Candidates REapplying

2017KNR

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2012
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69
So, I officially sent off the last of my nomination applications yesterday and aside from sending in a couple more sets of test scores and completion of CFA, my packet is COMPLETE. The wait begins....again.

I am a freshman at Ohio State University who is patiently waiting that appointment. I applied last year, waited up to the absolute last minute, and then found out I didn't get an appointment. It shocked my family, BGO, myself, and even the committee members who had given my nominations to me - I became very close with them during the entire process.

So, I am merely creating this thread in attempt to find others who are reapplying to discuss the application process, your involvement, any questions, etc.

So a little about me, I hope to hear brag as well!
I graduated with a 3.991U 4.151W GPA from a very competitive high school in Columbus, OH that has a knack for producing students that get accepted into the academies (2 USNA and 2 at USAFA in the past two years). I was ranked 63 in my graduating class of 463 despite my GPA. I took five AP courses; Chem(3), Physics B(4), Calc AB(3), US Govt(4), and Lit(2) as well as 5 honors courses and 2 languages - 3 years of Spanish and a year of Chinese.

I was Treasurer of National Honor Society and Vice President of the Interact Club(high school level of Rotary International - service organization). I was heavily involved in service during high school; volunteering at the local food pantry, coordinating events and fundraisers, and went on two international mission trips with the local Rotary club as well and even much more. I received awards for leadership, service, academics, and participation during my junior-senior years from school, the community, and the state and national levels.

I am also a summer 2011 NASS alumni!

I played soccer my freshman year and ran track during my sophomore year but was unable to play sports my junior and senior years because of my rigorous course load and the fact that I worked close to 20 hours a week to help out my single mother. I have worked at my place of employment since November 2010 and was recently promoted to a manager position and worked 40 hours a week over the summer to cover an unfilled assistant manager position.

ACT scores: M(31) W(26) R(24) S(28) E(11) SAT: M(650) R(540) W(520) E(8)
I know my test scores are not the best, but I do not feel as if they represent my abilities. I am hoping that my AP scores and my college courses this year will enforce that.

I walked into Ohio State with 23 credit hours and I am currently an International Studies major specializing in Security and Intel with a minor in Chinese. I am looking into a double major in either Criminology or Political Science if I am again denied by USNA. I am in the International Affairs scholars program as well as a few organizations on campus.

Last year, I received a nomination to USNA from my Senator as well as a nomination to the Merchant Marine Academy despite not applying. I also received a nomination to USAFA from my congressman even though I didn't apply there either. I know they say that "the third time is the charm," but I sincerely hope that with this, the second time is in fact the charm.

So enough about me, go ahead and tell me about yourself or your son/daughter who is reapplying!
 
S
ACT scores: M(31) W(26) R(24) S(28) E(11) SAT: M(650) R(540) W(520) E(8)
I know my test scores are not the best, but I do not feel as if they represent my abilities. I am hoping that my AP scores and my college courses this year will enforce that. !

My son is not a re applicant. We do have a good friend who was a re-applicant last year who did not gain admissions. He found out, after the fact, that he really needed to take his ACT tests again even though he was already a freshman in college. I would strongly encourage you to take your ACTs again. Do you really want to leave 14 points on the table?

Good luck to you!
 
Thanks Vista!
Unfortunately I did retake the ACT and the scores post were my improved scores. I know not the best, but I have fingers crossed that they will take into high consideration my AP scores w Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics and as well as the college courses I am taking this semester that will be on my transcript and be able to see my potential! I have a lot of adverse experience that I think will play into my interviews. Not to mention that I got really close with a couple of the nomination committees and one of the members of the board is a BGO and adopted me as one of his candidates. Hoping this all gives me a little more pull!
 
There is one point I remain unclear about for those re-applying. The moderator and a BGO has indicated that SAT/ACT scores are no longer critical/essential to the reapplication process for those who've attended college.

