Service Academies going test optional?

[Volbeater7734]

With the recent news of Yale going test optional alongside more T20 colleges, I’m worried that the academies might go the same route. I go to a small rural school with very little extracurriculars besides the big ones (NHS, student government, etc..) Not only that but we have no APs, IBs, or honors classes. The only thing that allows me to compete academically with everyone else is my ACT of 34. I’m currently studying hours every day alongside CFA prep to increase this to a 35 or 36 however I’m worried that the academies may go test optional and heavily reduce my ability to be competitive academically. I know one of the rules of this forum is to not worry about things outside of your control, but I can’t help but feel a little demotivated in continuing my ACT studies with the thought lingering.

 

[unkown1961]

Don’t worry. The academies, ROTC, and selective schools like Yale, MIT, etc. look closely at the school profile and they understand when the high school does not offer a lot of AP or IB classes. Your qualifications will come through by showing you took the most rigorous classes available, participated in activities, led some of those activities, and in your well written essays. But since you don’t know for sure yet, keep studying for the tests. You’ll most likely be able to report the scores anyway if they are optional.

 

[Volbeater7734]

Don’t worry. The academies, ROTC, and selective schools like Yale, MIT, etc. look closely at the school profile and they understand when the high school does not offer a lot of AP or IB classes. Your qualifications will come through by showing you took the most rigorous classes available, participated in activities, led some of those activities, and in your well written essays. But since you don’t know for sure yet, keep studying for the tests. You’ll most likely be able to report the scores anyway if they are optional.

Thanks. Yea I’m not worried about taking the most rigorous classes my school has to offer. It’s so bad here that me and my friends had to petition our school to bring back precalculus and Trigonometry, a course they haven’t taught in years. I wonder if they also look at grade inflation. I have a 3.9 gpa because of an Art class I took freshman year but there are two classmates who have 4.0s with a 18 and 20 ACT, respectively. Grade inflation is a ridiculous problem at my school and without my self studying habits developed by the ACT, my math knowledge would only be basic level Algebra and Geometry. I’ve pretty much self taught myself most of Trigonometry and some parts of Precal.

 

[justdoit19]

A big part of sacrifice, is doing things we don’t want to. Without seeing an immediate (or any) benefit. I propose that studying, doing you best, despite not knowing whether they will go “test option” is exactly the kind of sacrifice ‘Grit’ SA’s look for. Where you do it bc of an internal burning desire, absent an outward payout.

You certainly don’t have to study more. That’s up to you. But will your future self be upset that you presents self gave up improvomg bc they thought they may go ‘test optional’? Something to think about. The mom in me says ALWAYS ALWAYS do your best. Don’t give up. If you really want it , leave nothing to chance that’s wIthin your control.

 

[justdoit19]

Thanks. Yea I’m not worried about taking the most rigorous classes my school has to offer. It’s so bad here that me and my friends had to petition our school to bring back precalculus and Trigonometry, a course they haven’t taught in years. I wonder if they also look at grade inflation. I have a 3.9 gpa because of an Art class I took freshman year but there are two classmates who have 4.0s with a 18 and 20 ACT, respectively. Grade inflation is a ridiculous problem at my school and without my self studying habits developed by the ACT, my math knowledge would only be basic level Algebra and Geometry. I’ve pretty much self taught myself most of Trigonometry and some parts of Precal.

And this is exactly why SA’s use standardized tests. Even with our current covid situation.

 

[Volbeater7734]

A big part of sacrifice, is doing things we don’t want to. Without seeing an immediate (or any) benefit. I propose that studying, doing you best, despite not knowing whether they will go “test option” is exactly the kind of sacrifice ‘Grit’ SA’s look for. Where you do it bc of an internal burning desire, absent an outward payout.

You certainly don’t have to study more. That’s up to you. But will your future self be upset that you presents self gave up improvomg bc they thought they may go ‘test optional’? Something to think about. The mom in me says ALWAYS ALWAYS do your best. Don’t give up. If you really want it , leave nothing to chance that’s wIthin your control.

Thank you for the words of advice. When you put it that way, I definitely want to continue studying. I’ve become a much more disciplined person from studying for the test. I’ve actually had to develop real studying strategies instead of just memorizing formulas for the next school test. If I do make it to the academies, these habits will make my life much better.

 

[NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful]

Thanks. Yea I’m not worried about taking the most rigorous classes my school has to offer. It’s so bad here that me and my friends had to petition our school to bring back precalculus and Trigonometry, a course they haven’t taught in years. I wonder if they also look at grade inflation. I have a 3.9 gpa because of an Art class I took freshman year but there are two classmates who have 4.0s with a 18 and 20 ACT, respectively. Grade inflation is a ridiculous problem at my school and without my self studying habits developed by the ACT, my math knowledge would only be basic level Algebra and Geometry. I’ve pretty much self taught myself most of Trigonometry and some parts of Precal.

