Composite score and point system?

93Sir

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Does the admissions board look at the ACT/SAT composite score or just math and English? Any chance a 32 in science might camouflage the 24 in math? :yllol: Also, would someone mind explaining to me how the point system works? I keep hearing "this adds points and that adds points." Would my DS get points because DH is a legacy or does that even matter? Thanks wise ones!
 
USNA "superscores" the SAT and ACT meaning they take your highest math and English from any combination of tests. However, they do not look at the writing component of the SAT. A high verbal score will not "hide" a low math score. The math is the more important of the two, given USNA's emphasis on science, math and engineering. I'm not as familiar with the ACT but the scores I typically see reported are math and English.

The "points" system is the "Whole Person Multiple." Under that system, you get points for various achievements -- captain of a sports team, president of a club, high CFA scores, high SAT scores, etc.

Being a "legacy" helps a tiny bit in that SAs believe that a child of a military parent has a slightly better appreciation of the military than someone not from a military family. However, it is a VERY small bump and many children of grads receive turndowns, just as quite a few receive appointments.
 
I can tell you right now that the admissions board will not even see the score your DS got on the science section. Once the scores are sent to USNA, the person recording the scores will only record the the math and english sections.
 
Admissions mentioned the score 26 for both math and English while at CVW. That is the "comfortable" number. Work on your math score until you can get it over that.
 
I would be shocked if 26 is a comfortable number. 30, yes, but 26 ...shocked. I haven't seen the class stats for 18, yet I would guess it is on par with AFA, maybe even higher. Their stats are 30+ ACT/1350+ SAT.

Caveat, since the appointment process is geocentric at first (MOC), it could be that for your state it is a comfortable number, but candidates from MD/VA/TX/NY/FL/CA should expect a much higher ACT to feel comfortable. DE and NJ due to the proximity to USNA could also be seen as competitive too.

JMPO, and now throw it into the circular filing cabinet!

PS remember if you want to compare an SA to a traditional college, it is 16%. Basically, an Ivy league level.

I would also have him retake it because to have an 8 point spread between Math and Science makes me wonder if they had a bubbling issue on the exam. TThe science portion is a lot of graphing, and graphing is also Math. It might be just my kids, but none of them had more than a 2 point spread for those subjects. 8 is huge, and as a former teacher it would be a red flag why there is such a large difference.

Also, think about one thing...if it is truly an academic issue regarding Math and not bubbling....getting an appointment is one thing....commissioning is another. The minute they start classes, they will be academically behind their peers, and profs are not like HS teachers....they are not going to slow down the pace. Hire a math tutor now if it is an academic issue. A year from now you don't want them coming home for Thanksgiving and telling you that they are failing Math.
 
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Admissions mentioned the score 26 for both math and English while at CVW. That is the "comfortable" number. Work on your math score until you can get it over that.


That is a comfortable number for SOME but NOT for all....I would even hazard a guess that it is NOT acceptable for most. Make sure you are part of the subgroup from a targeted category where a 26 is acceptable. If you are like my current mid and 'are not at all special' than a 26 will get you nowhere.

I know this will start a flurry of protests but I think it is important when people come on this message board we are giving them real-life support not talking about how a 26 for a Native American Blue Chip Quarterback from Vermont is acceptable. If you are a middle class Caucasian kid with a typical back ground and 200+ hours of volunteering and are a captain of your team and are from a competitive district who plays a non recruited sport or are not being recruited, you are looking at a 32+ Math and slightly lower for English. It-is-what-it-is.
 
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I would be shocked if 26 is a comfortable number.

I agree that the higher the better, but after spending two days at the CVW listening to the same questions over and over again, they were pretty consistent with that answer, not vague at all. For whatever that is worth.
 
+1 Vista.

On the AFA forum here, when candidates ask about what is a comfortable score, it is always the same answer...36/800

Sorry, but I would be worried about being able to juggle the plebe year with a 24 in Math regardless of where you come from.

I would take the time to view the mandated classes/curriculum for the four years at USNA, regardless of their major with my child. It might change their decision of how badly they want an appointment.
~ This is a rollercoaster year, best to have your child determine now if thy want to get on the ride.
~~ I know for the AFA, Math is all 4 years, even as a History major you will take classes that a traditional college would never require unless you were a STEM major.
 
Where I live, those scores would probably be adequate to be considered scholastically "qualified" by USNA; they would probably NOT be adequate to obtain an MOC nom. Too many terrific candidates with sports, leadership, grades AND higher standardized test scores.
 
IOWA,

They do that because the appointment process is geocentric before they go to the national list.

Did you think that they were throwing it to the MOC side? How do you get appointed? A nomination. Only one (typically) can be charges to the MOC. The remaining 9, if deemed competitive will go to the national pool.
~ In essence, what they say means nothing because you have to win the appointment from the scoring aspect on the slate.
~~PAR...academic record is the biggie on the Whole Candidate Score...60%?
~~~ You can have a 26, but if there is a candidate on the same slate with a 29 ACT, and is well rounded too, you are probably SOL for an appointment from you MOC and now will compete nationally...what do you think their chances are with a 26?

Thus, there are some that get in with a 26, but impo, I am with Vista on this one.

In VA to feel comfortable 32 is the number you want to hit...I am talking nomination, not appointment. That is the median for Fairfax county students. MoCs talk in our state.
 
I know in CA, my DS was told by our MOC back last year that the higher in the 30s he could score the better. We live in a very competitive district and it is a little disappointing that the Science score doesn't get looked at because my DS scored a 36..the highest one can get. He also scored a 34 in Math and a 32 in English for the ACT.
 
Sorry, but I would be worried about being able to juggle the plebe year with a 24 in Math regardless of where you come from.


Hahaha truer words never spoken. My DS who is a varsity athlete & tier 1 major, entered USNA with an ACT M=36, E=34. With regards to his GPA....well, all I can say is....he ain't goin' subs....
 
Hahaha truer words never spoken. My DS who is a varsity athlete & tier 1 major, entered USNA with an ACT M=36, E=34. With regards to his GPA....well, all I can say is....he ain't goin' subs....

Oh Vista this made me chuckle.....:yllol:
 
Perhaps when they said 26 is "Comfortable" they meant that is a good number to be considered "Qualified" as opposed to "Competitive". That would be my take on it as competitive is different area by area.
 
Perhaps when they said 26 is "Comfortable" they meant that is a good number to be considered "Qualified" as opposed to "Competitive". That would be my take on it as competitive is different area by area.

+1

big difference between "Qualified" and "Competitive".
 
I have read on this forum in many places that the ACT or SAT math score is by far the most important piece of information on your application in terms of academics and has the biggest influence on your Whole Person Score. Anyone out there know if this is truly the case?
 
Um... 26 in ANYTHING would be a huge red flag to my eyes!

To my mind it's like saying: "What's the MINIMUM I can get on the CFA and get in?" Well, yes, you could maybe get in doing just three pull ups, but oh my gosh, the potential to be on Athletic Probation for four years looms large.

+1 Vista!

EVEN for bluechipped athletes, a 26 (unless it was for football?) would be a no-go.
 
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