CGA application SAT concern

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Justin HELPmomStocksPosts

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I have begun the CGA application process and have ran into a slight concern. I used to have slight dyslexia that never effect my academic performance as I have a 4.6 GPA and am in the top 3% of my class. I had an IEP set up for me back in elementary school that granted me 50% extra time on SATs.

I hate to say it but I really never needed it in Highschool or even at the earlier age however it never came to me that I should get ride of it as I never had the reason. Just seemed like an annoying meeting to have to attend.
While I ultimately wish I had manned up and went on with that annoying meeting I can not change the past.

I scored a 1260 on the SAT with 50% extra time and wanted to get some opinions whether or not
How will telling admissions that I took SAT with extra time effect my application.

If I’m correct military academy’s have every right to discriminate against disabilities so it must look bad however I’m curious of the extent. Considering some people arnt even summiting SATs how bad could it look? Worse then not summiting at all?
Should summit it SoT or not as SAT is optional this year. I am scheduled to take the SAT with out accommodations in August however having only one month to prepare, it wouldn’t surprise me if I did poorly after not study for 6 months. It took me months to get a simple 1260 (not because of dyslexia) life as a bad test taker but keep in mind I’m a very determined person.

I recently attended AIM which I feel expresses me at-least as semi qualified for CGA however they didn’t ask if your SAT was taken with extra time on the AIM application.
Thanks for any and all suggestions/support
 
Justin1235 said:
I have begun the CGA application process and have ran into a slight concern. I used to have slight dyslexia that never effect my academic performance as I have a 4.6 GPA and am in the top 3% of my class. I had an IEP set up for me back in elementary school that granted me 50% extra time on SATs.

I hate to say it but I really never needed it in Highschool or even at the earlier age however it never came to me that I should get ride of it as I never had the reason. Just seemed like an annoying meeting to have to attend.
While I ultimately wish I had manned up and went on with that annoying meeting I can not change the past.

I scored a 1260 on the SAT with 50% extra time and wanted to get some opinions whether or not
How will telling admissions that I took SAT with extra time effect my application.

If I’m correct military academy’s have every right to discriminate against disabilities so it must look bad however I’m curious of the extent. Considering some people arnt even summiting SATs how bad could it look? Worse then not summiting at all?
Should summit it SoT or not as SAT is optional this year. I am scheduled to take the SAT with out accommodations in August however having only one month to prepare, it wouldn’t surprise me if I did poorly after not study for 6 months. It took me months to get a simple 1260 (not because of dyslexia) life as a bad test taker but keep in mind I’m a very determined person.

I recently attended AIM which I feel expresses me at-least as semi qualified for CGA however they didn’t ask if your SAT was taken with extra time on the AIM application.
Thanks for any and all suggestions/support
Click to expand...
CGA is test optional this year. Please correct me if I’m wrong, I’m assuming the testing accommodations won’t be an issue if you don’t report your score.
 
Please take this as constructive criticism from the parent of an applicant who has successfully navigated the service academy and ROTC process. Whenever you write anything, especially in the age of spell check, make sure that you review what you are saying before posting, especially when filling out applications. Your original post is almost unreadable with too many spelling and grammar errors to count.
 
To me this is currently an ethics question. Here is the Standardized Test Score question on the USCGA Application (from 2018):

"Will you or did you recieve any special accommodation(s) - such as extended time - when taking the ACT or SAT exam?"

If you hide your previous score and the fact that you were allowed extra time, are you being ethical or deceptive? Is that the type of person who the USCG wants? How will this effect your future in the USCG?
 
I don't have a source (too early in the morning, but I can look later) but I believe that if you do choose to report your score, it must be taken with no accomodation.
 
ekb1398 said:
I don't have a source (too early in the morning, but I can look later) but I believe that if you do choose to report your score, it must be taken with no accomodation.
Click to expand...
Actually I belive it's the opposite. If you take an SAT or ACT test with an accommodation, that accommodation has to be declared on the USCGA application. That is why the USCGA Application has the accommodation question on it. You can definitely take the exam with an accommodation-it just may be a DQ item for USCG (or other SA's). This gives the SA (or college) the ability to consider the accomodation as part of the whole candidate evaluation.

If one decides to take an ACT/SAT exam with no accommodation (as OP intends), he/she answers "No" on the USCGA Application question about accommodations. I don't know if the present USCGA application still has the accommodation question on it. Perhaps someone can advise on that.

