Target sat score?

TheRightStuff said:
Not a new concept here, it is called "demonstrated interest" and no matter what a school says when they downplay it - it is considered and even tracked.

blog.collegevine.com

What is Demonstrated Interest in College Admissions?

Some schools consider students' interest when it comes to admissions, and others don't. Here's an overview of demonstrated interest and what it means for you.
blog.collegevine.com blog.collegevine.com
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I agree with the suggestion in the link to not ask questions that can be looked up. Also, when my kids were looking at colleges, I had them write an email thank you to those who gave them tours and spoke with them (students, faculty and staff). They included (a separate email to each person) something they learned from that person. If they did not meet with their admissions officer, they sent a note outlining what they learned from the event. If I was present, I also took notes as to highlights that could be included in the notes.
 
CGAprof said:
I agree with the suggestion in the link to not ask questions that can be looked up. Also, when my kids were looking at colleges, I had them write an email thank you to those who gave them tours and spoke with them (students, faculty and staff). They included (a separate email to each person) something they learned from that person. If they did not meet with their admissions officer, they sent a note outlining what they learned from the event. If I was present, I also took notes as to highlights that could be included in the notes.
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Yes, all great advice. People remember and will report out on those kids that follow up. A friend of mine in college admissions always says to attend everything (within reason), always "check in" with your name/info and follow up with "thank you" notes, survey responses, emails, etc.
 
The SAT score is optional this year, correct? We live in an area where the tests have been cancelled repeatedly (due to COVID). DS has a test date, and hopefully she will be able to take it. Also, if the test score isn't where they would like it to be, are they required to submit it this year? Thank you.
 
PalmTreeBreeze said:
The SAT score is optional this year, correct? We live in an area where the tests have been cancelled repeatedly (due to COVID). DS has a test date, and hopefully she will be able to take it. Also, if the test score isn't where they would like it to be, are they required to submit it this year? Thank you.
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Website says standardized test scores are "optional but encouraged." If your student wants their application considered without test scores, they are supposed to upload "a short statement with your online application requesting to review your application without test scores." So it sounds like optional means optional, for whatever reason a candidate chooses to omit their scores. I wonder how many candidates will gain appointments without having submitted standardized test scores, however? I personally read a lot into the "but encouraged" part of the website statement, though that's just the way my mind works. I have absolutely no actual insight or information into what the mind of Admissions is. I wonder, for example, if an EA applicant who does not have test scores is more likely to be rolled over into the RA pool to add time for the candidate to update their record with those "encouraged" scores? Would be an interesting data point to add to the class of 2026 appointment thread when the time comes - SAT/ACT - yes/no.
 
RJB1690 said:
Website says standardized test scores are "optional but encouraged." If your student wants their application considered without test scores, they are supposed to upload "a short statement with your online application requesting to review your application without test scores." So it sounds like optional means optional, for whatever reason a candidate chooses to omit their scores. I wonder how many candidates will gain appointments without having submitted standardized test scores, however? I personally read a lot into the "but encouraged" part of the website statement, though that's just the way my mind works. I have absolutely no actual insight or information into what the mind of Admissions is. I wonder, for example, if an EA applicant who does not have test scores is more likely to be rolled over into the RA pool to add time for the candidate to update their record with those "encouraged" scores? Would be an interesting data point to add to the class of 2026 appointment thread when the time comes - SAT/ACT - yes/no.
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I agree with this being a very interesting data point.

It was almost impossible to find a test venue during covid shutdowns. Many test sites cancelled at the last minute. This whole mess also grossly disenfranchised those without means and opportunities to travel far away only to take a test. It became a situation where only the rich could afford to travel and miss work to enable college testing for their children.
 
At a recent Admissions Event, they also said that SAT/ACT scores were "optional but highly encouraged". It sounded like if you had a valid reason for not taking the test, like your tests were repeatedly cancelled, then you could explain that situation. If you just chose not to take them or not to submit them, that would probably make Admissions question why.
 
I’m applying h to CGA early admissions. Just got my final SAT report. Due date is today for EA. I have taken the SAT in the past and got a 1260 but I used 50% extra time. I asked admissions and learned that I need to report my extra time on my application. I also took the SAT without extra time and just got my score. 1180.

Back when I asked about extra time, they did not tell me if they consider the SAT if taken with extra time. But they did say that if I summited an SAT score with extra time, I would also be REQUIRED to summit an additional one without extra time. I have asked about this in here in the past but now that I have approximately 6 hours until my application is due I really would like advice. I didn’t think not having extra time would affect my score so drastically as I finished really easily the time I had extra time.

So ultimately should I

a) summit both SAT scores with and without extra time.

B) summit only my SAT without extra time.

C) don’t summit SAT at all.

I know this is really a choice myself and my family need to answer but I honestly have dwelt on this all day and am just going in circles.
 
I think it's implied that your short statement should explain why you were unable or unwilling to take the test. I would agree with @RJB1690 that "Encouraged" is not a small or gentle word in this context. Generally I think applicants should avail themselves of every opportunity to show their excellence, so doing the "optional" interviews, answering the "optional" essay questions and proffering the "optional" test results. Last year there were many who couldn't get a test date due to mass cancellations and travel restrictions, and I think that's a strong answer if it happens again this year, but it probably won't.
 
Justin HELPmomStocksPosts said:
I’m applying h to CGA early admissions. Just got my final SAT report. Due date is today for EA. I have taken the SAT in the past and got a 1260 but I used 50% extra time. I asked admissions and learned that I need to report my extra time on my application. I also took the SAT without extra time and just got my score. 1180.

