Should I Send The Preliminary Application In Now?

U

USNADaGOAL

New Member
Joined
May 1, 2016
Messages
8
Hello,
I've recently received my SAT score and received a score of 1100/1600. I know it's not great, but it was my first time and I wanted to try taking the SAT cold. Should I submit my preliminary application now knowing that USNA super scores all SAT scores? Also another reason why I'm asking to submit the application now is to get other forms done as well such as teacher recommendations.
Thanks to all who reply!
 
If you listed USNA as one of your 4 colleges to send your scores to for free, that's fine. But I wouldn't spend any extra money on sending another score report, because they will see all of your scores on your transcript eventually.
 
You self report your SAT scores on the preliminary application. If you do not submit the preliminary application now, when would you submit it? When are you taking the SAT again?

If you are taking them 4 June than you should wait. But if you are taking them in the fall the earliest you will see your scores would be the end of October for the 1 October test. You could still wait and not be that far behind, but taking the test any later than that and waiting to submit your preliminary application will put you well behind the curve.

What ever path you take, at a minimum talk with your english and math teacher, along with your guidance counselor. Let them know that you will be applying to USNA and ask them if they would be willing to write you LOR.
 
My DS also scored an 1100. He was hoping for better but will be taking the test again June 4th and as many times as he needs to after that!
I'm curious to hear from students that scored average to slightly above average and are currently attending an SA or Prep. Is it really all about the scores? Can you still get in without superior test scores yet fit all the other criteria?
 
Has your DS submitted the Preliminary Application yet? Or is he going to wait till he achieved his highest score?
Thanks
 
USNADaGOAL said:
Has your DS submitted the Preliminary Application yet? Or is he going to wait till he achieved his highest score?
Thanks
Click to expand...
He applied for Summer Seminar so I believe that is considered the preliminary application. Correct me if I'm wrong. He received an email today from USNA saying that they need test scores in order to be considered an official candidate. I'm not sure if he should submit the 1100 or wait for the June results. If anyone has any advice please chime in! When my son went to a CVW in April he was surprised at how many of the plebes were accepted without superior scores (at least the few he had the chance to speak to). As everyone says, it's hard to tell what they are looking for.
 
Swag said:
He applied for Summer Seminar so I believe that is considered the preliminary application. Correct me if I'm wrong. He received an email today from USNA saying that they need test scores in order to be considered an official candidate. I'm not sure if he should submit the 1100 or wait for the June results. If anyone has any advice please chime in! When my son went to a CVW in April he was surprised at how many of the plebes were accepted without superior scores (at least the few he had the chance to speak to). As everyone says, it's hard to tell what they are looking for.
Click to expand...

I went ahead and submitted my preliminary application with ACT scores even though I was still waiting on new scores from the April test date. As long as you meet the minimum requirements for admission on the preliminary app, you will become a candidate. They will see your new SAT scores eventually either way, so don't worry about that. If I were you, I would submit the preliminary app sooner rather than later so that you can start filling out the paperwork as early as possible (that's what I did).
 
Sneak said:
I went ahead and submitted my preliminary application with ACT scores even though I was still waiting on new scores from the April test date. As long as you meet the minimum requirements for admission on the preliminary app, you will become a candidate. They will see your new SAT scores eventually either way, so don't worry about that. If I were you, I would submit the preliminary app sooner rather than later so that you can start filling out the paperwork as early as possible (that's what I did).
Click to expand...
Are there minimum requirements for test scores, GPA, etc. in order to be a candidate?
 
I would encourage a student to go ahead and submit the preliminary application as soon as possible. On the preliminary app (just as in the NASS application), test scores are self-reported. If the combination of gpa and scores don't meet a certain threshold, the student may get a letter telling them that their scores need to be higher before they will be designated as an official candidate.

Once the application is started, you always have the option of submitting higher scores. What you cannot get back is weeks or months of time while you were waiting for your latest scores to come out. That is time in which you could be moving forward on your application paperwork. Keep in mind that all of the supporting documentation (letters of recommendation, transcript, activities record verification, fitness test, and interview) won't be initiated until you are an official candidate. It is possible to become an official candidate with test scores in the 550-600 range per section. That might not make for a competitive application, but it can get the ball rolling.

Comparison is the thief of joy. I would not spend a lot of time trying to figure out chances based on the summary of stats that you get from people you meet. It is really hard (if not impossible) to know the totality of another person's application. Scores, grades, gpa and class rank are taken in context of their school and area. Sports, leadership, extracurriculars, jobs and other factors come into play, but don't always get discussed. Do the best you can on your own application and remember that lots of highly qualified people will get turn down letters. It isn't personal.
 
