SAT/ACT scores for Prep and Direct

Oliverdad

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Jan 15, 2022
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Hello,

As my DS is still awaiting a decision, I am very worried that they might be going to put him in Prep. He would like to go to Direct so I want to know what is an SAT/ACT score for the Prep. FYI - his SAT is 630 (Eng) and 660 (Math), and 4.2 GPA with 10 AP courses. What are the scores for SAT/ACT who got into Prep? My DS got into Tufts Univ so if they offer him in Prep he rather wants to go to Tufts. If you can share your SAT/ACT for who got into Prep, would you please share your scores? Thank you very much.
 
For me, a 31 ACT (E: 35, M: 30, R: 29, S:31) was good enough for direct admission. I don't know what the SAT equivalent to that is, but an equivalence chart is a quick Google search away. While waiting for USAFA'S decision, I applied to Marion Military Institute. Over the phone Lt. Col. Bowen told me that my ACT was actually way above average for MMI. Yet, I don't know how competitive MMI is compared to other Prep schools or even ROTC.
But one thing to keep in mind: How well do you think your son is compared to OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT/STATE? For now, that is the main competition, especially academically. A 31 ACT from Alabama like me may not bear the same weight as a 31 from, say, New York or California. 10 AP courses may mean more in some high schools than others. Heck, my high school didn't even offer AP or IB courses. Ask yourself, is your state or district really competitive? It mostly boils down to competition in your son's nomination spots. Hope this helps.
 
There is no official cut off for certain scores to go direct and others to go to prep. Of course, the higher the scores, the better chance of going direct. My DS was accepted direct with a sat of 1320 (which we felt was low), 7 AP classes, 4.1 gpa, Varsity sports, leadership, etc. However, we know an applicant (different congressional district) with a 34 ACT, similar GPA and activities, and was completely rejected by usafa. Sometimes it seems like there is no rhyme or reason to admissions, but you have to remember they are often looking at the best of the best and have to make difficult decisions that might come down to a teacher recommendation or a slightly better cfa score.

I have heard that prep is typically offered to applicants with lower than 28 ACT, but some with 25-27 still get direct, so you just never know.

Good luck in whatever he decides!
 
Hello,

As my DS is still awaiting a decision, I am very worried that they might be going to put him in Prep. He would like to go to Direct so I want to know what is an SAT/ACT score for the Prep. FYI - his SAT is 630 (Eng) and 660 (Math), and 4.2 GPA with 10 AP courses. What are the scores for SAT/ACT who got into Prep? My DS got into Tufts Univ so if they offer him in Prep he rather wants to go to Tufts. If you can share your SAT/ACT for who got into Prep, would you please share your scores? Thank you very much.
The process is not simple and has many twists and turns. DS received FFS with 1380 SAT scores, top 5% of his graduating class and GPA 5.07/5.0 scale. Good luck with making your right decision.
 
Unfortunate that your son would have such a harsh position if a Prep spot were to be offered over Direct Appointment. Essentially, in his mind, a Prep appointment is the equivalent of no appointment. I'm sure there are many former Preppies on this site that would offer countless reasons why accepting a Prep spot would still put him in a better position than attending a traditional institution, if his goal is to attend USAFA. I suggest he really educate himself on USAFAPS and all the benefits that come along with it. I'm sure many that have received turn-downs would cherish a Prep spot at this moment.
 
I am very worried that they might be going to put him in Prep.
USAFA Prep School is hardly a consolation prize, a fallback or a walk of shame. Offers of appointment to SA prep schools are, in fact, called the “golden ticket.” Attend for a year; excel academically, athletically and militarily; stay out of trouble — do all that and you’re assured of a spot in the next USAFA class.

Once they’re at the SA, prepsters are one step ahead of their incoming peers. They’re looked to for leadership and to set an example for the others. It is not — repeat, not — something to be “worried” about. Unless one sees themself above all that.
 
Once they’re at the SA, prepsters are one step ahead of their incoming peers. They’re looked to for leadership and to set an example for the others. It is not — repeat, not — something to be “worried” about.
+1 on this. My first (and current) roommate went to the p and is a prior. I cannot tell you how helpful he was, even mentally, during the first few days/weeks of basic. Whenever anyone in the flight had a question, we always asked the preppies first. Everyone I know who went to the p came into basic with more confidence, and they seem to all be good friends with each other. Hope this helps!
 
