ACT and SAT With Essay???

My first choice is USAFA, but I'm also applying to West Point and USNA. West Point is the only one that requires the essay. I took the SAT w/o essay my Sophomore year and I am taking it with essay in June. Do I also have to take the ACT w/ Essay? I already took a free ACT through my school/state, but it was w/o essay. I've been having trouble finding a clear answer to this online. I know that many schools do not require both, they just want one or the other. I just want to confirm if West Point is also like this.

My scores are very good and the only reason I have to retake either tests is to do the essay, just to give a little more context. Thanks for your time.

https://westpoint.edu/admissions/steps-to-admission

@querencia, took me all of two clicks from Google to find the answer.

For all you aspiring candidates out there, as we start the new apppication cycle, please read every link, tab and pulldown on the SA’s website. Learn to first get your information from the primary source before asking here. That’s always the most reliable source of information — far more so than on this site. This practice will make the whole application process go much more smoothly.

My understanding is that they do not superscore BETWEEN (SAT and ACT) tests, so your SAT scores would not be considered unless you take the SAT With Essay at least once. If you want your ACT scores to "count," you need to take ACT With Essay at least once. If you are happy with your SAT scores being the only ones that are looked at (since you are taking With Essay in June), then you have done what is required.

The safest thing to do, though, is to take the ACT with Essay at least once in case your ACT scores are even minimally better than your SAT scores. My DS took "With Essay" at least once on both tests and the Admissions Officer with whom we met last August said he didn't need to take the essay again on subsequent tests because his writing score was good.

boxmm24 said:

My understanding is that they do not superscore BETWEEN (SAT and ACT) tests, so your SAT scores would not be considered unless you take the SAT With Essay at least once. If you want your ACT scores to "count," you need to take ACT With Essay at least once. If you are happy with your SAT scores being the only ones that are looked at (since you are taking With Essay in June), then you have done what is required.

The safest thing to do, though, is to take the ACT with Essay at least once in case your ACT scores are even minimally better than your SAT scores. My DS took "With Essay" at least once on both tests and the Admissions Officer with whom we met last August said he didn't need to take the essay again on subsequent tests because his writing score was good.

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Curious to know what his SAT and ACT writing scores were, ie what did admissions say was good? Thanks!

MidCakePa said:

https://westpoint.edu/admissions/steps-to-admission

@querencia, took me all of two clicks from Google to find the answer.

For all you aspiring candidates out there, as we start the new apppication cycle, please read every link, tab and pulldown on the SA’s website. Learn to first get your information from the primary source before asking here. That’s always the most reliable source of information — far more so than on this site. This practice will make the whole application process go much more smoothly.

Click to expand...

I saw the website and read that, but the application portal and an email I received made it unclear. The West Point test taking tips are also outdated, so it's hard to tell what else could be wrong on their website.

boxmm24 said:

My understanding is that they do not superscore BETWEEN (SAT and ACT) tests, so your SAT scores would not be considered unless you take the SAT With Essay at least once. If you want your ACT scores to "count," you need to take ACT With Essay at least once. If you are happy with your SAT scores being the only ones that are looked at (since you are taking With Essay in June), then you have done what is required.

The safest thing to do, though, is to take the ACT with Essay at least once in case your ACT scores are even minimally better than your SAT scores. My DS took "With Essay" at least once on both tests and the Admissions Officer with whom we met last August said he didn't need to take the essay again on subsequent tests because his writing score was good.

Click to expand...

So if I opt to not retake the ACT w/ essay, I should just save the $12 and not send that score?

querencia said:

So if I opt to not retake the ACT w/ essay, I should just save the $12 and not send that score?

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If your SAT scores are better than your ACT scores that would be fine. There are concordances you can find online to convert the ACT score to a SAT score.

EDIT: Don't forget you need to consider the other colleges you are applying to when working out your strategies. You are applying to other colleges and ROTC programs, right?

Always take the essay. Unless you know a fortune teller you have no idea how this may all work out.

For instance, last cycle a candidate with an LOA from USNA found out they were colorblind. Since the candidate didn't take the SAT essay, USMA, wasn't an option. USMA is much more likely to issue a colorblind waiver.

In addition, you may fall in love with a ROTC detachment or get into a reach school. You just never know.

querencia said:

The West Point test taking tips are also outdated, so it's hard to tell what else could be wrong on their website.

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I can't speak to whether WP's test-taking tips are outdated or not. But this much I know: If it's on the USMA website, then you should consider it accurate and true. Because USMA certainly does. Whether or not you agree with what they say, this is the filter through which they will evaluate your application.

If you're looking to people on SAF to tell you what on the USMA website is right or wrong, you could be in a world of hurt. Look at it this way: You're entering an extremely competitive and precise process to potentially join an institution that will dictate the next nine years, at the very least, of your life. With all that's at stake, do you want to rely on information posted on that institution's website, or on stuff from a random person posting anonymously on a public forum?

And I say all that being a loyal and active member of SAF, who's learned a ton from people here. When DD was applying to three SAs, the first and last word on the process was always the SA's website.

THmom said:

boxmm24 said:

My understanding is that they do not superscore BETWEEN (SAT and ACT) tests, so your SAT scores would not be considered unless you take the SAT With Essay at least once. If you want your ACT scores to "count," you need to take ACT With Essay at least once. If you are happy with your SAT scores being the only ones that are looked at (since you are taking With Essay in June), then you have done what is required.

The safest thing to do, though, is to take the ACT with Essay at least once in case your ACT scores are even minimally better than your SAT scores. My DS took "With Essay" at least once on both tests and the Admissions Officer with whom we met last August said he didn't need to take the essay again on subsequent tests because his writing score was good.

Click to expand...

Curious to know what his SAT and ACT writing scores were, ie what did admissions say was good? Thanks!

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SAT: 6 out of 8; ACT: 8 out of 12. I've seen some posts on here with much higher ACT writing scores though. I'm thinking that it was the SAT writing that was referred to.