Could a good ACT score make up for an average GPA?

i_like_planes

i_like_planes

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Right now I have an ACT score of 34 (reaching for a 35) but my GPA is only a 3.7 unweighted (my school doesn't weight GPAs). Could the ACT score offset the so-so GPA?
 
That GPA seems fine if you took the hardest classes and the ACT could help. But we don’t know the competition on your slate(s).
 
i_like_planes said:
Right now I have an ACT score of 34 (reaching for a 35) but my GPA is only a 3.7 unweighted (my school doesn't weight GPAs). Could the ACT score offset the so-so GPA?
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USAFA Admissions and probably all other Service Academies and Elite Colleges do not just take the HS GPA from your Transcript and just use that. They look at the courses you took, the level you took them at, and also the grade you earned and recalculate your GPA according to their specifications. I would recommend that you take challenging courses in STEM like AP Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus in High School since Service Academies often like to see applicants challenging themselves academically.

As for your ACT, I wouldn't say that your ACT will "offset" a GPA, but rather both are critical aspects to your applications that are both heavily weighted. I believe USAFA uses something like a Whole-Person Candidate Score system. Your 35 ACT will definitely help your application by giving you those points, but make sure to also have leadership experience, athletics, and also doing well on your Interview/writing a solid essay.
 
A1Janitor said:
That GPA seems fine if you took the hardest classes and the ACT could help. But we don’t know the competition on your slate(s).
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By hardest classes do you mean the hardest classes for my grade or for highest for the school? For example, I take AP Physics which is the highest 11th grade science class but I have a friend who is in a 12th grade science class and he is also a junior.
 
Aviator25 said:
USAFA Admissions and probably all other Service Academies and Elite Colleges do not just take the HS GPA from your Transcript and just use that. They look at the courses you took, the level you took them at, and also the grade you earned and recalculate your GPA according to their specifications. I would recommend that you take challenging courses in STEM like AP Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus in High School since Service Academies often like to see applicants challenging themselves academically.

As for your ACT, I wouldn't say that your ACT will "offset" a GPA, but rather both are critical aspects to your applications that are both heavily weighted. I believe USAFA uses something like a Whole-Person Candidate Score system. Your 35 ACT will definitely help your application by giving you those points, but make sure to also have leadership experience, athletics, and also doing well on your Interview/writing a solid essay.
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Yeah, right now I'm taking the hardest classes for my grade, however my school doesn't do many AP classes. This year i'm only taking two APs. Would they account for this when looking over my transcript? I'm still working on leadership though. Right now the only leadership I have is cross country captain.
 
i_like_planes said:
Yeah, right now I'm taking the hardest classes for my grade, however my school doesn't do many AP classes. This year i'm only taking two APs. Would they account for this when looking over my transcript? I'm still working on leadership though. Right now the only leadership I have is cross country captain.
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Yeah, admissions requests that your guidance counselor submit a school profile report, which includes things about your school like what courses are offered, how many graduate and go on to 4-year university (to determine how competitive the school is), and other things like your rank (or approximate rank) to see how you perform academically compared to others.

My school offered a lot of AP classes, so I didn't do this personally, but a few of my friends self-studied for AP Exams. You can do that or also try to see if you can do an independent study in a challenging class like AP Chemistry/Organic Chemistry, Calculus III, Multi-Variable Calculus, or whatever your school does not offer, but you can do to challenge yourself.

For leadership, see if you can join clubs or also do community/volunteer work and become a leader in that.
 
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If you do plan to self-study for AP Exams, I just recommend buying the Princeton Review book for the exam and reading it through and do a couple of practice exams before the exam. Self-studying for AP Exams is very doable as long as you are disciplined and willing to put in the work.
 
i_like_planes said:
By hardest classes do you mean the hardest classes for my grade or for highest for the school? For example, I take AP Physics which is the highest 11th grade science class but I have a friend who is in a 12th grade science class and he is also a junior.
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That difference is really minor and probably won't make or break anything. Just focus on taking classes that are challenging and fit in with what USAFA looks for: https://www.academyadmissions.com/requirements/academic/
 
Aviator25 said:
Yeah, admissions requests that your guidance counselor submit a school profile report, which includes things about your school like what courses are offered, how many graduate and go on to 4-year university (to determine how competitive the school is), and other things like your rank (or approximate rank) to see how you perform academically compared to others.

My school offered a lot of AP classes, so I didn't do this personally, but a few of my friends self-studied for AP Exams. You can do that or also try to see if you can do an independent study in a challenging class like AP Chemistry/Organic Chemistry, Calculus III, Multi-Variable Calculus, or whatever your school does not offer, but you can do to challenge yourself.

For leadership, see if you can join clubs or also do community/volunteer work and become a leader in that.
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Ok, I’m thinking of volunteering at a local air and space museum. Also would it be a problem if my school doesn’t rank students?
 
Adding on to what Aviator25 said, USAFA will process your application without class rank and will adjust your GPA as they see fit to represent what you would be on a national scale. On one of your essays, you will be given an opportunity to provide additional information that may be helpful to the board, you could use this space if you think that's the best use of it, to note your school's AP class offerings. In terms of volunteering, I would not focus on what you think USAFA is looking for, but more on something that you are truly passionate about. Having that type of experience and being passionate about it can lead to some great stories for essays or ALO interviews in the future.
 
I had a 3.8 UW GPA at the time of applying with an SAT score of 1500 ( 790-Reading, 710 math, 17-essay), and I was offered an appointment. Besides, my weighted GPA was calculated much higher than that, and even higher than the weighted GPA my school calculated, I think.
 
