Yesterday we received the disappointing word via the AO in a checkin call that our son made that he was denied appointment to the academy. Reason was his SAT scores in CR were too low...however he was told that every other area of his application was outstanding! Is there a chance that he could be reconsidered for the Prep-Program...can he call to ask that his application be reconsidered for this? And if not - what should he do from here...what steps will help him in his reapplication process for next year...HE REALLY WANTED THIS :-(
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Denied Appointment
- Thread starter mom95
- Start date
I cannot speak for the AO or Admissions. However, if CR was his only real weakness, then that is where he should concentrate between now and when the applications process opens this fall. There are different routes from here. Hopefully he has a plan B. Take courses at a community college this year which follows the Academy course load. Keep involved in the community. Find a leadership position. Stay in athletics. Take the SATs again. And again. Take an SAT prep course. Alternatively a prep school may be the route to take. My son was in CGAS. He was impressed with all the CGA self preps at MMI. MMI is accredited so credits transfer if CGA is not in his future. I'm sure Physicsguru would be willing to speak to that here or privately. Remember re-applicants tend to do well.
I have a feeling my dd will be in same boat next year as your ds. She took SATS and all 3 scores are low. She does not do well in timed testing where in other pressures like sports she excels. Her grades however in school are excellent and she's physically fit . In Varsity sports (Volleyball and Track ,Shot Put and Discus)and Flight Commander in JRROTC etc. Just because she didn't do well, on SATS (which she will take again) shouldn't define who she is and how she would do in the academy. She really wants this too! Her plan B will enlist in Coast Guard as she did score enough on ASVAB to enlist and qualifys for most jobs. I wish the so called holistic way to pick the students was really holistic.
coastiefam
5-Year Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2013
- Messages
- 165
I think there is a lot more to the process than we'll ever know. My DS had top scores, grades, 4yr varsity athlete, Eagle Scout, legacy candidate, applied EA1, etc. etc., and was wait listed.
He has accepted an appointment to the Air Force Academy which he is thrilled about and will honestly be a better fit for what he wants to do. My point is that there is no magic score or grades that are going to get you in. You can just submit your very best and trust the process. The CG is a fantastic service and there are many avenues to service if you are motivated.
I am sorry to hear of those not getting in and hope if CG is what they want then we'll see them out in the fleet one day!
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He has accepted an appointment to the Air Force Academy which he is thrilled about and will honestly be a better fit for what he wants to do. My point is that there is no magic score or grades that are going to get you in. You can just submit your very best and trust the process. The CG is a fantastic service and there are many avenues to service if you are motivated.
I am sorry to hear of those not getting in and hope if CG is what they want then we'll see them out in the fleet one day!
Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
try the ACT as another option
For those of you who will be going through this process again, you might want to try the ACT test in addition to retaking the SAT. The SAs don't have a preference, and the tests are designed very differently. Many kids do much better on one than the other - this was the case for all three of mine. We had them take both tests their junior year (our college counselor at school recommended taking them without any prep work for the first time), and the scores were dramatically better on the ACT. We made the choice to focus on the ACT from then on, and each took it twice, until they felt their scores were in-line with their goals. Hope this helps!
For those of you who will be going through this process again, you might want to try the ACT test in addition to retaking the SAT. The SAs don't have a preference, and the tests are designed very differently. Many kids do much better on one than the other - this was the case for all three of mine. We had them take both tests their junior year (our college counselor at school recommended taking them without any prep work for the first time), and the scores were dramatically better on the ACT. We made the choice to focus on the ACT from then on, and each took it twice, until they felt their scores were in-line with their goals. Hope this helps!
soccerkeeper1
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2010
- Messages
- 17
Yesterday we received the disappointing word via the AO in a checkin call that our son made that he was denied appointment to the academy. Reason was his SAT scores in CR were too low...however he was told that every other area of his application was outstanding! Is there a chance that he could be reconsidered for the Prep-Program...can he call to ask that his application be reconsidered for this? And if not - what should he do from here...what steps will help him in his reapplication process for next year...HE REALLY WANTED THIS :-(
There are so many other great options out there ... remind your son the CGA was only one option. I've read so many suggestions to go to a community college and reapply next year. Because of all the other great opportunities out there ... remind him to evaluate whether wasting (not a good choice or words) a year and reapplying to the CGA is a better option that attending another Univ that gets him started towards his ultimate career objective. They might not be the free education he was looking for, but there are other options.
For those of you who will be going through this process again, you might want to try the ACT test in addition to retaking the SAT. The SAs don't have a preference, and the tests are designed very differently. Many kids do much better on one than the other - this was the case for all three of mine. We had them take both tests their junior year (our college counselor at school recommended taking them without any prep work for the first time), and the scores were dramatically better on the ACT. We made the choice to focus on the ACT from then on, and each took it twice, until they felt their scores were in-line with their goals. Hope this helps!
I agree with this idea of trying out both the ACT and the SAT, because for many it is true that you will do better on one compared to the other. I also believe that SAT/ACT prep courses can help. Both my DS and my DD improved after taking a prep SAT course. If you can attend a college that is 4 year vs. community, go to the 4year. A few years back, when my DS was first attempting to apply to USNA I called a family friend who was a recent graduate of USNA and was assigned to temporarily work in admissions while waiting on his flight school assignment. He stated that our DS should go to the best 4 year college possible and reapply. We chose a civilian prep that has a 4 year university program. Basically, you do everything you can to improve your chances during your reapplication period. Good luck!