Back when I asked about extra time, they did not tell me if they consider the SAT if taken with extra time. But they did say that if I summited an SAT score with extra time, I would also be REQUIRED to summit an additional one without extra time. I have asked about this in here in the past but now that I have approximately 6 hours until my application is due I really would like advice. I didn’t think not having extra time would affect my score so drastically as I finished really easily the time I had extra time.

So ultimately should I

a) summit both SAT scores with and without extra time.

B) summit only my SAT without extra time.

C) don’t summit SAT at all.

I know this is really a choice myself and my family need to answer but I honestly have dwelt on this all day and am just going in circles.
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Have you reached out to your AO to inquire about what's advisable/acceptable and to get advice? You do have 14 more days to submit SAT scores if you ultimately choose to do so. Here's the link, but I've copied and pasted the relevant deadline info below.

Admission Requirements - United States Coast Guard Academy

Admission Requirements The Coast Guard Academy is ranked among the nation’s elite undergraduate colleges. This is reflected in our highly selective admission process, which annually admits about 300 cadets from thousands of applicants. Unlike the other federal service academies, the Coast Guard...
www.uscga.edu www.uscga.edu

Admission Requirements 2021-2022​

The Coast Guard Academy is ranked among the nation’s elite undergraduate colleges. This is reflected in our highly selective admission process, which annually admits about 300 cadets from thousands of applicants.

Unlike the other federal service academies, the Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination.

Deadlines​

Required/supplemental forms and standardized test scores will be accepted for 14 days after the deadlines above.

To be considered for admission you must submit a complete application by the deadline.
 
StPaulDad said:
I think it's implied that your short statement should explain why you were unable or unwilling to take the test. I would agree with @RJB1690 that "Encouraged" is not a small or gentle word in this context. Generally I think applicants should avail themselves of every opportunity to show their excellence, so doing the "optional" interviews, answering the "optional" essay questions and proffering the "optional" test results. Last year there were many who couldn't get a test date due to mass cancellations and travel restrictions, and I think that's a strong answer if it happens again this year, but it probably won't.
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100% agreed. When my son applied last cycle, he absolutely had test scores and added an optional recommendation letter from a science teacher since he was applying for a STEM major. He'd used this particular teacher as a recommender for MOC academy nomination packets and had seen the letter she'd written for them. It was a really great letter that he wanted included in his USCGA packet as well since the USCGA was his 1st choice school. There was an optional essay of some sort he also did. In many cases, Optional = Opportunity!
 
Justin HELPmomStocksPosts said:
I’m applying h to CGA early admissions. Just got my final SAT report. Due date is today for EA. I have taken the SAT in the past and got a 1260 but I used 50% extra time. I asked admissions and learned that I need to report my extra time on my application. I also took the SAT without extra time and just got my score. 1180.

Back when I asked about extra time, they did not tell me if they consider the SAT if taken with extra time. But they did say that if I summited an SAT score with extra time, I would also be REQUIRED to summit an additional one without extra time. I have asked about this in here in the past but now that I have approximately 6 hours until my application is due I really would like advice. I didn’t think not having extra time would affect my score so drastically as I finished really easily the time I had extra time.

So ultimately should I

a) summit both SAT scores with and without extra time.

B) summit only my SAT without extra time.

C) don’t summit SAT at all.

I know this is really a choice myself and my family need to answer but I honestly have dwelt on this all day and am just going in circles.
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If you had extra time because of a current IEP or 504, that will eventually be involved in your DoDMERB evaluation as to whether you meet standards or not. If that is not what is going on, never mind. If it is, see link at bottom of page for current accession standards, at what I believe is the current link. Page 46.

You have a choice to submit your scores or not. There are pros and cons with each, but you’ll have to choose, because we cannot see (and aren’t asking for) the totality of what you bring as a candidate.

I personally would lean toward submitting both, as they requested, should you choose to submit SAT scores. ** Keep in mind this is free advice from anonymous people on an anonymous forum, the advice is worth what you’ve paid for it, and your USCGA contacts are your primary source and best advisors. That way they are completely clear on that element of your performance and potential. Keep in mind should you not be successful, there are college re-applicants in every incoming class. You are not one and done. You take your best shot, and if not offered an appointment, regroup, get feedback on where you need to improve, and go hard after it next cycle. I only mention this to give you perspective and a view down the road, while you focus on the next steps.

 
My DD is choosing to not submit her application for EA. Her SAT score is not competitive but she sent an email to her AO asking for his advise and he said to not let her scores deter her from applying early action because he looks at the transcript more then test scores. Now she really confused as what to do!
 
Mere2033 said:
My DD is choosing to not submit her application for EA. Her SAT score is not competitive but she sent an email to her AO asking for his advise and he said to not let her scores deter her from applying early action because he looks at the transcript more then test scores. Now she really confused as what to do!
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Thank you so much for the info. I feel that my transcript is solid and competitive for EA. Hopefully it can hold some of the weight of my poor SAT scores.
 
GirlGeek said:
I agree with this being a very interesting data point.

It was almost impossible to find a test venue during covid shutdowns. Many test sites cancelled at the last minute. This whole mess also grossly disenfranchised those without means and opportunities to travel far away only to take a test. It became a situation where only the rich could afford to travel and miss work to enable college testing for their children.
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Where do you live, around were I live testing never shut down
 
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