Freaking Out

usmarines15

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Apr 30, 2009
Messages
15
Hello,

When I took the SATs I recieved a 590 CR and a 580 Math. I called USNA admissions and they told me that i was not an official candidate because I did not achieve a score of 1200.

I spoke with my congressmen and he said my overall application for a noimination was strong and there is a good chance I could get a nomination.

I suppose my question is this, even though I may get a nomination, can I even apply to the academy without being an official candidate?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

FYI, I am retaking the SATs next week. But if i do not meet the 1200 score again I dont know how to proceed.
 
Hello,

When I took the SATs I recieved a 590 CR and a 580 Math. I called USNA admissions and they told me that i was not an official candidate because I did not achieve a score of 1200.

I spoke with my congressmen and he said my overall application for a noimination was strong and there is a good chance I could get a nomination.

I suppose my question is this, even though I may get a nomination, can I even apply to the academy without being an official candidate?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

FYI, I am retaking the SATs next week. But if i do not meet the 1200 score again I dont know how to proceed.

US,
I guess I will be the first one to bite here.
Before anyone can really comment, you need to be a little more specific here.
Who did you speak with? The academy itself? I find it hard to swallow that someone told you this. The SA's look for the whole person package and your scores while on the low end of competativeness scale(off the SA sites), do not solely rule you out in my opinion and dealings with three of the SA's.
Speaking with your congressmen, if you are applying from a east coast area, the competition for the nomination is going to be more aggressive then from traditional western states with lower applicants.
You cannot go further in the application process unless the academy makes you a official candidate. That stands for all the SA's.
Please give a more specific account of your dealings.
There are far more individuals here with the answers you are asking. I thought I would respond for I have noticed you are "green/on" for a while and maybe waiting an answer.
 
well u need to become an official candidate to get the application so no u can't apply unless u become an official candidate
 
Im from NH and I spoke with my representatives chief of staff. He said my application was very strong due to my e/c's, gpa, and class grades and because one of my recommendations was from our governor.
 
us,
the moderator on the site has posted a sticky that can answer many of the general questions.
I will go out on a limb here, but will say that what the MOC's staff says is a positive in regards to the nomination process itself,but do not have control of what the SA's are looking for that year of admissions.
What the Academies are looking for is frankly, what the academy is looking for. No one knows that except the SA Boards themselves and that seems to be the secret to which we all have searched for to no avail in dealing with this process.
your SAT's while not terrific on a scale for the SA's are not bad and qualify you for a NROTC and AROTC scholarships. Been through that process too.
I still believe something is missing here in the puzzle and find it hard to swallow that a individual at the SA told you about your SAT being the factor. They judge the whole person and you can keep taking the SAT's up until the new year. They keep taking the scores.
 
yea, I have applied for ROTC. But as i said before, when I spoke to the admissions office at USNA they said I wasnt made an official candidate because of my low SAT scores.

I suppose i should just call admissions again but the most glaring question for me is say my scores stay the same, there is no way i can even apply with the scores I have?
 
Let me try to give a general answer based on what you've posted. If you have more specific info/questions, please PM me.

You must be an official candidate to apply to USNA. USNA GENERALLY selects folks as official candidates based in large part on their SAT/ACT scores, which they like to see as 600/600 (especially the math score). However, people can be declared official candidates and even receive appointments with scores less than that -- I've had it happen.

What causes it? Typically a BGO and/or Regional Director (admissions officer) who thinks you have other great qualities, such as good grades, great leadership, a compelling personal story or some combination thereof.

I suggest you reach out to your BGO. He/she can find out about your whole record and MAY (I said may, NOT will) be able to intercede on your behalf with Candidate Guidance to get you an official candidate. However, that and a nom still aren't enough. USNA must be convinced that you can succeed academically at USNA in order to offer you an appointment. You may be a candidate for NAPS/Foundation if they think you're strong but for your scores.

And, yes, you should take the SAT again. You may also want to try the ACT as some students do better with its format. In the meantime, you should practice by getting books or doing on-line tests.
 
retake the test

raise your scores and this is a non issue. worked for many people
 
you wernt marked as an official candidate? my scores are much lower and i am a official candidate. I wonder how that worked out?
 
Hello,

When I took the SATs I recieved a 590 CR and a 580 Math. I called USNA admissions and they told me that i was not an official candidate because I did not achieve a score of 1200.

I spoke with my congressmen and he said my overall application for a noimination was strong and there is a good chance I could get a nomination.

