SAT scores

[usnahopeful2014]

What about those of us who simply don't test well on the sat? I took it three times and my math went from a 580 to a 600 to a 610. I also took the ACT twice getting a 28 on the math. I've had a tutor and done the books and while I know these are no where near good enough I'm not retesting anymore. The reason I hate these stupid tests is my friend who is struggling with a C in pre calc her senior year got a 640 on the math without even studying while I currently have an A in calculus... These tests really don't show your math ability! My BGO said that once you get to the 600 mark it's really just extra points for getting higher-- they can see that I can do math. I'm not really inclined to believe him since there are people with 700's still retaking them. Will the academy look at the fact I've taken these test 5 times and raised my score each time and say "she's really trying, we see she can do math, she just doesn't do well on the sat"?

I'm in somewhat of the same boat, time constraints kill me not the math itself.

 

[USNA1982BGO]

^^^
Unfortunately it's just the scores they look at for the SAT/ACT tests, not the number of times that you take them.

But don't get down, it's the whole person index. If you've taken challenging math courses for all four years and received excellent grades (A's, B+) that will speak for your ablility. The math grade from school in some sense balances out the SAT scores you receive. I would keep plugging for high 600s.
Your persistence is commendable

 

[shortmom]

Do some candidates have admissions counselors from the academy? I have seen them referred to in various threads. Would this be the same as the regional director? Would it be appropriate for my daughter to contact the admissions office to ask about strengthening her application?

Just an FYI each time my daughter takes the SAT (3 times now) her score increases. When she submitted her scores through college board Navy did not allow her to choose to submit her best scores the college board site said USNA requested they all be submitted. She has to miss the next SAT date because it is the date reserved for our senator's interviews. It is also Army Navy game day so we are hoping for a good time slot!

 

[Subdude]

Call for a reschedule!

She has to miss the next SAT date because it is the date reserved for our senator's interviews. It is also Army Navy game day so we are hoping for a good time slot!

My advice is to call. At my daughter's Senator interviews (joint) on the November SAT Saturday, they asked about her SAT scores. She told them she had planned to retake but the interview was on test day. They told her she should have called and they would have rescheduled for the next day. We had no idea they were interviewing multiple days, and the letter said that rescheduling would only be allowed "in cases of extreme emergency". I didn't consider the SAT an "extreme emergency" but apparently I was wrong. I wish they didn't word the letter like that and had given us more info but I guess I should have had her call the POC on the letter. No "fool me twice" on this as her MOC interview is on the SAT December test weekend, so we asked when submitting her packet that they give her a Sunday interview so she could take the SAT. Her interview appointment letter came and it's scheduled for Sunday.

 

[USNA1982BGO]

Do some candidates have admissions counselors from the academy? I have seen them referred to in various threads. Would this be the same as the regional director? Would it be appropriate for my daughter to contact the admissions office to ask about strengthening her application?

Just an FYI each time my daughter takes the SAT (3 times now) her score increases. When she submitted her scores through college board Navy did not allow her to choose to submit her best scores the college board site said USNA requested they all be submitted. She has to miss the next SAT date because it is the date reserved for our senator's interviews. It is also Army Navy game day so we are hoping for a good time slot!

There are no admissions counselors per say. Your daughter can contact the Admissions officer and request that the RD contact her.

RE: Submitting of SAT/AT scores. The most common misunderstanding about test scores sent to ANY college or university is that low scores anywhere on the report reflect negatively against you. Who cares if there are some low scores or high scores? The admissions department of a college scans the scores and selects the HIGHEST from any and all tests (some will even choose high from SAT and high from ACT).
It really disturbs me with this new method of waiting to send scores until you know what they are (just implemented by collegeboard). What it boils down to is a $$ maker for the SAT organization (4 free when you register; wait until after taking the test $9 a piece). Seems to me it's playing upon the fear factor of many a parent/student.
Not requesting score reports during the initial registration puts many a candidate in a pickle since requesting test scores after the test takes much longer than if they are requested when one signs up for the test. Colleges generally receive an electronic report around the same time as scores are available on line to the test taker.

 

[marciemi]

Do some candidates have admissions counselors from the academy? I have seen them referred to in various threads. Would this be the same as the regional director?

I think the Air Force Academy refers to them as Admissions Counselors, although I have no idea if they're by region or not. I just know on the online application, it gives you the name and phone number of yours. For Navy the RD's seem to serve the same purpose, but I know they're divided by location.