Low SAT Scores = 100% disqualified?

hk.nguyen

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I am an Airman who applied through lead program and the application is now completed. I have a low set of SAT scores with 640 math and 430 verbal. Though I sent my nomination request to my commander and my congressman with these scores, I got them both. My question are, will I be disqualify for having this score regardless of these nominations? Is it possible for me to get in prep-school at all? I am currently trying to study to take the ACT/SAT again to raise my score, but being full time maintenance and English isn't my first is not helping at all. I just want to know if it is possible.
 
I am an Airman who applied through lead program and the application is now completed. I have a low set of SAT scores with 640 math and 430 verbal. Though I sent my nomination request to my commander and my congressman with these scores, I got them both. My question are, will I be disqualify for having this score regardless of these nominations? Is it possible for me to get in prep-school at all? I am currently trying to study to take the ACT/SAT again to raise my score, but being full time maintenance and English isn't my first is not helping at all. I just want to know if it is possible.

I expect prep school is a possibility with those scores. Not sure how much of a possibility but it is a possibility.
 
To my understanding, the standard minimum scores for direct admission to the academy is 580 critical reading, and 560 math... So your math is perfectly fine. You want to try to get your reading up. I know this because I have a 570 on my reading and I need to try to break 580 for direct admission (I have a principal nomination so I just need to meet the standards). I am sure there are special cases where they make exceptions (athletes, very good students with one low score, airmen possibly, people with awesome extracurriculars etc.), but try your best to get past their "competitive guidelines". Take the SAT in January and focus on the reading sections. Goodluck!
 
Depending on your age, the prep school is the norm for airmen applying through leads. Chances are you've been out of high school for a couple years, so most airmen don't go directly into the academy. The exceptions are if you will be too old and/or you have been enrolled in college currently with a decent course load. So in the normal scenario, the sat and act isn't as big of a factor. That doesn't mean you don't need to retake it and improve, just that it's not as I,portent considering the norm for an airman is the prep school and not direct entry.
 
Currently a sophomore enrolled at UT in Austin, TX, I have applied and received a congressional nomination for USAFA; however, with regards to my ACT and SAT, they are not the highest. I did really well last year in my classes, ending with a 3.6 GPA, but this past fall semester of 2014, my classes were a bit more challenging, lowering my GPA several points. Being that my SAT and ACT scores are not as high as I would like (though I am taking the SAT on the 24th) and that my GPA lowered (about a 3.2), are my chances rather slim? I had a great interview with my ALO and congressman, and I did well on my CFA. I ended with a 4.0 at my high school within the top 4% of my class. I also lettered in two sports and played many others. I've been told that my resume looks good, but ultimately, I would just like some input from fellow USAFA cadets and writers on this thread. I appreciate your input in advance!
 
Currently a sophomore enrolled at UT in Austin, TX, I have applied and received a congressional nomination for USAFA; however, with regards to my ACT and SAT, they are not the highest. I did really well last year in my classes, ending with a 3.6 GPA, but this past fall semester of 2014, my classes were a bit more challenging, lowering my GPA several points. Being that my SAT and ACT scores are not as high as I would like (though I am taking the SAT on the 24th) and that my GPA lowered (about a 3.2), are my chances rather slim? I had a great interview with my ALO and congressman, and I did well on my CFA. I ended with a 4.0 at my high school within the top 4% of my class. I also lettered in two sports and played many others. I've been told that my resume looks good, but ultimately, I would just like some input from fellow USAFA cadets and writers on this thread. I appreciate your input in advance!

No one here can really answer even if you provided some clearly missing data. SAT and ACT scores are not subjective values. All we know so far is that you didn't do as well as you would like. Actual quantities are needed for anyone to make an assessment. Also, which sports did you play and letter in? Were you a team captain? What have you been doing activity wise this year? What leadership positions have you held? I generally don't like these "chance me" things anyway, but if you really want someone to take a swag at this you need to provide some data beyond your own thoughts on it. Am I making sense?

BTW, if all else looks good but your SAT/ACT scores are inadequate, you might have a shot at prep school so all is not lost.
 
Thanks, I appreciate it. I know what you say isn't carved in stone, but I would just like some feedback.
I was an All Star Academic Athlete for varsity softball and cross country in high school and was co-captain of the xc team.I was also a runner for the Rockwall (where I'm from) Running Club and ran the Patriot Half along with one other half marathon. I attended a Military Order of the World Wars Youth Leadership camp as a junior, was a member of the MU Alpha Theta math club, interned and volunteered in several hospital and clinical settings, attended the FBI Teen Leadership Academy, was an active member of the Student Leadership Club in high school. Regarding college, I'm part of the UT Pre-Physician Assistant Club, volunteered at several functions (i.e. Caring for Camo Veterans' fundraiser, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and a homeless breakfast called Feed My People, plus several others). I'm actively part of a church group that meets weekly, and I run and go to the gym 5 to 6 days per week. I was captain of our intramural volleyball team this year. This is basically a summary of my resume, although not completely, along with some add-ons.
SAT Verbal - 520
SAT Math - 570
SAT Writing - 640
ACT Math - 26
ACT Reading - 24
AcT SR - 22
ACT Com. Eng./Writing - 22

Like I said, my test scores as listed above are not where I would like them to be, but I am retaking the SAT again soon. And again, everything I listed is only part of my resume. Many of my activities in high school centered around medicine since that's what I was going to UT for; however, I know the slim chances of getting into medical school at USAFA, and I honestly am open for new experiences. Sorry for the novel. Thanks for your help.
 
