My son just received a rejection letter for 2010 SLS and I am a little surprised. His PSATs totaled 188 (all 62s or better). I was under the impression that 60s would put him in the running if he had the other credentials.
These are his other credentials (parentheticals are items for which there was no room on the online SLS application):
- All of his classes are AP or honors, including AP Calculus AB (no room on App);
- He was selected by his school to membership in the National Honor Society;
- He has three years of two sports, including football and wrestling;
- He was named the Battalion Honor Cadet (out of 125 participants) at a ten-day US Naval Sea Cadet boot camp last summer (no room on App);
I looked over the info in his application and there was room for leadership credentials like "varsity letter" and "captain of team" but what exhibits more leadership potential than being name the Honor Cadet for the whole battalion in a military training envionment? I am surprised that there is no way for USMA to take something like this into account.
I have several questions and need the expertise of this board:
- Does anyone know if PSAT scores are the only determinant?
- Do you know anyone accepted who scored lower than a 188 combined PSAT?
- Would it be inappropriate for my son to call or write the admissions office to get clarification?
Also, he is scheduled to take the SATs in early March and is likely to score 700 in Math--the only section on the PSAT in which he did not improve from last year.
- Does anyone know if he can submit those scores for reconsideration?
He really wants to go to USMA and was looking forward to SLS.