SAT question

asko847

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Oct 30, 2010
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On my SAT's I received a 600 CR, 560 Math, and 620 Writing and on the essay a 9 out of 12...Should I retake it? I planned on retaking the SAT's on Jan. 22, but I just wasn't sure if my scores would keep me safe. It's just the math that I am a little worried about. :confused: Thanks!
 
According to the website these are the averages for this year's class:
Average SAT Verbal - 639
Average SAT Math - 664

Personally, I would strive to get those scores (if not even higher). It can't hurt to do better. I had 690 Math and 630 Verbal and my BGO told me that it wouldn't hurt to retake them again this year. Remember though, since what I posted is the average, there are cadets with scores below both of those.
 
If it was your first try, I would definitely recommend taking it again. I originally had score of math 610, CR 650, and Writing 700 with a 9. I took it 6 months later after a very little bit of practice (all free stuff from the website, and then a little review of the rules of basic algebra and geometry I had forgetten) I scored 660 Math, 700 CR, and 750 Writing witha 10 essay. My point is if you didn't do much prep before and/or a significant amount of time has gone by, it definitely can't hurt you to take it again. (This is especially beneficial if it means meeting or exceeding the average scores of the academyu, which I believe is the case for you.)
 
On my SAT's I received a 600 CR, 560 Math, and 620 Writing and on the essay a 9 out of 12...Should I retake it? I planned on retaking the SAT's on Jan. 22, but I just wasn't sure if my scores would keep me safe. It's just the math that I am a little worried about. :confused: Thanks!

Hi!

I'm an ALO with a LOT of years behind me. That being said, I do not BS my candidates and I won't BS anyone here.

Your scores will NOT get it done.

You need to push your scores into the mid/upper 600s especially the math score. I do not like to be a "doom sayer" and I'm certainly not saying that here. BUT...past experience (17 years) is telling me this.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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Well, having read all the responses I definitely will retake the SAT's. Thanks!
 
I paid to have my SAT scores sent to USAFA before Christmas, and my application has not been updated with them, should I be concerned? I haven't taken the test in a while, but rather sent in my previous scores. Should it be taking this long?
 
Call your admissions counselor on Monday. They very well may have received them and added them to your file, but because of the holidays etc. they just haven't shown up yet on your page.
 
Flieger, I really appreciate your attitude toward your candidates. Tell it like it is, and then give the kids their options, whether "get those scores way up" or "this needs work" or "looking good, but don't put all your eggs in one basket."

I wish that more ad counselors, whether at SAs or civ colleges had that attitude.

My kids good friend had similar scores to our OP, and he was devasted when he didn't make it in last year. His ALO (not from our area) had "suggested" he might not make it, but perhaps did not suggest this strongly enough.
 
Let's throw everything aside for right now, and address 3 issues.

1. Do you have a nom?

~ No nom, and the fat lady already is singing because you can't get apptd without one.

2. You on the off chance get apptd with the 560 M.

~ Have you checked the bowels of the AFA to see the curriculum that you are mandated to take regardless of your major?

They are loaded in Math and Science, that means if accepted, you need to start hitting the books to be up to par with the other candidates.

College is a time warp like it was for you as an 8th grader to HS...now triple that because the AFA is considered an IVY...they aren't going to slow down instruction...you either get it or you don't.

Don't and you are on academic probation.

3. The fat lady maybe warming up her pipes with that 560, but she could be singing a different tune.

~ Prep school. Prep is not offered to candidate with 1350 SAT out of 1600. It is offered to the candidate like you. It is not you missed the line by 1, so you go this route. It is you are not academically on par with the others, but everything else is.

I wish you the very best of luck, I hope you understand that the AFA is considered an IVY and that includes the 4 yrs at the AFA.

USNAJOSH,

The AFA closes down when the students leave and return when they return. They only just returned so it takes time to get them back to current for everyone who updated during the break.

I know all of you are concerned and want an answer ASAP, BUT the fact is they do not call it the Mass Mailing in March for grins and giggles.

Trust me 3 yrs ago we were there. It was a daily thing on Thursday. and Friday waiting for the mail. Yet, for the AFA @ 75% come down in March.


NOW...
Even if you called your regional admissions at the AFA, they really can't give you an answer because it is broken down also by alphabet. If you are A-L you get one advisor, M-Z you get another. The MOC slate can not be charged until everyone on it has their WCS. Candidates have until the end of Feb to submit their application. If Janie Raincloud has yet to submit her CFA for MOC Doom Sayer, than Johnny Go Lucky can't be charged to Doom Sayer.

AND your regional would not know this because you are the candidate that falls in A-L.

