Gpa and SAT ACT

I was just wondering if a 3.5-3.6 gpa and around 1400 SAT will be good enough to be pretty competitive for an appointment? The gap would be with all honors and ap classes.

Also what is a good ACT to strive for? And which test does the academy seem to like more?

Those scores put you at or just above the top of the middle 50%. (Assuming the 1400 is for Math and Verbal - if its for all three then you've got a lot of work to do.) Meaning 20 - 25% will have done better. That said, 800 math and 600 verbal will be stronger than 700/700.

But there's a lot more to your whole person score than those two measures. Look over the class profile USNA 2014 Profile and strive to be the best candidate you can.

Thank you! Just to clarify I am a sophomore an that was my first time I took the SAT I just wanted to see if need to improve a little or a lot and I scored a 730 Math and 670 verbal If that helps.

Those are excellent scores. Keep striving to improve until you're satisfied you've put your best foot forward. Do that and you'll not question yourself down the road.

Plan to take the PSAT next year too. Even though you'll probably take the SAT, I'd suggest it as that's what's used for the National Merit Scholars. Just another feather in your cap that should be with in your reach. Plan B might attach some $ to it also.

Good luck.

I have taken them and scored a 190.

Score as high as you can. Every bit helps. I had a 1330 when I received an LOA, but there have undoubtedly been people with higher SAT scores and better grades than me who have been rejected. There's no set formula for USNA (or any other top university), just do your best in all areas.

USNAhereIcome said:

I was just wondering if a 3.5-3.6 gpa and around 1400 SAT will be good enough to be pretty competitive for an appointment? The gap would be with all honors and ap classes.

Also what is a good ACT to strive for? And which test does the academy seem to like more?

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Generally yes but do strive for better.
USNA does not care which test and will consider your higher score.
A good ACT would be 31 or higher on individual Math/English sections.
31=700, well about...

USNAhereIcome said:

I have taken them and scored a 190.

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If you're a sophomore, take them next year anyway. You'll likely need a higher score than 190 to be competitive for National Merit, although that's highly dependent upon your state.

Your SAT is pretty good. As everyone's said, you can always do better if you are so inclined. I only intended to comment on the National Merit business. My PSAT score would have made me a full-fledged National Merit Scholar last year; this year I was Commended instead. And that's something you can't really account for.

Regarding PSAT and National Merit, definitely enroll in a review class this summer and work hard on it through the fall. My DS scored 177 as a sophomore, and 222 as a junior after a summer spent studying (that score puts him well above the probable cut-off in GA, and would be good enough in just about every state). If he raised his score by 45 points you can do it too. The great thing about being a NM Finalist is that if you don't get into USNA or other service academies, there are a bunch of other schools that will give you a full-ride (or close to it). Good luck.

Strive for YOUR Best

USNAhereIcome said:

Also what is a good ACT to strive for? And which test does the academy seem to like more?

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You should strive for the best score possible, even if it means taking the test 3,4,5 times or however many you can take before USNA makes a decision on your application. USNA has no preference between the ACT and SAT. They will take your highest scores even if they are from different test dates. But the minimum ACT seems to be 27, IMHO. Again, just do the best you can until USNA makes a decision on your application. This is true for every aspect of your application.
Cheers and Good Luck.

To reiterate and confirm what has been posted several times above - NAVY does not favor one exam over the other; submit all your SAT and ACT scores and Admissions will select your best math and verbal scores. The rest of the posts also apply - primarily do not set an artificial ceiling on your GPA; strive for the best GPA you can attain! Be sure that you take AP Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, and grammar and composition. Favor AP over Honors as that is what Admissions will do. The big difference is that the AP courses have a prescribed syllabus whereas the honors courses are at each school's discretion - read too much variable to be reliable.
Take advantage of the time you have to become the best you can be, and plan to be in one of the most competitive challenges ever! Don't get caught up in playing the odds or taking shortcuts; more often than not that course will fail you in the selection process.
Best wishes to you.

Just to clarify and distinguish: SAT and ACT scores are important for a couple of reasons:
1. They supposedly are designed to be predictors of performance on the college level.
2. They are standardized; ie, everyone is taking the same or equal exam, so the scores can be used as reported without correction factors, etc. Therefore Admissions doesn't have to deal with thousands of different grading systems from high schools all over the country.
These exams provide a quick and easy comparison among candidates from all over the country.

DO NOT discount the importance of your GPA and your transcript. they are the proof of the pudding.