Is it worth applying to the Academy with my act scores

S

Stephensweeney

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Hey I took the ACT 4 times and I got a 17 every time, but my GPA is a 4.0 with college classes. do yall think It's even worth applying to the USNA.

I will apply anyway But I Just want to get some feed back from someone else What do yall think
 
Definitely try the SAT first. You will probably not be allowed to open a file with a 17 ACT.
 
That is very low... try the SAT. Scores of sub 1200 (600 math, 600 verbal) on that test get very few offers of appointment. Unless, you offer the academy something they feel they need to meet their goals, ehether that is athletically, diversity, gender, etc.
 
I agree with trying the SAT. With a 17 ACT score, I don't even think the Academy will make you an official candidate with that score. Also, I would suggest getting some prep material like the Khan Academy offers for free. If you took the ACT 4 times and received the same score each time, it appears that you are just taking the test over and over without actually looking at your weak areas and working to improve them. You have plenty of time if you are a 2023 applicant, just put the work into your studying.
 
Try and get in on a PSAT. The scores can then be transferred to Khan Academy for a free practice program tailored to your needs.

Many people test better on the opposite test. It sounds like you are good in school, and there's no shame in not testing well.

Let us know how it goes!
 
I completely agree on the SAT. Also, we even found that the PSAT and the SAT were different animals all together. The difference was night-and-day for my DS when it came to the ACT vs. SAT.
 
Ravens said:
I agree with trying the SAT. With a 17 ACT score, I don't even think the Academy will make you an official candidate with that score. Also, I would suggest getting some prep material like the Khan Academy offers for free. If you took the ACT 4 times and received the same score each time, it appears that you are just taking the test over and over without actually looking at your weak areas and working to improve them. You have plenty of time if you are a 2023 applicant, just put the work into your studying.
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When my DS had a 22 they wouldn't make him a candidate. Like I said, look into the SAT.
 
Stephensweeney said:
...Hey I took the ACT 4 times and I got a 17 every time, but my GPA is a 4.0 with college classes. do yall think It's even worth applying to the USNA?...
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After having taken the ACT four (4) times? I would say no.
 
First question is where you are in school. You mention "college classes." Are you in college? A senior in h.s.? A junior? I assume you're looking at whether you should apply next year as it's really too late to start for this cycle.

Yours is both a simple and a complicated question. First, your grades and ACT seem incongruous. Either you are a terrible test-taker (at least with the ACT) or your school is not very academically demanding. At all. Or something else . . . no idea what.

As a general rule, a 17 ACT (is this math/verbal/both?) is a non-starter. But not every situation is as clear-cut as it initially seems. I have seen folks admitted to USNA with <500 math SAT (via NAPs/Foundation).

I suggest you follow up with your BGO to discuss your personal situation. SOME of the issues that MAY come into play include: (1) what courses you are taking to get your 4.0; (2) strength of your h.s. (or whether you're actually in college); (3) your class rank; (4) whether you live in an under-represented community and/or are a member of a minority group; (5) what explanation there might be for your low ACT vs. your grades; (6) whether you have the potential to be a recruited athlete. And on and on.

Based on the answers to the above, your BGO will be in a good position to advise on whether it makes sense to move forward with an application.
 
usna1985 said:
First question is where you are in school. You mention "college classes." Are you in college? A senior in h.s.? A junior? I assume you're looking at whether you should apply next year as it's really too late to start for this cycle.

Yours is both a simple and a complicated question. First, your grades and ACT seem incongruous. Either you are a terrible test-taker (at least with the ACT) or your school is not very academically demanding. At all. Or something else . . . no idea what.

As a general rule, a 17 ACT (is this math/verbal/both?) is a non-starter. But not every situation is as clear-cut as it initially seems. I have seen folks admitted to USNA with <500 math SAT (via NAPs/Foundation).

I suggest you follow up with your BGO to discuss your personal situation. SOME of the issues that MAY come into play include: (1) what courses you are taking to get your 4.0; (2) strength of your h.s. (or whether you're actually in college); (3) your class rank; (4) whether you live in an under-represented community and/or are a member of a minority group; (5) what explanation there might be for your low ACT vs. your grades; (6) whether you have the potential to be a recruited athlete. And on and on.

Based on the answers to the above, your BGO will be in a good position to advise on whether it makes sense to move forward with an application.
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I am in the 11th grade and I am homeschooled. My homeschool grouped let's my take classes at my Community college, so I can get use to being in a class room.

Growing up I Never took many test, I really didn't start taking tests until last year, and maybe that is Why I didn't do that Good

I am taking Algebra 2, chemistry, Religion 3, world history, world literature, and latin.

I play soccer for Alabama Elite, I also work 50 hours a week at a butcher shop and have like 500 hours of Community service hours
 
As a general rule, SAT/ACT scores count more heavily for homeschooled students because there is more uncertainty regarding the rigor of their school work. However, if you're getting As at a community college, that could help. However, there will be issues with your schedule. Algebra 2 probably isn't a college course. Religion won't help/hurt you -- it's a non-factor for USNA. Ditto with Latin. If you're taking chem, lit and history at the college level and getting As, that will help.

