SAT and ACT scores

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mamabear1302

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We thought from what we'd heard at Bears Day, the CGA required both tests to be taken, so DS has done so. In reading the application requirements, it says one or the other. He's done well on the SAT (3x taken and improved score) but the ACT 1st time score was not good. Retook ACT today 2nd time, obviously won't know scores for a while but believes he didn't do well again. We've sent/requested to send all scores to the CGA, good or bad. He's studied on his own, I know he can retest, we can possibly afford a tutor if he has time, but at this point....he's mentally done with it both SAT/ACT. Application has already been submitted. As far as being competitive, he's up there with the rest of the stats I've been reading - high GPA/Class rank, taking AP classes/A's, PFE score is excellent, is an athlete, checks the leadership boxes, and so on. Just really stressing the SAT/ACT tests issue. Thoughts???
 
mamabear1302 said:
We thought from what we'd heard at Bears Day, the CGA required both tests to be taken, so DS has done so. In reading the application requirements, it says one or the other. He's done well on the SAT (3x taken and improved score) but the ACT 1st time score was not good. Retook ACT today 2nd time, obviously won't know scores for a while but believes he didn't do well again. We've sent/requested to send all scores to the CGA, good or bad. He's studied on his own, I know he can retest, we can possibly afford a tutor if he has time, but at this point....he's mentally done with it both SAT/ACT. Application has already been submitted. As far as being competitive, he's up there with the rest of the stats I've been reading - high GPA/Class rank, taking AP classes/A's, PFE score is excellent, is an athlete, checks the leadership boxes, and so on. Just really stressing the SAT/ACT tests issue. Thoughts???
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Well, if he has a solid SAT score, I wouldn’t worry about the ACT. They take one or the other.
 
mamabear1302 said:
That would be a relief, but wouldn't they also look at the ACT score as well, if it's been sent over?
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From what I understand, they only take your best scores. They even look at superscores to get the best possible score so I do not believe the ACT will be a problem
 
Do not worry they will take the best scores whether it is the ACT or SAT. They do not take a score from SAT and combine with a score from ACT. They only superscore within the same test.
 
I am so happy to see this thread! My DS took the SAT a long time ago and it was less than stellar. Every time it was available to take again, he was away for baseball tournaments! After working with a tutor and studying his bum off, he just re took his SAT last weekend and ACT this weekend and feels he nailed it. However, the scores wont be in until AFTER decision time. We told his AO that he was retaking. Now wish we had waited for RA now and not EA. Ugh. He is an amazing athlete, leader, NHS, and super GPA. But, he is worried that his previous scores will hold him back. He was also planning to retake his PFE at the cadet for a day event a few weeks ago, but alas, the weather (crazy snow storm) did not allow for that at the CGA. We are biting nails over here. We have plan B, C, and D. But, this is really what he has wanted all along...
 
mrspk said:
I am so happy to see this thread! My DS took the SAT a long time ago and it was less than stellar. Every time it was available to take again, he was away for baseball tournaments! After working with a tutor and studying his bum off, he just re took his SAT last weekend and ACT this weekend and feels he ts it nailed it. However, the scores wont be in until AFTER decision time. We told his AO that he was retaking. Now wish we had waited for RA now and not EA. Ugh. He is an amazing athlete, leader, NHS, and super GPA. But, he is worried that his previous scores will hold him back. He was also planning to retake his PFE at the cadet for a day event a few weeks ago, but alas, the weather (crazy snow storm) did not allow for that at the CGA. We are biting nails over here. We have plan B, C, and D. But, this is really what he has wanted all along...
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My DS was determined to get in no matter what, his SAT we about average. He was rejected out of high school and decided to self prep at Marion Military Institute and had a good year, reapplied was waitlisted and ultimately rejected again. Heartbroken he went back to MMI and applied for third time and was one of first selected this year. If he wants MMI has a good track record
 
TBK2023 said:
My DS was determined to get in no matter what, his SAT we about average. He was rejected out of high school and decided to self prep at Marion Military Institute and had a good year, reapplied was waitlisted and ultimately rejected again. Heartbroken he went back to MMI and applied for third time and was one of first selected this year. If he wants MMI has a good track record
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I think Capt. Fredie was only accepted to the academy on his third try!
 
For what it's worth, my wife and I think that our son's SAT score is likely the one variable that tipped him over the bar in earning admission to USCGA for the class of 2024. He DID attend AIM, and has a lot of the other credentials that all of the other applicants seem to have: NHS, leadership, community service, athletics, and (was told) he was a good interview; but nothing that would really put him head and shoulders above the other worthy candidates. He's not an athletic team captain, only has 2 varsity letters (he participates in club boxing outside of school and they give bruises, not letters), and certainly doesn't have 100's (but dozens) of hours of volunteer/community service hours, etc. He only submitted something like a 215 on his physical test from AIM - he knew he could have done much better, but was willing to go with that score. He IS passionate about serving his country, but we assume all of the fine young people who are applying have the same passion to serve.