The question of if a person with a disability should use accommodations when taking a Standardized Exam is a different question all togeather. One way to sort this out for the OP, is for him/her to ask the USCGA Admissions directly. This would be ethical and help OP get the best answer.
 
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I don’t think any of you really understand the question or what the CGA wants from me.
Under no cercimstance would I be lying if I said I didn’t use accommodations if I submitted a score that I didn’t use accommodations. Not trying to be rude but seems like that would be obvious.
The applications asks (if you used accommodations on the test not IF YOU HAVE EVER used accommodations).

@Don't Give Up the Ship
I highly disagree when you mention that is is an ethics question. I would never lie on an application and if I was goiI wouldn’t post it on an online forum.
My question was how will it effect me not should I lie on the application or not.
Also, even if SAT was required this year I still wouldn’t have to summit every test I have ever taken. First test I took was a 1060 so I’m not summiting that.
The academy only asks if you had accommodations on the test you are submitting.
And my apologize for the grammar/spelling. Was super tired and couldn’t sleep with that question racked in my brain.

Thanks for input!!
 
You will also have to declare your diagnosedyslexia and IEP (I believe) on your DODMERB questionnaire if you get to that point.

Your situation will not only relate to the question regarding testing. I’m not a DODMERB expert, but seem to recall those coming up during my sons applications.

Read any question asked and answer honestly.

Adding this: test optional, at least for USNA, doesn’t mean you don’t have to submit one if you don’t want to. It means If you are UNABLE to take one, bc of cancellations, that your file will be reviewed without scores. But you are required to submit proof of being unable to test. Either test. Personally, I dont see this being an issue anymore. At least at this point.

I also suggest that you contact admissions for factual requirements.
 
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Justin1235 said:
I don’t think any of you really understand the question or what the CGA wants from me.
Under no cercimstance would I be lying if I said I didn’t use accommodations if I submitted a score that I didn’t use accommodations. Not trying to be rude but seems like that would be obvious.
The applications asks (if you used accommodations on the test not IF YOU HAVE EVER used accommodations).

@Don't Give Up the Ship
I highly disagree when you mention that is is an ethics question. I would never lie on an application and if I was goiI wouldn’t post it on an online forum.
My question was how will it effect me not should I lie on the application or not.
Also, even if SAT was required this year I still wouldn’t have to summit every test I have ever taken. First test I took was a 1060 so I’m not summiting that.
The academy only asks if you had accommodations on the test you are submitting.
And my apologize for the grammar/spelling. Was super tired and couldn’t sleep with that question racked in my brain.

Thanks for input!!
Click to expand...
Acknowledged.
 
justdoit19 said:
You will also have to declare your diagnosedyslexia and IEP (I believe) on your DODMERB questionnaire if you get to that point.

Your situation will not only relate to the question regarding testing. I’m not a DODMERB expert, but seem to recall those coming up during my sons applications.

Read any question asked and answer honestly.

Adding this: test optional, at least for USNA, doesn’t mean you don’t have to submit one if you don’t want to. It means If you are UNABLE to take one, bc of cancellations, that your file will be reviewed without scores. But you are required to submit proof of being unable to test. Either test. Personally, I dont see this being an issue anymore. At least at this point.

I also suggest that you contact admissions for factual requirements.
Click to expand...
According to LT Brad Nelson your statement is wrong about test optional requirements.

I just completed the AIM online session and I personally asked LT Brad Nelson for his opinion for test optional and I quote “at the end of the day, you have to make the decision whether or not to summit your test scores.” He however would not say if it looked better summiting a bad score or not a score at all. Also I wish I had but I didn’t ask him about the IEP. I think I’m going to send him an email Monday and see his perspective.
Thanks though for the information
 
Justin1235 said:
According to LT Brad Nelson your statement is wrong about test optional requirements.

I just completed the AIM online session and I personally asked LT Brad Nelson for his opinion for test optional and I quote “at the end of the day, you have to make the decision whether or not to summit your test scores.” He however would not say if it looked better summiting a bad score or not a score at all. Also I wish I had but I didn’t ask him about the IEP. I think I’m going to send him an email Monday and see his perspective.
Thanks though for the information
Click to expand...
I was at yesterday’s presentation held in the Leamy Ballroom. If I heard it correctly, the admissions director said “test optional” means “do it”.

