ACT Score Feedback

Blackbird

Parent
10-Year Member
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Apr 13, 2010
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DS, a senior, just received his latest round of ACT scores and he is feeling VERY disappointed after working all summer on his ACT test taking skills. His composite score this test was a 29 (31E, 30M, 27R, 29S). He had a 33 in Reading last year which gives him a superscore of 31, and he has already registered for the October test.

As I read this forum, his scores are competitive for USAFA considering he is also a state level swimmer and has well rounded EC's with a 3.60 unweighted GPA. I also reminded him this morning that this entire process is a marathon, not a sprint and that he can take the test two more times.

Can anybody provide me with some feedback that I can pass along to him?

Thanks
 
DS, a senior, just received his latest round of ACT scores and he is feeling VERY disappointed after working all summer on his ACT test taking skills. His composite score this test was a 29 (31E, 30M, 27R, 29S). He had a 33 in Reading last year which gives him a superscore of 31, and he has already registered for the October test.

As I read this forum, his scores are competitive for USAFA considering he is also a state level swimmer and has well rounded EC's with a 3.60 unweighted GPA. I also reminded him this morning that this entire process is a marathon, not a sprint and that he can take the test two more times.

Can anybody provide me with some feedback that I can pass along to him?

Thanks
Hi!

His scores are good. Okay, as an ALO I'm really greedy; read: SUPER GREEDY! I like scores in the mid 30's just to be able to say "Uh...go focus on other things, I think your scores are good enough." FYI...in 17 years of ALO work, I've only done that ONCE to a candidate; last year, with SAT scores of 760m/760v/700w/. In other words, I tell candidates to keep testing; as you said, "super score" can only HELP!

Now for your son....his scores:

31E
30 M
27R (33 last time)
29S

I can ask up at USAFA again, but the way they've explained the "super score" to me is this: "We take the highest score and toss out the other one." So...I would think that means he would have: 31E/30M/33R/29S in the AFA's system.

Now, I COULD be wrong; this is how they do the SAT. Again, I can call up to USAFA but the easiest way besides that would be to have the ALO look it up on the system to see what's showing on the candidate page. (FYI, this is an ALO page, ya'll can't see it)

***:scratch:***

Did some more thinking...I just sent the question up to my counterpart at USAFA/RRS...I'll let you know.

Bottom line on those scores though? They are COMPETITIVE! He's solidly in the pack. That means, GOOD JOB, but KEEP PRESSING ON!!! Nail the other areas as well: CFA, grades, extracurriculars, etc...etc...etc...its only September, the race starts to finish around March...and sometimes longer than that!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Great feedback Steve. Thank you.

I never went through this process, but I am seeing that the SA experience begins way before BCT. The application process seems a bit like a tough round of golf - Lots of stokes but all is good as long as the ball is moving closer to hole with each stroke.
 
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Great feedback Steve. Thank you.

I never went through this process, but I am seeing that the SA experience begins way before BCT. The application process seems a bit like a tough round of golf - Lots of stokes but all is good as long as the ball is moving closer to hole with each stroke.

Hi again!

Just heard back from my "bosses" up at USAFA/RRS...as I stated, turns out I was correct! :jump1:

They'll keep the higher 33 and not even see the 27. :thumb:

Press on! :smile:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Letter

My DS just received a letter from the admissions office stating that he isn't academically qualified. I told him to call his regional contact person to see why this is. His SATs score are fine (I believe) 700/690M but his GPA are below average for his school. 3.2 gpa and 35th out of 69 for class rank. I advised him to explain to the admission that his school isn't a regular high school. The thing I don't get is admission has the school profile. I guess my question is Is USAFA that competitive this year that admissions would tell this young man that he isn't competitive? :thumbdown:
 
My DS just received a letter from the admissions office stating that he isn't academically qualified. I told him to call his regional contact person to see why this is. His SATs score are fine (I believe) 700/690M but his GPA are below average for his school. 3.2 gpa and 35th out of 69 for class rank. I advised him to explain to the admission that his school isn't a regular high school. The thing I don't get is admission has the school profile. I guess my question is Is USAFA that competitive this year that admissions would tell this young man that he isn't competitive? :thumbdown:

This is so hard to say definitively. There's so many variables. 1st; has he/is he taken/ing the minimum classes:
4 years of English
4 years of college-prep math
3 years of social studies
2 years of foreign languages
1 year of computer studies

Also, has his OFFICIAL transcript from the high school and OFFICIAL SAT/ACT scores been sent. If all they have is the self provided scores and information, then they will consider him academically unqualified. But they will change the status once they get the official scores. Is there anything else you can tell us. Especially about his transcripts and classes?

You are correct that he needs to contact his academy counselor. They will make it a very quick call. They will tell him exactly what he's missing or low on to be academically qualified. Good luck. Mike....
 
My DS just received a letter from the admissions office stating that he isn't academically qualified. I told him to call his regional contact person to see why this is. His SATs score are fine (I believe) 700/690M but his GPA are below average for his school. 3.2 gpa and 35th out of 69 for class rank. I advised him to explain to the admission that his school isn't a regular high school. The thing I don't get is admission has the school profile. I guess my question is Is USAFA that competitive this year that admissions would tell this young man that he isn't competitive? :thumbdown:

Hmmm....

Just based upon what you have posted here...I'm having a hard time understanding why he would get that. So I'd ask a few questions:

a. Does the AFA have his scores? Also...you have 700/690M. I'm assuming the 700 is the Verbal? Did he also have a writing score? Just my curiosity there; not a player here.

b. Has he spoken with his counselor at USAFA? That would be a BIGGIE on my "to do" list! Those folks are amazing and very open; they'll "tell it like it is" and really help him out.

Those are the two things to me that seem to need addressing immediately.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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