Wait or submit SS application?

NewbEssence

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Jan 11, 2018
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I got a 26 on the ACT last year with a 24 in math and a 23 in science, but a 32 in reading and 8 in essay. I am concerned this score is too low to be admitted. However, I have a 4.1 GPA with 4 AP classes this year and 2 last year. I am also the captain of my football team, selected for boys’ state this summer, attended Summer Stem last year, attending CVW in February, 3 year winner of the scholar athlete award, and am a youth football coach.

The application for SS is on a rolling basis, so I’m concerned that if I wait to take my new ACT and significantly raise my scores I won’t have a spot open, or it will be more competitive than if I submit it now and there admitting more people.

Should I submit my application now or wait until around February 24th when I will get my updated ACT results back, or chance it and submit now?
 
26 on ACT and you will probably need to improve this score to gain admittance to USNA. 24 in math is low and 23 in science is very low. Remember thi sis a STEM school and you will need to be sharp in these two areas. I would go ahead submit for SS now. CVW is probably more important to attend than SS. IMHO. Others may disagree. But DD has told me she learned more at CVW than SS. Good Luck!
 
Aren't test scores optional for the SS application? A friend of mine applied before taking the SAT and was accepted.
 
Submit now as there is no guarantee your new scores will be (significantly) better. If you want to be competitive for USNA (vs. NASS), you will need to improve your scores. There are lots of free ways to do it (i.e., practice books from the library) and also prep courses of varying intensity, costs, etc.
 
Submit now as there is no guarantee your new scores will be (significantly) better. If you want to be competitive for USNA (vs. NASS), you will need to improve your scores. There are lots of free ways to do it (i.e., practice books from the library) and also prep courses of varying intensity, costs, etc.

Yes I took that ACT the day after my sophomore year ended and didn’t study or prepare in any capacity. I am preparing for my feb 10 test. On my practice tests I’ve been getting on average a 31, with 30s in math and science.
 
26 on ACT and you will probably need to improve this score to gain admittance to USNA. 24 in math is low and 23 in science is very low. Remember thi sis a STEM school and you will need to be sharp in these two areas. I would go ahead submit for SS now. CVW is probably more important to attend than SS. IMHO. Others may disagree. But DD has told me she learned more at CVW than SS. Good Luck!

Do you know if there is a space for extra comments in the SS app?
 
There is space on the app to give more information. My son got a 29 on his ACT and 1350 on SAT. He is taking both for the second time in March and indicated that on the application.
 
SS is for candidates who are on the fence about attending a SA. If that isn't you, don't sweat it.
 
I did the same thing with the SAT scores. I held off and didn’t submit my application until late February. I was still accepted. If you know your gonna do better it wouldn’t hurt to wait.
 
I did the same thing with the SAT scores. I held off and didn’t submit my application until late February. I was still accepted. If you know your gonna do better it wouldn’t hurt to wait.

What else do they ask for on the application other than grades and test scores?
 
I did the same thing with the SAT scores. I held off and didn’t submit my application until late February. I was still accepted. If you know your gonna do better it wouldn’t hurt to wait.

What else do they ask for on the application other than grades and test scores?
You can look at the actual application and instructions to see exactly what else they ask for. Here are all the details.

Actual application: https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/NASS.php#fndtn-panel3-Steps-For

Instructions:
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/NASS-Instructions.php
 
I got a 26 on the ACT last year with a 24 in math and a 23 in science, but a 32 in reading and 8 in essay. I am concerned this score is too low to be admitted. However, I have a 4.1 GPA with 4 AP classes this year and 2 last year. I am also the captain of my football team, selected for boys’ state this summer, attended Summer Stem last year, attending CVW in February, 3 year winner of the scholar athlete award, and am a youth football coach.

The application for SS is on a rolling basis, so I’m concerned that if I wait to take my new ACT and significantly raise my scores I won’t have a spot open, or it will be more competitive than if I submit it now and there admitting more people.

Should I submit my application now or wait until around February 24th when I will get my updated ACT results back, or chance it and submit now?

My DS got turned down for NASS with his initial testing of 700+ on both Verbal and Math. And his other stats were better than yours coming from a super competitive district. But received LOA and Appointment on a real deal. If I were you I would wait to get a better score on Feb ACT. And keep taking the test until you max out. You only have one shot at this so make it your best submission. USNA review NASS apps through April so no need to rush. Last year USNA took about 2500 summer candidates. Your low Math can keep you out for NASS. Take your ACT again until you get 31 or better in math and 31 or better in English take SAT and get 700+ on both sections. Academically your GPA weighs the least. ACT or SAT most important then rank and last GPA. I believe ACT will weigh about 65% of your academics. This is an educated guess based on interaction with Admissions. NASS is not a big deal but if you really want to go retake and submit a better test score.
 
