Does my application compensate for my SAT/ACT or vice versa? Kind of a what needs improvement post

S

SwimPatriot

USNA '29 Appointee
Joined
Sep 7, 2024
Messages
74
Good Morning,

I know that the SAT/ACT are not everything in your application as USNA and USAFA look for a well rounded applicant who excels in many things. I am curious though as mentioned in the title, what needs improvement on my application even though I am a rising senior about to turn in their application? Secondly, do I need to retake the SAT/ACT based on how the rest of my application looks? I am asking because I heard having a higher SAT/ACT makes up for other parts of application and that it stays true the other way around. (I know that it’s impossible to say what my chances are for USNA and USAFA but does it seem like I am a well rounded applicant especially in the leadership section?)

1430 SAT composite and superscore (700 RW 730 M)
32 ACT composite and superscore (32 M, 34 S, 33 R, 30 E)
4.00 out of 4.00 unweighted
7th in a class of 393 students
10 APs And 7 DEs (AB, BC, Micro, Macro, Chem, USH, World, CSP, Psych, world geo for AP) and (college algebra, stats, 2 English classes, public speaking, physics with calc, government for DE)

President of SNHS (2 year member)
Vice President NHS (2 year member)
Vice President and co-founder of Chess club (2 year member)
Officer in mu alpha theta (4 year member)
4x varsity, 2x captain of swim team that won regionals 3x, districts 3x, qualified for state 3x , I have multiple team records and states medals (top 100 for high school in multiple events for FL)
TA for chemistry class where I help the kids learn and even teach them if needed

Club swim for 10 years in the oldest group (top 100 in age group in FL for two events)
130+ volunteer hours
2 jobs as lifeagurd and swim instructor 500+ work hours since sophomore year

Fluent in Russian
First Gen? (Both parents from Ukraine)

(in all my clubs I have a lot of involvement doing alot of volunteering, club events and meetings, tutoring)

Passed CFA (6:13 mile, 66 pushups, 65 sit-ups, 50? Bb throw, 12 pull-ups, 9.2 or lower shuttle)

Multiple AP awards, multiple swim awards, academic award for school where only one junior got picked
 
What on earth would this resume have to “make up for”? If your essays and LOR’s are good, I’d say this is an excellent and well rounded application.
 
It’s a competitive package imo.

The key word is competitive. Maybe someone else on your slate has comparable numbers but a higher SAT? Maybe. Maybe not.

I would tell my son to take it again, even though it may not be needed.
 
A1Janitor said:
It’s a competitive package imo.

The key word is competitive. Maybe someone else on your slate has comparable numbers but a higher SAT? Maybe. Maybe not.

I would tell my son to take it again, even though it may not be needed.
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Yes, that’s what I am worried about, but it’s practically impossible to see the status of every applicant I am completing against (besides my identical twin with some very marginal differences). My MOC has a minimum of 4 IB program schools I am competing against and multiple “feeder” schools that sends a good portion of their classes out of state or to ivies.
 
SwimPatriot said:
Good Morning,

I know that the SAT/ACT are not everything in your application as USNA and USAFA look for a well rounded applicant who excels in many things. I am curious though as mentioned in the title, what needs improvement on my application even though I am a rising senior about to turn in their application? Secondly, do I need to retake the SAT/ACT based on how the rest of my application looks? I am asking because I heard having a higher SAT/ACT makes up for other parts of application and that it stays true the other way around. (I know that it’s impossible to say what my chances are for USNA and USAFA but does it seem like I am a well rounded applicant especially in the leadership section?)