Full Steam said:
I would encourage a student to go ahead and submit the preliminary application as soon as possible. On the preliminary app (just as in the NASS application), test scores are self-reported. If the combination of gpa and scores don't meet a certain threshold, the student may get a letter telling them that their scores need to be higher before they will be designated as an official candidate.

Once the application is started, you always have the option of submitting higher scores. What you cannot get back is weeks or months of time while you were waiting for your latest scores to come out. That is time in which you could be moving forward on your application paperwork. Keep in mind that all of the supporting documentation (letters of recommendation, transcript, activities record verification, fitness test, and interview) won't be initiated until you are an official candidate. It is possible to become an official candidate with test scores in the 550-600 range per section. That might not make for a competitive application, but it can get the ball rolling.

Comparison is the thief of joy. I would not spend a lot of time trying to figure out chances based on the summary of stats that you get from people you meet. It is really hard (if not impossible) to know the totality of another person's application. Scores, grades, gpa and class rank are taken in context of their school and area. Sports, leadership, extracurriculars, jobs and other factors come into play, but don't always get discussed. Do the best you can on your own application and remember that lots of highly qualified people will get turn down letters. It isn't personal.
Click to expand...
Excellent advice!
 
Swag said:
Are there minimum requirements for test scores, GPA, etc. in order to be a candidate?
Click to expand...

Yes, admissions does have some minimum thresholds, but I haven't seen them published. It is possible to get a letter if your scores are considered too low that asks you to send them better scores once you improve.

The class portrait for the most recent plebe class gives a good outline of the backgrounds of successful applicants. http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/ClassPortrait.pdf
Test scores are given as the middle 50%, meaning that only 25% had scores lower than the lowest number in the range given. Most of those candidates will have had some other factor in play, such as being prior enlisted or coming from an underrepresented district with fewer educational opportunities.
 
Swag said:
Can you still get in without superior test scores yet fit all the other criteria?
Click to expand...

There are far more applicants to SA's then available spots. It isn't about 'checking the box' but about how you compare to others applying who most likely excel at multiple things in h.s. (academics, leadership, ECA's, sports.....etc.) You are in a competition with others who are applying. Candidates should strive to do the BEST the can in all areas and also work on their plan B school(s) in the event an appointment doesn't come their way.
 
Swag said:
He applied for Summer Seminar so I believe that is considered the preliminary application. Correct me if I'm wrong. He received an email today from USNA saying that they need test scores in order to be considered an official candidate. I'm not sure if he should submit the 1100 or wait for the June results. If anyone has any advice please chime in! When my son went to a CVW in April he was surprised at how many of the plebes were accepted without superior scores (at least the few he had the chance to speak to). As everyone says, it's hard to tell what they are looking for.
Click to expand...

Swag, he's already submitted his Prelim app then. If he did so without the SAT scores, and they want them to see if he will be a candidate, you should call Admissions directly to see by when he has to provide before it's too late.
Better from the horses mouth.
 
Th
CaliNavyMom said:
Swag, he's already submitted his Prelim app then. If he did so without the SAT scores, and they want them to see if he will be a candidate, you should call Admissions directly to see by when he has to provide before it's too late.
Better from the horses mouth.
Click to expand...
Thank you! He did not have test scores when he submitted his preliminary application. I believe he requested his April ACT scores be sent however he has not received those scores yet. He's taking the SAT again next week.
Just beginning the journey...
 
USNADaGOAL said:
Hello,
I've recently received my SAT score and received a score of 1100/1600. I know it's not great, but it was my first time and I wanted to try taking the SAT cold. Should I submit my preliminary application now knowing that USNA super scores all SAT scores? Also another reason why I'm asking to submit the application now is to get other forms done as well such as teacher recommendations.
Thanks to all who reply!
Click to expand...
Did you decide to send in your scores or wait? Trying to decide if my DS should send in his March score which was only 1100/1600 or wait until he gets the June results sometime in July. He has a preliminary application but did not have scores to report when that was done. He received an email from USNA saying that they would review his file again when they receive scores. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Swag said:
Did you decide to send in your scores or wait? Trying to decide if my DS should send in his March score which was only 1100/1600 or wait until he gets the June results sometime in July. He has a preliminary application but did not have scores to report when that was done. He received an email from USNA saying that they would review his file again when they receive scores. Any advice would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
I submitted my not so great test scores and received my "official candidate" email
 
Swag said:
Good to know! I'm sure you'll get that score up! Best of luck to you.
Click to expand...
I actually improved my original ACT score by a lot, between when my NASS app was sent and now! Hard work pays off. Good luck to you and your DS!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top