Minimum Scores on SAT/ACT?

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Tb1150

5-Year Member
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Sep 26, 2011
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Does the academy have a minimum score for these tests?
My son was told at SOAR event that the minimum score on the ACT is 27.
Is this correct? My son has great grades and extra curiculars, varsity letters, team captain etc. but lower than 27 ACT. Should we even apply? Or should we save the 1200 plus dollars it is costing for CAD, and forget it?
 
I would re-take the ACT again and again until your son gets a higher score if he is really interested in coming to the Academy. There are prep classes and such which will help prepare him for the ACT. Also, the Academy will look at specific sections of the ACT, so ensure that Math and Science sections are up to snuff.
 
27

Does your son need a 27 composite or a 27 in each of the subsections?
 
I did mean Cadet for a Day. He is suppose to go to the Academy on Dec 1. Now, we aren't so sure. My son is a well-rounded student/athlete with great grades in AP/Honors classes, top 20% of his class, several coach/peer elected leadership positions to his credit, varsity letter for 4 years in football and wrestling, I could go on, he has accomplished great things in his high school career.
The admissions rep basically blew these things off, stating that the minimum requirement on the ACT is 27, and moved on to the next kid.
I know this is a competative process, it was just disheartening for my son to hear.
But, thats life. Spending the money to go to Connecticut after the admission's rep basically tells you don't bother seems foolish.
We will probably complete the application process and "roll the dice". All they can say is no, and Plan B and C are in place.:cool:
 
Vista123, he didn't say which, just that he needed a minimum of 27 on the ACT.
He wasnt interested in talking to us after that.
 
My son went to Cadet For A Day this past week and it was pretty disappointing. He was a little on the fence about USCGA (he's very interested in USAFA) so CFAD was pretty important for him. We invested the money and sent him. His assigned cadet didn't know he was coming so nothing was arranged for him to be there. He only went to one class ( a non- academic class) and spent the morning of the second day sitting in the cadets room. It left a horrible impression on him and he's pretty much decided from that experience that it's not the place for him. :frown:
 
blamblin said:
My son went to Cadet For A Day this past week and it was pretty disappointing. He was a little on the fence about USCGA (he's very interested in USAFA) so CFAD was pretty important for him. We invested the money and sent him. His assigned cadet didn't know he was coming so nothing was arranged for him to be there. He only went to one class ( a non- academic class) and spent the morning of the second day sitting in the cadets room. It left a horrible impression on him and he's pretty much decided from that experience that it's not the place for him. :frown:
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Wow, that is hard to believe. Our son could not have had a better experience with CFAD. :confused:
 
I had a great time. Not everybody is a good host in life though...I would'nt base going to the Academy on 1 cadet, but that's just me :smile:
 
blamblin said:
My son went to Cadet For A Day this past week and it was pretty disappointing. He was a little on the fence about USCGA (he's very interested in USAFA) so CFAD was pretty important for him. We invested the money and sent him. His assigned cadet didn't know he was coming so nothing was arranged for him to be there. He only went to one class ( a non- academic class) and spent the morning of the second day sitting in the cadets room. It left a horrible impression on him and he's pretty much decided from that experience that it's not the place for him. :frown:
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I was there the 17th and 18th and my experience was the complete opposite, I went to one class the morning I got there with a 3rd class cadet, then 2 in the afternoon with a 4th class cadet on the crew team and went to practice with him, then the second day I was back with my 3rd class cadet and went to a class with him. There was some downtime the second morning while my cadet was studying and he let me play Call of Duty on XBox while he was studying.
 
It really depends who you get as your escort. Luckily I got paired with someone with my activities. But to get back to the original post there is no stated minimum, however on the CGA website there is a "successful suggested score that candidates score above" (don't quote me on that...) about tests. Maybe there was a whole lot of people at the SOAR event and the AO or AAP just wanted to give everybody a small amount of time. Don't worry though, I think, (key word being think), more than 1 person makes the admission decision. :thumb:
 
Tb1150 said:
The admissions rep basically blew these things off, stating that the minimum requirement on the ACT is 27, and moved on to the next kid. I know this is a competitive process, it was just disheartening for my son to hear.
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I hope there was a misunderstanding because an academy rep should never say that. The academy is looking for a well rounded person from a variety of strengths and backgrounds. The "average ACT score" means there are cadets above AND BELOW that average.

My advise is to take a ACT prep class, buy and use an ACT practice book and C/D and take the ACT test as many times as you can, and then apply. Don't let one person talk you out of applying.
 
Pertaining to the questions asked in this forum about minimum SAT/ACT scores ... how do I stack up ... am I good enough, etc. ...

For what it's worth, my advice to all prospective cadets anxious to find out if they are competitive would be to focus less on everyone else and more on all YOU can do to continually set your own personal bar as high as you possibly can. Just when you think you've gone above and beyond in the areas of academics, athletics, leadership, character and community service, ask yourself what more you can do. And as I always tell my daughter, developing one's self is not about crawling up the backs of others. True personal development also demands that you help develop and inspire the people around you as you make your ascent.

When you ask questions about minimum SAT scores, it could perhaps be interpreted as, "Can I get by on that?" Instead, find ways to stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone. And NEVER let anyone else tell you what your limitations are. If you happen to discover them on your own, then you will know you have done the very best you can, and that's all that can be asked of anyone. And from what I understand, that in and of itself, is very impressive to the Academy.
 
Look At Alternatives

Tb1150,

Our son originally wanted USCGA. He then visited VMI and is now a "Rat" there and happy he made the choice. There is a direct commissioning path to USCG through VMI. As I understand it, you take NROTC and do USCG training in the summer. VMI has become pretty selective but two things get you an extra look - athletics and good grades. With a third of the Corps in NCAA athletics and nearly all of the rest in club sports, you will receive extra consideration for the athletics. If your son's football talents warrant D-1 participation, he will be given even more points and perhaps financial consideration. Be aware, however, that the VMI life is rigorous, both academically and physically and the NCAA athletes do not get a pass from the "ratline". Also, the honor code is strictly followed and enforced.

I'd recommend an overnight at VMI for your son (the next available one is in February). We are very pleased with our son's selection to matriculate at VMI. It is an impressive institution with a proud history.
 
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