So, despite his lack of "superstardom", he kept hacking at the SAT. We thought that he was pretty much willing to "stick with his hand" after the summer and hold at the mid-1300's, when he told us he wanted to give it one more shot in October. He changed his approach a bit for the last test and raised his composite exactly 100 points; 90 alone in Math. We think this was the tipping point for his EA admission.

The ONLY reason I share this info is that we feel that he put himself in control of his own destiny by continuing (on his own) to work to raise his SAT score. It can be done and it does make a difference!!!
 
mamabear1302 said:
We thought from what we'd heard at Bears Day, the CGA required both tests to be taken, so DS has done so. In reading the application requirements, it says one or the other. He's done well on the SAT (3x taken and improved score) but the ACT 1st time score was not good. Retook ACT today 2nd time, obviously won't know scores for a while but believes he didn't do well again. We've sent/requested to send all scores to the CGA, good or bad. He's studied on his own, I know he can retest, we can possibly afford a tutor if he has time, but at this point....he's mentally done with it both SAT/ACT. Application has already been submitted. As far as being competitive, he's up there with the rest of the stats I've been reading - high GPA/Class rank, taking AP classes/A's, PFE score is excellent, is an athlete, checks the leadership boxes, and so on. Just really stressing the SAT/ACT tests issue. Thoughts???
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If you don't mind me asking, what was his best ACT composite score?
 
Merry Christmas! Well his last one was 27. But have not gotten back
The new score yet. However, he feels that there was major improvement.
 
mrspk said:
Merry Christmas! Well his last one was 27. But have not gotten back
The new score yet. However, he feels that there was major improvement.
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My DS's two best composites were both 28. (he bombed it one other time.) I think combined it was 29. I'm not sure I would sweat your DS's score two much. I also think that with so few spots available, there is a fair amount of luck involved. My DS checked all the boxes, but not to a superstar level. He did submit a very polished essay and took a heavy course load this past semester, but he thinks what tipped it for him was that the track coach was running low on sprinters and he's a descent sprinter. He did attend AIM and graduated. In his group only 14 of 24 were still standing at the end, so I figure that's a big deal. Merry Xmas. I think I hear the kids stirring so it's time to open some presents.
 
Wow, only 14 out of 24 fellow AIMster's made it through his platoon? My DS's platoon didn't lose anybody and when I showed him these stats he said that the word was "quitting AIM was contagious within a platoon"..."we were told once one person did, a lot of kids in the platoon would follow". He said most kids definitely thought or talked about quitting, but those that stayed found something within themselves, or their platoon peers and cadre to press on. I think this was a very important experience for my DS. Definitely gave him confidence in attending any SA, and (also) gave him some great application essay material. That Friday, he was never so happy to see us :)
 
I think completing AIM is a big plus, IMO this is why around 50% of a class comes from AIM graduates. My DS is not a super star but he has leadership experience, I am sure his references were good as were his essays. But I am sure what that what secured his appointment to CGAS was his performance at AIM.
 
I would look at it the other way around...applicants who complete AIM are more likely to finish their application packets. That makes more AIMsters in the applicant pool by proportion.
 
TexasAggie204 said:
Wow, only 14 out of 24 fellow AIMster's made it through his platoon? My DS's platoon didn't lose anybody and when I showed him these stats he said that the word was "quitting AIM was contagious within a platoon"..."we were told once one person did, a lot of kids in the platoon would follow". He said most kids definitely thought or talked about quitting, but those that stayed found something within themselves, or their platoon peers and cadre to press on. I think this was a very important experience for my DS. Definitely gave him confidence in attending any SA, and (also) gave him some great application essay material. That Friday, he was never so happy to see us :)
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I recall my DS saying that there was one girl that had already accepted an offer to run track for a D1 school so she knew she wasn't going to attend and she quit. Perhaps that was the trigger.
 
sanman said:
I think completing AIM is a big plus, IMO this is why around 50% of a class comes from AIM graduates. My DS is not a super star but he has leadership experience, I am sure his references were good as were his essays. But I am sure what that what secured his appointment to CGAS was his performance at AIM.
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I believe this contributed to my DS admission to CGAS as well! He was hurt in AIM to the point when he finished the run during the pfe the medic pulled him and was like “ why didn’t you tell us you were hurt “ he said “Sir I wanted to score my PFE” he scored a 245 hurt ... and he lasted through the rest of AIM. Also he ONLY wanted the Coast Guard Academy and wrote about why in one of his essays, and during interview w AO and Admissions Director he explained to them why.
 
scooter2u said:
I recall my DS saying that there was one girl that had already accepted an offer to run track for a D1 school so she knew she wasn't going to attend and she quit. Perhaps that was the trigger.
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I find this annoying since kids who wanted to attend AIM were waitlisted. If you had no interest in the Academy why take a spot at AIM I just don’t get it.
 
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