SAT Essay Score

Zunty

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Apr 10, 2018
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After taking the SAT and receiving my essay scores back, I realized that I couldn't find any information the average scores that are based on the new scoring system. West Point's official class profile on their website says that the average is a 608, however, I'm not sure how that translates to the new SAT which has 3 categories all out of 8.

I contacted my Regional Admissions Officer and he told me to aim for all three 6's. Has anyone heard any similar information or know how much the essay is weighted compare to the rest of the SAT as I was not as satisfied with the essay as the rest of my test?
 
I contacted my Regional Admissions Officer and he told me to aim for all three 6's. Has anyone heard any similar information or know how much the essay is weighted compare to the rest of the SAT as I was not as satisfied with the essay as the rest of my test?

I’ve been told that SAT and ACT writing are more of a pass/fail than something that’s weighted differently. They just want to see that you have writing ability and have a minimum score that they want. Along as you get to 5/5/5 or 6/6/6 I wouldn’t worry about it any further and would focus on other parts of your application.
 
I'm not certain about pass/fail. Dean of Admissions told us that English professors read every SAT/ACT essay to make sure they are appropriate for USMA. So in essence the pass/fail is not in the score, but in the essay itself.
 
After taking the SAT and receiving my essay scores back, I realized that I couldn't find any information the average scores that are based on the new scoring system. West Point's official class profile on their website says that the average is a 608, however, I'm not sure how that translates to the new SAT which has 3 categories all out of 8.

I contacted my Regional Admissions Officer and he told me to aim for all three 6's. Has anyone heard any similar information or know how much the essay is weighted compare to the rest of the SAT as I was not as satisfied with the essay as the rest of my test?
I took the SAT and I got a 1240 Toal and a 5/4/5 on the Essay and I have been accepted. But don't focus on the score it's the WCS that is what gets you in or not.
 
I agree with this^^ When I took my last essay, I added it on at last minute registration, got a 6/4/6, and was accepted to WP. Hope that gives you some reference.
 
After taking the SAT and receiving my essay scores back, I realized that I couldn't find any information the average scores that are based on the new scoring system. West Point's official class profile on their website says that the average is a 608, however, I'm not sure how that translates to the new SAT which has 3 categories all out of 8.

I contacted my Regional Admissions Officer and he told me to aim for all three 6's. Has anyone heard any similar information or know how much the essay is weighted compare to the rest of the SAT as I was not as satisfied with the essay as the rest of my test?
I took the SAT and I got a 1240 Toal and a 5/4/5 on the Essay and I have been accepted. But don't focus on the score it's the WCS that is what gets you in or not.
After taking the SAT and receiving my essay scores back, I realized that I couldn't find any information the average scores that are based on the new scoring system. West Point's official class profile on their website says that the average is a 608, however, I'm not sure how that translates to the new SAT which has 3 categories all out of 8.

I contacted my Regional Admissions Officer and he told me to aim for all three 6's. Has anyone heard any similar information or know how much the essay is weighted compare to the rest of the SAT as I was not as satisfied with the essay as the rest of my test?
I took the SAT and I got a 1240 Toal and a 5/4/5 on the Essay and I have been accepted. But don't focus on the score it's the WCS that is what gets you in or not.

Were you a recruited athlete or what was your hook? Quick questions:DS sitting at 1220, relative high GPA, but has struggled with some of the honor/AP classes- Bs and even a few C+, great ECs. All- League runner and captain, Eagle Scout and Boys State. Were
After taking the SAT and receiving my essay scores back, I realized that I couldn't find any information the average scores that are based on the new scoring system. West Point's official class profile on their website says that the average is a 608, however, I'm not sure how that translates to the new SAT which has 3 categories all out of 8.

I contacted my Regional Admissions Officer and he told me to aim for all three 6's. Has anyone heard any similar information or know how much the essay is weighted compare to the rest of the SAT as I was not as satisfied with the essay as the rest of my test?
I took the SAT and I got a 1240 Toal and a 5/4/5 on the Essay and I have been accepted. But don't focus on the score it's the WCS that is what gets you in or
After taking the SAT and receiving my essay scores back, I realized that I couldn't find any information the average scores that are based on the new scoring system. West Point's official class profile on their website says that the average is a 608, however, I'm not sure how that translates to the new SAT which has 3 categories all out of 8.

I contacted my Regional Admissions Officer and he told me to aim for all three 6's. Has anyone heard any similar information or know how much the essay is weighted compare to the rest of the SAT as I was not as satisfied with the essay as the rest of my test?
I took the SAT and I got a 1240 Toal and a 5/4/5 on the Essay and I have been accepted. But don't focus on the score it's the WCS that is what gets you in or not.
 
After taking the SAT and receiving my essay scores back, I realized that I couldn't find any information the average scores that are based on the new scoring system. West Point's official class profile on their website says that the average is a 608, however, I'm not sure how that translates to the new SAT which has 3 categories all out of 8.

