Too late to the party?

I learned about USNA literally last night and I’m already set on applying. I know I’m extremely far behind in the process however. After reading USNA’s website, I realized that I need a nomination from a senator or congressman. Luckily for me their deadlines aren’t until late November. But I didn’t create this thread to talk about nominations. I have some reservations with my test scores.

1) For a class of 2023 applicant, how many more attempts do we have at these tests? Would the December test date for both the SAT and ACT be the last opportunity for score improvement?

2) My scores as of now aren’t stellar. I have yet to take the SAT and I have a 27 English and a 28 math for the ACT. Should I wait for score improvements before sending the scores? Or should I get the application done and update the scores as needed.

3) And lastly, I would like help interpreting the USNA class profiles. According to the profile, the middle 50% of the admitted class had a 26-32 English and a 27-32 math. So my current scores would put me in the middle 50%. However after searching through the “chance me” threads on this forum, a lot of candidates were reporting scores in the mid 30’s. How does this correlate to the class profile? I know this forum only makes up a small percentage of the total applicants. But does this forum represent the more competitive types of candidates? If someone could explain this a bit more, that’d be greatly appreciated.

Well, the middle is the middle. Your current scores actually put you towards the bottom of the middle 50%. That means many folks are above it and many folks are below it. Keep in mind, this IS a competition. You will be competing against 9 other kids on each slate where you have a nomination. There is more to the assessment than just SAT/ACT scores, but if someone's scores are better than you they at least have a leg up in that aspect. Take the test as many times as you can, since they will superscore just as most colleges do. Some kids do better on the ACT and some better on the SAT so do each at least once and then perhaps settle on one test.

1) It's unlimited, I think the academy superscores as well.
2) Get as much of the application done as possible. They start looking at it before its done, especially the essay.
3)If you're a varsity athlete it helps alot. If not, grades and scores aren't everything, though they help. Make sure you're well rounded, but also demonstrate your leadership skills by getting positions in clubs and community organizations.

My knowledge is very limited as I never had a child apply to an acadmey. What I do know is that you arent competing nationwide but rather againt those in your own district. Therefore, if the people in your district got a 25 on their ACT and you got a 27, you win. It makes no difference if everyone else in the country is scoring 30 and above because you arent competing against them. That is simplistic as their are many factors they take into consideration when choosing someone but it should give you an idea how it works. So figure if you live in Los Angeles, you are going to get a lot of people applying with very high scores. On the other hand, if you live in Wyoming, maybe their wont be a lot of competition

This may be helpful

https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/ClassPortrait.pdf

mte09876 said:

If not, grades and scores aren't everything, though they help. Make sure you're well rounded, but also demonstrate your leadership skills by getting positions in clubs and community organizations.

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This is a curious statement, given that academics account for at least 60% of the WCS. As for “getting positions,” too late for that. Highlight instead the leadership impact you’ve had up to now, whether in organizations or the community.

@23candidate, to answer your question about the “middle 50%”: If you lined up all the test scores, high to low, the top of the middle would be at the 75th percentile and the bottom of the middle would be at the 25th percentile. Make sense? So the candidates you see with ACT scores in the mid 30s are in the top 25% of the class.

You say you “literally learned about USNA last night.” Is that when you also decided you want to serve as an active-duty officer for at least five years after graduation? Give this some serious thought, because that’s what’s at the end of the USNA rainbow.

^^^^ plus an additional number of years (3?) in the Reserves.

Don't forget to apply for Navy ROTC scholarship. If your desire is to serve your country in the United States Navy and not just attend the Naval academy you will want to pursue every possible way to make that dream come true.

And yes, you may keep submitting your test scores until the application close date

To echo, what MidcakePa said, I would hope you are interested in a career in the military and specifically the Navy. I am assuming you are and that is part of how you came to learn about the Naval Academy. Choosing to attend a service academy is not a typical 4-year college decision. It is a nine-year full time commitment and three more years in the reserves. You are committing to a military life until at least age 27-30. As such, it is a decision that shouldn't be made lightly.

Specific to your question on the middle 50%, it is measuring from the 25% mark to the 75% mark of those that entered. For English, this means 75% of the class had above a 26 and 25% had above a 32. For Math, this means that 75% had above a 27 and 25% had above a 32. So for your scores, you can safely assume you are between the bottom 25% to 50% of the schools for the 2021 class profile. Also, as others have said you need to be well rounded with athletics, extracurricular activities and leadership.

You have no chance of getting in if you don't apply, so go for it. Good luck.

SAparent2023 said:

Specific to your question on the middle 50%, it is measuring from the 25% mark to the 75% mark of those that entered. For English, this means 75% of the class had above a 26 and 25% had above a 32. For Math, this means that 75% had above a 27 and 25% had above a 32. So for your scores, you can safely assume you are between the bottom 25% to 50% of the schools for the 2021 class profile. Also, as others have said you need to be well rounded with athletics, extracurricular activities and leadership.

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Thank you for all the replies above. And yes I do have a desire to serve in the armed forces whatever branch it may be.

I guess just one follow up question I have that didn’t truly get answered above is should I send my current scores right now: a 27 English and a 28 math? Or should I continue to study hard and send higher scores in November after the October 27 test date (granted my English and math scores increase)?

23candidate said:

SAparent2023 said:

Specific to your question on the middle 50%, it is measuring from the 25% mark to the 75% mark of those that entered. For English, this means 75% of the class had above a 26 and 25% had above a 32. For Math, this means that 75% had above a 27 and 25% had above a 32. So for your scores, you can safely assume you are between the bottom 25% to 50% of the schools for the 2021 class profile. Also, as others have said you need to be well rounded with athletics, extracurricular activities and leadership.

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Thank you for all the replies above. And yes I do have a desire to serve in the armed forces whatever branch it may be.

I guess just one follow up question I have that didn’t truly get answered above is should I send my current scores right now: a 27 English and a 28 math? Or should I continue to study hard and send higher scores in November after the October 27 test date (granted my English and math scores increase)?

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I would send your 27 and 28 ACT, if you know your score is going to go up and that you are going to send the October scores. It shows persistence in studying and dedication to your goal. My NASS detailer took the SAT five times until he scored a 1400!

USNAismyplace said:

I would send your 27 and 28 ACT, if you know your score is going to go up and that you are going to send the October scores. It shows persistence in studying and dedication to your goal. My NASS detailer took the SAT five times until he scored a 1400!

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I agree. There is no downside to sending multiple scores given superscoring.

23candidate said:

SAparent2023 said:

Specific to your question on the middle 50%, it is measuring from the 25% mark to the 75% mark of those that entered. For English, this means 75% of the class had above a 26 and 25% had above a 32. For Math, this means that 75% had above a 27 and 25% had above a 32. So for your scores, you can safely assume you are between the bottom 25% to 50% of the schools for the 2021 class profile. Also, as others have said you need to be well rounded with athletics, extracurricular activities and leadership.

Click to expand...

Thank you for all the replies above. And yes I do have a desire to serve in the armed forces whatever branch it may be.

I guess just one follow up question I have that didn’t truly get answered above is should I send my current scores right now: a 27 English and a 28 math? Or should I continue to study hard and send higher scores in November after the October 27 test date (granted my English and math scores increase)?

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Those scores are fairly low. I recommend, as a mom who's son went thru this for 2021, you sign up for as many SAT and ACT testing sessions you can. You'll indicate you want your scores sent to all colleges/universities and SAs. The SAs will pick your best score from all the scores submitted. I know I'm a month late on this post but you really have quite a bit of work ahead of you! Good luck!