You're right. Your SAT/ACT scores are low, especially the verbal but with your ACT scores you might be OK. Everything else looks pretty good but those SAT/ACT scores meet the bare minimum for NROTC. For USAFA you would appear to be in the bottom 25% of the expected SAT/ACT range as published here: http://www.academyadmissions.com/ad...plicants/all-applicants/academic-preparation/

All is not lost, you have a chance, but keep working backup plans aggressively.
 
Your scores are right on the edge for being considered competitive. Kinnem is correct your SAT will not be used because you are not meeting the minimum to be deemed competitive. For some reason, I think they have changed the mins this year...I recall reading somewhere that the min is now set at 26 and 1180. Won't swear by that information....it could be hearsay so take it with very little value. Just something to think about.

That being said you are a sophomore and they are also going to be looking at your college grades and curriculum, hence why they wait to see fall semester grades. Are you in AFROTC? Have you talked to your CoC?

USAFA likes reapplicants. My big concern is your statement that you took harder courses this semester and your GPA dropped to a 3.2. If that is your new cgpa, than it dropped a lot, to probably around 2.8 for this semester. That is something they are going to see. They may say with the combo of your SAT and the lower cgpa you should go to prep school.

Now that than leaves you with a question if you are in AFROTC. You will be meeting the SFT board in the next few weeks. If selected and you graduate from FT, you would be on track for commissioning in 2017. OTOH, if they give you a prep slot you would commission in 2020. Even direct admission would be 2019. The question is why do you want to wait two more years? I get some want to experience the lifestyle, but JMPO is it worth it to delay your commissioning for 2-3 years for the lifestyle.
 
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I am an Airman who applied through lead program and the application is now completed. I have a low set of SAT scores with 640 math and 430 verbal. Though I sent my nomination request to my commander and my congressman with these scores, I got them both. My question are, will I be disqualify for having this score regardless of these nominations? Is it possible for me to get in prep-school at all? I am currently trying to study to take the ACT/SAT again to raise my score, but being full time maintenance and English isn't my first is not helping at all. I just want to know if it is possible.

Take ACT... i heard Asian kids do better when they take ACT. My son just received his appointment for Class of 2019 (so exccited!!!). His verbal is 590; Writing is 640 and math is 740. The USAFA admission office wrote an email to my son's 11th grade English teacher to ask if they should place him in the Prep school or if he is ready for the Academy. His teacher told him to talk to his parents and I told him that he should go for the Academy. Then the admission office asked for email of his current 12th grade English teacher. They also wrote to her and she also suggested that my son is ready for Academy. I didn't know about how well Asians do on ACT until Dec which is too late to sign up for any ACT test. I hear this from many friends and families after I complained about how low his verbal SAT score is. So Take ACT again and again. And good luck!!!!
 
Take ACT... i heard Asian kids do better when they take ACT. I didn't know about how well Asians do on ACT until Dec which is too late to sign up for any ACT test. I hear this from many friends and families after I complained about how low his verbal SAT score is. So Take ACT again and again. And good luck!!!!

What???
 
I am a Cadet at the New Mexico Military Institute and I am prepping to earn an appointment to the AFA Class of 2021, I have a solid overall GPA of 3.1 and I had participated in church activities, but my biggest flaw is the a score of 19 composite on the ACT. I took the June ACT, unfortunately, I got a 16 on the composite. I am concerned of what I really should do.
 
I am a Cadet at the New Mexico Military Institute and I am prepping to earn an appointment to the AFA Class of 2021, I have a solid overall GPA of 3.1 and I had participated in church activities, but my biggest flaw is the a score of 19 composite on the ACT. I took the June ACT, unfortunately, I got a 16 on the composite. I am concerned of what I really should do.

Try taking the SAT. Some candidates do much better on one versus the other. The other thing you can do is take a class specifically designed to improve your SAT or ACT score.
 
I recommend taking both the SAT and ACT. Find out which you do better on & then focus on retaking that one. It can get pretty expensive trying to retake both!

My DD did best on the ACT since it seemed to be more Math focused -- she's not Asian (haha!)
 
I recommend taking both the SAT and ACT. Find out which you do better on & then focus on retaking that one. It can get pretty expensive trying to retake both!

My DD did best on the ACT since it seemed to be more Math focused -- she's not Asian (haha!)

My DS is half Asian....so he is only half decent at math! :biglaugh:
 
I don't want to give up. I took the SAT before and I feel terrible about it. I plan to take the next ACT on September. To be frank, I am not a test taker and I really struggle on these tests.
 
I don't want to give up. I took the SAT before and I feel terrible about it. I plan to take the next ACT on September. To be frank, I am not a test taker and I really struggle on these tests.
There is a method to them. Take a prep class.
 
Keep practicing, and take a prep class. Do the timed practice tests once a week, administered by someone else. And pay the extra $$$ to find out what questions you're missing. Then strengthen that weak spot.
 
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