1430 SAT composite and superscore (700 RW 730 M)
32 ACT composite and superscore (32 M, 34 S, 33 R, 30 E)
4.00 out of 4.00 unweighted
7th in a class of 393 students
10 APs And 7 DEs (AB, BC, Micro, Macro, Chem, USH, World, CSP, Psych, world geo for AP) and (college algebra, stats, 2 English classes, public speaking, physics with calc, government for DE)

President of SNHS (2 year member)
Vice President NHS (2 year member)
Vice President and co-founder of Chess club (2 year member)
Officer in mu alpha theta (4 year member)
4x varsity, 2x captain of swim team that won regionals 3x, districts 3x, qualified for state 3x , I have multiple team records and states medals (top 100 for high school in multiple events for FL)
TA for chemistry class where I help the kids learn and even teach them if needed

Club swim for 10 years in the oldest group (top 100 in age group in FL for two events)
130+ volunteer hours
2 jobs as lifeagurd and swim instructor 500+ work hours since sophomore year

Fluent in Russian
First Gen? (Both parents from Ukraine)

(in all my clubs I have a lot of involvement doing alot of volunteering, club events and meetings, tutoring)

Passed CFA (6:13 mile, 66 pushups, 65 sit-ups, 50? Bb throw, 12 pull-ups, 9.2 or lower shuttle)

Multiple AP awards, multiple swim awards, academic award for school where only one junior got picked
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Bro if this is my competiotion and they think they still have stuff to improve im beyond cooked 😭
 
Lilturtl said:
Bro if this is my competiotion and they think they still have stuff to improve im beyond cooked 😭
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This is one of the downfalls of publicly posted stats. Don't concern with other people’s stats. Put forth your best application. And be yourself. USNA looks for a wide variety of qualified candidates to build a class. There are intangibles you hold that may or may not be something that USNA is looking for or excited about. Its more than stats on a piece of paper.

If my guys got bogged down in comparing themselves to the amazing resumes, here, they could have been dissuaded from applying. But they are both now ensigns.

Do your best. And work your alternate plans as well. Don’t concern yourself with others. They are not you. Sell yourself. And good luck!!
 
Lilturtl said:
Bro if this is my competiotion and they think they still have stuff to improve im beyond cooked 😭
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I have those same thoughts. Seeing 1500's and all sorts of interesting sports and leadership positions in conjunction with more extracurriculars it can be very dissuading from having any confidence. However, there's always bigger fish in the sea and you being worried about them won't change your stats. I just try to improve my stats the best without worrying about others even though sometimes I catch myself doing as such. Keep going and be the best version of yourself. Growing up with an identical twin it is very easy for me to get caught up in comparing myself with him. As I got older, I realized I am my own person and will be better and worse than him in many aspects. Comparison is a thief of joy, and me constantly comparing myself to him won't do any good.
 
SwimPatriot said:
My MOC has a minimum of 4 IB program schools I am competing against and multiple “feeder” schools that sends a good portion of their classes out of state or to ivies.
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It's a common perception that those magical/wonderful schools are where the successful applicants will be appointed from. I'm here to tell you that my high school was the EXACT OPPOSITE of yours. Considered to be one of the worst schools in the state and I had zero APs. I still got in and made it through USNA in the upper half of my class. You are competing with kids form EVERY high school in the district, not just the chosen few.
To me, its analogous to this:


e86bc4578155d0688296233b09301770.jpg
 
SwimPatriot said:
I have those same thoughts. Seeing 1500's and all sorts of interesting sports and leadership positions in conjunction with more extracurriculars it can be very dissuading from having any confidence. However, there's always bigger fish in the sea and you being worried about them won't change your stats. I just try to improve my stats the best without worrying about others even though sometimes I catch myself doing as such. Keep going and be the best version of yourself. Growing up with an identical twin it is very easy for me to get caught up in comparing myself with him. As I got older, I realized I am my own person and will be better and worse than him in many aspects. Comparison is a thief of joy, and me constantly comparing myself to him won't do any good.
Click to expand...

As an identical twin, I can assure you later in life you will realize you are better than him.
 
SwimPatriot said:
I have those same thoughts. Seeing 1500's and all sorts of interesting sports and leadership positions in conjunction with more extracurriculars it can be very dissuading from having any confidence. However, there's always bigger fish in the sea and you being worried about them won't change your stats. I just try to improve my stats the best without worrying about others even though sometimes I catch myself doing as such. Keep going and be the best version of yourself. Growing up with an identical twin it is very easy for me to get caught up in comparing myself with him. As I got older, I realized I am my own person and will be better and worse than him in many aspects. Comparison is a thief of joy, and me constantly comparing myself to him won't do any good.
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Very insightful, keep that self-coaching up.