Vista says she knows a reapplicant who was encouraged to retake?

Which is it? Are they given any consideration in a reapplicant assessment?

One sidenote, and it may be a tough pill to swallow ... and it may be dependent upon the answer to the previous question ... but it may be that 2017's better hope is that they DO NOT CONSIDER standardized test scores. Period.

But in any case, for the good of reapplicants and those advising these candidates, it is important to know what a precise answer on this question is.

Again, put simply ... are SAT/ACT scores given ANY consideration in the reapplication process? If so, do the same scoring rules apply? Is the final testing date the same?
 
as an added note-the friend who was the re-applicant had straight As at a Big ten college. The dad actually called a person on the admission board and specifically asked what it was that was the problem. They were honest and sincere with him and told him his ACT scores hurt (Math was 30/31 and E was 28/29). Also he is from our congressional district and the kid who got in, ended up going to Harvard instead of USNA. so maybe it depends on where you live? Our district is ridiculously competitive.

I would also like to hear an official word (or as close to official) as possible.:rolleyes:
 
Whistle Pig - I do think that they take ACT scores into consideration for those reapplying solely for the fact that the application still requires them. They won't even open my application until they receive my first semester transcript come January. If they weren't going to take the tests scores into consideration, why require a them and instead just go off the transcript? On another not, I do not think that they are weighed as heavily as they are for a candidate with no show for his collegiate level ability.

Vista - I do think that ACT scores vary by district, my girlfriend's sister's boyfriend is a 3rd year at USNA currently and he got in with a 27 as I did, and we are from the same district. He was a typical student in good standing, student body, few varsity letters, some service, etc. So with that being said I personally don't see what could hold me back. But obviously I am biased toward myself.
 
I'm not trying to be negative or burst your bubble, but if the score you depicted for ACT English is actually an eleven (11) and not a typo, then I don't see anyway you will be competitive. Please don't take this comment as sarcastic, but that is a huge disparity between ACT Math/Reading and your English, something that may have really concerned Admissions. Your SAT scores are a bit better, but simply not as competitive as most who receive an appointment.

The other area I noticed, and I understand you have some level of justification with working a job and your other activities, is the lack of consistent athletic performance via varsity sports. The issue will be the other 1000+ candidates who worked, played 2-3 sports every year of high school, got equal grades, did community service and acheived higher standarized test scores.
 
The irony on the standardized test issue is that as applicant/candidates have skyrocketed, SAT/ACT mean scores have significantly declined. All while reapplicants with above average test scores are told ... "sorry, tests aren't up to snuff." Talk of mixed messages.
 
Rebel 91. The E is for Essay. I got an 11 out of 12 on the ACT essay, which is quite difficult to do. I got a 26 on ACT Writing and a 24 on ACT Reading. I realize still not the best, but better than the 11 you thought I got.
 
Also, the Class of 2016 profile shows that only 17% of the plebes had >10 hours of work/week.
 
Understood, I was a bit confused with your abbreviations as the English portion has a max score of 36 and, as you know, there is a critical reading portion with the same max score.

How about your CFA? 90th percentile or higher on every section except the silly basketball throw? A really strong CFA may help to counteract the lack of varsity sports.
 
Rebel - At NASS I got like 65-70 ft on the basketball throw and haven't really practiced since. Lol. Shuttle run is like 7.5 - 8 seconds. I can max pull ups and sits ups. Push ups I need a little more practice but can get anywhere from 60-70 on a normal day. Mile run varies, I should be able to get under 7:00. I have yet to take the CFA for this application, so I have time to practice. I'm going to take it soon! Just random info, I am 6'2.5 and around 160 pounds.
 
I too am a reapplicant. I am a sophomore Political Science major at a the University of Maryland. I earned a 4.00 (straight A's) my freshman year, so I am hoping to continue my streak through the fall semester. MD is very competitive, so I failed to receive a nomination.

