ACT scores not where I want them

C

Csyms

trckstar
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Feb 3, 2021
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I have a 3.94
AP stat and pre calc(no calc)
4 year varsity sport and captain
60 hrs of community volunteer
double legacy to KP...
Multiple clubs and VP and Pres of some
Boys state(if it happens this year)
But my act score is only a 25...
I need to get it up I know, but does usmma care a lot about the scores?
 
Yes. Your test scores are a very important factor because they are easily compared to other applicants. You can see the average test scores for the past several classes on USMMA.edu. Many options exist to help you get your scores up. Make it a daily priority to study and retest several times if necessary to meet at least the averages from the recent past. Good luck.
 
I remember my ACT/SAT scores not being too stellar when applying. Let's just say my scores aren't what got me in, and it showed too, as I was definitely not the academy's first pick.

I'll keep looking but I recall a stat which states that 15%-25% of the whole person formula for admissions is your ACT/SAT. KP definitely cares, it might be the largest single factor affecting your admission. I can understand why too. In theory, these scores tell admissions how prepared you are for college level classes. KP is known to have extremely high academic standards with little room for student error, so they want strong students who won't fail out academically. Academic setbacks/disenrollments are extremely high here and the highest among the academies. The biggest reason why mids leave KP is due to academics.

Definitely try to fix it, but if those pesky scores don't go up with study, then really try to flesh out everything else.

Good luck
 
Csyms said:
I have a 3.94
AP stat and pre calc(no calc)
4 year varsity sport and captain
60 hrs of community volunteer
double legacy to KP...
Multiple clubs and VP and Pres of some
Boys state(if it happens this year)
But my act score is only a 25...
I need to get it up I know, but does usmma care a lot about the scores?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if it is within your parents' budget, but PrepScholar guarantees a 4 point improvement or their test prep is free (as long as you agree to do 40 hours of study). It worked well for our daughter. Here is their link https://www.prepscholar.com/act/s/
 
Csyms said:
I have a 3.94
AP stat and pre calc(no calc)
4 year varsity sport and captain
60 hrs of community volunteer
double legacy to KP...
Multiple clubs and VP and Pres of some
Boys state(if it happens this year)
But my act score is only a 25...
I need to get it up I know, but does usmma care a lot about the scores?
Click to expand...
DomerDad said:
I'm not sure if it is within your parents' budget, but PrepScholar guarantees a 4 point improvement or their test prep is free (as long as you agree to do 40 hours of study). It worked well for our daughter. Here is their link https://www.prepscholar.com/act/s/
Click to expand...
I don't have direct experience with the ACT, but for the SAT I highly recommend SAT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective SAT Strategies Ever Published (2nd Edition) by Mike Barret. From personal experience, this book is clear, concise, and very effective and has helped me score within the 99% percentile on the SAT. Maybe Princeton Review SAT Book as well, but I don't recommend that as much. Though I did not take the ACT, I would recommend checking out Barret's ACT Book as well if you are only taking the ACT: ACT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective ACT Strategies Ever Published (1st Edition)

I really do not recommend online courses or private tutors for the SAT as @DomerDad did since they often are unnecessarily expensive and often are not as effective. SAT Prep Books allow you to learn at your own pace and review and go back if necessary. Good SAT Prep Books also save you invaluable time and target only on places you need to work on. The only place where I could see online courses/tutors being helpful is having a source to answer questions when the material is not clear. However, the SAT Black Book I referenced earlier makes things pretty simple and clear. If you have any questions or any help on this, feel free to private message me.
 
How many times have you taken it? This is not like a blood test where the numbers don't change; you can Khan Academy your way upwards. And if you're not having luck with the ACT be sure to try the SAT instead. Some people do better on one than the other.
 
Are you a 2026 candidate? If so, you have time to get that score up. There are lots of ways to practice and improve. I am not sure about USMMA but a 1280 SAT was really the only weaker part of DS's applications to both USMA and USNA and he got a TWE from both. He improved from a 1100 SAT to a 1280 with two attempts. He considered taking it again but the deadlines were approaching and we didn't think the Dec test scores would be in on time, so I said "it's good enough" thinking the rest of his application will make up for that. It didn't. Don't be DS.
 
Cysms, don't loose hope! As others said, retake the ACT if you have time. My kid got in with a 26 and you have much better leadership than he did.
 
Csyms said:
I have a 3.94
AP stat and pre calc(no calc)
4 year varsity sport and captain
60 hrs of community volunteer
double legacy to KP...
Multiple clubs and VP and Pres of some
Boys state(if it happens this year)
But my act score is only a 25...
I need to get it up I know, but does usmma care a lot about the scores?
Click to expand...

I mean, you're a double legacy. I think you're good. Retake it one more time if you can but I wouldn't sweat it.
 
Mr2020 said:
I mean, you're a double legacy. I think you're good. Retake it one more time if you can but I wouldn't sweat it.
Click to expand...
I find this statement disheartening to say the least. There is no one in our family that attended a SA but almost all of us have served as enlisted. I have a great uncle who was 20 at the time his ship was torpedoed and he was KIA, serving as a Merchant Marine.
I have nothing but respect for anyone who has attended a SA but to think that a legacy has a better chance because their parents are graduates of said Academy is sad.
 
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FormerCTR said:
I find this statement disheartening to say the least. There is no one in our family that attended a SA but almost all of us have served as enlisted. I have a great uncle who was 20 at the time his ship was torpedoed and he was KIA, serving as a Merchant Marine.
I have nothing but respect for anyone who has attended a SA but to think that a legacy has a better chance because their parents are graduates of said Academy is sad.
Click to expand...
Completely agree. I would never think that! I just thought it was super cool how both my grandfather and father served
 
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