Average ACT Scores at the Service Academies

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USAFA_Grad

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My DS has an appointment to USMA and is getting close to accepting it. My question is to anyone who might have some insight/data on this issue. Why is the average ACT score at USMA (25) significantly lower than the average ACT score at USAFA (30) or USNA (31)? USMA has a rather low acceptance rate (approx. 10%), lower than USAFA's (12.5-15% range). It seems like several SA applicants apply to multiple service academies, with varying top choices, so it surprises me that USMA's ACT score would be that much lower. Any insight?
 
If you look at USAFA class profiles from recent years, you will notice that they do not include the scores from students who are admitted from the Prep School, which may have the impact of artificially raising the reported score.
USMA includes all admitted students.
The Army has to be representative of the Nation and may be more holistic in its assessment of applicants.
 
USAFA_Grad said:
My DS has an appointment to USMA and is getting close to accepting it. My question is to anyone who might have some insight/data on this issue. Why is the average ACT score at USMA (25) significantly lower than the average ACT score at USAFA (30) or USNA (31)? USMA has a rather low acceptance rate (approx. 10%), lower than USAFA's (12.5-15% range). It seems like several SA applicants apply to multiple service academies, with varying top choices, so it surprises me that USMA's ACT score would be that much lower. Any insight?
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As far as I know, acceptance rates have nothing to do with test scores or the type of students who apply but rather how many people apply and how many people get selected. A school can easily lower their acceptance rate by having more people apply. If a college markets themselves and makes it so that their is no application fee, they will more than likelyy reduce their acceptance rate. It doesnt necessarily mean your GPA or test scores have to be higher in order to get in. Maybe more people apply to WP than they do to the AFA
 
USAFA_Grad said:
My DS has an appointment to USMA and is getting close to accepting it. My question is to anyone who might have some insight/data on this issue. Why is the average ACT score at USMA (25) significantly lower than the average ACT score at USAFA (30) or USNA (31)? USMA has a rather low acceptance rate (approx. 10%), lower than USAFA's (12.5-15% range). It seems like several SA applicants apply to multiple service academies, with varying top choices, so it surprises me that USMA's ACT score would be that much lower. Any insight?
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Where did you see the profile showing a 25? We are currently away from home but the profile sheet given to us from USMA was higher.
 
Humey said:
USAFA_Grad said:
My DS has an appointment to USMA and is getting close to accepting it. My question is to anyone who might have some insight/data on this issue. Why is the average ACT score at USMA (25) significantly lower than the average ACT score at USAFA (30) or USNA (31)? USMA has a rather low acceptance rate (approx. 10%), lower than USAFA's (12.5-15% range). It seems like several SA applicants apply to multiple service academies, with varying top choices, so it surprises me that USMA's ACT score would be that much lower. Any insight?
Click to expand...
As far as I know, acceptance rates have nothing to do with test scores or the type of students who apply but rather how many people apply and how many people get selected. A school can easily lower their acceptance rate by having more people apply. If a college markets themselves and makes it so that their is no application fee, they will more than likelyy reduce their acceptance rate. It doesnt necessarily mean your GPA or test scores have to be higher in order to get in. Maybe more people apply to WP than they do to the AFA
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Agree, but there is typically some correlation. My real question is why USMA's ACT scores would be so much lower than USNA's and USAFA's posted ACT scores. DrMom's response addressed at least part of that with the inclusion of the prep school appointees' scores.
 
Love4monsters said:
USAFA_Grad said:
My DS has an appointment to USMA and is getting close to accepting it. My question is to anyone who might have some insight/data on this issue. Why is the average ACT score at USMA (25) significantly lower than the average ACT score at USAFA (30) or USNA (31)? USMA has a rather low acceptance rate (approx. 10%), lower than USAFA's (12.5-15% range). It seems like several SA applicants apply to multiple service academies, with varying top choices, so it surprises me that USMA's ACT score would be that much lower. Any insight?
Click to expand...

Where did you see the profile showing a 25? We are currently away from home but the profile sheet given to us from USMA was higher.
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When you get a chance, please let me know what USMA advertises as their average. I am just going by what we read on Prepscholar, Princeton Review, Niche and CollegeData. Thank you!
 
USAFA_Grad said:
When you get a chance, please let me know what USMA advertises as their average. I am just going by what we read on Prepscholar, Princeton Review, Niche and CollegeData. Thank you!
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My 2021 son did USMA outreach visits over spring break and he brought home literature. We still have some hanging around the house. I’ll post a pic when we get home. Remind me if I don’t. Thanks!
 
Here are documents from USNA and USAFA with class profiles. I would trust them more than the other sites. This is the 25th to the 75th for applicants for both. The USMA form is similar but now that USMA has changed their website I can’t find it.IMG_5896.JPGIMG_5895.JPG
 
For the Class of 2021 the average SAT score was a 1249. That has stuck with me.
 
It is worth noting that USMA states: Scores used only for admission...so in essence this is the super score from admitted candidates.
 
DrMom said:
It is worth noting that USMA states: Scores used only for admission...so in essence this is the super score from admitted candidates.
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Says “scores used for admission” which is not defined and could exclude scores from USAMAPs and active duty and other categories where “scores are not used for admission “
 
How many angels can fit on the head of a pin at the various academies and why is one academy lower then the rest? When I know the answer to that I'll be able to decide which academy to attend.

I suppose this is entertaining while we all wait though.
 
@cptenca That is not what it means at all. It means that the academy used the super score elements--or highest version of each element of the test for each admitted candidate rather than a synthesis of all test scores. Re-applicants from the prep school must also have test scores for admissions.
 
I might suggest also that the culture and nature of the work required in each services also dictates the criteria that each academy weights for selection. While higher scores on standardized tests will always increase chances, I suppose that a service like the Army with a ground fighter/infantry centric mission set attracts folks whose interests and skills are more broadly spread than the heavily technology focused missions of the Air Force and Navy. Just an opinion of an old jar head that has spent some time around these other services.....
 
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