I contacted my Regional Admissions Officer and he told me to aim for all three 6's. Has anyone heard any similar information or know how much the essay is weighted compare to the rest of the SAT as I was not as satisfied with the essay as the rest of my test?
I took the SAT and I got a 1240 Toal and a 5/4/5 on the Essay and I have been accepted. But don't focus on the score it's the WCS that is what gets you in or not.


What is the WCS?
 
Unless there has been a recent change, the English Department does not read every SAT/ACT essay. They only read essays that fall below the cutoff point for an otherwise competitive candidate.

Admissions Dean may have been trying to provide some extra motivation or maybe there has been a change. Seems like a lot of extra work for the English Department to read a couple thousand essays in addition to torturing plebes on a daily basis.
 
What is the WCS?
WCS is the most important number in your file when competing for an appointment that is determined by USMA admissions on order of merit - that is most appointments.

Not all appointments are awarded using order of merit and not all that are decided on order of merit are determined by USMA. Some MOC's determine their own order of merit and some candidates are appointed as Additional Appointees, which does not require order of merit (mostly recruited athletes, minorities, enlisted soldiers).
 
You need SAT essay scores with 5's or above in the writing and reading and a 3 or above in the analysis. You SAT essays will only be looked at if you are a English risk, meaning that you have a D or F in an English class, you have bad SOE's, or your SAT scores fall below a certain threshold. If you above the risk level once, then you are good to go for West Point and will never have to take the essay with your SAT's again.
 
So just to understand correctly.. Essays in SAT and ACT are required for USMA. Is that right??
 
I just looked at USAFA as well, I don’t see it as required. Can somebody clarify for usafa as well?

I missed the detail on WP site regarding the essay
 
Honestly, I wouldn’t rely on what anyone says here for such an important piece of your application. It should be very plainly stated and obvious on each SA’s admissions website. Personally, I would want to confirm with them. Not a bunch of forum members.
 
Honestly, I wouldn’t rely on what anyone says here for such an important piece of your application. It should be very plainly stated and obvious on each SA’s admissions website. Personally, I would want to confirm with them. Not a bunch of forum members.

Thank you for suggestion. I just did that on WP. Since my DD is going to apply for USMA and USAFA, she will be covered in case USAFA requires essay.
 
Honestly, I wouldn’t rely on what anyone says here for such an important piece of your application. It should be very plainly stated and obvious on each SA’s admissions website. Personally, I would want to confirm with them. Not a bunch of forum members.

Thank you for suggestion. I just did that on WP. Since my DD is going to apply for USMA and USAFA, she will be covered in case USAFA requires essay.
This is directly from USAFA instructions to candidates booklet.
NOTE: You must take every subtest of the ACT and/or the Math Section and Evidence Based Reading and Writing Section of the SAT. We will not accept the test scores if you did not take all required subtests/sections. The Writing subtest for the ACT and the Essay Section for the SAT are optional but highly encouraged.
Our DS printed the booklet and keeps it in his binder in the USAFA section. He did so for USMMA, USNA and USMA. We also read them cover to cover. 99% of the questions you will have are covered in them. Makes it easy to open them up when you are working your way through the apps.

Here is the link to the booklet.
https://aloweb.usafa.edu/candidatekit/CK/Forms/OnlineInstructiontoCand2024.pdf
 
This is directly from USAFA instructions to candidates booklet.
NOTE: You must take every subtest of the ACT and/or the Math Section and Evidence Based Reading and Writing Section of the SAT. We will not accept the test scores if you did not take all required subtests/sections. The Writing subtest for the ACT and the Essay Section for the SAT are optional but highly encouraged.
Our DS printed the booklet and keeps it in his binder in the USAFA section. He did so for USMMA, USNA and USMA. We also read them cover to cover. 99% of the questions you will have are covered in them. Makes it easy to open them up when you are working your way through the apps.

Here is the link to the booklet.
https://aloweb.usafa.edu/candidatekit/CK/Forms/OnlineInstructiontoCand2024.pdf

Thank you so much..I had not come across the link on site. I guess it’s sent to candidates only.
 
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This is directly from USAFA instructions to candidates booklet.
NOTE: You must take every subtest of the ACT and/or the Math Section and Evidence Based Reading and Writing Section of the SAT. We will not accept the test scores if you did not take all required subtests/sections. The Writing subtest for the ACT and the Essay Section for the SAT are optional but highly encouraged.
Our DS printed the booklet and keeps it in his binder in the USAFA section. He did so for USMMA, USNA and USMA. We also read them cover to cover. 99% of the questions you will have are covered in them. Makes it easy to open them up when you are working your way through the apps.

Here is the link to the booklet.
https://aloweb.usafa.edu/candidatekit/CK/Forms/OnlineInstructiontoCand2024.pdf

Thank you so much..I had not come across the link on site. I guess it’s sent to candidates only.
BUT, keep in mind I am sure it updates each year so there could be changes to it for future applicants.
 
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