In any conceivable scenario, even if the tests are OPTIONAL, the academies won't eliminate the tests, so a strong ACT score will certainly help you. Some schools, as is being discussed for public colleges in California, may bar standardized tests from consideration. That seems crazy to me for exactly the reasons you cover in this post.
Even optional seems crazy for the reasons you cite. But that's the best of both worlds for top (civilian) schools...only the kids with the highest scores will submit their results, so they get to claim their average scores went up, even if they're only including half as many admitted kids' tests in the average vs. prior years.

 

[Torero_dad]

Thanks. Yea I’m not worried about taking the most rigorous classes my school has to offer. It’s so bad here that me and my friends had to petition our school to bring back precalculus and Trigonometry, a course they haven’t taught in years. I wonder if they also look at grade inflation. I have a 3.9 gpa because of an Art class I took freshman year but there are two classmates who have 4.0s with a 18 and 20 ACT, respectively. Grade inflation is a ridiculous problem at my school and without my self studying habits developed by the ACT, my math knowledge would only be basic level Algebra and Geometry. I’ve pretty much self taught myself most of Trigonometry and some parts of Precal.

This sounds like the grist for an excellent essay.

 

[Volbeater7734]

This sounds like the grist for an excellent essay.

Thank you. I think I’ll see if I can incorporate some details of my new life of waking up around 5 and going for an early run, either interval or distance to work on my mile time and then coming home to spend the next few hours studying some ACT math and then joining my online college algebra class. When I don’t have online class I’ll spend most of my day working at my day job. I’ll see how I can tie all of this into a good essay. I’ll say this: whether or not I get accepted into the academies, they’ve provided so much motivation for me and put me into a place I never would’ve seen myself a couple years ago.

 

[Heatherg21]

Our DS attended a small rural high school. No AP/IB, limited dual credit via local community college. Archaic lab in the chemistry/physics class, no real access to modern STEM courses. He, like you and your classmates pushed their sophomore year to have honors math (dual credit) and they got it, albeit with an offsite instructor teaching via lecure videos.
He did what you are doing, basically found resources to teach himself. His favorite by far are the recorded lectures MIT offers for free. Entire semesters of math and other courses available free in their entirety. You might see yourself as disadvantaged, but in all reality, you have an opportunity to really shine. Sure, maybe you aren't #1 in your class, but you can shine in leadership roles. Are you willing to start a club for something you are passionate about? Can you make a difference in a volunteer/community service capacity?

Your ACT is already very good (higher than my kiddos by a few), whether or not an academy or college takes those scores into account is out of your hands. Kids from small schools with limited resources get into the academies every year, don't fret over that. Our son leaves for USNA in 12 days, the dream can come true.
Excel where you can, have a great attitude and practice interviewing.

 

[NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful]

Our DS attended a small rural high school. No AP/IB, limited dual credit via local community college. Archaic lab in the chemistry/physics class, no real access to modern STEM courses. He, like you and your classmates pushed their sophomore year to have honors math (dual credit) and they got it, albeit with an offsite instructor teaching via lecure videos.
He did what you are doing, basically found resources to teach himself. His favorite by far are the recorded lectures MIT offers for free. Entire semesters of math and other courses available free in their entirety. You might see yourself as disadvantaged, but in all reality, you have an opportunity to really shine. Sure, maybe you aren't #1 in your class, but you can shine in leadership roles. Are you willing to start a club for something you are passionate about? Can you make a difference in a volunteer/community service capacity?

Your ACT is already very good (higher than my kiddos by a few), whether or not an academy or college takes those scores into account is out of your hands. Kids from small schools with limited resources get into the academies every year, don't fret over that. Our son leaves for USNA in 12 days, the dream can come true.
Excel where you can, have a great attitude and practice interviewing.

If they have an internet connection, the resources that kids have these days are incredible. One of the things that separates kids these days (did I just say "kids these days"?) is the ones who are resourceful and dig a bit to find information. Since you can know almost anything, it really stands out (eg in an interview) when you talk to some kids and 2 know a ton b/c they did the research and the other 2 or 3 don't know stuff that's easily researched.

 

[unkown1961]

Thank you. I think I’ll see if I can incorporate some details of my new life of waking up around 5 and going for an early run, either interval or distance to work on my mile time and then coming home to spend the next few hours studying some ACT math and then joining my online college algebra class. When I don’t have online class I’ll spend most of my day working at my day job. I’ll see how I can tie all of this into a good essay. I’ll say this: whether or not I get accepted into the academies, they’ve provided so much motivation for me and put me into a place I never would’ve seen myself a couple years ago.