Most geographic regions have a BGO focused on, or dedicated to, homeschooled applicants. I suggest you contact the Area Coordinator for your region ASAP and find out who handles homeschooled applicants. Discuss your situation with that BGO.
 
If an SA is something you want, you have time to get your score up, but you will really need to work at it. Take practice tests and understand why you at missing questions and then work to improve. Just taking the test again won't help. You need to learn what is being asked and how to answer for all the types of questions, then practice practice practice, looking at what you missed each time.

And since you mentioned you are home schooled, make sure you look at the recommended classes for applicants and compare it to what you have done/will do class wise. You may be behind in some areas and need to take an extra class/some summer classes, so now is the time to figure out what you are missing.
 
The OP should definitely apply but understand that it is an extreme long shot to get in based on the ACT scores. If you look at the class profile for USNA, you will find that the middle 50% ACT scores of appointees is 26 to 32 for English and 27 to 31 for math.

Go for the brass ring, but be prepared for a back up plan such as NROTC, if you are truly seeking to become a Naval officer.

Here is the PDF of the USNA class profile statistics for class of 2021:
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/ClassPortrait.pdf
 
Don’t worry about the low score. I know a kid who started with 19 and improved to 32 after practice taking the test 30 times. You need practice before doing the real thing and find out where you can improve and how you can improve. Cannot start your file with 17. I believe there is min and that’s 24 or 25. But you need to ask yourself? Am I going to perform at USNA even if I got in with 25 or 27. USNA curriculum is well understood by most SA Cadets as the most difficult core curriculum to graduate from among the SAs. You have to take 4 semesters of Calculus. And that’s not fun if you cannot do Algebra and Geometry and Trig. It is RIGOROUS! You need Calculus proficient to do Physics and other required Engineering classes. It is never ending through 1C.

Get your Math and English past 31, reading and science don’t matter to USNA. It is an indication where you stand on Math and English. If not ready then wait until you are then apply when you are. Once you’re in you want to graduate. And not just graduate passing.

Your 4.0 at a college at this point don’t matter. But your ear scores do. So work on that first and most immediately for the next 6-9 Months. Then apply to the class of 2023.

Math is the hardest to raise but you can do it! If you’re good in grammar and writing you can raise your English to 35-36. If you have good command of Trig and Precalculus, you can score 30+. If you took 1 semester Calculus you can score 34-36 in Math. Core is Algebra 1 & 2 and Geometry.
 
My DS started his first practice test with 19 in 10th grade. After many practice tests, he raised it to 35. If he can do it so can you but need to learn from each test and try different test taking strategies. He is now Appointed to the Class of 2022. Good luck son!
 
AROTC-dad said:
Here is the PDF of the USNA class profile statistics for class of 2021:
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/ClassPortrait.pdf
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NOMINATING CATEGORIES
Presidential: 756
Congressional: 5,247
Secretary of the Navy: 374
ROTC/JROTC: 183
Children of Deceased/DisabledVeterans: 49

Do you know if the nominations as listed above and from the link of the Class of 2021 statistics represents unique nominations or multiple candidate nomiations? For example, only 1,376 appointments were offered of the 6,609 nominations which is only a 20% acceptance rate but I know there are a number of candidates with multiple nominations and I was wondering if the gross nominations of 6,609 reflected all nominations or just unique nominations / individual candidates. If the former, then the acceptance rate from nomination to appointment is higher than 20%. I also recognize that this is just mental gymnastics and provides no insight into one's chances of being appointed but it does make me feel better thinking through statistical scenarios. haha.
 
FACT - 100 % of those that don't apply (or don't complete their application don't get in. That being said, you are a longshot. As others have noted, you won't even get a foot in the door and become an official candidate without significant improvement. Even if you become an official candidate, your SAT/ACT scores will be critical. While lack of test taking experience may serve as an explanation, it is not an excuse or justification, regardless of whether you attend a Service Academy or any other college, the ability to test well is critical to your future success.
 
I agree with all the feedback here. When my DD first took the SAT/ACT I thought "no way is she getting in." Well, she's now a Youngster and doing well. She kept taking the SAT-I lost count how many times and long story short, she worked hard to get in. You simply need to do what was said earlier, not give up but also have that Plan B in hand. Good luck to you.
 
i believe 6,609 nominations are the total nominations given including multiple nominations for one candidate. the true picture, if you are 3Q with nomination is this (from the USNA admission page): "On average, of the 3000 students who fully qualify for the Naval Academy, 1,400 will receive appointments and approximately 1,200 become midshipmen. "
so if you are 3Q with nomination, the chance to get in is 46%, which is pretty good. However, getting to that 3Q is another hurdle to pass, so out of 16K applicants, i heard 10K applicants will complete their application, and only 3K are 3Q with nomination. So if you look at 10K who completed the application and 1400 appointed, then it's 14%. So many things to be considered,.... mind-blowing
 
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