Low ACT, no nom, are the chances bad?

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Aweyr2020

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Jan 19, 2020
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Hello everyone, this is my first thread. I see the Jan 31 deadline coming up in the next couple of weeks with the original deadline being Jan 15. I have finished everything I could do in the application for USAFA and this is my case. My ACT scores are not good, and although I'm 3rd in class (out of 39 in a private school) with a 4.26 GPA, I know that there are scores that can be disqualifying. These are my highest:

Composite 25
English: 27
Math: 25
Reading: 22
Science: 27
Writing 8

Reading is what scares me. I have not taken any SAT tests since our school usually does the ACT and I was focused too much on that. Second is that I do not have a nomination status from either congressman nor senator. I am currently waiting to hear from the VP, but I am guessing that that is another level of competitive. As I wait for that and DODMERB results, the question I'm asking is basically: "What are my chances of getting in?". I understand I cannot receive direct entry without a nom and testing scores can be important. The instruction guide says to complete the application even if I don't have a nom. to be a tentative candidate so I wonder if I still have a chance.

My ALO says that USAFA does a holistic review and there's a lot about me, but I assume that's the case with every other applicant. I'm 3rd in class out of 39 with a 4.26, I'm part of three honor societies (Order of the Arrow, school's NHS, and community college's NHS) and I got a letter yesterday to National Society of High School Scholars. I'm an Eagle Scout, cpt of XC, ran XC and track all 4 years, did drama, fine arts club, summer running club, member of local youth jury, served a parish since I was 10, a leader in a school senior retreat and youth group on faith, active in the school's March For Life group that goes to DC, I went to Illinois Premier Boys State, idk if it means anything that I was in the future falcon program for USAFA. My CFA scores are 53' basketball throw, 9 pullups, 8.6 shuttle, 100 situps, 72 pushups, 5:48 mile. At the end of the day, people stress that the most important thing is that I complete the application which I've done. Now all I can do is wait and wonder. Idk if this is where a lot of applicants stand at as well or if its just me.

If I don't make it, I have my backup college ready and a ton of scholarship aid, and in the case I go there, I plan to apply to USAFA again. I even did research on the congressional district there and although its in the Chicago suburbs, its a tiny district with barely any high schools and colleges. Plans include taking the ACT again and SAT as well. This is my application case, hope to hear feedback :) since this is my first time posting on any forum, and thank you.
 
You seem to have a good handle on your situation. As is clear, your test scores are below average. Your GPA is good on paper, but SAs focus on your actual transcript in the context of your school profile. The rest of your package looks solid. You’ve done all you can at this point, so let it all play out.

Not having a nomination doesn’t help, but it’s not fatal. Each year the SAs offer appointments to those who didn’t initially have a nomination. If they want someone bad enough, they’ll find them a nom. DD had noms from USMA and USNA but not from USAFA. But USAFA wanted her enough that they found her a nom.

Meanwhile, you’re wise to have a Plan B. As others here have said, bloom where you’re planted. There are different paths to butter bars.
 
Without a nom, it makes it nearly impossible. But nothing is absolute.

If you work on SATs/ACTs ... and continue to stay in good shape (work on pull-ups too) ... take stem classes in college - you should be competitive next year.
 
It’s not clear to me if you ONlLY took the ACT/SAT once? You will improve with studying and taking it multiple times. Also DO take the SAT, you don’t have to take it only at your school. You can travel to
other locations. Highly recommend that you do BC those honestly are quite low. And you may test better on one or the over test. Lots of competition with higher scores!

Another thing I’m not clear about...are you thinking that you would re-apply for a nom from your college district? Verses home? I don’t believe that your nom will come from your college address. It will still be your home address of record.

Good luck to you!
 
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@justdoit19 I have taken the ACT 4 times with the 2nd time last February being the highest. In fact, all my highest scores are on that February test. I tried to study really hard for the other two times, but those results were not good at all, to be honest and I don't know why. :/

In terms of nomination, yes, I was planning to apply for a nomination from my college district if I did not get in this year. I did not see anything in the candidate instructions manual that said that I must refer to my home district, but if that is that is the case, I will keep that in mind.

Thank you.
 
Not having a nom would be an automatic no-go, as it is required by law.
Those ACT scores don't look competitive.
So, not impossible, but not great odds. Looks like your test scores are the only significantly below average thing you've got, so you might be offered a prep school spot.
 
If you want to get your test scores up, I’d recommend buying a book of practice ACTs and taking the sections of the test while timing yourself. I completed almost 5 practice tests before I retook the ACT and I ended up with an above average score for the service academies.
 
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