SAT $ ACT

Jcleppe

10-Year Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2010
Messages
6,714
Well I guess I will ask the same question a lot of people ask regarding the chances of getting an AROTC Scholarship.

My biggest problem seems to be my SAT and ACT Scores, I'm not sure why I have scored so low, I expected higher. My question is this, I met with the PMS at the school I would like to attend, my brother will be a MS3 next year at thus same school. While I was meeting with the Col. he went ahead and did my interview while I was there visiting my brother, we talked a long time and he told me that he gave me his highest reccomendation. I showed him my stats to date and he was feeling pretty confident which sounded good. This was before I took the SAT and ACT. For some background here are my stats:

GPA 3.55 unweighted
SAT 550 Reading 510 Math
ACT 23

NHS
Eagle Scout
Presidential Service Award
360 documented Community Service Hours during High School
3 years Varsity Track
3 years Varsity Cross Country
Captain Track Team
Captain Cross Country Team
2 years Debate team
Senior Youth Group Leader
2 years Senator in Youth in Government
1 year Sports editor School Annual
1 year Editor in Chief School Annual
3 years City Youth Court
1 year Head Juror
1 year Judge
1 year Camp counselor
3 Mission Trips to Mexico with youth group
2 years youth leader
1 year to build a house in Juarez
4 years school Band and Marching Band
1 year selected for Audition Band
2 years Stage Band
Advanced Scuba divier certificate

I guess my big question is, will the SAT and ACT completely end any chance of receiving a Scholarship. I plan to take the SAT again in Sept. to try and raise my score.

One thing that I should mention, I am not applying for the scholarship at schools such as VMI, Texas, USC, or such schools, The schools I am applying to are smaller, public and lesser known as a high speed school. Thank you for any input you can give me.
 
You have plenty of time to take the SAT/ACT again. Get a study book and schedule at least one other test - you can keep taking them through the fall and into the winter. The only thing you have to lose are a few dollars.
Most kids take the SAT/ACT numerous times and most do significantly better over time.
Good Luck!
 
Well I guess I will ask the same question a lot of people ask regarding the chances of getting an AROTC Scholarship.

My biggest problem seems to be my SAT and ACT Scores, I'm not sure why I have scored so low, I expected higher. My question is this, I met with the PMS at the school I would like to attend, my brother will be a MS3 next year at thus same school. While I was meeting with the Col. he went ahead and did my interview while I was there visiting my brother, we talked a long time and he told me that he gave me his highest reccomendation. I showed him my stats to date and he was feeling pretty confident which sounded good. This was before I took the SAT and ACT. For some background here are my stats:

GPA 3.55 unweighted
SAT 550 Reading 510 Math
ACT 23

NHS
Eagle Scout
Presidential Service Award
360 documented Community Service Hours during High School
3 years Varsity Track
3 years Varsity Cross Country
Captain Track Team
Captain Cross Country Team
2 years Debate team
Senior Youth Group Leader
2 years Senator in Youth in Government
1 year Sports editor School Annual
1 year Editor in Chief School Annual
3 years City Youth Court
1 year Head Juror
1 year Judge
1 year Camp counselor
3 Mission Trips to Mexico with youth group
2 years youth leader
1 year to build a house in Juarez
4 years school Band and Marching Band
1 year selected for Audition Band
2 years Stage Band
Advanced Scuba divier certificate

I guess my big question is, will the SAT and ACT completely end any chance of receiving a Scholarship. I plan to take the SAT again in Sept. to try and raise my score.

One thing that I should mention, I am not applying for the scholarship at schools such as VMI, Texas, USC, or such schools, The schools I am applying to are smaller, public and lesser known as a high speed school. Thank you for any input you can give me.

I wouldn't get discouraged, your EC's look extremely impressive. That being said if the PMS at the school is highly recommending you, your already in a good position. In looking at your scores see if there on par with the school your attending, and if there not try to be on par with that; because the Army will weigh your EC's and "whole person" more than the college, and you still have to get into the college, and this admission will be based more on academic performance. The couple things I would reccomend would be a SAT or ACT class if you can afford it. The one thing I would deffinately recommend is subscribing to the SAT question of the day (which they email to you daily) and visiting the ACT website daily for their question of the day, this helps a lot. Along with those daily; I bought the official ACT prep book and the College Board SAT book. My ACT went up 4 points, and my SAT reading/math by 140. The big thing in my opinion with the tests is having a strategy and taking as many as you can.
 
The previous posters offer good advice. If you can, also consider an SAT prep course. These courses teach strategies for taking the test. For many students they do work. My daughter increased her SAT score 250 points after taking a course. The prep books cover many of the same concepts. The courses also let you practice the testing skills in simulated test conditions.

A second suggestion is to ask the PMO how many campus-based scholarships he expects to have. Even if your SAT/ACT scores keep you from getting a scholarship through CC, you may be able to get one through the campus. One of the lessons learned for all of us who went through the process last year is that campus based scholarships are just as good as national, but take a good relationship with the PMO to get. It sounds like you are off to a good start in that area.

Good luck.
 
How is your stregth of academic schedule? Are you challenging yourself academically within the constraints of available classes at your school? If your school offers AP and Honors classes, are you enrolled? Strength of schedule does matter. If you attend a school without Honors and AP level indicate that in your statement and how you have challenged yourself despite the lack of available higher level courses.
 
Selecting campuses where you will be more competitive is a good strategy to maximize your likelyhood of getting a scholarship.

Agree with the above comments about learning how to take the test. You should have a few cycles this summer - buy the official SAT guide. It has actual tests that you can take to practice. You can learn which types of questions are giving you problems (or whether it is purely a matter of speed). You can learn how to identify the wording they use and what it really means to look for. I agree that you can raise your SAT at least 100 points this way.

As to your GPA, while it is an important number, class rank is more important as some schools grade easier/harder than others. Not much you can do about that now, but knowing your rank (or percentile) in your graduating class will give you more insight as to how CC will score your application. Getting into the top 10% of your graduating class is very helpful. Staying in the top quarter is critical even at highly competitive schools. They do consider your transcript (which has a section about the college placement track record of the school), but they still like highly competitive applicants.
 
As to your GPA, while it is an important number, class rank is more important as some schools grade easier/harder than others.

Very important here. Just to give you a concept of some grade inflation...in my HS class class of 350, 50% have above a numeric average of 86.8

On the counter, I know of a school in the area where the top students struggle to mantain a 3.2 to stay in the top 10%.
 
Your GPA is very good. You need to get your SAT score up to at least an 1100 to be considered "highly competive." If you are that close some brushing up before taking it again should get you there.

My son received received an Army ROTC scholarship last February and when we spoke with a rep from Cadet Command at that time he told us that the average SAT score for the year for scholarship winners was 1260 and GPA was a 3.6. So, my son only had an 1120 SAT and a 3.35 GPA -- how did he do it? He said that applicants with a gpa of 3.3 or better and an SAT score of 1100 or better are considered "highly competitive." What got my son over the top for the scholarship was that he maxed out on points for the interview/personal portion of the selection process. Keep in mind that all of the services use the "whole person" concept to determine their future leaders.

So based on all of your activities and your GPA if you can get either your SAT up over 1100 or ACT to a 24 or better you should bein really good shape to compete for a scholarship. Good Luck!
 
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