Plus, just as I defend the ALO's for understanding that you are not the only candidate they are working with, multiply it out 10 fold, because the admission people work with letters and regions, not just your 1 MOC district in your state.

My parting last words will be this:

Don't jump over the ALO and call the regional. Contact your ALO and talk to them. Be frank and honest and ask their opinions regarding your chances and how to improve them.

There are ALOs that sugar coat because they know the candidate doesn't want to hear reality. Ask them point blank, how you rack and stack in his/her pile. If they say number 1, than ask how many ALO's are for that MOC? If it is number 15, than that will tell you a different story even if they are the only ALO for that 1 MOC.

When you are ready to hear it, than life will change. This is your chance to either play the ostrich or play the eagle.

ALO's have to balance both worlds...they need to get the best candidates, and they need to get candidates that can be the best to step up to that level.
 
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I will be meeting with my ALO this week, so I will bring it up with him. Thank you for your response.
 
The only question I would pose to the ALO is this:

Where did I rack and stack on your rec level for your candidates that you submitted to the AFA?

That is the AF world. There is a difference when it comes to boards like SAs from MY number 1 candidate and one of my TOP candidates.

ALOs know this. The racking and stacking by your ALO will be a pt issue for your WCS.

The other indirect way is to find out how you stack up is to ask if they submitted the max pts for you.

Please do not blindside the ALO, if you have a meeting set, email, text, etc., and say when we meet can we discuss these issues.

They want to see you succeed for no other reason than the fact that they became ALOs to watch the AF grow through candidates like you. When you place trust into their hands you will be rewarded, when you keep them out of the loop you will find yourself in an uphill battle.
 
Pima, I have received a nomination from my representative and my status says candidate (but I know I'm still not safe with that). Before the holiday break, I spoke to my AF counselor and I asked if my application has been reviewed, and she told it was reviewed but it is going for a second round. But nonetheless I would just like to know how many candidates are chosen from the NWL if they place me on it?
 
The only question I would pose to the ALO is this:

Where did I rack and stack on your rec level for your candidates that you submitted to the AFA?

That is the AF world. There is a difference when it comes to boards like SAs from MY number 1 candidate and one of my TOP candidates.

So, if your ALO tells you that you are his or her number 1 candidate, would that help a lot for your chances of getting accepted?
 
In the past the only time it goes for a 2nd round is if you updated something, and even then only the portion that was updated will get re-scored.

I.E. new SAT, only PAR will be revisited.

New Sport, only EC will be revisited.

Your ALO saying you were the number 1 pick helps, but not as much as you may think. ALOT is not what I would say, but than again every point counts in the world of the WCS.

The rec is a part of the EC which accounts for 20% of the WCS, so it may give you more points, but not as many as a higher PAR would give a candidate. Honestly that 560 is going to hurt you more than getting number 1 from he ALO will help.

Now the thing I would say is that your ALO knows many of the candidates that went up with you for your MOC nom. They give recs for all of their candidates. Logic would follow than that if they wrote you are the number 1 choice, that your file was the strongest out of all of their candidates. If all of their candidates got the same nom...

That doesn't mean you will be highest WCS for your congressman's slate, but it should give you some comfort that you are probably competitive on that slate.

Finally, as Flieger has stated he is the doom sayer, and I am Janie Raincloud, but both of us are that way to give realistic chances. I would think that your ALO knows your SAT is @200 points below the avg of AFA cadets, and that PAR is 60% of that WCS. It would be hard for an ALO to say number 1 candidate unless there is a very valid reason why this score exists, car wreck and out of school their entire soph yr, would be an example. Poor test taker is not good enough.

Again, as hard as that is to read, you need to realize not one of us has seen your packet. Nobody here sits on the AFA board. Nobody knows the level of competition on your MOC slate. For all we know you could have the highest WCS for the MOC and you will get a direct admit.

The only way to get appointed is to apply. You have done that, so now is the time like every other 2000 candidates that have noms to just sit back and wait.

OBTW, it is also important to understand how apptmts work. You may have gone to the board and received your WCS, but the other 9 on the slate haven't. Thus, until all 10 of you get a WCS no apptmt will be charged to that MOC. The AFA doesn't close out their files until the end of Feb. If candidate Smith from your MOC nom slate doesn't submit their CFA until Feb 27th, than you are just spinning your wheels calling the regional.

Regionals are broken down by letters and regions...so your regional maybe Debra, because your last letter ends in T, and the candidate that ends in B has a different regional, thus, your regional can not give you an answer since she doesn't know the WCS for the other half of the alphabet.
 
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ALWAYS take the SAT and ACT as many times as you can!!! It will pay off... trust me.
 
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