Composite score and point system?

[Vista123]

I heard people with 24 get in

Yes. Someone with a 24 has gotten in before I am sure.
They aren't your problem. Your problem is with the one with a 32+ trying to get in.

 

[Rocko]

Um... 26 in ANYTHING would be a huge red flag to my eyes!

To my mind it's like saying: "What's the MINIMUM I can get on the CFA and get in?" Well, yes, you could maybe get in doing just three pull ups, but oh my gosh, the potential to be on Athletic Probation for four years looms large.

+1 Vista!

EVEN for bluechipped athletes, a 26 (unless it was for football?) would be a no-go.

Not sure I agree with your sentiments. Just because they have a 26 does not mean they didn't try or just "settled" for minimums. My DS had a 26 on the reading section of the ACT and was accepted to USAFA and USMA this year. He took the test 6 times and tutored to try to bring his reading score up. The 26 was not due to lack of effort and he was not happy with it.

He is currently a member of the 2018 class at USAFA and told me this weekend he currently has all A's (I know it is still early).

I'm very thankful you don't work in admissions!!

 

[jebdad]

scores

From class profile:

Middle 50th percentile*: verbal 600 to 650. Math 630 to 680.

Based on conversion chart that equates to an act range of 27 to 30.

* 50% of the class achieved scores within the range of the 25th and 75th percentile.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Not sure I agree with your sentiments. Just because they have a 26 does not mean they didn't try or just "settled" for minimums. My DS had a 26 on the reading section of the ACT and was accepted to USAFA and USMA this year. He took the test 6 times and tutored to try to bring his reading score up. The 26 was not due to lack of effort and he was not happy with it.

He is currently a member of the 2018 class at USAFA and told me this weekend he currently has all A's (I know it is still early).

I'm very thankful you don't work in admissions!!

+1 Rocko - It is stories like your DS's that confirms the fact that the SA's really do evaluate the "whole person." (and bring hope to others who may struggle on standardize testing).

I'm sure your DS will continue to thrive there. Best wishes to him!

 

[Vista123]

Not sure I agree with your sentiments. Just because they have a 26 does not mean they didn't try or just "settled" for minimums. My DS had a 26 on the reading section of the ACT and was accepted to USAFA and USMA this year. I'm very thankful you don't work in admissions!!

Fencersmother was not saying that the person with the 26 didnt try so they settled with a 26. What she is saying is dont be satisfied with a 26. Or in other words...she is saying what the very wise person below said...

I've visited this site for a few months taking advantage of the wealth of information that is here and it is truly appreciated. One theme that I have read over and over is how EVERY little bit counts. It has been stated over and over how they should not be happy with a 35 ACT. That as long as they have room for improvement that they should continue to work on just that.

.

 

[Vista123]

From class profile:
Middle 50th percentile*: verbal 600 to 650. Math 630 to 680.
Based on conversion chart that equates to an act range of 27 to 30.
* 50% of the class achieved scores within the range of the 25th and 75th percentile.

What I find frustrating about this above statistic is that new people come on this message board and see that the median score is a 28.5 and then think..."well Hey, I got a 29, Im golden!" When the people who have posting on here for years and years will tell you to NOT look at that median score and feel satisfied if you pass it. For MOST (yes I said MOST) people that score simply wont be good enough.


The Three Card Monte Test Score Range – Almost every college publishes the range of SAT scores that kids in the last entering class achieved. The schools call this the 25th to 75th percentile range. In other words, 50% of last year’s entering class had scores within this range.

So if an applicant sees that USNA's 25th-75th range is verbal 600 to 650 and Math 630 to 680, the applicant might reasonably think that their math 650 SAT score gives them a fair shot at admission. Wrong. In reality, the bottom 25% (below 630) is reserved for the academy’s “targeted needs ”: enlisted, mirroring the ethnic make-up of the fleet, under represented geographical areas,athletes, etc. To have a real shot you really have to be at the upper end of that range.

For example, Vanderbilt reports its 25-75 SAT range as 1380 – 1550. In reality, most of its unhooked admittees had SAT scores above 1500. We will never know what the average "unhooked" scores at USNA are but statistically, they wont be close to the median.

