Now "Qualified" What next?

B

Blue Skies

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
54
My DD has been battling the SATs and ACTs for the past year.
She finally has reached "Qualified" Status on the website. She is already DoDMERB "Qualified". Her scores aren't amazing, but they surpass the minimums. The rest of her package is strong- it was just the test scores.
However... she also holds the "Golden Ticket" - a Principle Nomination.

Experienced folks, does this look positive to you? Thanks for the help.

Blue Skies

PS She was notified last night that she is receiving an Appointment to the USNA. She want USAFA most, but Navy is great, too. :smile:
 
WIf she has a Prin. nom the AFA must appoint her now that she is 3 Q. Congrats!

Honestly, I don't know her stats, nor am I asking for you to share, but it would be a concern of mine as a parent from an academic perspective.

AFA is lovingly called in the ADAF world as "The Little Engineering School in the Rockies".

Avg college academics alone are nothing like APs in HS. Multiply that by 100 times for the AFA. There will be an expectation that academically you are on par with the avg SAT/ACT student...these are kids with the same level for cgpas, and ECs. The avg is mid/high 1300's with many at the 1500/1600 level, way above the min. Academically these will now be her peers. Instructors know the academic level of the cadets.

The speed of the class, their credit course load, their other demands, plus no real comforts of home, and being away for the 1st time can take a toll on every cadet, but probably more so for those that struggled with academics for whatever reason. I.E. let's assume it is test anxiety...they will still have that anxiety at the AFA. Let's assume it was the V portion, they will still write essays where this is an issue. Let's assume it was the M portion, the school is known as a Math/Science oriented curriculum. Look at the mandated curriculum for the 4 yrs. there, it is intense.

I am not trying to be harsh, I am saying that with 4 months to go, get a tutor. Have that foundation as strong as it can be. When that foundation is strong, it will be second nature and the anxiety will be less. Do it for no other reason than to relieve the pressure somewhat for those first few months.

I would say the exact same thing for USNA. Remember there has yet to be 100% of cadets that show up for I Day that commission 4 yrs later in present history. Not one of those that did not graduate think when they entered that they wouldn't be there 4 yrs, but yet many weren't. Only a few yrs back, the rate was 75%.

Again, I am not trying to be a raincloud, I am hoping that my post will assist so she is academically prepared in July.

Congrats on her appointments. AIM HIGH...ABOVE ALL!

PS.I don't know what career field she wants, but if it is flying, and it is test anxiety that caused the issue, realize the SAT will be like the end of yr gateway exam she took in HS in 10th grade compared to the importance of just 1 test at UPT. There will not be months of studying and multiple chances, it is maybe 3 days, and 1 shot. It is going to be week after week for not 1 yr., but more. UPT is 49 weeks, FTU could be 6-9 months. The rule of thumb at UPT. Friday night and Sat. night enjoy. Sunday AM you are hitting the books all day long, and will do the same M-TH night as soon as you get home.

If it is anxiety, she needs to become very comfortable with this issue. I say it with kindness. I know it sounds like Debbie Downer, but the risks and rewards from here on out will be much higher than now.
 
Last edited:
Thanks!

Thanks for the replying. That's what I was suspecting /hoping.

The test scores have just been weird for her- her academics are very strong in all areas. She'll probably major in Physics!
I have some prior "experience" with the academies and know that amazing test scores do not always guarantee a successful cadet, so I feel optimistic about chances for success- if the dream does indeed come true :)

Thanks again for your helpful information!

Blue
 
Blue Skies, congratulations so far. Good question and excellent advice from Pima. At the end of the day, she should be as prepared as possible and mentally ready to take it on. My DS had a very solid background. Close to top of class, IB Diploma, 4.55 or so GPA, Eagle Scout, private pilot, hundreds of volunteer hours, and national level athlete. Yet with all that, he took and retook SAT's and ACT's over and over again to get them in a respectable level which he achieved. Not sure of your DD's profile, but our DS had to work hard at those two tests. Happy to say, he is all most there with graduation this May. He is an astronautical engineering major and has been on the Deans list every semester along with the rigors of a varsity sport the first year and IP after that. I'd say if your DD wants it bad enough, and is prepared to work harder than she ever as before, and win one day at a time, she can control a lot of her destiny. Good luck the rest of the way. Make sure though to take Pima's very sound advice. It is worth every penny.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top