I believe all these summer seminars at all three academies base admission solely on SAT or ACT scores. Last year my son, the week before they stopped accepting applications, applied to the SLS at West Point and Navy. He was accepted to both and I believe it was based on very strong PSAT scores. He had not taken the SAT at that time. His grades are mediocre.
Test Scores for SLS?
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Son rejected for USMA SLS
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):
I have several questions and need the expertise of this board:
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 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?
- Does anyone know if he can submit those scores for reconsideration?
tallbutshort
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Wow, I am also surprised your son didn't get in! In my opinion (and it's only that) it seems like it would be fine for him to contact admissions as long as he was polite and came across more as "how can I improve?" than "why didn't you accept me?" As for SAT scores, I know you can resubmit them and be reconsidered. However, I don't think his will come in time. The March SAT is on the 13th, and the SLS application deadline is April 1. Unless the test results came out abnormally quickly, your son wouldn't have his scores in time to meet the deadline. Good luck to your son!
coffeecup3
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armynavy: Where do you live? I am not sure about SLS but with Navy SS, they were geographic bias in selection because they aim to get people who would have trouble visiting the academy. Ex. I live in PA and could visit USNA often if I wanted too, but somebody from CA wouldn't be able to visit as often. I didn't get accepted to Navy SS, but I did get accepted to Air Force SS. Somebody have any input on this since I'm not sure if SLS is geographic biased?
Your son's credentials are good- I would suggest making a phone call to admissions to ask how he could improve his application for admissions next year and mention SLS instead of asking flat out why he didn't get accepted to SLS. Best of Luck!
Your son's credentials are good- I would suggest making a phone call to admissions to ask how he could improve his application for admissions next year and mention SLS instead of asking flat out why he didn't get accepted to SLS. Best of Luck!
x-ImPuLse-PL-
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Well I was a person with a combined PSAT score of less than 188. I had a 169. But I had a composite ACT of 31, (all 30+, besides science and the independent writing section, which were both 28) and a 1740 SAT. (Those were the standardized test scores I submitted)
And I don't think SLS has geographic bias... I live right on Long Island, in New York. West Point is probably a 3 or 4 hour drive away from me. It's roughly 110 miles away from where I am this very moment.
But it is surprising he wasn't accepted. I honestly believe I'm LESS qualified than that, and I was accepted. I applied the day after Christmas, so maybe I was just early about getting my application in.
And I don't think SLS has geographic bias... I live right on Long Island, in New York. West Point is probably a 3 or 4 hour drive away from me. It's roughly 110 miles away from where I am this very moment.
But it is surprising he wasn't accepted. I honestly believe I'm LESS qualified than that, and I was accepted. I applied the day after Christmas, so maybe I was just early about getting my application in.
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Actually, his application might not have been as strong as you think. 188 on the PSAT isn't bad but its definitely not an eye-catching score either. Personally, I think taking and submitting a high SAT or ACT score would have helped...after all, no one applies to college with PSAT scores. And NHS just sounds prestigious - colleges just consider it as another, regular club. As for the APs and honors...did your son excel in those classes?
Do you know what his GPA was when he applied? If it was mediocre, that might have influenced the decision. Also, is being "Battalion Honor Cadet" an actual leadership position or an award?
I don't think calling admissions would be really necessary. Many people on the forums have said that getting into SLS is actually statistically tougher than the actual academy, and most people who got appointed never attended SLS. So tell your son not to be so disappointed
Good luck!
Thanks for your reply and well wishes, and thanks to the others who took time to write. I am still interested in others opinions and feedback.
I recognize that 188 is not stellar, which is why I mentioned his other attributes, some of the most important of which could not be placed on the application. But, 188 is still pretty good and he is likely to do better on the SATs. Like most boys, language arts was a weakness so he set out to improve that over the past year. At the same time he did little to improve his strength--math--except for taking AP Calculus, but calculus concepts will not show up on the SATs. He needs to review Algebra and Geometry, which he last took two years ago.
His GPA was 90 (don't think it was asked for on the App). His school does not rank students probably because it would hurt kids like my son who have taken the most challenging classes. I think a lack of rank hurt him too because it put the focus on his PSATs.
The Battalion Honor Cadet (BHC) is a prestigious award. Every US Naval Sea Cadet Recruit must pass boot camp to become a Cadet. There are only about two dozen boot camps conducted each year across the entire US and they only name one BHC per boot camp.
The recruits take classes in Naval related studies, takes exams in those classes, and perform field exercises like water survival training and obstacle course. In addition, recruits must demonstrate the discipline that is required of all those in the military--neat rack, proper uniforms, proper addressing of higher rank, 5:30 am PT which mostly consisted of running, push ups, sit ups, etc. Cadets are graded in each activity, but a significant part of the grade is based on the leadership they exhibit. Company commanders then recommend cadets for the BHC award and those cadets must run a gauntlet of interviews with the battalion commanders. I think my son had six interviews before they selected him.
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My son is too respectful to ask why they rejected him, and he is the one who is going to address the issue. I think he believes that they must know what they are doing and that there were just better qualified people than him who applied. I think the only issue that he is going to raise with them is whether he can submit his March SATs for reconsideration.
I am a little more jaded. I am hoping that his other attributes--the ones that could not fit on the application--come up in the conversation, but I know my son will not initiate that part of the conversation.
x-ImPuLse-PL-
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Well when did he submit his application for the SLS?
He submitted the first part over winter break. He received a candidate number a few days later but was busy with school work, so he did not finish the second part until last week. The second part just asked him to choose his workshop preferences, though.
He received his rejection by snail mail within three days of completing the second part. They must have sent the rejection out the instant that his choices hit the wire.
Thanks for the feedback. I just checked the College Board site and saw that scores for the March 13 SAT will be available online on April 1. I hope that they still have slots left.
You need to remember.....there are only 500 spots for each seminar. Don't think your chances for West Point are over if you don't get accepted. My oldest did not get accepted to summer seminar and is currently a plebe....work on grades, activities and interview skills!