KiwiBird said:
I had a 3.8 UW GPA at the time of applying with an SAT score of 1500 ( 790-Reading, 710 math, 17-essay), and I was offered an appointment. Besides, my weighted GPA was calculated much higher than that, and even higher than the weighted GPA my school calculated, I think.
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Same thing happened to me 3.82--> 3.91. 29 act received falcon Scholarship ( however grades are NOT everything please please keep that in mind)
 
Clar said:
Adding on to what Aviator25 said, USAFA will process your application without class rank and will adjust your GPA as they see fit to represent what you would be on a national scale. On one of your essays, you will be given an opportunity to provide additional information that may be helpful to the board, you could use this space if you think that's the best use of it, to note your school's AP class offerings. In terms of volunteering, I would not focus on what you think USAFA is looking for, but more on something that you are truly passionate about. Having that type of experience and being passionate about it can lead to some great stories for essays or ALO interviews in the future.
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Kind of a weird question but do you think a military aviation instagram would be something of value to add in the application? Right now I have a little more than 150,000 followers.
 
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KiwiBird said:
I had a 3.8 UW GPA at the time of applying with an SAT score of 1500 ( 790-Reading, 710 math, 17-essay), and I was offered an appointment. Besides, my weighted GPA was calculated much higher than that, and even higher than the weighted GPA my school calculated, I think.
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If you don't mind me asking, what were your extracurriculars like?
 
i_like_planes said:
Yeah, right now I'm taking the hardest classes for my grade, however my school doesn't do many AP classes. This year i'm only taking two APs. Would they account for this when looking over my transcript? I'm still working on leadership though. Right now the only leadership I have is cross country captain.
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If it helps, I only took 5 AP classes throughout all of HS and received an offer of appointment last Wednesday. Now I wouldn't say I recommend taking only 5, but it worked for me. I took a lot of honors courses as well, so if that's what's available to you take it. But I think the overall message we're trying to get across is challenge yourself.

I remember early in my junior year I met with a USAFA admissions rep and he had told me that the academy would rather see you get an A in an honors course than a C in an AP course; meaning, find a balance for yourself. Not too easy, not so hard that you're struggling, but difficult enough to keep you on your toes, while also being able to breath. For everyone that's different. If you have any other questions PM me and I'll be happy to help.

Best of luck :rolleyes2:
 
Unless its a security issue or you're uncomfortable with it, I'd suggest giving us your class schedule over your whole time in high school. A person with a 4.0 who is taking nothing but at- and below-grade level courses is not going to beat someone with a 3.7 and a full slate of challenging classes. If we know what classes you've taken, we can probably give you better estimations towards your academic situation.

With that, here are some of my other thoughts:
  1. The average high school GPA of appointees is around 3.85. This means that there are 650 appointees who have above that, and 650 who are below that. A below-average GPA isn't disqualifying; in fact, half the appointees were below that average. A higher GPA is to be desired, but a 4.0 isn't mandatory or anything.
  2. USAFA will look at your class schedule and your school profile and should adjust your GPA accordingly, most likely to a 4.0 scale, where an A in an AP course earns a 5.0. Assuming you take 7-8 classes per semester, and 5 of them are an A in an AP course, expect to see your GPA rise by 0.05-0.2 grade points. This is a best-case scenario, and we can better calculate your adjusted GPA if we had your class schedule.
  3. Your ACT scores put you in the top 25% of appointees, which is really good. Obviously, more points are better, but you're in a good spot.
  4. I only took 2 AP courses me senior year. Granted, I took 7 weighted courses over the course of high school, but having 2 AP's in a year isn't bad. Take the ones that will challenge you that you can excel in, especially in your senior year. Choosing the hard route academically in your senior year is good points towards your application.
  5. I think if USAFA knows you run a military aviation Instagram, you might get a small amount of credit toward your application, since it shows your interest in the Air Force. USAFA always wants to see people that are more dedicated to becoming and staying an officer than just wanting to go to the school.
Beyond that, I can't make much more of a determination about your case, as I don't know what classes you've taken, your extracurriculars, your community involvement, etc. I'd be happy to give you a more "thorough" analysis/insight if I can get your stats. If you'd like that, you can PM me or post them here. I love staying involved with this community and I'd love you help you out.

TL;DR: For as much as I can see here, you're competitive, and I think your ACT scores will do a great job for your application, but I'd like to know more.
 
BBF2003 said:
If it helps, I only took 5 AP classes throughout all of HS and received an offer of appointment last Wednesday. Now I wouldn't say I recommend taking only 5, but it worked for me. I took a lot of honors courses as well, so if that's what's available to you take it. But I think the overall message we're trying to get across is challenge yourself.

I remember early in my junior year I met with a USAFA admissions rep and he had told me that the academy would rather see you get an A in an honors course than a C in an AP course; meaning, find a balance for yourself. Not too easy, not so hard that you're struggling, but difficult enough to keep you on your toes, while also being able to breath. For everyone that's different. If you have any other questions PM me and I'll be happy to help.

Best of luck :rolleyes2:
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Yeah that makes sense. Right now I'm sitting at a 90 in my AP classes which should be okay, still trying to raise them though. I definitely have been challenging myself in the classes that I'm taking. Do you think it would be a good idea to reach out to an admissions rep now to talk about grades?
 
I was recently appointed with a 1300 SAT early February, and I mention this because at this point I recommended earning leadership and extracurricular activities such as boys state etc. Also work on those essays starting on day one, and practice a bit of interviewing. Although it is based on your district on how competitive it is, however, as many others would say admissions takes a holistic approach (Youve already got a great lead on the SAT/ACT side) Practice practice practice on the CFA, I was able to max 4 out of the 6 or so events...
 
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