I got a 26 on the ACT last year with a 24 in math and a 23 in science, but a 32 in reading and 8 in essay. I am concerned this score is too low to be admitted. However, I have a 4.1 GPA with 4 AP classes this year and 2 last year. I am also the captain of my football team, selected for boys’ state this summer, attended Summer Stem last year, attending CVW in February, 3 year winner of the scholar athlete award, and am a youth football coach.

The application for SS is on a rolling basis, so I’m concerned that if I wait to take my new ACT and significantly raise my scores I won’t have a spot open, or it will be more competitive than if I submit it now and there admitting more people.

Should I submit my application now or wait until around February 24th when I will get my updated ACT results back, or chance it and submit now?

My DS got turned down for NASS with his initial testing of 700+ on both Verbal and Math. And his other stats were better than yours coming from a super competitive district. But received LOA and Appointment on a real deal. If I were you I would wait to get a better score on Feb ACT. And keep taking the test until you max out. You only have one shot at this so make it your best submission. USNA review NASS apps through April so no need to rush. Last year USNA took about 2500 summer candidates. Your low Math can keep you out for NASS. Take your ACT again until you get 31 or better in math and 31 or better in English take SAT and get 700+ on both sections. Academically your GPA weighs the least. ACT or SAT most important then rank and last GPA. I believe ACT will weigh about 65% of your academics. This is an educated guess based on interaction with Admissions. NASS is not a big deal but if you really want to go retake and submit a better test score.

Are you sure? Even if I might not be able to get my test results back until mid-late March? The applications close on March 31, and there’s rolling admissions. I am from Wisconsin in a non to mid-competitive district, pretty unrepresented geographically at USNA
 
You can try with 26 but your math score of 24 is unacceptable level by USNA when it comes to real deal in the fall for Appointment. I believe you can bring it up to 30+ over time. What is your English score? You did not provide that. If your Math and English were 26 each I might say yah go for it now and see. But my man your math 24 is telling me that this was your first test and screaming I can do better given your GPA.

But that’s my opinion. I don’t see the point of rushing but I would apply with better Math and English scores. That’s all USNA look at. USNA does not consider your Reading Science and Writing.
 
You are going to CVW which is a good plan. Although you’ll get a different experience you will still get to know USNA culture. More academic and Mid life and culture vs the summer fun to meet peers like yourself! That’s the real difference. I think you’ll get a real feel of USNA Mid life from CVW rather than from NASS. My DS did CVW.
 
Your GPA is reviewed on Unweighted basis on 90-100 for the same A. So if your Unweighted GPA in the Fall is 3.7 in math science English social studies, I think you are competitor no matter what district you are from. SAs will give you more weight depending on Honors and AP of that course. Math Science primarily. Good luck preparing. You can do it!
 
This is to help you plan well. And wishing you well!

I’ve seen the low range of 27-28 for NASS and mid range of 29 and high range of 31+. Your English is about 25 given your initial read out. So you have 24M 25E. That’s Composite 25 at best. Remember min is not a standard. Min is minimum and your current ACT is not even academy minimum on those two sections. That’s a non starter in the Fall. You can’t even open your Part 2 App in July with that score. So work on your testing from now through Dec 2018. Unless you become a state/national level recruited athlete and you’re a URM, your appointment will be very challenging.
 
This is to help you plan well. And wishing you well!

I’ve seen the low range of 27-28 for NASS and mid range of 29 and high range of 31+. Your English is about 25 given your initial read out. So you have 24M 25E. That’s Composite 25 at best. Remember min is not a standard. Min is minimum and your current ACT is not even academy minimum on those two sections. That’s a non starter in the Fall. You can’t even open your Part 2 App in July with that score. So work on your testing from now through Dec 2018. Unless you become a state/national level recruited athlete and you’re a URM, your appointment will be very challenging.

Thank you so much! I understand it’s not acceptable by any standards. I took that test the day after my sophomore year ended without any sort prep whatsoever. I’m going to ask my counselor when results come back for our ACT. If it’s any longer than 2 weeks I’m going to submit since I’ll be cutting it too close and risking too much. If it’s shorter I think it will be worth the wait.

Thank you for all of your well wishes and advice! I’ll post back later if I get accepted or not!
 
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