Regarding SAT scores, I was not happy with my performance in high school. I spoke directly with a representative from CGO, and this person specifically instructed me to retake my SAT. Even though we are college applicants, SAT is still an integral component of our package. I am now registered to take the SAT on 6 October.

Also, I received a CVW for the weekend of October 25-27. If anyone else got this weekend, let me know!

Best of luck to all.
 
Seems like we are getting much needed and useful clarification and correction on previous information provided on SAT/ACT information for collegiate and re-applying candidates.

Indeed, they will be used in assessment and therefore it is to the applicant's benefit to do as well as possible in advance of that evaluation by the committee.

May I suggest also that the steps for reapplying be edited/corrected as this information is contrary to what has been shared above in the ... "Reapplying .. What to do" ... thread.
 
The policy used to be that if either your math or verbal SAT was below 600, they would recommend that the candidate retake. Hence, specific candidates asking specifically from CGO if they should retake would receive a different answer based on which side of 600 they were on. Perhaps, feartheterp could add to this.
 
Feather - Is this your 3rd applying or just your second?

What would everyone recommend I do about test scores? Also, just scheduled my CFA for October the 3rd. ^.^

Any other advise? Insight? Opinions? What do you think my chances are? I know they look favorably on those who reapply. I feel like I was so close last time. I graduated in 2012, and in 2011 my high school sent two students to USNA. Now I could be being naive and creating excuses, but I feel like that played a role in my decision...
 
My daughter is re applying and is currently at Texas A&M. A BioChem/Math double major.

Her Area BGO recommended the she not retake the ACT or SAT (since it is used as a predictor of how well you may do in college), and to focus on getting a high GPA in her courses this semester at A&M.

One of the things that you did not mention is what courses you are taking this semester. Both her BGO and USNA Counselor recommended that you take courses that mirror a plebe year. Calc/Chem/English/History.

Her BGO also recommended that she get involved in some kind of athletic club, and if time permitted an Academic/Leadership club or community service. Ideally you can join a club at school that incorporates both your leadership and community services abilities. You want to do everything that you can to show that you can handle a rigorous curriculum, physical activity, and extra curricular ....just like USNA. However, whatever you do the most important thing is the high GPA!

I know it is hard, but lots of outstanding candidates do not get in every year. I really hope it works out for you this year. Just keep doing the best you can do, give it your all, and pray. That way in the end it's a win, win situation because either you get in, or all of the work you did to gain admission not only enhanced your Academics, but your character as well.
 
to retake or not to retake standarized tests

Agree with WP that if the BGOs on this forum determine that it is helpful for college students to retake ACT/SATs, it should be posted/amended in the sticky. DS was a first time applicant last year as a freshman in college and made a deliberate decision to not retake the tests because of the BGO advice on this forum. Notably, his scores were well within the 50th percentile range, with SAT math scores slightly above and he received an appointment. But I would hate to have someone miss out on an appointment because they didn't retake the tests....
 
Also, I had one other question about my college courses here in college. I am currently taking 15 hours of classes; Biology, Psychology, English, Economics are my main courses as well as my freshman seminar and scholars seminar courses. Yes, I realize that the academy wants to see Calculus and Chemistry and Physics on my college course list. One problem, from someone who has already been denied once, I am hopeful, but skeptical still nonetheless. I was afraid to jeopardize an entire year of college taking courses that did not apply to my major in the case I do not get in the second time around. But I do feel as if I can justify it, just looking for an opinion. Calculus 1, I tested out of it with AP. Chemistry 1, I tested out of it with AP. Physics 1, I tested out of with AP. So, under those circumstances, I took the classes that I listed above the first semester and I plan to take Calculus 2, Chemistry 1, History of War, and Chinese 1 my second semester this year to prepare me for USNA in case I get in. Any thoughts or opinions? Will this severely affect me or do you think I have some justification with my AP scores.

Sorry for the long post.
 
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