Parent Dilemma

Mom_CHgn

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Act Test Dilemma

So as reading through a lot of the SA Threads looking at DD options for Plan A-Z my stomach is a flip flopping mess. My DD is a 4.37 GPA, 500 hours of community service, Leader of Feed the Children through Winter (local fundraiser), 4.5 credits off of getting her AA (currently has 6 units in progress, Outstanding CFA scores, ASB Council/Seat 1, Multiple Sports......Issue: Her freaking ACTs! She has Competitve Scores for everything but Math and Science (just qualified for Science). Her last and final ACT test is coming up in 2 weeks. She has had a tutor for 3 months and has been scoring 34 for Math (let's just say way better than the first test). She is studying for her Science here and there....Here is the question: If she scores a 28-32 in Math and had a 25/26 in Science will this still keep her from being Competitve enough? She was told that with everything above and her scores she would be on the path for Prep, that would be better than nothing. But if her Math ACT scores are in that range and her Science isn't but it's still considered Qualifying....Won't that prevent her from the possibility of Prep? OK first and BIG First Plan A is USAFA...But Plan B is Prep and there are Plans C-Z (No Joke)!

*Just trying to guide by taking a back seat and hinting advice*
 
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The one comment that has caught my eye is that you have no plan C. Prep school is not an automatic if you do not receive an appointment to USAFA. What will your DD do if she receives neither? It is imperative that you include at least a plan C and I would secure a plan D as well. With many college deadlines passed or fast approaching, I hope your DD is not left hanging.

To answer your question, no one knows for sure what admissions will do. Although they do super score each section, there are many other factors that come into play, including her competition. She sounds like a strong candidate. All she can do is her best on the test and wait with the rest. Time is a little short so I hope she can get up to speed with alternates in case USAFA and Prep do not come through.
 
She has a Plan C-Z (I wrote that in the original post)....Didn't post Post Plans C-Z since they didn't involve Service Academy's quite yet.
 
She has a Plan C-Z (I wrote that in the original post)....Didn't post Post Plans C-Z since they didn't involve Service Academy's quite yet.
My bad, I misread what you wrote.:rolleyes:
I thought you said the opposite. It seems she is on the right track. Good luck to her. I hope she does well on her ACT retake.
 
It's ok...I just figured keep the post on topic and what I was hoping to help her in decision making.lol
 
You mention nearing completion of an AA. What sort of courses has she taken? If she has high grades in math and science courses, taken at a college level, that may balance out lower scores on the ACT. In other words, the ACT and SAT are supposed to indicates student readiness for college work. If the student has high grades in college classes, then it might show that they just aren't a good standardized test taker.

A lot would depend on the grades in the college classes. It will also matter what types of classes were taken. An A or B in Calculus 1 is different than a C in College Algebra. The more similar the courses are to the standard courses for first year students at an academy, the more weight is likely to be given to those grades.
 
She took College Allgebra and got an A....Science she took Chemistry and Astronomy and got As in both. She currently has a 3.65 in College. She will graduate on May 13 with her AA in Liberal Art-Humanities and Communication. She absolutely understands that getting into USAFA and or Prep she looses the use of her AA (possibly challenge courses but not a for sure thing). She has applied for ROTC Scholarship and the possibility of Falcon Scholarship is there also (Plan C...). If all the above are not attained she will enlist in the USAF as an E3, promote to an E5 and hope to get a LEAD appointment into USAFA/Prep and or just climb the ladder as far as she can go. Pilot#1 Cryptologic Linguist#2. Ultimate goal work at Embassy's all over the world and then become a pilot for the Alaska State Troopers. Lofty Goals? Yes....The sky's the limit!
 
Our city population is 12,000, 3900 of those are State Prisoners. We live in a rural community with no options for kids here. She has made her choices and enriched her life and hopefully she gives other local kids the want to reach and achieve goals.
 
My son was 31 Math/ 27 science / 25 reading/ 31 english GPA only 3.4 From what I have seen on this forum those scores are fairly low.

Appointed USNA, USMA, 4yr ROTC offer VMI. We are also from a rural area, embrace it and make it part of your story.

I have said it numerous times already ...Yes the numbers are important, but they are not everything!

Oh in case you are wondering he is currently, a Mid (2nd Junior) at USNA
 
Has DD considered the SAT? Some students fair better on that test than the ACT for various reasons.

DD should at least talk to reps from other Service Academies about their opportunities and chances for flight school. Most applicants apply to multiple SA to increase their chances of a nomination. I have been lead to believe that the number of flight school spots available to qualified USCGA grads relative to its class sizes make it statically one of the best options for receiving pilot slots.

Your DD's application needs to make her standout and differentiate herself from other candidates. Realize and exploit her other attributes. Clearly she's more than an ACT composite. Simply being female and from Alaska could be a differentiator. Leadership such as team captain, class officer, ROTC, club officer, etc... are all valued.

As you said, "the sky's the limit!". I agree, so consider other SA options beyond just USAFA and AF Prep. Best wishes to your DD!
 
My DD is Sold 100% on USAFA/USAF! We suggested other SA and had her talk with recruiters. She actually had the Marines recruiter director her to the Air Force.lol
We are not from Alaska (N.Cali), my brother is the Major for the AST and she is his pride and joy. He said if he could change the age requirements for AST academy he would, just to have her on his team.
 
She was told that with everything above and her scores she would be on the path for Prep, that would be better than nothing.

She was told... by whom? This statement makes little sense to me. No one is on the path for Prep. Prep School is a golden ticket offered to a few whom USAFA has deemed worthy of the effort for them to pay for another year of preparation before they enter the Academy. To imply that the Prep School is better than nothing indicates you may not have a clear understanding of the Prep School (it's ok; many people think of it as second best, rather than the rare and gifted opportunity it is.).

Make sure she is preparing for the SAT and the ACT; some students score far better on one test's format than the other.

Many people do not live in places where they can take 10 AP courses and excel on five varsity teams (captain!), etc. One of the main thing USAFA or any SA looks for is what is on the child's plate he can't change (where he lives, financials, death of a parent, other adversity), and how well that person performs under those adverse conditions. Is s/he able to play in three sports while holding down a part time job and directing a local choir and maintaining excellent grades.... you get the picture.

Please try to relax a bit, and don't look too too far to the future. Goals are great, plans are wonderful tools. Just be careful that the plan doesn't overshadow the ultimate goal.

There are very many paths to ADAF pilot - check out the two VERY different paths taken by PIMA's son, and my sons. Her son and mine, while taking totally different routes from high school onward, are in the same place (literally, living just a few blocks apart), flying the same airframe on the same base, even winging from the same base at the same time.
 
"Based on your scores and overall record you might be a better fit for the Preparatory School. We do the bulk of selections for Prep School in April-May...."

The info following the May part was to do with a DQ that is being worked on and that they needed more info by the end of February so that would give them enough time to get it hopefully waived before Prep selection.
 
Sometimes luck just doesn't fall on your side.

Push Hard, Push Forward
 
I've seen applicants that are well qualified on all three pillars only to be passed by for others with less qualifications. The selection process is a mystery that only a few select know the in and outs. No one on SAF, at least I don't know< have ever been in that small circle. Matter of fact WP specifically states publicly, SAF is not a reliably or credible source of info.

Just have other plans.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
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