<p>Just something that I heard....</p>
<p>There can be some restriction of choice of Majors if SAT Math score is low. So, if the Math score is 650 or under,,,,might be a possibility of the Academy declining acceptance into certain majors ie Mechanical Engineering. So, that darn SAT can haunt a mid even after an appointment!</p>
<p>^^^^ is that true? had not heard that....
one would think it would be based on calc grades during semesters 1 and 2.... </p>
<p>??????</p>
<p>For the Class of 2010 - those Plebes who were for the first time allowed to declare a major of Arabic or Chinese - believe it or not their SAT Math score ( they were looking in the 700 range as one of the dilenations of separation, although it was not the only score accepted for the program )and any math they validated during Plebe summer was used as a significant factor in whether or not they were allowed to sign up for the program. I know this as a fact since my Plebe told me this was an important criteria and was ecstatic when she landed an Arabic slot.</p>
<p>It is true apparently because of the high drop rate in the Mech. Engin. major.</p>
<p>I have a hard time believing that the academy would deny incoming Mids the opportunity to pursue an engineering degree based on their SAT scores. If a student makes it into the academy then what could they (the USNA) possibly lose from giving them the chance. SAT scores are not all that useful in predicting academic outcome in post secondary education. I could see someone with a lower SAT being denied the option to pursue “honors programs” or some esoteric area of specialization is such a thing exists until they prove themselves. I wanted to get into honors physics for example, the cut off was a 770 on your Math SATs. If the goal of the USNA is to help kids (obviously talented ones since they made it in) make it through the academy and become officers so they can support the mission of the Navy, why not give them the chance? </p>
<p>As far as the drop out rate goes, what does that have to do with the policy? If they do indeed have a policy preventing “SAT challenged” Mids from pursuing a BSME then why do you think that would be demonstrated in a high drop out rate? If anything it would support the notion that they do not prevent Mids from picking an engineering degree. Regardless of their polices, if some Mids drop out of the program that should not come as a surprise; obtaining an engineering degree from a good school is a challenge even when you have 5 years to do it in without all the additional requirements that come into play at the Academy, and they have to do it in 4.</p>
<p>I suspect your right rjrzoom. As 69er and others have lamented, the desire would be for more not fewer engineering majors. If candidates are sufficiently qualified for admission and appointment, I'll bet they'd be welcomed with open arms in the Division 1 departments as majors.</p>
<p>All I can say is that this is what happened.</p>
<p>oregon mom- where did that information come from?</p>
<p>the reason I ask is that naval archectiture is considered one of the most difficult engineering majors at USNA (so we have been told) - and there was no such restriction placed on choosing that major..... we were also informed that those that end up "dropping" NA end up in mechanical engineering....</p>
<p>so I am wondering how a mechanical engineering major ended up with a cutoff....????</p>
<p>this does not compute....</p>
<p>No mention of an SAT cutoff was ever made during any of the briefs I attended. How could, one year (sometimes more) later, an SAT score have any possible correlation to your success in a given major? The ONLY item an SAT score has ever been strongly correlated to is socio-economic status. Is this to say that a middle-class, white male/female has a better chance in a given major? Did that SAT prep course you took last summer really prepare you for Statics? What about topics in Topology? Thank goodness I did well on analogies. Such a line of thought is ludacrious. The hardest major is whatever one you're in. Everyone thinks their major is impossible when they have to reveal to mom and dad that they received a C.</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>I find it highly unlikely they used SAT scores. If they used any criteria to allow accepted MIDN into a major, it would be based on Academic Order of Merit (AOM). This is a better predictor of success than SAT scores.</p>
<p>Additionally, if they were to use the AOM, it would be because too many MIDN picked a major, therefore they only can accept a set amount of MIDN and would have to justify some means of picking them.</p>
<p>Where did this rumor start?</p>
<p>I’d like to update this thread with the response my son received from the USNA ME Dept based on his question about this issue: </p>
<br>
<p>""Mechanical Engineering is currently the 2nd most popular major at USNA. The USNA Mech E Dept uses a probationary status for all incoming majors who aren’t doing well in Calculus or Chemistry or who have a SATM score that is less than 650. These are statistically key predictors of success in our major. If the midshipman is placed on probation due to any of these, but does well in the second semester of their Plebe Year, then he/she is brought into the Mech E major in the fall semester of the 3/c year with no penalty from having been on probation whatsoever. The bottom line is that we want you to do well and, if probation makes anyone prove themselves rather than having to drop back to an easier major later, we think that is a win-win.""< </p>
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<p>So in truth they do consider your Math SAT scores in this decision….however you aren’t stuck because of a sub 650 score. In the end if you are doing reasonably well academically your performance at the Academy is what ultimately determines your ability to pursue a degree in ME. I think the last sentence says it all; they want you to do well and ultimately succeed.</p>
<p>now that makes things clear!</p>
<p>To clarify further, if the mid has a 650/M or lower but high grades in Calc/Chem even from the 1st term of plebe year then they will be just "accepted" into the Major without "probationary" issue..</p>