Help me out here...

Cadet35

Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2019
Messages
458
I have a 3.4 cumulative at the end of my junior year. I’m heavily involved in several choirs, in the community, have been in 3 varsity sports currently finishing with 1, and some other small things like jobs etc. I also received a leadership award from West Point and I have several leadership roles. Here’s the poor part for now- I got a 1080 on my SAT. I know how important the SAT is to get appointment. I am currently just starting a huge tutoring service that gives homework and goes hard for weeks two hours four days a week. Hopefully that will get me above a 1300 or 1400. I’m confused on what I should do here- should I fill out all of my application data for now? How about my nomination information to send to my congressman? I wouldn’t want to put such a prior low SAT score right? Should I wait until August to get my great score back? I’m just confused and don’t know if I should wait pretty close to the deadline to submit my new scores or do it now and just put in the SAT score I already have. Last notes- I’m taking the ACT in September and retaking the SAT in August. Hopefully I can get such a great score that I will be satisfied, but if I need to I have October to take yet another SAT if (hopefully not) needed.

Thanks.

PS- does USAFA look at only SAT/ACT/Class rank in effect as their decision to give admission similar to West Point?
 
Better get started now. The paperwork takes lots of time and as far as I know, if you can pull it up prior to cutoff, I think they look at the highest score. Make sure you can put a second test score in later, but if you can start early with the process. Lots of steps and letters of recommendation from teachers, etc. More time to do it the better. If you can swing that score from 1080 to 1300 or 1400, that will be awesome. Keep the faith!
 
Don't disagree with above but one could always do everything except send in the test score, especially if you're retaking in August. August should be plenty of time (see your MOCs deadlines) to send in a score.
 
FYI, a 200 point improvement on the SAT would be at the very high end of expected outcomes with a rigorous study program.
 
Don't disagree with above but one could always do everything except send in the test score, especially if you're retaking in August. August should be plenty of time (see your MOCs deadlines) to send in a score.
excellent point kinnem....I doubt that usafa is giving extra points for "most improved" on SAT.
 
I would keep taking all the SAT tests leading up to the deadline. They will take Superscore. I would also do the same for ACT.
 
FYI, a 200 point improvement on the SAT would be at the very high end of expected outcomes with a rigorous study program.

I took a online class for a little while and raised my score from 1120 to 1360 old SAT. probably scaled to a 1400 today.

So youre not really correct
 
Some students do better on the ACT. Buy a book of previous ACT tests & take them in real time as if you're in a classroom. This allows you to practice time management which can be sort of a bug for some. Buy another book with SAT tests too. USAFA will superscore both so submit whichever tests you do your best at. Check out Khan Academy online-I heard it was free. Good Luck!
 
Should I even enter the post 1080? It is so low I figured I’d just leave it blank until I get my higher score in August.
 
Came across this on the AFA website:

"Students who score below 580 verbal and 560 math on the SAT Reasoning and below 24 English/reading and 25 math/science reasoning on the ACT normally will not be competitive for an appointment."

Standardized test sores for admitted cadets:

SAT

Mid-50% Range Mean

Critical Reading/Verbal 600-690 642
Math 630-700 672

ACT

Mid-50% Range Mean

English 28-33 30
Reading 28-33 30
Mathematics 28-32 30
Science Reasoning 27-33 30
 
Last edited:
Alright so wait until August SAT/ Sept. ACT it is then
Practice a LOT.
Got this really great tutor. About four days a week and two hours each session. The grind will be 110% worth it.
Our DS just retook his ACT and improved his Science and STEM, by 6 points. He had taken it the first time in the middle of mid terms and 6 honor dual credit classes, he was super tired and not firing on all cylinders. Retake was worth it, and he has solid SAT but is retaking in 3 weeks in hopes of improving those as well. I really like your positive attitude and willingness to prep and work hard. Good luck!
 
Back
Top