SAT and Service Academies

[chhappy]

Hi All!

I was wondering whether the Service Academies would know how many times you took the SAT? I'm contemplating whether taking it in June or August and that would be my third time. I would of course score better on the August test because I would have the entire summer to study but, I also want to have a shot of receiving an LOA.

I'm in a extremely, extremely competitive district and its almost impossible to receive a nomination here without direct connections/commitment through a sport. So, an LOA would help a lot with being able to obtain a nomination here. (This is all what local Midshipmen have told me that are from the same district as me)

 

[BBMomma]

Hi All!

I was wondering whether the Service Academies would know how many times you took the SAT? I'm contemplating whether taking it in June or August and that would be my third time. I would of course score better on the August test because I would have the entire summer to study but, I also want to have a shot of receiving an LOA.

I'm in a extremely, extremely competitive district and its almost impossible to receive a nomination here without direct connections/commitment through a sport. So, an LOA would help a lot with being able to obtain a nomination here. (This is all what local Midshipmen have told me that are from the same district as me)

Take as many times as you want to reach a score your happy with and send the service academies all of them, they superscore. My boy took SAT three times and then decided to try the ACT once.

 

[MidCakePa]

I'm in an extremely, extremely competitive district and its almost impossible to receive a nomination here without direct connections/commitment through a sport.

This may be the scuttlebutt, the buzz, the belief. It may be a strongly held perception based on recent anecdotes. But unless you have empirical data from USNA, you simply don’t know this.

Recruited athletes tend to be high-profile candidates and appointments. But they’re still a minority of the brigade.

As for “direct connections” — the SAs don’t seem to dabble much, if at all, in connections or nepotism.

 

[ders_dad]

A 36 ACT or 1600 SAT is no guarantee of an LOA - or appointment. But go for it! It is something you can control.

 

[usna1985]

Until recently, for years I lived in one of the most competitive districts — and states — in the country. Many of my candidates received noms and appointments. Very few (well less than 10%) were recruited athletes. I never met one with “connections.” The overwhelming majority were just really strong candidates. It was very hard to get more than one nom, but a few stellar folks actually managed that.

 

[Korsmot]

Take the SAT/ACT as many times as you'd like. I would argue that the more times you take it the better. I submitted my seven ACT attempts.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

This may be the scuttlebutt, the buzz, the belief. It may be a strongly held perception based on recent anecdotes. But unless you have empirical data from USNA, you simply don’t know this.

Recruited athletes tend to be high-profile candidates and appointments. But they’re still a minority of the brigade.

As for “direct connections” — the SAs don’t seem to dabble much, if at all, in connections or nepotism.

I would bet that when people are talking of “connections” they are referring to congressional nominations not the SA.

And since the congressional process is an opaque patronage system it would be hard to tell who had connections. Or if those connections helped in any way.

But because it’s opaque as far as why these particular names on this list of names , people may assume connections help .

That and the now and then story that references someone getting a nomination from a family friend even if turned down by the SA.

 

[A1Janitor]

I also think it is partially rationalization by some that becomes truth for others. “My son had the best stats and he didn’t get a nomination, so it must be political or nefarious.”

Never mind that the stats of the ones securing nominations are unknown.

 

[Jeepman]

Hi All!

I was wondering whether the Service Academies would know how many times you took the SAT? I'm contemplating whether taking it in June or August and that would be my third time. I would of course score better on the August test because I would have the entire summer to study but, I also want to have a shot of receiving an LOA.

I'm in a extremely, extremely competitive district and its almost impossible to receive a nomination here without direct connections/commitment through a sport. So, an LOA would help a lot with being able to obtain a nomination here. (This is all what local Midshipmen have told me that are from the same district as me)

Take both the ACT and SAT and figure out which one fits your testing approach the best, and focus on that test. Some do well with ACT and some do better with SAT.

 

[Banshee Mom]

I also think it is partially rationalization by some that becomes truth for others. “My son had the best stats and he didn’t get a nomination, so it must be political or nefarious.”

Never mind that the stats of the ones securing nominations are unknown.

This has been a constant for DD , the gossip and comments (twice to my face ) about how did she get an appointment .
“Her dad must have known people from the VFW or American Legion and they got her in. “ “Her mom knows a lot of people in the schools”. DD is pretty good at ignoring it , her older sister is not and has put a few people in their place. We also get a lot of “my son was going to apply to naval academy “. Well, did he? I have no idea why DD was able to secure an appointment as I’m sure many folks don’t know why their kids didn’t . There are many outstanding candidates and not enough spaces . No one knows how admissions makes their decisions but I’m pretty confident it’s not based on nepotism. We heard all of this prior to DD applying , she had someone tell her to not go through the process because “it’s a lot of work and I don’t think you have the stats for it “. We had been told over and over again that it was “impossible” to receive a nomination especially from a Senator in our state . DD did , twice. Don’t listen to the outside noise , put the best application together that you can and hope for the best . So glad we didn’t listen to all the naysayers .

 

[Jganor]

A 36 ACT or 1600 SAT is no guarantee of an LOA - or appointment. But go for it! It is something you can control.

I know this to be 100% true, my son who will be in the class of ‘27 had a perfect 36, 1 attempt, taken in the 2nd half of his sophomore year of HS. Not boastful, but clearly a good candidate because he gained an appointment. But… No LOA. My advice is just be the best well rounded candidate you can be. There are many aspects out of your control and many (many) unknowns. Good luck!