To answer your question, your DS has SAT scores which exceed any minimum score necessary for prep. And his scores are arguably competitive for direct admission. It isn’t about how he compares to the average Joe, though, it is how he compares to others within his MOC nomination. If you are this far in, and he doesn’t have an offer, then someone else was more qualified.

but to address your unasked question…the MOC selection has lots of paths. As others stated, admissions is complex. prep is a way for an academy to take two candidates from one MOC.

prep is a golden ticket where admission Is his to lose if he accepts it. It does have two drawbacks, which many would not view to be major drawbacks but you own your own opinion.
1) the scholarship doesn’t cover the full cost. So you will owe money
2) it delays your DS by a year. it is now a five year program
 
It isn’t about how he compares to the average Joe, though, it is how he compares to others within his MOC nomination. If you are this far in, and he doesn’t have an offer, then someone else was more qualified.

but to address your unasked question…the MOC selection has lots of paths. As others stated, admissions is complex. prep is a way for an academy to take two candidates from one MOC.
Your statements ignore the national pool that everyone gets thrown into that doesn’t win their slate. We had 5 kids for our one MOC receive direct appointments to USAFA.
 
Hello,

As my DS is still awaiting a decision, I am very worried that they might be going to put him in Prep. He would like to go to Direct so I want to know what is an SAT/ACT score for the Prep. FYI - his SAT is 630 (Eng) and 660 (Math), and 4.2 GPA with 10 AP courses. What are the scores for SAT/ACT who got into Prep? My DS got into Tufts Univ so if they offer him in Prep he rather wants to go to Tufts. If you can share your SAT/ACT for who got into Prep, would you please share your scores? Thank you very much.

Is your son a recruited athlete? If so, USAFAPS is probably more likely regardless of test scores. Would he play his sport at Tufts? Would they red-shirt him? Prep is basically the same thing in that case.

Stealth_81
 
the scholarship doesn’t cover the full cost. So you will owe money

There is no cost for USAFAPS. In fact, they get paid to go there. OP didn’t specify which Prep school they were referring to with their question.

Stealth_81
 
Your statements ignore the national pool that everyone gets thrown into that doesn’t win their slate. We had 5 kids for our one MOC receive direct appointments to USAFA.
While I did not explain every path, I did not ignore the national pool in my statement. It is one of the many paths and part of the complexity. Once they are in the national pool, the MOC they are slated with no longer matters.
prep school uses the national pool but also can be used to take two from a slate. admissions Does not have to take the top of the national list with prep school. They can take a second from the slate Which allows a candidate to ignore their ranking in the national list. And this ties To the original question.
 
Is your son a recruited athlete? If so, USAFAPS is probably more likely regardless of test scores. Would he play his sport at Tufts? Would they red-shirt him? Prep is basically the same thing in that case.

Stealth_81
Yes he is recruited athlete. So all of the recruited athletes place into USAFAPS? What do you mean that he is red-shirt him? He can play at Tufts as a walk-on. He got into Tufts in a regular decision (not as recruited)
 
IMO and experience he will be offered prep if the academy thinks he will do better or might need an extra year to get ready.

He will not need a year at prep to be successful at Tuffs.

A SA is much tougher and more demanding. Especially for someone also trying to be a D1 sports type.

If serving in the military as an officer is his prime goal he will accept prep if it’s offered. Otherwise he will go to a civilian school.

If I were King for a Day everyone would be a prior and or someone who had done a year at prep before pleb year at a SA..

Its not actually a red shirt year it’s similar to a red shirt year.

The sports types not only get the military and the academics they get an extra year of sports training before their pleb year.
 
I guess my thoughts after reading this thread are:

1. What are the young mans goals? If they're to enter college and play his sport for four more years before entering the job market, then he should go to Tufts.
2. If his goal is to serve his country as an air force or space force officer, then he should go to either the PS or the academy; whichever he is offered.


If he's a recruited athlete and feels that appointment to the prep school is "unworthy" of him as he can go to Tufts and play immediately, then he needs to go to Tufts. The purpose of the prep school is to prepare the cadet candidate to enter USAFA and to excel in their preparations to become either an air force or space force officer. He must never forget the purpose of the academy. Yes, we like to have good IC sports teams/individuals. I was an IC athlete for two years...I gave it up when my grades began to suffer; graduation and commissioning were much more important than sports.

Okay, just my thoughts...it's a Friday and my cadets are at PT.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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