Just don't make the essay a "oh woe is me" type thing. Set up a problem faced, how you resolved it, and lessons learned. Keep in mind too that a lot of applicants face problems, and some worse than yours. And not all candidates come from 5A schools taking a bazillion AP courses while doing JROTC and Eagle Scout and being football captain. My son got AFROTC and NROTC scholarships, and into USNA, while coming from a school with limited AP classes and not having done JROTC, Scouts, or CAP (interestingly his two classmates who did JROTC did not get ROTC scholarships).
Fill out all needed info comprehensively with well-thought-out answers (e.g., do you train new employees at work - if so, state this: I see a lot of my college students' resumes who don't even think of this qualification) and you'll be in good shape. And stay in shape. Good luck!

 

[BBL2025]

My DS was only able to take the SAT once in December before the testing was stopped. ACT canceled in June here also. He got a 650 eng but only a 600 math which is he strong subject. He has been doing calculus and had not prepared for the basic algebra on most of the test. He expected to do much better in subsequent testing. IF USAFA is test optional, do you think it is beneficial to report scores as I realize his are at the "lower end". He did get into Summer Seminar reporting them, but not sure if they are worth reporting for admission. Grades are 4.0 with AP sciences and calculus.

 

[Volbeater7734]

Just don't make the essay a "oh woe is me" type thing. Set up a problem faced, how you resolved it, and lessons learned. Keep in mind too that a lot of applicants face problems, and some worse than yours. And not all candidates come from 5A schools taking a bazillion AP courses while doing JROTC and Eagle Scout and being football captain. My son got AFROTC and NROTC scholarships, and into USNA, while coming from a school with limited AP classes and not having done JROTC, Scouts, or CAP (interestingly his two classmates who did JROTC did not get ROTC scholarships).
Fill out all needed info comprehensively with well-thought-out answers (e.g., do you train new employees at work - if so, state this: I see a lot of my college students' resumes who don't even think of this qualification) and you'll be in good shape. And stay in shape. Good luck!

Sounds good. I'm sure that whatever sob story I could've made up has been done a million times before. I'm still brainstorming the structure of the essays but I might talk the challenges I've faced with regard to education and how I have fixed and currently am fixing them.

 

[Volbeater7734]

Our DS attended a small rural high school. No AP/IB, limited dual credit via local community college. Archaic lab in the chemistry/physics class, no real access to modern STEM courses. He, like you and your classmates pushed their sophomore year to have honors math (dual credit) and they got it, albeit with an offsite instructor teaching via lecure videos.
He did what you are doing, basically found resources to teach himself. His favorite by far are the recorded lectures MIT offers for free. Entire semesters of math and other courses available free in their entirety. You might see yourself as disadvantaged, but in all reality, you have an opportunity to really shine. Sure, maybe you aren't #1 in your class, but you can shine in leadership roles. Are you willing to start a club for something you are passionate about? Can you make a difference in a volunteer/community service capacity?

Your ACT is already very good (higher than my kiddos by a few), whether or not an academy or college takes those scores into account is out of your hands. Kids from small schools with limited resources get into the academies every year, don't fret over that. Our son leaves for USNA in 12 days, the dream can come true.
Excel where you can, have a great attitude and practice interviewing.

Thank you Heather!I will definitely look into the MIT lectures. Currently using Khan Academy and youtube. I'm currently working with a teacher to hopefully create our first ever track team( school only offers two sports). Practicing for the CFA has made me discover a love for running and I'm hoping to bring that to my school as I think it would greatly benefit us. After this summer I'll be spending most of my attention on that hopefully alongside senior classes.

 

[Heatherg21]

Thank you Heather!I will definitely look into the MIT lectures. Currently using Khan Academy and youtube. I'm currently working with a teacher to hopefully create our first ever track team( school only offers two sports). Practicing for the CFA has made me discover a love for running and I'm hoping to bring that to my school as I think it would greatly benefit us. After this summer I'll be spending most of my attention on that hopefully alongside senior classes.

Just don't be disheartened. During some interviews with MOC's, our son would meet other candidates and he was always a bit intimidated by how many were private school attendees, or had robotics classes and swimming pools at their school. It really doesn't matter, the candidate does, the whole candidate, and that can be conveyed in a number of ways. Especially having strong interviews (IMHO). Our son's school didn't have ROTC, no CAP, he wasn't a scout. He worked his tail off. His work paid off with round 1 NROTC scholarship and 3 appointments. He was blessed to have a tough choice, and he chose USNA. Keep working hard, and seriously, check out MIT. My son loves the calculus teacher. He wishes he had been using it for years versus KHAN. I think he is watching them at this point for 'fun'. Might actually be adopted, lol.