Something else to remember too is: Looking at the "Minimum Required" in ANY PART of the application process, is futile. Mainly because, there is a limited number of slots available to the academy each year, and those who receive those slots, are WAY ABOVE THE MINIMUM.
E.g.
AVERAGE ACT score is 30
AVERAGE GPA is 3.87
Obviously, AVERAGE means there are SOME who have lower scores. But I can assure you that the person with that lower score, who received an appointment, had one or MORE of the following on their side.
1. If GPA or ACT/SAT was lower, it was at least meeting the minimum, and the OTHER was MUCH HIGHER. E.g. 3.4 gpa, but a 35 ACT. or 28 ACT and 4.0 gpa in IB or ALL AP classes, and ranked #1 in a very college bound competitive school.
2. They have a LOT of athletics and leadership skills going for them; probably a recruited athlete; with an otherwise very competitive application.
3. The state representative/senator gave the individual a PRINCIPAL nomination. If so, as long as the individual is qualified and meets the minimum requirements, the academy MUST APPOINT THEM. The academy has NO SAY SO in the matter. They MUST give that individual the appointment. (Mind you, MOST MOC's do NOT give Principal nominations. They provide a competitive slate of 10 names to the academy, and they ALLOW the academy to choose one. But the MOC does have the option of giving a PRINCIPAL, which says; "THIS IS MY #1, and you MUST TAKE THEM")
4. You come from a district that has very few applicants; (Yes, there are many districts like this where military academies, and the military in general is not really sought after). If you are the best of the nominations for that representative, the academy will choose you. The academy MUST take at least 1 person from that list. If the nomination are RANKED, with the PRINCIPAL labeled, the academy has no choice; but if it's an open list for the academy to choose from, and the BEST, most qualified applicant has a 3.5 gpa, 26 ACT, then the academy WILL choose them. They MUST take at least one person from every nomination list; assuming at least one person IS QUALIFIED.
Bottom line. Please don't ask what the MINIMUM STANDARDS ARE. Why?
1. The overwhelming of appointees are so far ABOVE the minimum standards, that those standards are almost irrelevant.
2. Because of the reasons above, you never know if you'll get an appointment or not unless you apply and try. So trying to decide whether or not you should apply, because you're trying to gauge your chances, is useless. Just apply and find out. It's not like it costs anything.
3. You should ALWAYS be trying to DO YOUR BEST. Your GOAL on the act or sat is a 36 and 800 respectfully on each test. Your GOAL in class, should be a 4.0 gpa in every class, every semester. Doesn't mean you'll always get that, but that should be your goal.
4. If you even THINK in the back of your mind, (NOT SAYING YOU DO), that making the minimum standards is "GOOD ENOUGH", then I can promise you that you probably aren't meant for the military academies and probably would not succeed there. The whole concept and attitude of the academies is to go above and beyond your limitations. (Again; not saying you think this way).
If you don't follow my posts, realize that I write so that ALL PEOPLE reading these posts can apply it to their lives. NOT just to person who wrote the original post in the thread. There may be SOME out there, who are trying to just meet the MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
best of luck
Mike.