PSAT Scores Transferability and Tips for Nominations

[Titan]

Hello everyone, and I hope you're having a great morning/afternoon/evening, wherever you are, I am currently a Freshman in high school, and I'm hoping to attend a SA after I graduate. I recently asked a similar question a couple of months ago, and I believe that I have a better grasp of my position in high school right now. I currently have a pretty good GPA of 3.95 unweighted and 4.24 weighted. I got my PSAT 8/9 score back today with a score of 1320 out of 1440 (630 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score, and a 690 Math Score). This led me to wonder about the transferability between a PSAT score and an actual SAT score (assuming I keep up with everything I'm doing) and if this would be a similar score to current cadets.

On another note, I know there's a lot of information out there on the nomination process, but I was wondering when I should start reaching out to my local congressional and senatorial representatives and who I should ask for recommendations from (retired military brass I know, teacher connections, etc.).

Thank you everyone for your time and help!

 

[Allectus]

DS is a plebe at West Point and his SAT was 1300 and his gpa was similar to yours. I would think your scores should only get better with study and practice. You may also want to try the ACT—some people do better on one test over the other. Also keep in mind that academics is only 60% of the factors admissions looks at. In addition, realize that you will be competing with others in your state and congressional district—some are more competitive than others.

West Point requires an evaluation from certain high school teachers from various courses. I think the West Point website lists these. You should perform well in those subjects and get to know those teachers. The process is not designed to need name dropping references like retired military brass.

The junior year would be the time to check out your senators’ and congressional offices’ websites for information about the nomination process, and make contact with the offices.

In short, you are off to a good start. Keep plugging away to better your scores and your overall application.

 

[Mdm26]

Out MOC holds a service academy night every October. My son attended each one over the last 4 years starting with his freshman yr in HS. At that first presentation he had an opportunity to meet the MOC, members of her stafff and representatives from each academy. It was very informative for him and got him on the MOCS list of attendees/ interested students at a very young age.

When he interviews with her nomination committee tonight and is likely asked “why a service academy?” He can reference back to that night when he resigned himself to doing everything possible to earn an appointment.

One thing any nomination committe is attempting to determine is if the candidate is passionate about not only attending a SA but serving his or her country.
Being able to document that a candadote has in fact been working towards this goal for 4 years hopefully will convey to them a high level of passion and confirm that attending a SA has been a long held goal and not something he just decided to try a few months ago. ( not that there is anything wrong with that).

I would recommend checking with your MOC’s to see if they sponsor something similar.

 

[MidCakePa]

Good for you for thinking ahead and setting lofty goals. A few thoughts from someone whose DD knew in middle school that she wanted to attend USNA:

First, make sure your real goal is to become an AD officer, not just an SA cadet/mid. Understand the different ways to get a commission and consider whether two or all three are worth pursuing.

Second, go to the SA websites and review every page, tab, link and pulldown. Know what it is you’re pursuing and all that goes into being a successful applicant and cadet/mid.

Third, attend every info session you can and talk to as many cadets/mids, grads and veterans as you can. Go into the military with your eyes wide open, with real facts and perspective rather than a romantic view.