LOWEST Test Scores to get into SLS

Vista123

5-Year Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Messages
1,179
For people who have gotten into SLS what were the lowest test scores that you had to get in. I dont really want to hear from the 36 ACT people ;) I know if I had that I could get in. Im interested in figuring out if I am competitive in getting in based on high but not extremely high ACT/PSAT/SAT scores.

Thats the hard part of figuring it all out. There does seem to be ranges in the class profiles with regards to test scores. However, I am assuming the cadets with the lower ACT scores were coming in to play sports.

I am guessing that SLS is weighted more on TEST scores than being a star running back or second basemen.
 
I heard SLS acceptance is also based on District and Minority status.

So, who knows, perhaps you need 560M/550V to get in from District X and 700V/700M to get in from District Y.

Of course I am exaggerating. Or am I? I am not sure.
 
I do know that they try to admit one person from every congressional district... so, it probably varies from district to district based off of the competitiveness of district.
 
For people who have gotten into SLS what were the lowest test scores that you had to get in. I dont really want to hear from the 36 ACT people ;) I know if I had that I could get in. Im interested in figuring out if I am competitive in getting in based on high but not extremely high ACT/PSAT/SAT scores.

Thats the hard part of figuring it all out. There does seem to be ranges in the class profiles with regards to test scores. However, I am assuming the cadets with the lower ACT scores were coming in to play sports.

I am guessing that SLS is weighted more on TEST scores than being a star running back or second basemen.

Its all going to change now. Becuase USMA is cutting their class size, the LOA criteria is getting harder and harder, and all around, it is simply more difficult to get into USMA now then it has been in the past decade. And it's wierd becuase its just starting with the class of 2016. The LOA window used to be open in July but for our class they are now opening it in September. So what the class of 2015 (SLS 2010) had as far as test scores were good enough for them, but from 2016 on, it's a different system. I'm only assuming that it is now going to be even more competitive to get into SLS than it has been in the past 3 years. So the former minimums won't apply. You're best bet is to take the SAT in addition to the PSAT and have as many test scores as you can when you apply to SLS (Make sure you apply early. Like literally the day it opens.)
 
AND the ACT. Take-the-ACT. You might do better in it.
 
You've got the wrong attitude.

"LOWEST Test Scores to get into SLS" - :thumbdown:

You want to be striving for the BEST POSSIBLE test scores you can achieve to get into SLS. Don't get caught up in being distracted by your competitors and their numbers. :thumb:

Plus, your test scores are, whilst significant, only a portion of the entire picture of what Admissions look at in determining who gets in.
 
Everyone here is correct. Strive for the best you can do!
As for me, I had 600+ scores on my SATs but also came from a fairly competitive area (mostly for Naval Academy :rolleyes:)..so I guess that helped me a bit. there were about 5-8 people who went to SLS with me or to session 2 as well!
 
You've got the wrong attitude.

"LOWEST Test Scores to get into SLS" - :thumbdown:

You want to be striving for the BEST POSSIBLE test scores you can achieve to get into SLS. Don't get caught up in being distracted by your competitors and their numbers. :thumb:

Plus, your test scores are, whilst significant, only a portion of the entire picture of what Admissions look at in determining who gets in.

This is good advice, but I understand your anxiety when it comes to getting accepted to SLS and, eventually, USMA. You want to know if you have what it takes. I realize that.

Don't worry though; I feel like collecting data like this is actually useful if you know how to use it. Look for some of the scores of those accepted and then set your goals to be higher than those. You can shoot for a perfect score, sure, but also make sure that your goals are within reason. If you aim for a perfect score but don't believe that you will be able to earn that perfect score... guess what... you won't. I know the old "shoot for the moon and if you miss you land among the stars" quote, but I feel setting a realistic goal is much more effective.

Let's say you see a trend of people scoring 28-30 ACT as the lowest entry score for SLS. I would recommend you try for a 32 or a 33... NOT a 36. This is why: you will be more motivated to hit a 32 or 33 because you know it is much more likely and, because of that self-belief, you will study harder etc. Because of the rarity of 36 (a few handful of people) you are less likely to believe that you can and you wouldn't try as hard because inside it's already hopeless. You might even end up with a worse score than if you had just tried for a 32/33. Just my thoughts.