As a father of a rising senior, your GPA is impressive, more so considering that you “never needed” the accommodation. Has your GPA been achieved without taking extra time during the exams? If so, I would encourage you to re-take the SAT with no special accommodations provided. With your GPA and rank, I believe you will do equally well.
 
Justin1235 said:
According to LT Brad Nelson your statement is wrong about test optional requirements.

I just completed the AIM online session and I personally asked LT Brad Nelson for his opinion for test optional and I quote “at the end of the day, you have to make the decision whether or not to summit your test scores.” He however would not say if it looked better summiting a bad score or not a score at all. Also I wish I had but I didn’t ask him about the IEP. I think I’m going to send him an email Monday and see his perspective.
Thanks though for the information
Click to expand...
I’m not wrong because I was speaking to USNA specifically. Not USCGA. Usually, all academies follow the same general principals.

And my further advice, was to check with admissions for clarification. Or, if you are certain you know the answer, make your choice and do what you want.

Either way, good luck!!
 
Mere2033 said:
CGA is test optional this year. Please correct me if I’m wrong, I’m assuming the testing accommodations won’t be an issue if you don’t report your score.
Click to expand...
Test optional? Will the AO tell the candidate that piece of info or is it on the website? I know quite a few institutions are going test optional, I just didn't think CGA would be one of them.
 
nrs10smom said:
Test optional? Will the AO tell the candidate that piece of info or is it on the website? I know quite a few institutions are going test optional, I just didn't think CGA would be one of them.
Click to expand...
It’s on the website. Standardized tests are optional “but encouraged.” Additionally, if you’re applying without test scores, you must upload a short statement saying you want to be considered without test scores. It will be up to applicants to determine how much weight to place on the “encouraged” part. My son is a current swab so it isn’t of great importance to me personally, but if my son were looking at the current admissions cycle, I would certainly advise him to apply with test scores, doubly so for an EA application.
 
RJB1690 said:
It’s on the website. Standardized tests are optional “but encouraged.” Additionally, if you’re applying without test scores, you must upload a short statement saying you want to be considered without test scores. It will be up to applicants to determine how much weight to place on the “encouraged” part. My son is a current swab so it isn’t of great importance to me personally, but if my son were looking at the current admissions cycle, I would certainly advise him to apply with test scores, doubly so for an EA application.
Click to expand...
Thank you- my son plans on taking it a couple more times, he has 2 scores with the writing but still studying for better score. I was just surprised they would go test optional...if it indicates future success.
 
My DS is a current swab at USCGA. They went test optional last year as it was very difficult to schedule tests during the pandemic. He was only able to get one ACT test taken. That said I would not advise trying to gain admissions without test scores unless your academics are absolutely stellar.
 
I was trying to find this out online, but does anyone know if there is a timeline issue with applying for early admission and taking the SAT in August? My DD took it in June, but would like to retake it in August to try and score a little better. It seemed to take awhile to get her June test scores back and if it takes awhile to get them back when she takes it in August, could that affect her application deadline? I hope this makes sense?
 
nrs10smom said:
Thank you- my son plans on taking it a couple more times, he has 2 scores with the writing but still studying for better score. I was just surprised they would go test optional...if it indicates future success.
Click to expand...

I in no way foresee the test optional aspect of the application being a permanent fixture of the application process. As the availability of standardized testing increases, I'm sure USCGA will continuously re-evaluate their stance. If not for this application cycle, then certainly for those applying for the c/o 2027 (my heart just skipped a beat typing that).

JenPen78 said:
I was trying to find this out online, but does anyone know if there is a timeline issue with applying for early admission and taking the SAT in August? My DD took it in June, but would like to retake it in August to try and score a little better. It seemed to take awhile to get her June test scores back and if it takes awhile to get them back when she takes it in August, could that affect her application deadline? I hope this makes sense?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I fully understand your question but I'll give it a go. Simply put, your DD's application deadline for EA is the same as every other applicant's - October 15th. In past years, all elements of the application were due by the deadline in order to be considered under EA or RA. EA isn't like rolling admissions where each student's application process is essentially tailored to their own personal application timeline.

I would certainly encourage her to retake the SAT in August if she can do so and if she thinks she can improve her score. The worst that can happen is that the scoring is delayed, as opposed to never trying it in the first place. If your DD is uneasy about the timing, I would recommend she reach out to her Admissions Officer and ask how they're handling delays in scoring because it's outside of the applicant's control. I'll tag @Objee too just in case they can weigh in.
 
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