what can I do?

J

joe23

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May 21, 2015
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Hello. I am a junior in high school and have been dreaming of attending usna since eight grade. I have a 3.5 gpa in a competitive school, have played varsity ice hockey since eighth grade, varsity wrestling since tenth grade, and varsity lacrosse this year. I will also be playing junior hockey which is 20u next year. I have been refereeing ice hockey since I was 10 years old, am a certified lifeguard and worked at a pool two years ago, and worked as a surf instructor last year, and plan on returning this year. I have been a member of student government since tenth grade, debate since ninth, and blue key society which is a tour guide at my school since tenth. I was planning on relying heavily on my sat scores, but only received a 630 in reading, a 700 in math and a 790 in writing. I attended summer STEM last year at the academy, was invited and attended a CVW in January this year, and will attend NASS this summer. I know that my scores are not what they should be, and I just wanted to know what I could do to make my application stand out. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.
 
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Your math and writing scores are competitive.

1. Take the SAT again. Before you do that, get a test prep book. Take practice exams online. Figure out what your weaknesses are and work on those. Biggest way to improve your reading score is to read. A lot.
2. Take the ACT. It is common for students to score significantly (statistically significantly) higher on one exam or the other. You may be someone who does better on the ACT.

You really have nothing to lose by taking college entrance exams multiple times, because USNA superscores. That means they take your highest subscore - writing, math, reading - from ALL the times you take each exam.
 
LongAgoPlebe said:
Your math and writing scores are competitive.

1. Take the SAT again. Before you do that, get a test prep book. Take practice exams online. Figure out what your weaknesses are and work on those. Biggest way to improve your reading score is to read. A lot.
2. Take the ACT. It is common for students to score significantly (statistically significantly) higher on one exam or the other. You may be someone who does better on the ACT.

You really have nothing to lose by taking college entrance exams multiple times, because USNA superscores. That means they take your highest subscore - writing, math, reading - from ALL the times you take each exam.
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thanks for the help. I have taken the sat 3 times already and have not improved tremendously, I have also tried the act, and that score was incredulously low.
 
If your family has the funds try an SAT prep class. Also there are numerous tips websites. Explore those, study them. Any increase in your scores is always good. Focus on leadership. You have a great resume. Don't just focus on things like I was a lifeguard for 2 year... what did you do? Set up training for other lifeguards such as CPR, exams, lead prep sessions for those training? How many saves? You have lots of sports and ECs... what have you done to be a leader? Mentorship programs? Community out reach to youth? Set up volunteering with the team or club? Things along these lines are what will set you apart from others in your application. Making a long list with years involved is one thing, but how you impacted and led those teams/clubs/ECs is what will get you the extra points on your application and make you stand out from the rest.
 
Thanks a lot for the tips; I co-lead a club called war child and started a club called surf for all which is about teaching handicapped children how to surf. I have also captained many teams over the years. I will also be attending boys state this year in New York, and feel that I have done a good job demonstrating my leadership skills. I have had an sat tutour for about a year now, but am a little stuck where I am now with my scores. thanks
 
My son was waitlisted at Usna this year and his SAT's were quite similar...I'm not sure that improving his score would have gotten him in?? Maybe, who knows but something tells me not. Teachers recs are a big component too. So is doing extremely well on the CFA ..show your athletic side and leadership side really well. And practice your interview skills because that counts too.
 
NAVYHOPEFUL2019 said:
My son was waitlisted at Usna this year and his SAT's were quite similar...I'm not sure that improving his score would have gotten him in?? Maybe, who knows but something tells me not. Teachers recs are a big component too. So is doing extremely well on the CFA ..show your athletic side and leadership side really well. And practice your interview skills because that counts too.
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great tip, thanks so much for the help.
 
Your scores are fine... if they want you. Very solid scores, and they focus much more on math than reading anyway.

There are questions like yours all the time. No one can give you the answers you want. Some on here think they can, but they can't.

There is no magical number. Your numbers are good enough. Again, if they want you. It could depend upon your local Competition.

I believe your post indicates you are an attractive candidate. In our local district there were 2 girls this year that had stats similar to yours, with one girl (very impressive) having significantly better scores than the other. She did not get an appointment. The girl with the lower scores did.

Who can figure out why? I know both candidates. Very similar. One appeared to have an advantage with SAT scores, Class rank, and just as many extracurriculars. That did not gain her the appointment. The committee chose the other girl.

Your scores are fine. Are higher scores better? Yes. Will they guarantee you anything? No. Don't stress. Interview well. Prepare yourself to knock out interviewers and always put your best foot forward. and... stay out of the bars. :)
 
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Your scores are decent! You sound like a strong candidate to me! Chin up and keep pressing on!
 
Maplerock said:
Your scores are fine... if they want you. Very solid scores, and they focus much more on math than reading anyway.

There are questions like yours all the time. No one can give you the answers you want. Some on here think they can, but they can't.

There is no magical number. Your numbers are good enough. Again, if they want you. It could depend upon your local Competition.

I believe your post indicates you are an attractive candidate. In our local district there were 2 girls this year that had stats similar to yours, with one girl (very impressive) having significantly better scores than the other. She did not get an appointment. The girl with the lower scores did.

Who can figure out why? I know both candidates. Very similar. One appeared to have an advantage with SAT scores, Class rank, and just as many extracurriculars. That did not gain her the appointment. The committee chose the other girl.

Your scores are fine. Are higher scores better? Yes. Will they guarantee you anything? No. Don't stress. Interview well. Prepare yourself to knock out interviewers and always put your best foot forward. and... stay out of the bars. :)
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thanks I appreciate it.
 
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