I know you didn't ask for a dissertation on motivation and goal-setting... but hey... the advice you find on forums is worth exactly what you pay for it!:thumb::cool:
 
That really is great advice. It is upsetting to see your competition on here and realize that they have higher numbers than you. Just work hard, do the best you can, and BEAT their scores!
 
Haha that's what some uninformed people at SLS acted like - some people regarded everyone else as competition. That is the WRONG mindset (odds are most people are not competing directly against you). Safe for Nam... that must've been tough!

Again, strive to achieve what you can get. Do not compare to other people, because their circumstances are different.
 
Haha that's what some uninformed people at SLS acted like - some people regarded everyone else as competition. That is the WRONG mindset (odds are most people are not competing directly against you). Safe for Nam... that must've been tough!

Again, strive to achieve what you can get. Do not compare to other people, because their circumstances are different.

Yes. Please, if you do end up going to SLS, don't be THAT GUY. That guy comes in many forms, but you will always know who he is. It's the guy in the squad in front of you who's standing at attention 20 minutes before formation telling everyone be quiet and stand at attention. Or, maybe it's the guy with super-shaggy hair and self-proclaimed "swag" who finds a way to fit "bro" into every sentence. :)rant2:) There are myriad types of THAT GUY, but one thing is universal: DON'T BE THAT GUY. :thumb:
 
Or perhaps you'll tell him a joke and he'll just stare at you and say... "Laugh..."

Or perhaps I was not funny for him. Oh, the dilemma!
 
thanks

I like the motivational focus. I did! I am looking for some concrete data too though. Am I close or way out of the ball park. Its so nebulous that I feel like I cant get a handle on the data.
ACT
math 33
english 30
science 28
reading 28
composite 30
 
SLS is not just for people who have good test scores. applying to SLS is also very similar to applying to the actual Academy.

Heres a good tip:
APPLY EARLY.
i took that to heart and literally applied 3 hours after the portal opened (which was 5 in the morning for me). I think applying early really helped me get accepted into SLS because my scores are "average".
 
I like the motivational focus. I did! I am looking for some concrete data too though. Am I close or way out of the ball park. Its so nebulous that I feel like I cant get a handle on the data.
ACT
math 33
english 30
science 28
reading 28
composite 30

Lookin good :thumb:

Take it again though to get those science and reading sections above 30 (and maybe a little higher for science!).
 
Or perhaps you'll tell him a joke and he'll just stare at you and say... "Laugh..."

Or perhaps I was not funny for him. Oh, the dilemma!

Oh God... was there really someone like that??

If I end up getting into the academy, I pray that I absolutely DO NOT get a roommate, heck not even a squadmate, like that.
 
Oh God... was there really someone like that??

If I end up getting into the academy, I pray that I absolutely DO NOT get a roommate, heck not even a squadmate, like that.

Haha! It was just one guy I ran into like this.

The joke involved something about how my name didn't fit in the tag (yep, it got cropped on both sides). Funny or not, I'd be content with, I don't know, a grim, or perhaps a look of pity... Haha the only thing I didn't expect was "Laugh..."!

Well, I don't know what was up with him, so I won't judge. But the message here is, hey, if you can be well-humored, be.


Mr army man! :unhappy:

Ah YES! Seriously! No one actually cares how much one knows about the Army! That's probably because, apparently, all "Mr. Army Men" think that "impressing" (you are not impressing, people will laugh at you, not with you) other candidates/cadets will help them get into WP. Interestingly, I haven't noticed anyone discussing the "War of Military Camo Manufacture" with any of the Officers at West Point. I wonder why.


(It's okay to make fun of the Air Force's and Navy's camo patterns, however. In fact, it is okay to make fun of the Naval Academy in whatever ways you can think of.)
 
Last edited:
Back
Top