters of recommendation hold disproportianate importance to the process, and so few teachers are either willing or able to provide genuinely substantial, detailed, in-depth insight and information. (If a school district really wanted to provide a meaningful, valuable in-service, consider “Want to REALLY Make a Difference in Your Students’ Lives:Writing Effective Letters of Recommendation-Boosting the Best into Highly Selective Colleges & Universities.” But I digress sorta.)</p>

<p>So I’m not passing judgement on the USNA (and presumably other SAs) weighting of this aspect of the application process. Rather pointing out an element in which candidates and teachers can have a very value-adding impact on this process. </p>

<p>Were I you, I would consider a very substantial sit-down with your 11th grade teacher, share your needs, the extraordinary importance of his/her genuine, thoughtful, specific, detailed, and hopefully very positive input;personal information, possibly some suggestions and even draft(s) of what you believe might be some of your strengths that your recommender might consider using; and concerns about your relationship and thus teacher’s perception and knowledge of you and your gifts as a student and person, perhaps even suggest his/her joining with your 10th grade teacher in offering this piece. And I’d provide my resume and suggestions in neat, type-written form. The meeting and your preparation for it can be valuable to either affirming your teacher’s views of you or possibly correcting or re-thinking inaccurate or undesirable notions. </p>

<p>But the short answer …absent those unusual circumstances, follow the directions/orders, potential Midshipman. But be courageous, thoughtful, mature and attractively assertive in this process. Like your essays, CFA, BGO interviewing and other aspects …THIS is an element of the application process you AND your teacher can really make a difference, add great value.</p>

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<p>Thank you for the excellent advice! I don’t think I would have gotten a good answer like that from anybody else!</p>

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<p>Since you seem to know so much about USNA, I was wondering if you could answer one more question in regards to the fields of naval service graduates go in to. I’ve always wanted to serve as a pilot. This is why I am also applying to USAFA. I wondered if I would have a better chance to land this career through USNA or USAFA? Furthermore, would you go into naval aviation or air force pilot training if given the opportunity, and why? Thank you.</p>

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<p>Well, that’s a tough question and you can get scads of answers all across the board. At least in my case, take 'em w/ a grain of salt, ask lots of people, use some of the other forums, get multiple thoughts.</p>

<p>Mine are these …USNA has by far, the best array of potential careers. None of the other SAs are close. And that is important because “things change.” While you may be focused on flight for service, things can take strange twists and turns over which you have control and no control. Only point is to realize that you might get enthused, as you go, grow, learn, experience …about area(s) you’ve no idea about right now. So Navy wins hands down re: diversity of rich opportunities and consequent preparation for life after, whether that’s 5 or 25 years after commissioning.</p>

<p>Now to your specific question. Short answer from me …I’m not sure, and conventional wisdom seems to lean toward USAFA. But that same conventional wisdom might make it even less likely to be selected for flight where virtually everyone thinks they’re going to be such. Were I a betting person, I’d rank them …#1 Navy #2 Coast Guard (especially helos) #3 Army (tons of helos …but many/most are flown by warrant officers/enlisted) #4 AF.</p>

<p>One caveat …remember, much of AF history has been prepping people to fly big,high altitude bombers …and I don’t believe it’s a stretch to conceive a couple of reaches …</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Soon virtually all of those will be unmanned aircraft “piloted” by a zoomie sitting at a computer screen in Colorado or Wichita or Omaha,Nebraska …</p></li>
<li><p>With growing financial distress of US, this is going to impact the miliary. It is now, with pilots not getting sufficient air time. Something’s gonna go, politics be damned. Clearly AF and/or its programs are at great risk. It’s not going to be even, across the board. Army, Navy, Marines are gonna continue to be the critical forces around the world, as Obama and his mates are moved down the line. Coast Guard is going to have to expand with homeland security issues becoming ever more apparent via Muslim terrorists, and other as yet unrecognized enemies.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>So in my opinion …and it’s just that …all the “mega” issues point toward USNA.</p>

<p>Far more important, in another of my opinions, is the night-and-day difference in the cultures of these 2 great frats. Talk with someone(s) who’ve experienced both …they will tell you about these realities. AF is much more laid back, less spit and polish, duffer-friendly, and rarely/never experience sea-duty. </p>

<p>And finally 2 VERY IMPORTANT issues to consider:</p>

<p>None at USAFA ever get to attend the Army-Navy game absent a ticket …</p>

<p>And quite often, zoomies are mistaken for “piloting” greyhound buses …:eek:<br>
;)</p>

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<p>Thank you so much! You’re way more helpful than any officer recruiter I’ve talked to about their branches.</p>

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<p>One more thing if you don’t mind,</p>

<p>For the USNA Candidate Academic Information would you advise that I have a school counselor evaluate me? All that I am given is a field to indicate who I would like to do this for me. If they would be writing a short letter of recommendation then I know who I would like to do this. However, if they are just discussing my grades and GPA across the board then I assume that having a school counselor do that would suffice. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated :D.</p>

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<p>Not sure. What is asked and how is it asked?</p>

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<p>"Please enter the Last Name, First Name, and Email Address of the High School Official from your Senior or Junior year for whom you want to fill out the USNA Candidate Academic Information Application on your behalf.</p>

<p>The designated High School Official will be sent an email message indicating your request and information pertaining to submitting this application to the United States Naval Academy."</p>

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<p>It sounds like that’s something other than an eval. More like confirmation of your academic record, transcript, other? Knowing nothing other than what you’ve shared, seems like a counselor familiar with you and your student record would be in order. I’m not more informed with what a “Candidate Academic Information Application” includes?</p>

<p>Any others know specifically?</p>

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<p>My BGO is new to the process this year, so I very unsure of the questions he will be asking. Many of the obvious ones I can answer with a fair amount of detail (i.e. why do you want to be in the military?). Do you know or have you heard of certain questions that tend to be asked fairly often or oddballs that I should prepare to be able to answer? Thank you!</p>

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<p>Asked of my Plebe:</p>

<p>“Tell me one thing about you that I won’t see on your resume.” </p>

<p>“What is your plan B?”</p>