minimum GPA needed to be considered competitive?
- Thread starter dav1y
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NJROTC-CC
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You should shoot for 4.0 unweighted. Why would you shoot for anything less? Just do your best and "what will be, will be." If you aim high and fall a little short, maybe you will achieve your Plan B or Plan C. No one can give you an exact GPA, because the the type of classes has a lot to do with it. SAT's are perhaps a more objective measure. The academies all publish average SAT scores.
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SAs are less interested in GPA, more interested in your total transcript. They look to see whether you took the hardest classes your school has to offer and whether you excelled in them. They’ll know which classes those are because they’ll have a profile of your school.
dav1y
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Do you think I should take the SAT this school year or wait until my junior year? I have only taken the PSAT 8/9 so far
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Wait until junior year, going into senior year, to take the SAT. This will give you more time to learn in the classroom, do test-specific prep, take practice tests. And plan to do the real thing a couple of times. As a sophomore, you should be in no rush. Make this year about doing great in class, athletics and leadership.
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My current Mid is a perfect example of the fact that’s they are looking at more than just GPA. He was not 4.0, but is thriving. Dants list both semesters Plebe year. So don’t think if you don’t have a 4.0 that you aren’t competitive. It’s the whole package.
Make sure you take the ACT too. DS’s school didn’t offer it but a quick google search and he located nearby locations where he could take it. Some students seem to do better on one or the other. You won’t know which one is a better fit for you unless you take them both.
dav1y
USNA '26
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Alright, Ill make sure to do that. Thanks for the help
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Take practice tests, especially if you are not familiar with the format of standardized testing (many homeschoolers are not, since usually their curriculum is more learning focused than test-score focused. Not dissing school stuff, but I know at our local PS high school, the entire month of October is devoted to the required state testing prep and for juniors, SAT/ACT test prep. No one asked me if that's what I thought they should be doing for half a day, every day, at school. Good thing, huh?)
And here is some Old Mother, now Older Grandmother (#10 on the way in January!) advice: NEVER SHOOT FOR THE MINIMUM.
And here is some Old Mother, now Older Grandmother (#10 on the way in January!) advice: NEVER SHOOT FOR THE MINIMUM.
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AND at least USNA super scores between the two different tests. It’s very beneficial to take both.
7258FFAWPOA
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If I had it to do all over again I would have started taking the SAT and ACT the second semester my sophomore year. I could have then focused over the summer on each of the formats and taken them each a couple more times my junior year. I then could have done study/prep that summer and planned for "final" tests early my senior year. Typically the more times you take each test the better you will do. Many of the nomination panels are getting earlier and earlier every year. The higher numbers you can post early the better your chance of earning a nomination.
Christcorp
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NJROTC gave the perfect answer. SPECIFICALLY the first 2 sentences. "You should shoot for 4.0 unweighted. Why would you shoot for anything less? ".
The academies are NOT just another college. They ARE the MILITARY. You aren't just going to school for 4 years. You're making a commitment of those 4 years and another 5 years after graduating to serve your country. Serving your country, especially as a commissioned officer, means being a leader and having other people's lives in your hands.
The academy and military are not interested in people who try to do "JUST ENOUGH" to get by or to be competitive. They want and expect you to give 100% in ALL you do. Does that mean you'll always succeed and be the best? No, not at all. It simply means, that at the end of the day, whether you get accepted to the academy or not; whether you achieve a certain goal or not; whether you win or lose; etc..... that you can hold your head up and KNOW DEEP DOWN INSIDE, that you gave it your all. That you gave 100%. That there wasn't one more thing that you could have possibly done to improve. If you can say that at the end..... then it doesn't matter if you receive an appointment or not. You'll be able to move on and succeed at whatever you do.
Sorry if I seem a bit passionate (Or anal) about this subject. But as an ALO, and having spent over 20 years in the air force, I can't tell you how many times I've been asked questions like this. What's the minimum GPA to get accepted? What's the minimum SAT/ACT to be accepted. What's the minimum amount of sports.... level of classes..... etc...
As I said before, the academy and the military don't want someone who's trying to "Get By". They want 100% effort in ALL THINGS. That's how you should be handling your next 3 high school years. Your goals are to have a 4.0 gpa unweighted in ALL CLASSES. 800 on your SAT tests. A 36 ACT score on each area of the test. PERFECT attendance. Be involved in as many school/social clubs, athletic teams, community activities, etc. that you can possibly schedule time for. (While still pushing for the 4.0gpa). These ARE YOUR GOALS. This should also be your GOAL FOR LIFE. When you get a job; doing your best. Not just enough to keep your job and get a paycheck. Raising a family. etc. BAD HABITS become a way of life. So do good habits. And before you think what I suggest/recommend is impossible to do all in a day....... THOUSANDS of academy applicants find a way to balance all of this every year. Applicants balance a FULL semester load of classes. Classes in the IB program, AP Classes, Honors, etc. They maintain 3.9-4.0 gpa's. They play 2-3 sports a year. They're involved in 2-3 school clubs and community activities. They find leadership positions in these activities. They still find time to spend with their family and social life with their friends. It definitely can be done.
Best of luck
Heatherg21
USNA '24 Mom BGO Bacon Lover Dog Lover
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Our DS has taken the PSAT 3 times, the SAT twice, once with writing, is taking the SAT again next weekend. He has taken the ACT with writing twice, and is retaking in September. He is a senior now. He isn't a fan of either test or the process but really wants to bump his score even if it is just 10 points. His second ACT his Eng stayed the same, so did math but he bumped his science 6 points. Give yourself every opportunity. You never know what will happen the week of a test. His spring SAT his junior year wasn't great. But he was in the middle of mid terms, 6 dual credit honors classes, a job and he was like the walking dead. Total zombie. His retake in July he was healthy, well rested and way more brain space available. Family stuff, the flu, schedules, all of that may arise, having more test dates and scores to choose from is always a good option. Now, college board and I aren't friends in terms of how much I have spent for test registrations, yet alone how much it costs to send updated scores to 4 service academies and 3 nomination sources. Good luck to you, you are smart to be planning ahead. Sit down with your guidance counselor and let them know your desire to apply to academies and make sure you and they are on the same page in terms of plotting your class load for next 2 years.