What ACT Score Got You Into West Point?

For what it's worth in regards to standardized test scores, my FFR told me about several candidates in my district about 8 years ago. There were three candidates with over a 1550 on the SAT, and they were constantly competing to try and be better than the other. In the end, only two got an appointment. He told me that two of the candidates were so closely ranked together one got the appointment over the other because his WCS was like 10 points higher than the other candidate because he had some leadership the other candidate did not.

Moral of the story: Do standardized test scores matter? Yes, of course and that is a great way to improve the WCS, but to be a strong applicant in a competitive district you need to be strong in all three categories (Academics, Leadership, Athletics).

Focus on being the best you, do everything you can control to improve yourself and your odds to get into WP. If you do not get in this cycle and it is your dream to attend, make yourself a stronger candidate and reapply, it's what I am doing right now.
 
bt18 said:
For what it's worth in regards to standardized test scores, my FFR told me about several candidates in my district about 8 years ago. There were three candidates with over a 1550 on the SAT, and they were constantly competing to try and be better than the other. In the end, only two got an appointment. He told me that two of the candidates were so closely ranked together one got the appointment over the other because his WCS was like 10 points higher than the other candidate because he had some leadership the other candidate did not.

Moral of the story: Do standardized test scores matter? Yes, of course and that is a great way to improve the WCS, but to be a strong applicant in a competitive district you need to be strong in all three categories (Academics, Leadership, Athletics).

Focus on being the best you, do everything you can control to improve yourself and your odds to get into WP. If you do not get in this cycle and it is your dream to attend, make yourself a stronger candidate and reapply, it's what I am doing right now.
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Great example in reference to test scores. Also, illustrates why USMA is comparatively stingy about issuing LOA's. WCS scores change as files are updated and, in a district with close competition, RC's are reluctant to project a winner too early.
 
toomuchtimeonmyhands said:
Unpopular opinion: OP asked a pretty simple question and people do not have to say things like "knowing scores doesn't matter" or "knowing scores is useless because district, leadership, sports, etc matter too." These comments come off as unwelcoming and I can see it making people more weary of posting.

I'm sure OP already knows that there are many different factors in receiving an acceptance, and yes, I know using the search bar is pretty simple, too. But let's keep in mind that a lot of these postings are generally from high school or early college kids, and they just want help.

Another unpopular opinion: Trying to treat these kids with such high expectations is useless too. These kids have potential, but the academies are there to develop them and refine them even more. I think people on these forums are too "harsh." Is it too hard to just answer simple questions?
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This is exactly what I was thinking, but afraid to come out and mention. I believe that if I am even remotely considering a Service Academy, I am at least somewhat aware of the nuance that goes into these applications. Thank you!
 
Every year they post statistics on the new incoming class. Things like average ACT/SAT scores are posted as well as many other things like # of class presidents, valadictorians, boys or girls state participation, varsity sports, team captain, national honor society among many other things as number of minorities. So look that stat sheet up for the last couple of years and you will get a feeling of how competitive you are. Just remember acceptance is not based solely on ACT/SAT scores, it is a whole candidate score so you can have a perfect score on the ACT/SAT and not get in because all you did was study.
 
DDmom said:
Every year they post statistics on the new incoming class. Things like average ACT/SAT scores are posted as well as many other things like # of class presidents, valadictorians, boys or girls state participation, varsity sports, team captain, national honor society among many other things as number of minorities. So look that stat sheet up for the last couple of years and you will get a feeling of how competitive you are. Just remember acceptance is not based solely on ACT/SAT scores, it is a whole candidate score so you can have a perfect score on the ACT/SAT and not get in because all you did was study.
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This is the page on West Points website. Click on each of the years and you can see the statistics. It is interesting how the number of qualified applicants has gone down consistently every year for the last 5 years. Even though the number of total applicants has been up and down.
 
My DS is class of 2025. The application process was during the pandemic. He had several tests cancelled due to the pandemic. Finally took the ACT (once and never got in to take SAT other than PSAT) , scored a 33 no LOA. From Arizona.
 
newo2002 said:
I suppose this can be answered by either current or former cadets in addition to those who have received a LOA. I just want to use this as a point of comparison. Thanks in advance!
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DS had a 1460 SAT no LOA did not take the ACT but a friend of his had a 32 ACT and got in. For what it is worth.
 
milmomsomeday said:
Here's the conclusion I came to about ACT/SAT scores for SAs and ROTC scholarships:

There is never going to a score that you will say, "Ok, I have scored high enough, I can stop taking it."

Work hard to improve your score, all the way until you
(a) no longer seem to be improving and/or no longer want to put in the effort to improve between tests
(b) can no longer afford to continue to take tests
(c) reach the deadline for submitting them
Or maybe a combination of the 3.

Don't let a low score keep you from applying, but also don't stop trying to improve until to reach one of the above.
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Agree. DS took the SAT 4 times. Improved every single time with his last test being his highest score.
 

What ACT Score Got You Into West Point?​

Wrong question. No ACT score was ever the reason any candidate was accepted to any college. Standardized test scores simply indicate whether or not a candidate is capable of doing the work at that college. The service academies are transparent with their class profiles. Just make sure you are at or above the average for the academies/colleges you are applying to and move on.
 
It doesn't matter how high a test score is if the other areas are weak.

Test scores are a significant component of the academic portion of the WCS score, and the academic portion is the most highly weighted component. A high test score goes a long way in building a competitive WCS score, which is the most important number for most appointments.

However, a high test score will not overcome low leadership scores, a failed CFT, or a failed medical. It will also not overcome the other candidates in the same district with higher WCS scores, even if their test scores are lower..
 
ZOMBIE! Of course, anyone interested in test scores and admissions should start by searching for the Class Profile--which has the breakdown by range & percent of the class in that range. The recent class profiles are a great place to learn about different aspects of the application that are tracked or matter by admissions.
 
Academics just like CFA you should strive to be above average, if you have ACT scores close to the composite mean of 30 you may be disappointed. In a competitive state like New Jersey these scores would not get an appointment unless you are a recruited athlete or minority candidate.
 
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