My guidance counselor’s told me not to focus as much on SAT, is this true?

William P

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2023
Messages
27
At the moment my GPA is an 89, but I am I year ahead in science and have taken multiple AP's. I also got a 1310 on my first SAT and will take it a couple more times.
Also what do you think are my chances of attending summer seminar?
 
I disagree. A well rounded app is incredibly important. The SAT/ACT is a key item the SAs look at. It’s the one variable all candidates can take that doesn’t factor anything else such as grad inflation, school profile, school offerings, etc. The SAT/ACT math is of huge importance due to the STEM based curriculum. There is a point of no return on value. Try both tests, if possible. Have a retake on at least one. Study what you missed and what areas to brush up on. A tutor can always help on refining weak areas and tips for the exam. Each SA publishes each class’s stats. See where you are.
 
Most colleges place less emphasis on the ACT/SAT, but the SAs do. As I tell my students, school systems vary widely so the ACT/SAT are one of the few common comparisons they can make nationwide. Thus, I recommend taking the tests 'early and often' especially in light of superscoring. Keep up the good work and be sure to expand your résumé through athletics and leadership.
 
At the moment my GPA is an 89, but I am I year ahead in science and have taken multiple AP's. I also got a 1310 on my first SAT and will take it a couple more times.
Also what do you think are my chances of attending summer seminar?
Class profiles are created annually. This can give you a feel for what your competition brings.

There is no way of telling anyone’s chances of getting into NASS. It is a recruiting, outreach and engagement program for Admssions. Candidates have to have a baseline level of academic competence.

You see your shot and continue working on your application preparations.
 
Be sure to take the ACT as well. Some people do much better on one than the other. And the Academies will super score across both tests.
I also took the ACT, but I didn't do as well (25), so I decided to focus on SAT more.
 
Class profiles are created annually. This can give you a feel for what your competition brings.

There is no way of telling anyone’s chances of getting into NASS. It is a recruiting, outreach and engagement program for Admssions. Candidates have to have a baseline level of academic competence.

You see your shot and continue working on your application preparations.
What exactly does "community service" mean for the class profile, and how do they record it? I do a lot of community service (volunteer firefighter), but I don't have a specific amount of hours I have spent or any record.
 
Have you shared with your counselor what your goals are? They may not understand your desire to apply to a SA, or the SA process itself.

Shore up your best application. Don’t be dissuade from applying, as it’s a whole candidate look. And an application opens the door for a potential NAPS/prep offer. No way to know unless you apply.

But, heed advice above and take both tests multiple times, engaging with a tutor (many affordable options online) to pinpoint deficiencies and testing strategies.

You have to have a ‘never give up, do what it takes’ attitude. Fortunately you have time to study and improve in standardized testing.

NOTE: I’m speaking to an application to USNA. Not NASS, which is not a WCS competitive process.
 
At MOC interview, the candidates were handed a small sheet of paper in the waiting room. It had three questions for the candidate to complete.

1. SAT/ACT score
2. GPA
3. Rank preference of service academy nomination.

The completed paper was handed to the panel at the beginning of the interview. That was the only required paper the panel wanted for reference in the interview.
 
At the moment my GPA is an 89, but I am I year ahead in science and have taken multiple AP's. I also got a 1310 on my first SAT and will take it a couple more times.
Also what do you think are my chances of attending summer seminar?
Just trying to guess here, but perhaps the counselor was thinking your 1310 looks better in its category than your 89 gpa does in its? I don't know what the 89 equates to in a normal 4.0 scale since you could have all 89s and have a 3.0 or 10+ As and 1 B and have a 3.9+.

Obviously, you want to maximize all aspects, GPA, scores, leadership, fitness.
 
Guidance counselors mean well. But their expertise is typically around civilian colleges -- many of which are de-emphasizing standardized tests. Most counselors are less familiar with SAs, not because they're disinterested but because SA candidates are a relatively small number. So this lack of familiarity can lead to misinformation. That's why we advise regularly on SAF to review every page, tab, link and pulldown in the SA website. The more you know, the less you have to rely on possibly misinformed opinions.
 
What exactly does "community service" mean for the class profile, and how do they record it? I do a lot of community service (volunteer firefighter), but I don't have a specific amount of hours I have spent or any record.
"community service" can cover a wide range of things, so be sure to note on your application that you are a volunteer firefighter. I'd think admissions would view highly.
 
Guidance counselors mean well. But their expertise is typically around civilian colleges -- many of which are de-emphasizing standardized tests. Most counselors are less familiar with SAs, not because they're disinterested but because SA candidates are a relatively small number. So this lack of familiarity can lead to misinformation. That's why we advise regularly on SAF to review every page, tab, link and pulldown in the SA website. The more you know, the less you have to rely on possibly misinformed opinions.
I like to say that the Average Guidance Counselor is trying to get the Average Kid into the Average State College which is quite different from the elite institutions such as the Service Academies.
I always advise students to take the SATs multiple times and start in the latter part of Sophomore year if possible.
 
SAT/ACT is important for USNA. USNA considers it a predictor of how well you'll handle its academic program. It's also a way to look at candidates from different parts of the country, different rigor of schools, etc. We can all debate the above, but that is USNA's view, so I'd go with it. :) SAT/ACT is also important for many MOCs in deciding on noms.

The key in retaking is to do something that will actually improve your score more than a few points (which usually happens just with familiarity of taking a second time). That means taking a prep course and/or studying on your own. If you don't do one of those, you're really wasting your (parents') money.

The above said, standardized test scores are not the only thing USNA considers. I've had candidates with 800/800 be turned down and some with ~1050 combined score be admitted.
 
At the moment my GPA is an 89, but I am I year ahead in science and have taken multiple AP's. I also got a 1310 on my first SAT and will take it a couple more times.
Also what do you think are my chances of attending summer seminar?
Don't be discouraged if you are not chosen for the Summer Seminar! Keep working on your application - Maximize your SAT/ACT, GPA, CFA, leadership, and community services. I was not chosen for SS, but received LOA in September and offered an appointment in December.
 
Back
Top