Hello all! I am a Junior in high school and just opened my application with the USAFA. They said I am un competitive. I suppose it's my low math ACt score. I will be retesting net month and again in october. If I significantly increase my math/ general scores could I be deemed Competitive?
You say you "Suppose" it's because of a low math ACT score. Well; we're not looking at your application, so you probably know better than us. But considering that you haven't taken any medicals yet, you are probably correct. So yes, take the ACT and SAT as many times as you can. It's NOT POSSIBLE for your score to go down. The academies take the BEST score from each testing, and combine them to "Super-Score" your test. Meaning, if you got a 28 in math and a 30 in Science; and next time, you got a 31 in math and a 25 in science, they'd keep the 31 in math and the 30 in science.
But remember; you are not trying to be "COMPETITIVE". You are trying to BE THE STANDARD that others have to reach. If you are aiming for the academy averages, and to be competitive, and you reach those....... I can almost guarantee you that you WILL NOT RECEIVE AN APPOINTMENT. Those who receive appointments overall are much HIGHER than the average. They are much stronger in all areas.
What your GOALS should be. (And if they aren't, then you should rethink a military academy in your future)
1. 36 Composite ACT
2. 2400 Total SAT
3. 4.0gpa unweighted
4. Taking ALL AP classes or the IB program
5. Varsity letter in 2-3 sports
6. Captain of sports teams
7. Member of numerous clubs or organizations
8. Leader in those clubs or organizations
9. Hundreds of hours of volunteer time
10. Other leadership training and experience
11. Community involvement
Will you succeed in all of these areas? Probably not. No one has. But if that isn't your "GOAL", then you aren't starting with the right attitude. If you think being the average or getting the mean average scores is going to get you an appointment; you are sadly mistaken. And just as important; don't let anyone convince you that a particular club or organization is "BETTER" or gives you a better chance than another. They don't. JrROTC, Scouts, or CAP doesn't give you any better chance over FBLA, Student Government Organization, and Girl/Boy's state. What matters is doing what you are passionate about, because you'll do better at it and gain higher levels of leadership in such clubs/organizations. Too many people believe that simply being a member of "XYZ" organization/club gives them an edge compared to other applicants.
Anyway; those should be your goals. Whether you reach them all (Unlikely) isn't important. What is important is that your goal is "Perfection", NOT being "Competitive".