 

[Rufus]

USNA is extremely difficult to get into.They took about 1,200 into class of 2018.There were 300 females/300 from NAPS.If you are a male-you are looking to compete for 600 slots across the country.You need to do your best.Take the test multiple times.Take both SAT/ACT.You can do it but never settle for the average.

 

[Serve.USA]

Well a 8 point spread really isn't that bad but it might be a bubbling issue simply because I don't see many fellow students do better on science than math. I got a 33 math and a 26 science. Definitely do retake the test as many times as you can afford.

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app

 

[Rufus]

One other most important thing-get your package done early.Rolling admissions will work in your favor- but you need to be proactive.For those Juniors out there-Begin working now so all is complete by Aug of 2015.I mean everything.The only thing that you should be waiting on is your nomination interviews.USNA is looking for driven and motivated individuals-show it to them by getting all done early!

 

[Rocko]

Fencersmother was not saying that the person with the 26 didnt try so they settled with a 26. What she is saying is dont be satisfied with a 26. Or in other words...she is saying what the very wise person below said...

Perhaps you are correct and that is what she meant. My reading comprehension is not always the best (Guess that's where my DS gets it). I concur not to settle and fight to the finish. But if 26 is the best you have then hold your head high and be proud knowing you did your best...

Now as for the wise person well you must have a VERY loose definition of wise!

 

[jebdad]

flipside

What I find frustrating about this above statistic is that new people come on this message board and see that the median score is a 28.5 and then think..."well Hey, I got a 29, Im golden!" When the people who have posting on here for years and years will tell you to NOT look at that median score and feel satisfied if you pass it. For MOST (yes I said MOST) people that score simply wont be good enough.


The Three Card Monte Test Score Range – Almost every college publishes the range of SAT scores that kids in the last entering class achieved. The schools call this the 25th to 75th percentile range. In other words, 50% of last year’s entering class had scores within this range.

So if an applicant sees that USNA's 25th-75th range is verbal 600 to 650 and Math 630 to 680, the applicant might reasonably think that their math 650 SAT score gives them a fair shot at admission. Wrong. In reality, the bottom 25% (below 630) is reserved for the academy’s “targeted needs ”: enlisted, mirroring the ethnic make-up of the fleet, under represented geographical areas,athletes, etc. To have a real shot you really have to be at the upper end of that range.

For example, Vanderbilt reports its 25-75 SAT range as 1380 – 1550. In reality, most of its unhooked admittees had SAT scores above 1500. We will never know what the average "unhooked" scores at USNA are but statistically, they wont be close to the median.

Isn't the flipside of your analysis that only 25% of the class was over 30? So, only 1 out of every 4 appointees to USNA had an act score over 30?

 

[Vista123]

Isn't the flipside of your analysis that only 25% of the class was over 30? So, only 1 out of every 4 appointees to USNA had an act score over 30?

Jebdad, No, not all equations work in reverse. there is a difference between median and mean. However explaining statistics couldn't be further from my point.



My point is...if you can help it dont leave anything on the table. Dont be satisfied with being in the 25th-75th range. Keep plugging away.


and BTW Rocko, my son took it 8x. He initially considered USMA (which looks at the Reading) and his first reading score was a 21. The 8th time he took it he had a 33.

 

[jebdad]

cup is half full

Vista - agree completely with you that the 25th percentile is probably loaded with exception appointees.

Not sure if there are more or less than 25% of the class as recruited athletes or underrepresented, etc. and if those "exceptions" bleed above the 25th percentile. Someone with more knowledge probably knows these numbers. Maybe not.

In all fairness (I like to be a glass is half full guy - or, in this case, a glass is 75% full ,), if the academy produces a stat that says that the 75th percentile is a 30, then that means that 25% of the class is over a 30. With a 30, I have an ACT score that is equal to or better than 75% of last year's class.

I agree with you that you should leave nothing on the table. Keep taking it so that you can put your best score out there and have no regrets.

 

[93Sir]

I appreciate all your responses and (though tough to read)it helps a lot. I read on the LOA thread that a candidate got an LOA two weeks ago with a 27 in math. So, I am going to continue to encourage him to keep at it. For now, the dreaming continues...he's at the kitchen table right now practicing for the SAT this Saturday and has his fourth ACT in two weeks on the same day as his MOC interview. He's reaching for the stars. If it's not meant to be, he'll land on the moon!