Eyes in the boat!
Focus on what you can control. Do not look left or right.
 
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Your 1430 SAT score is in the Sweet spot … above 1450 and you entering the Noise & Got it Lucky territory …. Seriously, a handful of the upper tier questions are not written correctly, or are just plain wrong from the start …. That’s why the committee will drop questions after the test date, because everyone got them wrong from a statistical POV.

It’s best if you can do a 1430 on a single test sitting without having to rely on a superscore … because the SAT is supposed to be a mental marathon … but I wouldn’t worry about it at this point.

So move on to bigger and better things …. You can start logging some serious running miles out on the trails … chop chop …
.
 
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Dr. Strange Love said:
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Your 1430 SAT score is in the Sweet spot … above 1450 and you entering the Noise & Got it Lucky territory …. Seriously, a handful of the upper tier questions are not written correctly, or are just plain wrong from the start …. That’s why the committee will drop questions after the test date, because everyone got them wrong from a statistical POV.

It’s best if you can do a 1430 on a single test sitting without having to rely on a superscore … because the SAT is supposed to be a mental marathon … but I wouldn’t worry about it at this point.

So move on to bigger and better things …. You can start logging some serious running miles out on the trails … chop chop …
.
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Agree. IMO, the CFA could really be improved on.
 
I think you look extremely well rounded and there is not time to improve on anything - I wish you the very best in your application process!!! make sure you essays are excellent and you apply to all your nomination sources!!!
 
OldRetSWO said:
It's a common perception that those magical/wonderful schools are where the successful applicants will be appointed from. I'm here to tell you that my high school was the EXACT OPPOSITE of yours. Considered to be one of the worst schools in the state and I had zero APs. I still got in and made it through USNA in the upper half of my class. You are competing with kids form EVERY high school in the district, not just the chosen few.
To me, its analogous to this:


e86bc4578155d0688296233b09301770.jpg
Click to expand...
I am not from one of those IB high schools or "feeder" schools. My high school is getting rid of APs each year and consistently adds easier and easier classes that aren't even honors level.
 
USNAhopeful2025 said:
I think you look extremely well rounded and there is not time to improve on anything - I wish you the very best in your application process!!! make sure you essays are excellent and you apply to all your nomination sources!!!
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I have time to take the SAT again because the test is in November and I heard that if its before January 31st they will take the score. I was just curious if I should retake it based on how decent the rest of my application is. I didn't know if I should use the SAT/ACT as my crutch for my application.
 
Dr. Strange Love said:
.
Your 1430 SAT score is in the Sweet spot … above 1450 and you entering the Noise & Got it Lucky territory …. Seriously, a handful of the upper tier questions are not written correctly, or are just plain wrong from the start …. That’s why the committee will drop questions after the test date, because everyone got them wrong from a statistical POV.

It’s best if you can do a 1430 on a single test sitting without having to rely on a superscore … because the SAT is supposed to be a mental marathon … but I wouldn’t worry about it at this point.

So move on to bigger and better things …. You can start logging some serious running miles out on the trails … chop chop …
.
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The 1430 and 32 are my composites, they also happen to be my best scores. I should have clarified instead of saying both composite and super score.
 
My plebe had similar test scores, but since we live in a very rural/small district, access to ECAs and AP Classes were very limited. He is a middle of the road athlete, a low key leader, well liked by our tiny school community, but nothing flashy.

However, upon advice from attending admissions events, he used the personal statements to really key in on his “why” and his understanding of the commitment of a SA. Before we started down the process, I never dreamed one of my kids would be at an academy.

I’m sharing this for all the potential candidates reading this thread and already counting themselves out - it’s a wide range of profiles and abilities in each class. Do your best and try not to worry about gaming the process or how you compare to some unknown beast of a candidate.
 
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