I suppose my question is this, even though I may get a nomination, can I even apply to the academy without being an official candidate?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

FYI, I am retaking the SATs next week. But if i do not meet the 1200 score again I dont know how to proceed.

Are you competing for the Class of 2014?

I think a Blue & Gold Officer is best to answer this. I was always under the impression that an appointment was impossible unless you were an official candidate - because, without a candidate number, you cannot fill-out the academy application. No application - an appointment.
 
To freaking Out

my son has been involved in application process since May of 09'(he was listed as a candidate when he applied for the Summer seminar for this past summer) for possible appointment for class of 2014....he is done with everything, has been since early September...except a nomination. Please see if you can back track and apply...my heart goes out to you because I know this is a stressful process...but hopefully worth while for our candidates...Good Luck to you...stay on this and don't give up...can't hurt to keep trying to get a "candidite" title!! :smile:
 
My son's scores are in the same ballpark, he is listed as a candidate and we know that he has made it thru the first wave of cuts. I think the the USNA looks more at the whole person than some of the other academies, especially Air Force.
 
Just curious Devil Dog...how do you know your son has made it thru the first wave of cuts?? Kind of wondering where my son stands...have not heard anything...Thanks!!:thumb:
 
Just curious Devil Dog...how do you know your son has made it thru the first wave of cuts?? Kind of wondering where my son stands...have not heard anything...Thanks!!:thumb:

He asked the officer that is coming to interview the family on Saturday. There are still thousands in the pool. I think my son said he told him they have cut it in half.
 
curious

:smile:
He asked the officer that is coming to interview the family on Saturday. There are still thousands in the pool. I think my son said he told him they have cut it in half.

Devil, just curious,
I know most of the moderators here have stated(they are B & G officers too) that they have no inside knowledge/contacts of the admission board and year to year nothing is shared with them about the selection process that year or eliminations. Is the officer coming a admission officer from the academy or a B & G officer?
Also, how would they have cut the list in half already if the applications are just now hitting the board?
Not asking a rhetorical question here, I'm just trying to understand exactly what you mean.
 
:smile:

Devil, just curious,
I know most of the moderators here have stated(they are B & G officers too) that they have no inside knowledge/contacts of the admission board and year to year nothing is shared with them about the selection process that year or eliminations. Is the officer coming a admission officer from the academy or a B & G officer?
Also, how would they have cut the list in half already if the applications are just now hitting the board?
Not asking a rhetorical question here, I'm just trying to understand exactly what you mean.


The person is coming from the Academy. He told my son that he wants to meet with him, my wife and me. That is what my son told me.
A friend told me over the weekend that her family was interviewed by a representative of West Point when her son applied there (he is currently attending WP).
All I know is what I just stated. I am hoping it is a good sign. I will let you know what and who it was after the event occurs.
 
Freaking Out- But Don't!

US-
Can I add something here? I'm a candidate for 2014, just as you are (I assume). Let me offer some advice. I highly recommend continuing to take the tests (SAT &ACT's). Scores do go up. That bewing said, here's my profile:
GPA (unwgted) 3.87
(wgted) 4.11
Class standing- top 3%
SAT- M: 670
CR: 530
ACT- M: 26
E: 27
Comp: 25
EC's: Varsity Capt boys water polo, VP NHS, 9th grade Mentor Leader, FCA
CS: 200+ hrs.
I'm right at 1200 as you can see. I received my LOA on Friday. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Keep focused on the prize. You're almost there! Good Luck:thumb:
 
US-
Can I add something here? I'm a candidate for 2014, just as you are (I assume). Let me offer some advice. I highly recommend continuing to take the tests (SAT &ACT's). Scores do go up. That bewing said, here's my profile:
GPA (unwgted) 3.87
(wgted) 4.11
Class standing- top 3%
SAT- M: 670
CR: 530
ACT- M: 26
E: 27
Comp: 25
EC's: Varsity Capt boys water polo, VP NHS, 9th grade Mentor Leader, FCA
CS: 200+ hrs.
I'm right at 1200 as you can see. I received my LOA on Friday. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Keep focused on the prize. You're almost there! Good Luck:thumb:


Good job. Your ACT scores are almost identical to my son's. Thank you for posting them. After reading this forum for all these months I did not think he had a chance because of the ACT scores but I am getting the impression that he is right in there because of all the other things he has done just as you have. Again Congratulations.
 
P.S. Race Isn't Over

US-
By the way. The race isn't over for me either. I'm still registered for the next SAT's and ACT's, and plan to be there. Until I have that nom in hand, the quest continues.
Good Luck!
 
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