Summer Seminar: Send both SAT and PSAT scores?

[FezR]

I scored pretty bad on the PSAT and got a 1200 (620 Reading 580 Math) then I did a little bit of prep on math and scored a 1300 (640 reading 660 math) on my SAT. Should I still send both scores as I improved by 100 points or would it be best to leave the PSAT out of the equation.
Side note: I don’t plan on sending the 1300 to the academy. I’m studying for two months leading up to my test in March. Should I also register for the ACT and send both scores if they are equivalent? Or does the academy not really care about which test I take as long as the score is good.

 

[hopefulmom182]

I would say the PSAT isn't necessary if you can report the SAT. Further, I think that it is worth taking the ACT to see if you do better at it than the SAT. My DS did much better naturally on the ACT. I've heard others on the forum say the opposite. You only have to provide one or the other, so you don't have to take both.

 

[TLINAU2230]

For the summer seminar, don't worry as much about the PSAT/SAT/ACT scores. In considering accepting you to the summer seminar, many more things are in consideration than your academic qualifications. They want to get people from every state and they're looking for diversity too - it's a recruitment tool. Naturally, if you have a 400 on the SAT you're not going to be accepted, but don't worry if you have a 1300.

Last year, there was a thread with everyone who applied for USAFASS telling their SAT and ACT and GPA and all that. I saw people accepted with 1100s and people declined with 1500s. Why? I have no idea.

Personally, I had a 1370 SAT, 32 ACT, 4.0 GPA and was declined to the summer seminar.

Considering future SAT and ACT tests for your application to the academy itself, I would 100% recommend taking the SAT over and over and over. I took the ACT twice and the SAT four times. Some people do better on ACT, some do better on SAT. I was better at the SAT for some reason. Every time, I improved my score. It's definitely not fun taking them many times, but it will pay off! Good luck!

 

[FezR]

For the summer seminar, don't worry as much about the PSAT/SAT/ACT scores. In considering accepting you to the summer seminar, many more things are in consideration than your academic qualifications. They want to get people from every state and they're looking for diversity too - it's a recruitment tool. Naturally, if you have a 400 on the SAT you're not going to be accepted, but don't worry if you have a 1300.

Last year, there was a thread with everyone who applied for USAFASS telling their SAT and ACT and GPA and all that. I saw people accepted with 1100s and people declined with 1500s. Why? I have no idea.

Personally, I had a 1370 SAT, 32 ACT, 4.0 GPA and was declined to the summer seminar.

Considering future SAT and ACT tests for your application to the academy itself, I would 100% recommend taking the SAT over and over and over. I took the ACT twice and the SAT four times. Some people do better on ACT, some do better on SAT. I was better at the SAT for some reason. Every time, I improved my score. It's definitely not fun taking them many times, but it will pay off! Good luck!

Thanks! Just curious because you got declined, did you have a lot down for civic involvement? The bulk of my app is my involvement in JROTC so I don't know how much that will help. (Director of Logistics for my unit)

 

[TLINAU2230]

Thanks! Just curious because you got declined, did you have a lot down for civic involvement? The bulk of my app is my involvement in JROTC so I don't know how much that will help. (Director of Logistics for my unit)

Yes, I worked very extensively at a youth camp. I worked throughout the summers leading work crews of 15, preparing meals for up to 90 campers daily, leading worship on drums, organizing maintenance crews and daily tasks, leading the ropes course, teaching up to 50, and mentoring. With 15 other staff was responsible for 150 volunteers and 2500 campers each summer. I also founded a homeschool group, led studies, organized and prepared workdays, and volunteered in the local community by mowing lawns for widows and other odd jobs. I also play two varsity sports and won the MVP and was a team captain for baseball. I serve at my church and lead worship there. (That sounds super resume-like but that's pretty much what I told them.)

From what I have learned by talking to admissions from the academies and reading this forum (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong), the summer seminar is a recruitment tool. That means that if they can tell that you are sold out to the academy already, they may feel like they don't need to work on recruiting you, and they might give that slot to someone more on the fence. Personally, I've been determined to be an Air Force Officer for 8 years, and that attitude naturally came out in my papers. I don't know though, that's just what I picked up on. Also, I saw that f4fwildcatfm2 (another member on this forum) received a slot to USAFASS. She is in my area and they rarely will pick two from one small area.

I hope that helps! I hope you're able to get a slot at the seminar!

 

[justdoit19]

Yes, I worked very extensively at a youth camp. I worked throughout the summers leading work crews of 15, preparing meals for up to 90 campers daily, leading worship on drums, organizing maintenance crews and daily tasks, leading the ropes course, teaching up to 50, and mentoring. With 15 other staff was responsible for 150 volunteers and 2500 campers each summer. I also founded a homeschool group, led studies, organized and prepared workdays, and volunteered in the local community by mowing lawns for widows and other odd jobs. I also play two varsity sports and won the MVP and was a team captain for baseball. I serve at my church and lead worship there. (That sounds super resume-like but that's pretty much what I told them.)

From what I have learned by talking to admissions from the academies and reading this forum (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong), the summer seminar is a recruitment tool. That means that if they can tell that you are sold out to the academy already, they may feel like they don't need to work on recruiting you, and they might give that slot to someone more on the fence. Personally, I've been determined to be an Air Force Officer for 8 years, and that attitude naturally came out in my papers. I don't know though, that's just what I picked up on. Also, I saw that f4fwildcatfm2 (another member on this forum) received a slot to USAFASS. She is in my area and they rarely will pick two from one small area.

I hope that helps! I hope you're able to get a slot at the seminar!

Also keep in mind it doesn’t mean “recruiting you”. As in specifically YOU. It can be more of a geographical recruitment tool. Exposing USAFA to underrepresented geo-areas.

My oldest fell into the incorrect thought that if he didn’t get an invitation to USAFA summer seminar, that it meant they didn’t want HIM. That’s just isnt the case and in fact was stated so on his “rejection” letter. But we are in close proximity to USAFA, I believe that plays a factor in their (and other SA’s) awards.

It’s statistically harder to get into summer seminar than the SA. Less spots. You could have the BEST resume and not get in for recruitment/exposure reasons. DONT be discouraged from applying to the Academy if you don’t receive an invitation to their summer program!